Recent Naruto Manga (Chapters 400+)

[Psycho Ann]

You got to admit, Yondy bears striking resemblance to Naruto. Same hair, color scheme, and yes, they eye shape as well (plus eyebrows). I won't be surprised if Kishimoto pulls one up on all of us and reveal that Yondy and Naruto have a closer connection than what it seems to be.

[Aka-chan]

It is also true that his characters generally look quite distinct from non-blood relations, but share distinct physical traits with family…

Of course, this arc can’t be focusing only on Kakashi’s past; perhaps this will be answered later.

[uc pseudonym]

This is unfortunate... I disabled IE on this terminal to stop adware, only to find that the pages are saved in a format that this machine refuses to open in Firefox. I will correct this situation and be able to contribute to the discussion tomorrow.

It has been corrected.

While it is interesting to learn about Kakashi's family and motives, and to get to know Obito, I am mostly struck by the Fourth Hokage. The only Kage we have seen do proper battle is the Third, and he was quite past his prime. This provides an obvious reason why the Kage are the most powerful shinobi in the Naruto world.

[nightblade]

Chapter 241 is out, and with quite an interesting (as predicted as it might be) turn of events.

I like how you see Kakashi's view on how a Shinobi acts is now and how it's exactly as Obito's was. Very dramatic/emotional part I would say, and Kakashi definitely reminds me of Sasuke (except for a few things).

[glitch1501]

i havent read for like 3 weeks, im gonna probably read it tomarrow

[uc pseudonym]

For some reason, in this chapter I was struck by how young they are at this point. I had thought Kakashi was older than Naruto and company during the Gaiden, but it does not appear to be so.

Obito's echo of Kakashi's philosophy is obvious but no less effective for the fact. I wonder if this has been planned from the onset? In any case, this will be somewhat interesting. Personally, I was hoping to see more of them as a team working together, but it appears such will not be the case. Regardless, I am still hoping to see the Fourth Hokage do battle with the main lines for at least a moment.

[Lady Arianrod]

The Naruto manga is really starting to get good again. The TV show has had a major lapse lately... But the manga has been moving along pretty steadily (except for that drawn-out Sasuke arc).

Anyway, I'm going to reread this chapter... Obito and Kakashi have an interesting relationship, but, like several of you, I want to see more of Yondaime.

I wonder when we'll learn his real name... ^__~

[nightblade]

Yondaime? Isn't it Jubei? Or was that just speculation?

[Psycho Ann]

I don't recall Kisihmoto having revealed Yondaime's name yet. Which is very suspicious.... obviously, his last name would put to rest one of the longest running questions in Naruto.

As for the upcoming eye transplant, any theories? For one, I'm even surprised the Uchiha clan would let such a thing happen unless it's done impromptu and irreversable. I don't know the extent of Rin's abilities, but it should be highly unlikely that SHE would be the one to transplant the eye if Obito is going to die in this mission.

[Lady Arianrod]

I hope Obito doesn't die this young... I haven't read 242 yet, however...

[uc pseudonym]

I, on the other hand, have. Generally we don't use spoilers here, but I don't want anyone to have this spoiled for them prior to reading the chapter...

[spoiler=Chapter 242]Sort of puts a few holes in some people's theories about Kakashi's scar, doesn't it?[/spoiler]

Meanwhile, I wish we'd see Rin do something other than heal and get captured. Also, I'm still hoping that we'll get to see the Fourth do something really cool.

[Lady Arianrod]

Just finished 242. It was a decent chapter. Two things of interest:

[spoiler]The origin of Kakashi's scar[/spoiler] and...

[spoiler]Obito's a lot like Naruto! I do like him, but I think that these ceaseless parallels between the teams are getting tiring and a little unoriginal. But, then again, Naruto on a whole is pretty unique, so it all evens out. [/spoiler]

I do want to see a useful Rin, however. She doesn't deserve the "Sakura Treatment" (a.k.a. Healer girl... or hopeless damsel)

[Kesshin]

Normally I've refrained from posting in this thread, due to the fact that I've only gotten through a little over half of the Naruto manga series published thus far. But since this arc takes place outside of the current storyline, I think I'll make an exception. Being the technologically inept shinobi that I am, I will warn anyone reading this that there * will be spoilers. * What I wouldn't do to know how to post one of those spoiler boxes..... Still wincing from the last time I tried posting in a Naruto manga discussion thread. I'm pretty sure UC remembers. ^_^;; Yeah, that was kind of embarrassing. Anyway....

Personally, I'm enjoying this arc. It's nice having a break from the endless focus on Sasuke. Of course it helps that Kakashi is my favorite character. *heh* I'm okay with the fact that he was a jerk when he was little. Part of growing older is learning from your mistakes. Wouldn't it be nice if Sasuke did?

I am also growing quite fond of Obito as a character. He is, like Lady Arianrod said,
a lot like Naruto. Still, he is different enough to be his own person and not a complete carbon copy.

>>>but I think that these ceaseless parallels between the teams are getting tiring and a little unoriginal.<<<

Yeah.... That's a little annoying for me, as well. But at least we know now where Kakashi was coming from when he was talking to his students about the importance of teamwork. He sees himself in them, and wants to prevent them from making the mistakes he did.

>>>I do want to see a useful Rin, however. She doesn't deserve the "Sakura Treatment" (a.k.a. Healer girl... or hopeless damsel)<<<

Rin bothers me. It seems that Kishmoto has gotten into the habit of creating kunoichis like that. Girls have a right to be interesting! (And that's what I get from listening to my History teacher ramble about Susan B. Anthony). XD
Seriously, though, Sakura had the potential to grow and blossom. She had faults and strengths, and an inner voice that she surpressed. Kishmoto could have done something with that, instead of brushing her to the side as a healer. Ah, well.

[Aka-chan]

Well, it's all just getting started, but I'm excited to see Yondy show off his stuff pretty soon. ^__^

Also, thought it was admittedly a little cliche, I have to say I liked Kakashi's coming back. He's never been a huge favorite of mind, and his Sasuke-like attitude was really irritating me, so I was really happy to see a change in that.

[Psycho Ann]

Conscerning the raws for 243.... well. Can't say I didn't see that coming.

>___<

[uc pseudonym]

This seems as if it is wrapping up fairly quickly, and I am somewhat surprised. I had thought that perhaps twenty to thirty chapters would be spent in this Gaiden.

Similarly to Ann, I can't say I didn't see this coming, though I had expected it to happen a bit later (being on the longer timeline described previously). Also, was anyone else struck by how Obito looks nearly exactly like Naruto in some panels of the dying scene?

One interesting point: Kakashi's Sharingan is only in the first phase, and when battling Zabuza he has it in the second. If he evolved it himself, that means we could potentially fix Itashi's math (three people with the potential for the final Sharingan form: Itachi, Sasuke and Kakashi).

If this Gaiden passed without us seeing the Fourth actually attack, I'll be disappointed.

[blkmage]

Yeah, it was kind of fast. At the beginning, it didn't seem like the team got along very well, and magically, they became best friends in the matter of what I think must have been a few hours. I was expecting some more, really.

[Lady Arianrod]

Obito did look a lot like Naruto during the final panels. Also, like several of you, I wanted more development with this arc. It was executed well, but Kishimoto wrapped it up too quickly. No evolution of their relationships. No Rin being useful. No Yondaime fighting.

Oh, well... My complaints were traded for shock and sadness when I saw [spoiler]Obito die[/spoiler]... Quite sad. I like Obito

[Psycho Ann]

Well, if you can count [spoiler]Rin transplating Obito's eye--how the heck can she be qualified to do that!? She couldn't fully heal Kakashi's wound and here she is apparently able to reconnect sensitive optic nerves after detaching it from her dying comrade? Then she would have to take out Kakashi's own eye and...[/spoiler]
as her being useful.

I do still think we get to see Yondy's fight later. And hopefully his name ^^ And why do I get the feeling Rin's going to die in this arc as well? -_-

But yeah, that aside, I really would have liked to see more char development and yes, Obito does look incredibly like Naruto. Same hair and location of head-band, not to mention Kishimoto tends to make faces similiar when they're in serious mode.

Also, dangit, this chapter is bait for the yaoi people.

[nightblade]

Do you guys think that's the end of the Gaiden? It seems as if it's just kind of a turning point, or did I miss something?

[uc pseudonym]

No, I'm fairly certain it will continue for a while yet. This would be a weak conclusion.

I'm pretty certain Rin isn't certified for that, but hey, suspension of disbelief. But no, being a catalyst for other "more important" characters doesn't count as being useful, even if it is, strictly speaking.

Also, dangit, this chapter is bait for the yaoi people.

Which is the one reason I'm glad Obito is dead.

[uc pseudonym]

Well, chapter 234 confirms that the Gaiden is over. While I am vaguely disappointed in the length, it will mean we get back to the proper storyline relatively quickly (and it did accomplish a number of things that had been left unsaid prior). I'm not certain what my comments are about the actual material of the chapter; it does seem that Rin is quite alive, however.

[Lady Arianrod]

I agree that this Kakashi Arc did end quite abruptly. Also, it seems that we won't get a new Naruto chapter for at least a month, but apparently, it's the second half of the Kakashi Gaiden arc.

I do hope that we see some more of Rin and Yondaime. Until then, I suppose this thread will be on hiatus. ^__^

Originally posted by Psycho Ann:
Also, dangit, this chapter is bait for the yaoi people.

I'm also annoyed at the sheer number of yaoi stories in the Naruto section... many of them pair rivals and enemies together, so they'd probably jump at the chance to slash two best friends.

Some manga authors are really trying to add not-so-subtle "boy love" moments in their works, especially shoujo titles. It's all a marketing scam, I suppose. -_-

[glitch1501]

i just read up on the past month of so of naruto manga, i had left it alone for a while

but man did i love this arc, it was so different of a story than i thought kakashi would have, its so sad though

i know its been said before but

Rin = Tsunaide = Sakura
Obito = Jiraiya = Naruto
Kakashi = Orochimaru = Sasuke

i just think their personalities are similar

[Mave]

Wow that was...quick.

Sigh...I feel for Obito. I kinda liked him eventhough he's a bit like Naruto. I didn't really feel there was much of a yaoi bait but that's probably because he's...you-know.

Did anyone find the 'eye transfer' too smooth to be true or is Rin just -that- good? Surely it must take time for an eye to adjust to another person's body (not to mention any healing of the delicate tissues). I was VERY surprised to see Kakashi hopping around using both eyes right after the transfer.

[nightblade]

I dunno about the eye transplant, but think of it like this

1) Rin is a medical specialist
2) They are using ninjutsu which is magic.

I guess that kinda justifies it in my mind ^^;

Anyways, http://www.narutofan.com had a news announcement that the manga will not be updating until late Jan or early Feb. However, they are doing manga of the MOVIE ^_^

Just a little news for you guys

[Lady Arianrod]

Wow.... chaper 245 is out already! It seems like a passable chapter, but the most interesting part is the

[spoiler]time jump! It's now 2.5 years later!![/spoiler]

[uc pseudonym]

I am somewhat disappointed. After such a long break, I expected a larger first chapter that set up a great deal more. But I suppose that it will function regardless. The Kakashi Gaiden and the gap made the jump in years feel a bit more normal; we haven't seen the characters for some time either.

Naruto actually changed clothing style. I had expected him to remain exactly the same (and, in many ways, it seems he did). I'm curious as to how equal or unequal Naruto and Sakura will be to Kakashi. Theoretically he's been training as well, but it seems that younger characters always improve more quickly.

[Mave]

Yes! I'm pretty excited with this chapter although I personally think there's no need to imply that pervertedness is a sign of maturity in men (<---that was the impression I got from this chapter). It's strange that characters allow their sexual desire to run rampantly while they talk about gaining control of one's chakra and disciplining oneself during training at the same time. But of course, this is just my personal rant so feel free to ignore this paragraph.

Nice change in clothing, it's expected since it indicates that time has passed. Sakura's clothing looks more fashionable than practical during battle but then again, Tsunade wears high heels. *shrugs* I look forward to seeing how they stand up against Kakashi this time especially Sakura. ^_^

[Kesshin]

All right! Just read the new chapter.
*spoiler warning.... just to be safe*
Kind of had mixed feelings about this one. It had me getting all nostalgic for the "good old days" of Team Seven.

Naruto's gotten..... TALL! For some reason this saddens me. And, like UC said, his outfit changed. Personally I liked his old one better.
>>>Sakura's clothing looks more fashionable than practical during battle but then again, Tsunade wears high heels.<<<

Yeah, those boots she has on have got to be a pain to kick in.

>>>It's strange that characters allow their sexual desire to run rampantly while they talk about gaining control of one's chakra and disciplining oneself during training at the same time.<<<

True.
I guess the only thing that can be said for Naruto is that, while he's a full-fledged shinobi, he's still fourteen. He's an eighth grade boy who just spent two years training with a perverted sennin. Still, the story would have been just as meaningful if the perverted part had been left out.
I think Kishmoto's reasoning behind it (at least in this chapter) is to provide some comic relief. Though whether or not people find it funny.... *sigh*