Naruto manga again

[timepiececlock]

Oh the LOVE.

Reading the conclusion between Sasuke and Naruto was good... I'm glad that Sasuke didn't kill Naruto. And I'm glad that everyone is alive (though the Joss fan and FMA fan in me thinks it might have been better storywise if Chouji and/or Neji had died because of the resulting drama.) And I'm glad the Ero-senin is finally taking Naruto's training seriously. And Sakura as well.

But most I love that we're finally getting.... KAKASHI BACKSTORY!

And we know so much already. That he used to be tightly controlled and strict with the rules and angry at the world, and somehow growing up changed that in him. And that it looks like his friend probably gave him the eye that he has now, or someone connected to Obito, anyway.

Interesting how the same triangle keeps being repeated, where Orochimaru=Sasuke=Kakashi, Tsunade=Sakura=GirlOnKakash'sTeam, and Jeraiya=Naruto=Obito.

Interesting too how Kakashi's father was disgraced for making the opposite decision that Shikamaru made (it doesn't suprise me that Shikamaru chose the mission over his companions, though obviously he is second-guessing himself over it), and yet when Kakashi was schooling Team 7 in the very beginning of the manga he's always insisted that sacrificing your teammates makes you worse than garbage, putting loyalty first-- ultimately making the same decision then as his father? As Naruto and Lee as well?

And we know that Obito is dead in the present timeline. What interesting turn-arounds have happened in the time between in Kakashi. ::squeals:: THE BACKSTORY HAS LANDED!

I have a question though-- chapters 239 and 240 supposedly take place "about 10 years ago". Well, Naruto is 12--going on 13-- so it must have been at least 13 years ago. Seems like a pretty awful continuity mistake there.

Comments

Re: btw

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

That was my problem with Sasuke from the beginning-- he's such a "type". When he had his little breakdown moment of cowardous[cowardess?] in the forest when he tried to give up the scroll and Naruto couldn't believe he would do it (episodes 29-31 or something)-- I found that to be more interesting because it was like this sudden reminder that for all his angst and brooding he's only a twelve year old boy. I find it mildly interesting that there's been very little attempt to glorify his betrayal as somehow "worth it" or backwardly noble (which I sometimes see in betrayal characters)-- everyone except Sasuke thinks it's a bad idea that will gain him nothing, including the people like Orochimaru who are only using him for a fool. Or at least, if there has been an attempt to glorify, it hasn't won him any sympathy from me. In fact I'd say the constant flashbacks to Naruto telling Sakura that Sasuke "wouldn't do that" only makes Sasuke look worse/lower.

Sasuke is very much like Vegita from DBZ in his character plot function (well, Vegita during the Buu saga), and actually I usually find betrayal makes for more interesting characters. But I think that's where Sasuke's broodyness actually detracts from my interest in him. If you compare him to Vegita, the character that I loved way back when I actually watched DBZ (way WAY back), I have to say I liked Vegita and found his temptations to evilness to be more interesting simply because he didn't brood or feel sorry for himself overly much. In fact he would have been downright disgusted by Sasuke's pity-me behavior and suggested he go kill something instead.

Re: btw

[donna-c-punk.livejournal.com]

Sasuke is very much like Vegita from DBZ in his character plot function (well, Vegita during the Buu saga), and actually I usually find betrayal makes for more interesting characters. But I think that's where Sasuke's broodyness actually detracts from my interest in him. If you compare him to Vegita, the character that I loved way back when I actually watched DBZ (way WAY back), I have to say I liked Vegita and found his temptations to evilness to be more interesting simply because he didn't brood or feel sorry for himself overly much. In fact he would have been downright disgusted by Sasuke's pity-me behavior and suggested he go kill something instead.

I've never watched DBZ (well, I can't say NEVER, because I have and didn't care for it), but you hit it on the head better than I could've in your explanation of why Sasuke garners no interest on my part. It's sort of like Angel, from Buffy, to me. During the three years he hung out on BTVS, angsting, brooding and pretty much doing nothing to ease his own pain, I hated him. Once he was on his own series, with an agenda and followed through with it - despite his continued broody-ish behavior - I could respect the guy somewhat.

Sasuke is a 24/7 Pity Party. And he doesn't want to invite anyone else, just to make it all the more "angsty". I couldn't have cared less if he dropped off the face of the manga. ::waves:: Good-bye! Wish I could say it was nice knowin' ya, and you don't have to bother to write! Speaking of, that's the other thing that irriates me about him. He knows full and well that Orochimaru wants to use him and doesn't care. I don't care what the goal is, to essentially whore yourself (in every sense of the word) out to another person in that manner and not give a rat's ass? You deserve any misery you get. If he had any damn sense, he'd rely on his FRIENDS to help him. Then ... this is the Angst Machine we're talking about here.

Re: btw -ignore previous reply

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

That's actually my problem with Sasuke too. For supposing to be a smart guy, it's like he has this blind spot because he's not making the obvious conenction that if Orochimaru uses him for his body, then Sasuke can't use his own body anymore, ergo NO REVENGE. The fact that this simple fact isn't registering with Sasuke continually irritates me. Because as much as Orochimaru probably would be happy to see Itachi dead, it's not his mission in life and there's no guarantee he would ever carry it out, and Sasuke wouldn't get the satisfaction out of knowing that he dies and Orochimaru _might_ kill Itachi someday, _if_ he feels like trying it.

The sad part for us is that in 3 years they'll all be in the middle of puberty and the angst will increase 3-fold, probably 10-fold for Sasuke.

What do you think Naruto will be like in the passing time? I hope he picks up some of Jeraiya's casual attitude (but not all of his bad habits, of course, because it would disappoint me to see the otherwise non-perverted-at-all Naruto turn into a stock anime lech) because he already has a bit of that in him. Then again, maybe he'll be even less like Jeraiya after that time. How do you think he might change?

I think Sakura will probably be the same, but more confident.