Kita ze Inbou! - キタぜ陰謀!

[ Episode 78-79: Asuma Dies! Naruto Shippuuden One-Hour Special ]

This is easily one of the best episodes I’ve seen in a long time. The sheer drama and suspense was maddening, much more than when it was presented in manga-form because of the wonderful use of the soundtrack and great performances from the seiyuus. My nerves were being put to the test on the result of the battle even though I already knew its outcome. Long story short: Asuma got the short end of the stick and has been dealt two deathblows by Hidan. The shock was much more powerful in manga-form though since there was little to no foreshadowing of his death (the anime did little to hide that, especially with the preview saying “Asuma dies” in it). Shika’s reaction was authentic as it can get and I must commend his seiyuu on a job well done. The next episode is a crucial one on an emotional-level and I await to see just how its all handled (sad episodes are almost always done well in Naruto).

As for the new OP and ED: I love absolutely love them, particularly the ED because of HALICALI. I’ve loved their style ever since I first heard them in Eureka Seven and Long Kiss Goodbye has made me fall for them all over again. I can hardly wait for the single. Inoue Joe’s OP effort was pretty damn good as well. I think it’s the first song I’ve heard from him but it’s easy to hear that he knows his stuff. He also sings in English quite well. I’m interested in hearing the full version in the future.

It was worth the wait. About time that after all those damn fillers we have not one, but two episodes that deliver good action and keep you glued to the screen. I remember episode 78 of the original show, the OP and ED changed the same time as well (to the now classic “GO!” by FLOW) and now we have a new OP that started off the show with a bang, but I’ll get to that later.

Hidan is quite a masochist, but I think that from all of the archtypes in anime, he is portrayed the best way because he really is psychotic and laughs in ecstasy as he is poking himself in order to inflict pain to Asuma. It seemed Asuma was doomed the moment Hidan changed his skin colored and considering the name of the episode, I thought he’ll die right away, which brings me to my next arguement: Who the hell thought calling the episode “ASUMA DIES” IS A GOOD IDEA?! The guys at Studio Pierrot are probably drunk because people who saw the preview last week, like myself, were pissed off, especially now that he did die. WHY?!. It’s the same as calling episode V of Star Wars: Darth Vader is Luke’s father! Well, not as bad.

They also finally shown what Kakuzo can do, and his victims were non other than the expandable duo of Izumo and Kotetsu. I was surprised most of the fight the just stood there “protecting” Shikamaru, but at least they did something good at the end, albeit having their asses handed to them by Kakuzo. I loved the idea of using characters we don’t see often, but considering people in Japan like him, why not include Iruka sensei in main arc? Does he have anything going for him besides a scar and the fact he buys ramen to random children?

Jokes aside, the last moments of Asuma’s unfortunate demise were powerful and Morikawa Shoutaro’s performance as Shikamaru was definitely worth mentioning. I can understand why they used Asuma in the last filler arc so much, because they wanted to give him a nicer farewell than what the manga did and thanks to the little back story you are more attached to him, not to mention it was the first time I have seen Shikamaru emotional…

The OP and ED changed this week, and as much as I liked Blue Bird, I love CLOSER. Inoue Joe is a pretty cool singer and probably the first one to sing in English correctly, maybe his english origin explains that. It was cool to see HALCALI doing a song for Naruto and a sad one no less. Honestly, it is a nice change for them and the song really fit the mood of the episode, especially the emphasis on Kurenai. Also, this is the very first ending to not feature Sasuke in any form. I know what you think, he wasn’t in Kimi Monogatari. True, but Sai did mention his name.

All in all, very emotional episode, and like the first series, we are going to have a very emotional funeral at episode 80. If the series keeps up like that it may wash away the taste of the previous canon arc.

78: 8.5/10
79: 9/10