[ Episode 88-89: Rasen-Shuriken > Everything Else ]

Just in time for the new Sanbi arc!

[ Episode 88: Wind Release: Spiraling Shuriken ]

Like I said before, Naruto’s Rasen-Shuriken is freaking epic and the sound it makes is pretty damn cool. The effect of getting hit by it is absolutely lethal and there’s no telling just how many times it hits. It almost looked like thousands of needles just going back and forth into Kakuzu which accumulated to some pretty sick damage. May as well pull out the PWNT sticker and slap it on him because there’s no way he’s walking away from.

Yes the Rasen-Shuriken sure looks awesome, but in my opinion, it may be a little too powerful for its own good. Sure Naruto may have his arm destroyed in the process, but that means that we are NOT going to see it most of the time and we are forced to see a lot more Rasengans and Kage Bushins, which is what Naruto really is. It was a cool episode, don’t get me wrong, but it’s one of those instances when Naruto becomes really strong, then he is beaten up, then he learns something new, gets beaten down again, rinse and repeat.

[ Episode 89: The Price for Power ]

So, the Rasen-Shuriken does damage on a cellular level. That IS pretty damn lethal. The problem is that it also causes the same kind of damage to Naruto and if not careful, can render him unable to manipulate chakra ever again. Yup, that’s got to suck hard given that he worked so hard on developing the technique only to be told that he can’t ever use it again. Oh well, guess he’ll have to come with something later *cough*. Anyway, this episode shows the first signs of the new Sanbi which will be starting next episode. It’s going to be mixing in canon content with original content as seen by the new character introduced this episode, Guren. I’m interested in her at the moment if only because the preview in the one-hour special showed her using the Crystal element. Purely original no doubt but I’d like to see to what extent she can use such powers.

Yay. Filler. As I thought the Rasen Shuriken is lethal, but to Naruto’s chakra rather than his arm, which quite weird if you ask me. Also, I like the fact that despite the fact Naruto does inflict the most damage, it’s Kakashi who really kills Kakuzu. Besides that, we see Orochimaru, Kabuto and Sasuke one more time (because seeing Naruto running in dark corridors for 50 episodes wasn’t enough for me the first time) and they also introduce a new girl, Guren. I have to say that among all of the filler characters, she has the best design and don’t have weird pupils or any thing of the sort.

[ Episode 80-87: Race to Catch up ]

YOSH!

[ Episode 80: Last Words ]

Pretty straightforward episode for me. If this episode didn’t make you cry or at least feel like crying, even just a little, then you must be a robot or are cold as ice. I felt that Asuma’s death was handled very well, especially given how the flashbacks were used between Ino, Shikamaru, and Chouji.

As much as I feel that Asuma’s death felt a little forced since he never really did anything significant before this arc, I still have to say it was a very emotional episode. The thing is that you can clearly tell that there is an emphasis on Shikamaru, and that’ll be a sign for future episodes that’ll show who is really the heart of team 10.

[ Episode 81: Devastating News ]

So we get more progress with Naruto trying to better his new technique and also learn about Akatsuki’s true goal. At first it might sound complex but it is rather simple, even if you don’t know too much about economics. It’s a pretty ambituous plan though no matter how simple it sounds. Anyway, everyone finally founds out about Asuma’s death at the end of the episode and their reactions are to be expected. I imagine Kurenai will be taking it the hardest though…

This arc has been great, but I have to say that this episode is clearly the worst of them. Mainly because of the Akatsuki leader’s “plan”. Akatsuki are careless monsters that can take over the world and destroy it at their own whim, so why the heck would they care about money!? It’s like if Aizen would want more money in his bank account if he destroys Karakura town, it’s just stupid.

[ Episode 82: Team 10 ]

Easily one of the best episodes I’ve seen in Shippuuden. Without action even. This episode is a great emotional piece that not only looks at Shikamaru but also focuses on Konoha as a whole. Everyone else in the village not directly affected continues to live their lives as they have been like before while Shikamaru (and the others I assume) have to cope with the loss of a comrade and find their way back to living how they were before the tragedy occurred. That includes giving Hidan and Kakuzu their just desserts for what they’ve done.

Also I must say that I liked the coloring scheme used. It really gave off an almost dream-like atmosphere throughout the entire episode. I honestly wouldn’t mind seeing more of this type of Konoha in future episodes.

You know, I’d never expect 5 minutes of Shikamaru playing Shougi would make great entertainment. It really proves that Shikamaru really should be the main character of the show as he show a lot more growth in 4 episodes than Naruto done in 300. You can also tell this arc has been invested with a lot more care than any of the other episodes, and what would lead to some of the best episodes of the show yet.

[ Episode 83: Locked On Target ]

An awesome fight has begun! Shika shows off his smarts yet again by successfully capturing Hidan and Kakuzu. However, the latter managed to get free while the former is being used by Shika to attack. It’s pretty funny to watch even though it is all serious business going down. I can’t wait for the others to get involved and for Naruto to appear on the scene now.

The fight between Kakuzu and Hidan against Shikamaru and Kakashi has begun. Oh… Chouji is there too? Sorry for leaving you out Chouji. Anyway it’s good to see Kakashi fighting seriously ever since the Zabuza arc, proving yet again how cool he really is. It is also good that despite the fact Shikamaru is insanely intelligent, Kakuzu still serves an equal opponent to his intellect.

[ Episode 84: Kakuzu's Ability ]

Man I forgot how crazy Kakuzu’s abilities were. Dude can use pretty much every element in addition to high-level techniques of that particular element. Geez. I’m still surprised that Kakashi could have absorbed/deflected that huge lightning jutsu though. Does that mean that anyone can do the same if the jutsu used against them matches their innate elemental affinity?

You know, after watching the filler arc, I am not entirely amazed that Kakuzu can use every element, because the hot chick did that as well. I do have to say that Kakuzu is more devastating and he is not facing a Naruto, an inept ninja. I know I don’t write a lot, but that’s usually a good sign, because I don’t complain for a change.

[ Episode 85: Terrifying Secret ]

I’m totally loving the animation and fighting that’s going on right now. The style is reminiscent of Ep 133 of Naruto and that’s a very awesome thing. All the movements and techniques flow together smoothly and nothing is stiff. That said, this is one of my favorite battles thus far in Shippuuden. Kakashi is showing just why he is so awesome while Shika, Ino, and Chouji are showing the results of their growth over the years even if they’re seemingly being overwhelmed by the freak-show Kakuzu. If he was a normal person he’d be dead already but the bastard has 4 hearts. That’s just not cool. He’ll be getting a rude awakening soon though, as will Hidan now that he’s alone in that forest with Shika.

FINALLY. This is what I wanted from Naruto Shippuuden! GREAT ANIMATION! I have to say it wasn’t as over-the-top as episode 133, but it was great to watch non-the-less. It was definitely the best fight scene since episode 26 and seeing Kakashi fight was a treat. This also marks the first episode of Ino actually contributing to the effort, only to be thrown away like a used rug. I believe that if she battled Sakura today, the latter would easily have the upper hand.

[ Episode 86-87: The Will of Fire is Passed On, A New Technique Bursts Forth! ]

Awesome episode is AWESOME. Shika’s plan is revealed, Kakuzu is down to three hearts, and Team 7 finally arrives. Firstly, I gotta say I laughed so hard at how Hidan got owned. Not only did he destroy his own partner’s heart but he also got captured AGAIN in a series of explosive tags. His immortality must suck hard now that he will spend forever in that huge hole in the Nara forest. Oh well.

Kakuzu is one ugly bastard. It’s about time he gets destroyed and that’s where Naruto comes in with his new technique. The Rasen-Shuriken looks and sounds pretty damn awesome if you ask me. It’s easily his strongest technique to date (anime-wise) and causes some pretty nasty damage. Can’t wait to see it in full action next episode.

First of all, the Shika vs. Hidan confrontation was akin to the Neji vs. Kidoumaru from the last show. I have to say, I liked the twist when Hidan actually killed one of Kakuzu’s hearts rather than Shikamaru’s. Not a lot happened in that fight, but I found the result satisfying and the aftermath is an excellent closure to Shikamaru’s storyline.

Now for Naruto, boy I never really expected to write that word in this post at all but he is finally relevant again and he sure is different. With blue kyuubi eyes and a new outlook on battle techniques he is more interesting to watch. I just find it a little weird that a giant monster like Kakuzu is about to kill everyone and the rest of the gang just want to have Naruto “test” his Rasen Shuriken on him. Sure it looked awesome, but what if it didn’t work? Why have so much faith in his jutsu? Either way great episodes and now to the epic finale.

[ 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

[ Episode 76-77: The Next Step & The Climbing Silver ]

Door no Jutsu!

So after Kakashi shows off his “newly” acquired Rasengan, he tells Naruto the fourth’s goal was to implement elements into the Rasengan in order to make it stronger, and it’s up to Naruto to fuse his wind chakra with it, so you guessed it, 50 more episodes of Naruto training, yipee.

Other than that, it turns out that the meeting place for the bounty office in none other than an abandoned bathroom. Nothing like discussing millions of money in a place where people a crapping. It’s even more hilarious that Team Asuma are actually going to fight Hidan and Kakuzo next to the crapper.

Here’s another thing I don’t get, so I understand they didn’t wanted to kill Hidan right off the bat, but why didn’t Hidan kill Izumo and Kotetsu when they stabbed him? Considering how much destruction they have caused, I don’t thing it’s easy to “capture” an Akatsuki. Sasori dies mainly because he fought against the strongest ninja in the Sand village and even Sakura helped, this time there are two of them, and I don’t think Asuma is nearly as strong as Chiyo.

Even so, both episodes were fun to watch, albeit a little overdrawn, but at least the next two episodes will compensate.
76: 7/10
77: 8/10

I don’t really have much to say here though I’m sure Blade does.

Anyway, I really liked the way they chose to animate the fight between Team Asuma and the Hidan-Kakazu team. The movements are fluid and the tension is real. The sense that our heroes have very little chance of winning is subtle yet obvious. Oh, and it’s been a while since I was granted Ino-hotness. She needs more screen time dammit.

[ Episode 75: The Old Monk's Prayer ]

The biggest surprise (for anime-only viewers) of the episode was seeing Kakashi use the Rasengan. When I first saw this I was confused since I always thought that the Rasengan wasn’t a jutsu to be copied since it didn’t use hand signs. On a lighter note, the omake was friggin’ hilarious! What Shikamaru said about Naruto not doing anything for a long time is so true that I had to roll around in my chair a bit. I can’t remember just how long Naruto will be out for but episode-wise it may go for as long as 10-15 episodes or so. Is that a good or bad thing? Well, he is the title character so….

Okay, one can easily tell they used this episode to stretch the arc even more. Nothing really happened besides a monk praying for Team Asuma’s sake. I have to say the scene at Ichiraku Ra… err… Tsukumen… Was funny at first, but it made me a little frustrated since it did feel too much like a filler episode rather than canon, and I can understand that 10 episodes ago, but the story is about to reach a very pivotal point and the last thing I care is if Naruto prefers Onions rings or French fries!

Kakashi using the Rasengan was pretty cool, and as I am NOT a manga reader (nothing against the manga, just prefer to watch the anime) I was speculating that he was taught by the fourth, since he was his sensei back when he was a genin for like… 3 days. Also, the omake at the end was pretty much one of the best ones. I like the fact the side characters are tired of Naruto having the screen time, and considering that all he is good at is whining or getting his ass kicked, it’s cool to know it’ll be more about Asuma and Shikamaru. That being said, it doesn’t save this episode from being a dud.

5.5/10

[ Episode 74: Under a Starry Sky ]

So Naruto’s training is finally complete! Or is it? Well, not really. He still has to come up with a new technique. What do you think it can be? Just give it a WILD guess. If you still can’t come up with anything then you deserve a shinigami CHOP to the head. Anyway, you’ll find out in the next episode if the clue in the preview isn’t enough. This episode mainly focuses on Naruto finally cutting the waterfall, Sakura crying and thinking of her feelings for Naruto, and Team Asuma going out to find Hidan and Kakuzu.

Interestingly enough, the filler footage has been removed from the OP sequence and replaced with one of the most surprising fights in Part 2. Fighting two Akatsuki isn’t expected to be easy, especially when one of them is into some weird as hell evil religion. If the pacing remains the same I’m guessing we’ll be seeing that battle around episode 77 or so. Prepare yourselves accordingly.

Man. The only thing I really remember from this episode is just the new OP animation. It’s cool to say the least and it is very unfortunate it’s only going to be only until the end of this month. It is a lot more fluid and interesting than seeing all the filler characters showing their moves.

Naruto finished his training, Hidan and Kakozu are heading their way in order to receive the bounty for Chiriku and Sakura once again thinking about her feelings towards Naruto. I was somewhat surprised when Tsunade dispatched the search unit, not because we get to see Team Asuma in action, but because the two gatekeepers actually get a role in this arc. Kishimoto couldn’t really bring somewhat like Anko (darn you!) so we stuck to the two guys that the best they done is examining the rookie nine back at the chuunin exam, yay.

It was a boring episode overall, but at the very least it is an interesting build-up to what’s to come.
6/10