You know, I remember back in the chunin exam when the manga showed Temari Vs. Ten Ten and then the very next page was ten ten sprawled unconcious across the top of temari's fan. I thought "damn, I wish I'd gotten to see that fight!" and the anime actually delivered on that! In fact, it delivered quite competently, because it was one of the coolest chunin prelim fights to see animated, and it didn't even have a flashback in the middle of it!Then, during the manga storyline when Team Gai had to face off against their dopplegangers, the manga showed only that they'd overcome their evil clones, but skipped the fight. Once again the anime delivered these unseen fights, and, although not particularly thrilling, at least filled in the gaps from the manga.
So when the manga skipped over Hidan and Kakuzu's capturing of the two tailed Jinchurriki, as well as the massacre of the fire temple, I figured the anime would deliver on what must've been some totally badass action!
I WAS WRONG.
Other than a rather hilarious scene where Hidan and Kakuzu get bitch slapped like pansies (more on that later), these fights were once again totally passed over. Well, fine then! Thus far these Akatsuki guys are still far off from being as threatening as Deidara (exploding clay guy with Vampire Hunter D mouths in his hands) and Sasori (immortal bishounen puppet dude). All they've done so far was complain about having to work with each other. Their banter is almost as painfully forced as Asoka's and Anakin's banter in that new Clone Wars CG movie! And that's pretty damn forced. At least it's slightly less cringe worthy because it's all in Japanese. Yes, watching something in a foreign language lessens the edge on awkward dialog!
But really, this episode wasn't so bad, a lot of stuff happened, so I am, admittedly, pleased! So, onto the screenshots!
Hidan gets politically incorrect.
Kakuzu shares his true feelings with Hidan.
Kakuzu shares his true feelings with Hidan (again).
Poor Shizune never gets a break.This girl just needs to find another job or something. I don't think she has ever once not looked stressed and on the verge of a total nervous breakdown. Maybe she should pick up an application at the local ramen shop.
REALLY?? I'd totally forgotten!
"Or maybe just the 'kills people occassionally' Rasengan?"Naruto's always so eager to learn how to do the same move slightly differently. Does he have no desire to learn, maybe, a genjutsu, or some Rock Lee-esque taijutsu? I can see how something like that would be good for a character whose only attack works by getting right up in your opponent's face.
Yay, he's improving!
That necklace doesn't look like a penis AT ALL.Naruto gets shirtless! Wow, this kid is RIPPED. How's he even fit in that retarded orange jumpsuit? Oh, I want to mention one of the coolest bits of this episode! Watching the animation on Yamato's wood bending almost made this whole episode totally worth it. What a badass jutsu! (if not totally underused)
VISHNU GHOST PUNCHING JUTSU!It must be seen to be believed! Bald monk guy summoned a multi armed woman to punch those Akatsuki guys with giant ghost fists! HILARIOUS! I don't want to say that's the best jutsu ever, but it's pretty high up there on my list of "WTF Jutsu". Also, to get beat down by a jutsu like that has to be terribly humiliating. Especially if you're a supposedly badass Akatsuki memeber!
"No, seriously, I'm really scared of the Akatsuki right now."
"Grr, how dare you not take our constant infighting and childish bickering seriously!!"
"And now you're dead." Wait, what??
So here was the highlight of the episode for me (you know, aside from the cool wood jutsu animation). Kakashi teaches a bunch of cute ninja kids how to light their parents on fire!
Yes children, it's important to practice your fire breathing jutsu or you'll never be able to give your friends third degree burns!
Next time I'll teach you how to shove Raikiri through a man's ribcage!
Until next episode, peoples!
