Good or Bad: New Naruto Manga Arc

[Lady Arianrod]

Just a little question:

Are you really enjoying Kishimoto's latest Naruto storyline? Is it dragging on for too long?

I know that there are other threads for the latest Naruto chapters (I started one!), but I wanted to know what everyone else thought.

[Mave]

I don't really have any major qualms about the new arc (except that Sasuke frustrates me heh). It drags out a bit more than usual but I think I feel that way only because I'm reading it by chapters instead of manga volumes.

I don't mind all the focus on Naruto vs Sasuke but I chose the last option because I really do want to see whether Neji and Chouji survive. I also like how Kishimoto's artstyle has improved.

[Lady Arianrod]

Editing my former opinion: I liked the way that this arc ended. Chapter 235 also brought back some of my favorite characters, so I'm satisfied.

Oh, and the art definitely got better.

[glitch1501]

uh oh i feel alone, i really like this arc, though i do want all of the others

[Lady Arianrod]

uh oh i feel alone, i really like this arc, though i do want all of the others

I wonder what kind of arc he'll make next...

[uc pseudonym]

I am wondering the same thing...

This one did drag somewhat for me, though not as badly as the Zabuza arc. Furthermore, after the Sound-nin battles the quality of the fighting dropped significantly; more transformations and the like, fewer original or even new jutsu.

I think the series can handle this intense of a focus, but only if it is balanced by the saga immediately after it. Most people can deal with the plot revolving around one character for a while, as long as the others are not entirely lost.

[Lady Arianrod]

[quote="uc pseudonym"]I am wondering the same thing...

This one did drag somewhat for me, though not as badly as the Zabuza arc. Furthermore, after the Sound-nin battles the quality of the fighting dropped significantly]


I can't wait for the new arc. I hope that he doesn't rush into a new plotline just yet... I want a bit of recovery time for the suffering characters.

Oh, and concerning the transformations--- I also thought that there were far too many new, "shocking" transformations, especially during the Sasuke and Naruto fight.

[Aka-chan]

Personally, I didn't mind it terribly; I guess sometimes I like getting thoroughly annoyed at a character, as odd as it sounds. That's not to say I'm not very happy that 235 got back to the other characters.

[Lady Arianrod]

[quote="Aka-chan"]Personally, I didn't mind it terribly]



I think that I kind of understand your sentiment... Annoying, frustrating characters add to the variety of the cast and they often make things interesting. If no one ever did anything shocking, tragic, or just plain idiotic, the manga wouldn't be like it is now!

However, if they're constantly annoying, that's a different story.... *glares at Sasuke*.

Eh, he's getting better. At least everyone's favorite jerk is out of the picture now...

But, in all seriousness, Sasuke's foolish actions and coldness towards his former teammates made for some good fighting and contrasts (between him and Naruto, etc).

[kaji]

Since I haven’t read anything past volume 4, there may already be an answer to my question and I just don’t know it yet.

But, what about Sakura? It’s always, stay back, guard this guy, watch every one else kick some butt, get scared, feel over whelmed or out matched and insecure… I just want to know when the ‘Inner Sakura’ comes out and kicks some butt! I mean, there must be a reason why she was paired with Naruto and Sasuke. She must be a lot more powerful then I have seen thus far, right?

Oh, story ark… Right. I like it, everything seams to have a purpose thus far.

-kaji

[Lady Arianrod]

But, what about Sakura? It’s always, stay back, guard this guy, watch every one else kick some butt, get scared, feel over whelmed or out matched and insecure… I just want to know when the ‘Inner Sakura’ comes out and kicks some butt! I mean, there must be a reason why she was paired with Naruto and Sasuke. She must be a lot more powerful then I have seen thus far, right?


-kaji

I also think that Sakura should have a bigger role in the series. So far, Kishimoto has literally shoved her aside... After a while, she didn't even get any character development at all! We know that she's smart, but I want to see Sakura planning a new attack or even learning a new jutsu! Even though her chakra is supposedly pretty low, she could learn some strong attacks AND maybe use raw emotion to become stronger (like Naruto did w/ Kyuubi).

[MasterDias]

Since I haven’t read anything past volume 4, there may already be an answer to my question and I just don’t know it yet.

But, what about Sakura? It’s always, stay back, guard this guy, watch every one else kick some butt, get scared, feel over whelmed or out matched and insecure… I just want to know when the ‘Inner Sakura’ comes out and kicks some butt! I mean, there must be a reason why she was paired with Naruto and Sasuke. She must be a lot more powerful then I have seen thus far, right?

She has gotton two fights so far in the series. One in the Forest of Death during...oh, I don't know...Volumes 6 or 7 I think. And another one against Ino during the third Chuunin exam preliminaries. Both fights were seriously hampared by her lack of a special technique/fighting style (although she did have a pretty cool pose during the first aforementioned fight). A fact which has puzzled me quite a bit considering practically every other character in the series does have some sort of special techique/bloodline/fighting style.
Why Ino gets her own technique and Sakura, who has been a major character from the beginning, doesn't is beyond me.

Now if she could only put that intelligence of hers to good use...

Even though her chakra is supposedly pretty low, she could learn some strong attacks AND maybe use raw emotion to become stronger

Actually, while her amount of chakra is the lowest, didn't Kakashi say her control of chakra was the highest. At least, it was in that tree climbing exercise in the first arc...

[Lady Arianrod]

Actually, while her amount of chakra is the lowest, didn't Kakashi say her control of chakra was the highest. At least, it was in that tree climbing exercise in the first arc...

He did say that. It would be cool if Sakura learned a specialized attack, but her presence in the manga is severely lacking overall. Someone said that Sakura might be in the next chapter (over on the other Naruto thread), so we'll just have to wait and see...

Sakura is actually a pretty good character, but she's not my favorite. She's not in my top-ten list of characters simply because Kishimoto doesn't do anything at all with her... So I hope she'll be in the next chapter.

[uc pseudonym]

I think by this point Naruto and Sasuke have surpassed her in terms of chakra control. They did spend quite a bit of their time not too long ago standing calmly on the side of a cliff.

I can't say I really like Sakura. For the sake of balance, I wouldn't mind if her character was further developed, however.

[Lady Arianrod]

I can't say I really like Sakura. For the sake of balance, I wouldn't mind if her character was further developed, however.

You're right about the imbalance in Team 7. Sakura seems like she was just placed in the manga to serve as the token girl/love interest. She just isn't... a complete character. The only motivation that she's shown so far is her desire to be loved by Sasuke. If she had a different purpose, conflict, or source of motivation in her life, she'd probably be much more interesting.

[kaji]

I kind of like Sakura, despite her lack of ‘participation’ she has been used to stress moral points in the story. Such as in the beginning when she thinks Naruto is just a spoiled brat, and Sasuke slaps that back in her face. Or when she sees that Sasuke is severely injured on the bridge, and is caught in the conflict of fulfilling her duty (to guard the builder dude) and her personally desirers (her love/ concern for Sasuke).

I also like her because she is imperfect, in that she is not the most powerful, the most beautiful or the most cunning. She is insecure in just about every way (her looks, her skill, her love), where Naruto and Sasuke are confident and arrogant in everything they do.

But I’m still waiting for ‘Inner Sakura’ to explode into her conscious, hopefully in battle and not just when smacking Naruto around…

[Lady Arianrod]

This thread is feeling lonely. I'll spice it up with a question:

If you could get to know anyone from Naruto, who would it be and why? It has to be someone that you could spend the week with and not go insane after seeing only them...

begin!

^__~

[uc pseudonym]

To be completely honest with you, I can't think of anyone. Most of the characters would irk me in some way, and I can't think of anyone who I would really want to meet.

If I was forced to choose: Other than the entirely insane thing, I think Itachi would probably be the best to hang out with. He seems to be fairly calm and reasonable. Assuming he didn't kill me, he wouldn't annoy me.

[Mave]

0.o;;; That's the scary thing about Itachi, he's kinda unpredictable. One moment he smiles at you, the next he's got a knife at your throat.

I would like to hang out with Shikamaru, he likes to relax and look at the skies (I wanna do that too!). He's also patient, loyal and respectful to Chouji. It seems cool to be Shika's buddy. ^_^

I think among all the women, I would like to hang out with Tsunade, she's mature, kind and intelligent.

[Psycho Ann]

Call me crazy, but I would like to go have some dangos with Anko XD She's kinda like me when I'm in 'crazy mode' and so I assuming there will be a lot insane (but fun!) chatter. Or Kurenai, she seems serious and mature enough to not have me go crazy and maybe I can even get to know what's up with her eyes.

Assuming the week spent isn't in a isolated place... Of the guys... actually I would like to spend time with Itachi as well. Not as a fangirl, but just because of my morbid curiousity regarding characters like him. Granted he's really doesn't find me worth killing.

On the Sakura topic, I guess it's pretty safe to say now Kishimoto has finally found a use for her on the battlefield (or off). And regarding chakra control... since Sasuke and Naruto have such enormous chakra reserves, even if they are using more than neccessary to cling on the rock cliff it won't matter. I still firmly believe Sakura can best them both in the detailed control of chakra--especially if it comes down to intricate surgery/healing. I just can't see the boys being able to pull off such a tightly controlled feat when they have been used to explosive stuff like Chidori and Rasengan.

[Lady Arianrod]

hm....
probably Shikamaru. he is brilliant when he needs to be, and lazy otherwise. (just like me! XD) he could be interesting to talk with.

I like Shikamaru too, but I'm still trying to decide who I'd like to spend an entire week with.

[Aka-chan]

I think I'd be too energetic and noisy to hang out with the more subdued, cool characters like Shikamaru and Itachi, (and I don't like Sasuke, Orochimaru's just dangerous, etc.), so I'd probably like to hang out with Naruto. We're both loud and impulsive, but I appreciate his loyalty and unselfishness, so I think we could tolerate each other for a week.

Besides, I love ramen too, so we'd never argue about where to eat. ^__^

[Lady Arianrod]

I'd probably get along well with Hinata and Neji... I also like Tsunade and Kakashi for their maturity, but Anko seems like she'd be fun to be around.

There are so many choices! I'd just love to be in the Naruto world for a short period of time. It seems fascinating but dangerous ^^;.

[Psycho Ann]

You know what? I just remembered we're way out of topic XD

[uc pseudonym]

Isn't this topic essentially over, as the arc is over? Unless we have further discussion of that arc. Of course, "new naruto manga arc" is an arguable term, so we could begin discussing the developing 3 year one.

[Lady Arianrod]

I agree. The discussion with the old "evil Sasuke" arc is definitely over. If you want to, we can begin a discussion on the new one, but there's always the other thread for that...

[uc pseudonym]

I would suggest that we let this thread die and continue discussion in the other thread. This one has been becoming slightly superfluous once its initial discussion (and subsequent hanging out tangent) were in effect complete.

[Lady Arianrod]

okay. *bids farewell to thread*