Recent Naruto Manga (Chapters 400+)

[uc pseudonym]

I liked Gaara's return (both his abilities and his new outfit), but I'm not fond of the artsy Akatsuki member. Perhaps I am generally biased against such art, but I'm not terribly fond of her brand of jutsu.

[Lady Arianrod]

I haven't read 248 yet, but I'll comment on it when I get the chance. I can't wait to see the other kids all grown up, however...

Oh, and I hope that Shikamaru and Temari remain close allies. They make an interesting duo.

[Mave]

Chapter 249:


NO NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! ARRRRGGGHHHH!!! THIS IS NOT HAPPENING!! *tears her hair out*

[spoiler] What are those cursed Akatsuki going to do with our Gaara?! Those *beep beep beep*!! >_<;;;; [/spoiler]

I echo Aka-chan's thoughts on Gaara thus, the frustration showed above. T_T

[uc pseudonym]

Well, note that Gaara only used his Sand Armor. When Lee got him to that point, he still wasn't beaten. Of course, they want Gaara because of Shukaku (seeing as they were interested in Naruto for similar reasons, anyway). I'm curious as to where this is going... yeah.

[Lady Arianrod]

[spoiler]I hope that they don't kill Gaara.[/spoiler]

On a side note, I know it's old news, but... last week's chapter was cool. I'm glad to see Gaara again. The girl's origami attack was strange, however.

Anyway, this saga is turning out to be more interesting than I expected. I hope that Kishimoto doesn't run out of ideas too soon (because that might result in the death of a character...).

Predictions, anyone? I don't know what to expect.

[Mave]

UC said something that made me think (why don't I ever think of things like that? Gah!). Yeah Gaara must have picked up some pretty cool skills after those 3(?) years.

[spoiler] He might have intended his capture. Well, hope he kicks Akatsuki's butt if they bring him back to their HQ. [/spoiler]

[Aka-chan]

Hm…I think this will be interspersed with spoilers and opinions, so I just spoilerize it all….
[spoiler]Bwahahaha...Gaara at the Akatsuki HQ... I should very much like to see that. I'm feeling better now; I was quite upset about it earlier... I was really impressed with his devotion to preserving his village--what a beautiful change from the earlier Gaara! No way he can die off yet, though. I’m sure he’ll recover to whoop the bad guys; he’s way too strong to go so easily. How exactly do the Akatsuki intend to tap into such power as Shukaku’s or the Kyuubi’s? I have no idea how a person beside the host could effectively use that chakra…[/spoiler]
Oh…and did anyone else’s translated version refer to the Akatsuki as a guy? Cause mine did, and that kinda weirded me out… Kishimoto has had a couple slightly effeminate male characters before, but not like this.

[Kaori]

Oh…and did anyone else’s translated version refer to the Akatsuki as a guy? Cause mine did, and that kinda weirded me out… Kishimoto has had a couple slightly effeminate male characters before, but not like this.

Yes][spoiler]I hope that they don't kill Gaara.[/spoiler][/quote]
To hazard a guess, I think that is unlikely at this point. Kishimoto has gone to great lengths to turn a character who initially seemed irredeemably evil into someone readers can sympathize with and admire (a technique of which he seems rather fond). Although I wouldn't rule out the possibility entirely, I think that if it does happen it will at least not be in the near future.

[uc pseudonym]

I would agree in that regard.

Also, this Akatsuki member hasn't actually struck me as male or female, so I didn't think much of it when I finally learned which it was.

[Hitokiri]

I caved in and I downloaded Naruto manga and I JUST read number 249. I was getting a bit bored with Kakashi's past...nonetheless cool and all. This was a delighted change. My naruto has grown and so has Sakura-chan.

[spoiler]I seriously cracked up laughing when I saw that fist-attack she did on Kakashi[/spoiler]. As for Garra, he has gotte better. I hated him (as well as Shikamaru, Tenmari, and Kankoruo) but now Gaara and Shikamaru are on my top 8 list of fav charcters.

I noticed as the series progressed, I got more attached to the characters I disliked such as Kiba and Neji whom I despised but grew to love as characters. I can't wait till 250 comes out.

[MasterDias]

Oh…and did anyone else’s translated version refer to the Akatsuki as a guy? Cause mine did, and that kinda weirded me out… Kishimoto has had a couple slightly effeminate male characters before, but not like this.

I'm not sure...
My translation has Gaara refering to the Akatsuki as a 'she.'
Of course, it could possibly be a translation typo or Gaara could be mistaken.
Where specifically in your translation does it refer to the Akatsuki as a 'he?'

I noticed as the series progressed, I got more attached to the characters I disliked such as Kiba and Neji whom I despised but grew to love as characters. I can't wait till 250 comes out.

That is a thing with Kishimoto. He manages to make many characters who are initially-dislikeable into pretty likeable characters later on.

[dreamhacker]

Wondering what will happen next now. Wanna see Sasuke again, but may be a while to
And I'm wondering about Naruto's new pervert jutsu. Wanna see what can be better than Sexy no Jutsu :p

And Gaara is gotten quite strong. To make that HUGE shield was nice done. And he is doing everything to save the people. Gaara has changed very much since he met Naruto, to the better

[Aka-chan]

I'm guessing the s/he issue on the Akatsuki is just because Japanese doesn't specify gender very often in the grammar. It was just a bit of a shock. Anyway, that crawling Akatsuki guy with him/her is really, really ugly.

Hm...this was just a setup for the coming arc really, so there wasn't much, but I'm hoping we'll get to see some already-known Akatsuki (Itachi and Kisame) again soon...

[uc pseudonym]

I agree, there wasn't much there. Hopefully, in the coming arc we will get to see more of a country other than Fire. Some countries we haven't been shown in a single panel, either. Personally, I'm wondering as to Kankuro's fate, considering that he doesn't have a spirit of any sort, hence Akatsuki would consider him expendable.

[Aka-chan]

Good question. Actually, have any characters we really knew died? I can't think of any--I mean, we knew all along that Yondy and Obito had to die--and that fact that it's been so long without any real deaths makes me wonder if anyone will die at all. Lots of people have had close calls, but am I the only one who feels like there's a lack of uncertainty about it all by now?

[MasterDias]

Kishimoto seems to be pretty hesitant to actually kill off any major or secondary character.
Maybe he thinks that if he does so, fans of that particular character will get mad at him.

[nightblade]

Well, there have been real deaths. Remember the three Rain-nins that got the squeeze from Gaara? Or all the ones we see die during the attack on Konoha? The ANBU killed by Kabuto in the hospital as well as in the forest before the main matches of the chuunin exams?

What about Sandaime? That's a death in my opinion... >.>

[uc pseudonym]

Well, there have been real deaths. Remember the three Rain-nins that got the squeeze from Gaara? Or all the ones we see die during the attack on Konoha? The ANBU killed by Kabuto in the hospital as well as in the forest before the main matches of the chuunin exams?

Anyone nameless doesn't count]What about Sandaime? That's a death in my opinion... >.>[/QUOTE]

Zabuza also died. Both of them took a long, long time to do so. If Kankuro is to die, we will see his fight for at least two more issues, then he will spend another issue talking while impaled or something of the sort.

[nightblade]

Zabuza also died. Both of them took a long, long time to do so. If Kankuro is to die, we will see his fight for at least two more issues, then he will spend another issue talking while impaled or something of the sort.

This is very true, but I'm not sure if Kishimoto is going to rid us of Kankuro. In my opinion he's an awesome character (at least ability wise). The fight will be interesting, though he's not as strong as Gaara he's still a jounin and a master of puppets (with three this time). Predictions on the fight?

[uc pseudonym]

That really depends on how he's running this saga (and the few issues so far are hardly adequate to determine that). Is he going for a realistic approach (in which case I'd imagine Kankuro wouldn't survive) or the heroic (main characters almost never die)? I would imagine the latter, and due to that, I think Kankuro will survive. Most likely, the fight will be interrupted.

[Lady Arianrod]

I hope Kankuro doesn't die. He's still so young (and tragedy doesn't always seem to be Kishimoto's taste).


Edit: I just read 250 again (translated). This arc is getting pretty good... I like how things are advancing without Sasuke! Hopefully, he and Naruto won't fight for a while.

[Hitokiri]

Kankuro was another character I hated at first but now I like. I think he will survive....either interrupted or just survives barely.

I'm just read translated Ch 250. I can't wait till the next!!

[nightblade]

That really depends on how he's running this saga (and the few issues so far are hardly adequate to determine that). Is he going for a realistic approach (in which case I'd imagine Kankuro wouldn't survive) or the heroic (main characters almost never die)? I would imagine the latter, and due to that, I think Kankuro will survive. Most likely, the fight will be interrupted.

That's a good point. Probably when Kankuro has been massacred too, like he's survives but barely. That seems to be a common theme not only in Naruto but other anime as well.

[Hitokiri]

One possibility that Gaara might see Kankuro almost get killed and the Sand Badger ( forget his name) awakens. Just a thought.

[Kaligraphic]

Interesting to see who Kankurou's opponent turned out to be, eh? There's gotta be some backstory there.

[uc pseudonym]

Very possibly. Glad to see another Akatsuki actually do something. Do we know how many there are, yet?

That's a good point. Probably when Kankuro has been massacred too, like he's survives but barely. That seems to be a common theme not only in Naruto but other anime as well.

The barely surviving hero is pretty common to most literary works. Also, are you aware that Center's Focus still wants to roleplay with you via these forums? Please PM him, regardless of whether or not you're interested.

One possibility that Gaara might see Kankuro almost get killed and the Sand Badger ( forget his name) awakens. Just a thought.

Shukaku. I wouldn't rule that out.

[Hitokiri]

I just read the next chapter. Pretty intresting, the fight that is.

[Aka-chan]

Yeah. I can't wait to see what role Temari will play and if Shikamaru will team up with her again for any reason. ^__^

Offtopic, it felt weird to see Kankuro without his makeup and funky hat...

[nightblade]

Well, kankoro's fight turned out how we expected (sorta), but interesting twist.

As to Atasuki, we've seen four members (Itachi, Sharkface, Paper-bird guy, Puppetmaker) and one ex-member (Orochimaru).

Also, when do you think we'll see a Chuunin exam? And what will Naruto do about a team? Go solo?

And there's a new jutsu that Naruto is not supposed to use. Now unlike Sasuke who has a lot of good medium level jutsu (flame jutsu, Lion Rendan) with one REALLY good jutsu (Chidori), Naruto has few but REALLY powerful jutsu (Summoning, Shadow Clone, Rasengan). Any ideas on what it is?

[uc pseudonym]

I'll bet something entirely new. It's also possible Naruto won't take the Chuunin Exams again, instead becoming involved in worldwide plots.

Meanwhile, the instant I saw Kankuro almost dead at the opening of the chapter, I knew he was going to make it. Without his makeup and outfit, however, he looks a lot like Gaara. Without context, I wouldn't have recognized him.