Recent Naruto Manga (Chapters 400+)

[Yeito]

Well guys, after about two months of no internet I am back and have caught up on Naruto. So I'm going to try to contribute to the conversations now .... Again. >_>;

[Myoti]

This one actually seemed recent, though the temple bit seemed sort of random.

And Kakuzu is getting to be quite interesting, as is Hidan, surprisingly.

Asuma being the Third's son was a surprise, as well.

Stupid training cliffhangers have to go and ruin everything. @_@

[uc pseudonym]

This one actually seemed recent, though the temple bit seemed sort of random.

To be honest, this is a pet peeve of mine. This is supposed to be a new world, so it makes very little sense for it to have elements such as Buddhism. For that matter, to have nothing but Japanese culture. I wish Masashi Kishimoto and quite a few other authors would go to more effort to create decent worlds.

And Kakuzu is getting to be quite interesting, as is Hidan, surprisingly.

They aren't bad, for characters that will probably die in the next arc. Their mannerisms seem fairly odd. Mostly, I'm waiting to see their real abilities.

Asuma being the Third's son was a surprise, as well.

Yeah, that one struck me as random. I guess that means he has some more character instead of just being someone in the background.

[Myoti]

To be honest, this is a pet peeve of mine. This is supposed to be a new world, so it makes very little sense for it to have elements such as Buddhism. For that matter, to have nothing but Japanese culture. I wish Masashi Kishimoto and quite a few other authors would go to more effort to create decent worlds.

Indeed. I like Japanese and all, but if you're making an attempt at something new, try to keep it that way.

They aren't bad, for characters that will probably die in the next arc. Their mannerisms seem fairly odd. Mostly, I'm waiting to see their real abilities.

I actually liked their mannerisms. It's these kind of things that always make them more interesting to me, though yes, I would like to see more of their abilities.
Also, I find interesting that we have only two Akatsuki left to see (the leader and the other one).

Yeah, that one struck me as random. I guess that means he has some more character instead of just being someone in the background.

Indeed. Goodness knows Kishimoto has enough background characters (along with great side characters he hasn't done much with lately...).

[uc pseudonym]

I actually liked their mannerisms. It's these kind of things that always make them more interesting to me, though yes, I would like to see more of their abilities.

We'll see as they develop, but I might sort-of like their,
"If you don't watch out, you'll definitely die."
"You have to tell me that?"
if they do it with every opponent.

Also, I find interesting that we have only two Akatsuki left to see (the leader and the other one).

Ah, I hadn't realized that. Would the other unknown member be the venus-flytrap guy's partner?

[Myoti]

We'll see as they develop, but I might sort-of like their,
"If you don't watch out, you'll definitely die."
"You have to tell me that?"
if they do it with every opponent.

True. Though it's strange, as every time I see that line quoted, it seems to be translated differently (unless you weren't direct-quoting it or something I suppose).

Ah, I hadn't realized that. Would the other unknown member be the venus-flytrap guy's partner?

Possibly. I'm kinda hoping Orochimaru was supposed to be the leader's partner.

Current known:
-Itachi and Kisame
-Deidara and Sasori (dead, possibly to be replaced by Tobi)
-Hidan and Kakuzu

-Zetsu
-unknown member
-the leader
-Orochimaru (left, but hasn't been replaced)

[uc pseudonym]

Actually, I've been assuming that the leader's partner was Orochimaru from some minor things in a variety of chapters. It just seems to make sense that the leader would be alone instead of in a pair. I wonder if anything could be determined about him by considering that he is supposed to compliment Orochimaru's powers.

True. Though it's strange, as every time I see that line quoted, it seems to be translated differently (unless you weren't direct-quoting it or something I suppose).

I was both quoting from memory and summarizing for simplicity. But it will be interesting to see how Viz translates it (though that will be years from now).

[Myoti]

Yes, I was thinking similarly about Orochimaru and the leader. It just seems likely that will happen.

I was both quoting from memory and summarizing for simplicity. But it will be interesting to see how Viz translates it (though that will be years from now).

"Watch out, or you'll be destroyed."
"I know that. Art of the Doppleganger!"

Okay, so I'm mixing in some of the dub. Xp

[uc pseudonym]

Yes, I was thinking similarly about Orochimaru and the leader. It just seems likely that will happen.

Hm. Wikipedia says otherwise:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akatsuki_%28Naruto%29

I don't know where they got that (I don't remember reading it), but assuming it is accurate that changes things. This means that the leader's partner is either the unknown one or Zetsu. However, since Sasori was now Deidara's partner, it is possible that Akatsuki changes things up occasionally. So the leader could still be partnerless.

[Myoti]

Ah, well. Either way, we'll just have to wait and find out in time. :/

[Yeito]

Well 315 was rather informative. o_o

And I don't know if its just me, but... I really can't grasp the idea that Naruto is actually as dumb as moments like this make him out to be. Because in a fight he's really intuitive. At least enough to notice. But at simple points like this it seems his " stupidity " is exaggerated a lot.

I don't know. Maybe its just me. o_o

[Kurama]

Kabuto-kun Is Awesome In The Manga!!!!!!

[ShadowCat]

I don't like how Naruto can shadow clone and train....it's cheating >.> like Sasuke's curse...I mean Naruto does 1k shadow clone, makes them all do 10 push-ups and that's 10k push-ups on his original body >.> Where Rock Lee, on the other hand, has trained hard, with no cheating...

[ShadowCat]

Some things bug me...
-When they walk on water
-Deidara hands
-Naruto can relate to everyone >.>
-Everyone's like "Naruto changed mah life.." when all he really does is talk about his own problems and talks about becoming the Hokage...
-They don't teach all the Jounin shadow clone...
-Sharingan and Orochimaru's curse looks like the 666 from the omen (I think)

just meh :3

[uc pseudonym]

Welcome to the forums, ShadowCat, as I don't believe I've said that before. We strongly encourage (read: enforce) everyone to use the edit function instead of making new posts.

And I don't know if its just me, but... I really can't grasp the idea that Naruto is actually as dumb as moments like this make him out to be. Because in a fight he's really intuitive. At least enough to notice. But at simple points like this it seems his " stupidity " is exaggerated a lot.

I don't know. Maybe its just me. o_o

No, I definitely resonate with that. There was part of my mind that was thinking, "I refuse to believe that anyone without a mental illness of some sort can possibly be that dense."

I don't like how Naruto can shadow clone and train....it's cheating

Heh. Indeed it does seem that way. But protagonists almost always get unfair advantages. I'm still rooting for Lee over Naruto.

-Everyone's like "Naruto changed mah life.." when all he really does is talk about his own problems and talks about becoming the Hokage...

I personally find this fairly amusing. A typical shonen protagonist should be a charismatic character that changes the lives of those around him, but this has come off akwardly sometimes in Naruto. To paraphrase the words of a friend of mine...
Sai: I'm evil!
Naruto: Friendship!
Sai: I turn good!

[Yeito]

Lol... UC you crack me up to no end.

And welcome ShadowCat. Looking forward to chatting with you. And yes I see what you mean about the things you pointed out about Naruto. I think the reason we all root for Rock Lee is because at some point in everyone's life they've had a rock-lee moment. xD; (I know I have...)

I think the kagebunshin training is supposed to be more on the lines of receiving more information and experience from his clone's training, not just more and more power. .... Or something? I don't know. >_> Ignore my dribblings.

[Myoti]

Lol... UC you crack me up to no end.

What she said. XD

If the difference in Naruto's stupidity and "intuitiveness" was handled better, I wouldn't have much of a problem. I've seen other series with idiotic characters who can still be "clever" enough (though sometimes actually due to their simplemindeness) when the need arises, but Naruto's almost feels, I dunno, forced?

[uc pseudonym]

I think that's a fairly good word. This is straying off the topic of Naruto, but I think it has a place here: there is a definite difference for me between "real" intelligence and "listed" intelligence. For example, in Bleach, the character of Orihime seems dense most of the time but scores very well in her class. I personally don't care in the slightest if the author claims she's smart - she acts dumb, therefore to me she is dumb.

To turn things back to Naruto, I think Shikamaru is done well. That is, his intelligence is actually evident most situations (even the questions that he asks).

I think the kagebunshin training is supposed to be more on the lines of receiving more information and experience from his clone's training, not just more and more power. .... Or something? I don't know. >_> Ignore my dribblings.

I thought that a big part of it was simply the ability to try hundreds of different jutsu out at once. Instead of having to painstakingly attempt different things, Naruto can just do a ton of stuff at random and use whatever works best. Though I do wonder if physical effort would also transfer...

[Yeito]

*sigh* Who knows? Its one of those things that you try to think about, get a severe headache, and then you read the next chapter and it turns out you got a headache for nothing.

Or something. xD;

[MasterDias]

Only a few comments about the past few chapters:

-So Naruto's a wind element, eh? I'm sort of wondering what Sakura is (although I am partially suspecting earth).

-Yeah, I though Asuma being the Third's son was rather random as well. Why didn't Kishimoto reveal that when Asuma was introduced?

[Myoti]

For example, in Bleach, the character of Orihime seems dense most of the time but scores very well in her class. I personally don't care in the slightest if the author claims she's smart - she acts dumb, therefore to me she is dumb.

Oh, indeed, I've been thinking the same. Something about that never seemed right, and I sometimes think the same about Ichigo. He seems to be sort of arrogant yet clever, but there's been a few times where he appeared to be "randomly" stupid all of a sudden, which doesn't exactly seem to fit (not having control of his power I can go with, but being an idiot for no reason suddenly doesn't make much sense to me).

To turn things back to Naruto, I think Shikamaru is done well. That is, his intelligence is actually evident most situations (even the questions that he asks).

True. He wasn't shown as some of these charaters, like "this guy seems really dumb, but he's actually really smart!" Instead, we had his laziness cover it up, which felt to be a much better excuse and something that really fits his character throughout.

-So Naruto's a wind element, eh? I'm sort of wondering what Sakura is (although I am partially suspecting earth).

Not sure if Sakura's will end up mattering. As someone on another forum pointed out, Kakashi told her long ago that she had potential for Genjutsu. The only thing we've seen come from that was her breaking a couple of spells. That's it.

-Yeah, I though Asuma being the Third's son was rather random as well. Why didn't Kishimoto reveal that when Asuma was introduced?

Perhaps he didn't think of it till now...? o_O

[uc pseudonym]

-Yeah, I though Asuma being the Third's son was rather random as well. Why didn't Kishimoto reveal that when Asuma was introduced?

Very similarly, I'm wondering about his sash that relates to the Buddhist temple. It seems suspicious to me that this temple was just introduced so recently. Thus I suspect that he drew it randomly in the first place and now randomly decided to add meaning.

Not sure if Sakura's will end up mattering. As someone on another forum pointed out, Kakashi told her long ago that she had potential for Genjutsu. The only thing we've seen come from that was her breaking a couple of spells. That's it.

True. If he didn't introduce the concept until this far into the plot, I rather doubt it is that critical. However, I was wondering what Naruto was going to be. Part of me suspected all five things to happen, or something entirely different, but it turns out he's just wind oriented.

[Myoti]

Part of me suspected all five things to happen, or something entirely different, but it turns out he's just wind oriented.

I thought the same thing. Ah well. I do wonder what Yamato is suppose to be, however. It almost seemed to me like the whole element concept was created early on (during the Zabuza Arc, I believe), then not much was done with it, and now Kishimoto is suddenly pulling it up again just for this.

Someone on another forum pointed this out: if this is so important in learning/creating jutsu, why wasn't it done when they were all still in ninja school?

[uc pseudonym]

Possibly because the concept hadn't been invented at that point.

Or, from a fan's perspective, perhaps because actually creating new jutsu is a high level technique. Everyone seems to either get basic jutsu or family ones, and perhaps knowledge of the elements isn't critical to simply learning techniques.

Ah well. I do wonder what Yamato is suppose to be, however.

With chapter 316 you have your answer to that, and I think it makes sense. That means there are ten "secondary elements" in addition to the basic five (unless my rather hasty math is off), which gives some more variety.

Still, I had to do this...

[Myoti]

Yeah, I saw that in the latest chapter. Does make a little more sense.

And, uc, you totally rock (especially since I was thinking the same thing). XD

[MasterDias]

Heh, that's funny...

Anyway, Kakashi's explanation does seem to make things a little more complex than they first appeared to be. So, you have to master two elements to make Jounin, eh?

Also, I am wondering if the seemingly random side-focus on Asuma and the Ino-Shika-Chou trio in recent chapters means that they will get action when the next fights roll around.

[uc pseudonym]

And, uc, you totally rock (especially since I was thinking the same thing). XD

Thanks. That had been on my mind since reading 316.

Anyway, Kakashi's explanation does seem to make things a little more complex than they first appeared to be. So, you have to master two elements to make Jounin, eh?

I wonder if people at Akatsuki level have mastered three. But this does allow for some more complexity, which is welcome. We already know two combinations:
Earth + Water = Wood
Water + Wind = Ice
Some of the others have logical "elements" but I wonder about some. For example, what does Fire + Lightning make?

Also, I am wondering if the seemingly random side-focus on Asuma and the Ino-Shika-Chou trio in recent chapters means that they will get action when the next fights roll around.

We can hope. So far in this arc none of the side characters have gotten major fights.

[Myoti]

Some of the others have logical "elements" but I wonder about some. For example, what does Fire + Lightning make?

Heavy metal.

We can hope. So far in this arc none of the side characters have gotten major fights.

True. We had a few in the previous one (even though it was a rather pointless battle), but we need more attention on them already.



EDIT:
All Akatsuki revealed (kinda)! And it seems we may have a female one, as well (I wonder if it's the Leader's partern or Zetsu's...).

[Yeito]

I just want them to find Naruto and get in a fight already. -_-

I guess I'm just too impatient. Information and explaining and all that is good for a while, but when you pass a certain line then its just... pointless. Especially when all they do is reiterate over and over. -_-

[/ramblings]

[uc pseudonym]

It looks like Naruto will finish his training in 318, so that probably means that they'll be here soon (in the sense of fighting main characters).

I wonder if that bit of training was the only reason Asuma has been focused on lately. We'll have to see, I suppose. Meanwhlie, I can't raise much enthusiasm for this new group, but perhaps they'll matter instead of being Akatsuki fodder (maybe some of their members will be people we already know?).

All Akatsuki revealed (kinda)! And it seems we may have a female one, as well (I wonder if it's the Leader's partern or Zetsu's...).

Or it could turn out to be a female-looking guy who likes flowers. CoughHakucough. I thought this chapter cover was well done as far as that went, giving us a view but nothing too concrete.