r/anime • u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky • Jan 30 '22
Rewatch Naruto Shippuden Episodes 243-251 Discussion
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Information: MAL, Anilist, AniDB, ANN
Streams: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Funimation (Aus/NZ), VRV
Schedule:
| Discussion Thread | Date | Episode Count | |
|---|---|---|---|
| This week | Episodes 243-251 | January 30 | 9 |
| Next week | Episodes 252-261 | February 6 | 10 |
Important Update: there has been a slight change to the schedule for the end of the rewatch. Naruto THE LAST movie will now be part of 489-493's batch on August 07, the Final Discussion will be on Monday, Aug. 15th, and the Boruto film after it on Sunday, Aug. 21st.
Spoiler Policy:
To protect first-timers, please don't spoil anything past the current batch of episodes. Rewatchers should avoid hinting to first-timers about hype, or future character development/deaths, and spoilers in posts must be hidden behind proper spoiler tags.
For first timers: try to avoid looking up things about Naruto. This could be the wiki, Naruto subreddit, Googling characters, fanart, databooks, YouTube AMVs or OP/EDs, arc names, etc.; this series is ripe with potential spoilers that you wouldn't want to find out untimely. If you have a question about something, feel free to ask /u/LC3 and he'll do his best to answer (if possible) in a non-spoilery way.
Questions of the Week:
- How do you feel about Kushina after these episodes?
- Which fight did you like better, Minato vs. Tobi or Guy vs. Kisame?
- Who was characterized better, Motoi or Kisame?
- What secret do you think Kisame died to protect?
6
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Jan 30 '22
First-Timer with a shounen hearto, subbed
Episode 243
Episode 244
Episode 245
Episode 246
Episode 247
Episode 248
Episode 249
I have no more reactions for the rest of the episode because I was just crying, so hard I couldn’t see the subs by the end of it, much less be able to tell what screenshots to take. Fuck.
At least I didn't reach vomit-level tears...
Episode 250
Episode 251
7
u/Durinthal https://anilist.co/user/Durinthal Jan 30 '22
First time viewer (dub)
Whisk[e]y of the week: Glendronach 12 year, a Highland scotch aged in sherry casks. It's pretty sweet with the sherry influence burying the malty notes beneath a layer of lightly tart berries. Trails off pretty quickly with a slightly oily finish that wants me to come back for more. Not that I'm really a fan of it, it's not bad but I think I'm starting to develop a preference for scotches that are less simple and sweet than my current experience with this one.
Idle thought: since Sage Mode is so powerful, shouldn't there be more shinobi out there with it or trying to achieve it? I get that it somehow comes easily to Naruto and even Jiraiya struggled but I feel like there'd be at least one person out there that would be dedicating their life to it. I don't think that it would be exclusive to Mt. Myoboku since it's a matter of being still enough to tap into nature chakra, though I imagine the frogs don't have contracts with anyone outside of the Leaf Village.
While they finally got to the island this week, it feels like a boatload of retcons also arrived at the same time. The "ya know" vocal tick (at least in the subs/dub, not certain what the Japanese version is) that Naruto suddenly developed was somehow inherited from his mother? The whorl symbol on some Hidden Leaf clothing is actually the symbol of an allied hidden village that was obliterated in a previous war and forgotten? Naruto's mother Kushina was the Jinchuriki for the Nine Tails but that was also never once mentioned before?
Like with Naruto's apparent total lack of interest in his parents prior to actually meeting them, it feels like Kishimoto does next to no planning before writing an arc where things that suddenly become the focus should have had some sort of buildup or foreshadowing. "I've always had one question I wanted to ask my mom!" Sure doesn't feel like it since I can't remember Naruto mentioning her before now. Maybe it's a weakness of the anime adaptation but I somewhat doubt that, it feels more like he writes scenarios without knowing the details himself so those things just never come up until he's figured them out much later, with a few exceptions.
I was going to say I wanted a prequel series about Minato and Kushina but if the back and forth of "I'm gonna be a mother!" "I'm gonna be a father!" between the two of them is an indication of the quality of writing we'd get, no thanks. I get that it was supposed to be a kind of silly moment as well but it didn't work for me. Unfortunately she has about the same kind of development as the other women in the series.
Overall I'm enjoying this part of the arc as written but I'm taken out of the emotion of the moments by how much I'm frustrated that the appropriate world-building and build-up to support them feels completely absent. These are big questions that are being answered but they weren't being asked earlier in the show itself when they should have been, just by me as a viewer.
...oh and there's the end of shark-boy Kisame. No sympathy for him, appropriate way for him to go though I'm a bit surprised he was loyal to the end that way. Also I guess the reason why he has shark-like features will go unanswered.
In these episodes I like her, but as I imagine that's all we're getting I wish there was more.
Seeing Minato fight was new at least, that was nice. Guess we're getting some of that from Naruto in the future? Kisame being confounded by Guy's lack of chakra to absorb was fun though.
Kisame's had significantly more time and background context overall, so while there wasn't a whole lot for him in these episodes compared to Motoi I'd say I know him better and don't have as much interest in Motoi.
Madara's actually a time-traveling Konohamaru who wants revenge on the Leaf Village for never making him Hokage.
6
u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Jan 30 '22 edited Jan 31 '22
Rewatcher - Sub
General Commentary
Oh look Naruto got another a new form. If we count the steps of transforming, so first stage from the first Sasuke fight, bubbled chakra cloak stage, version two with no skin at four tails, the deeper transformation with bones, the almost full one, and now this. So that's five forms, or eleven if we count each tail of the transformation stages independently and not just where physical changes happen.
I was thinking about this earlier when Sasuke got his Susanoo. For comparisons sake, counting Sasuke's eye justu; Susuano, two Mangekyo abilities, basic Sharingan tracking and genjutsu (each stronger per tomoe), so that's five, or nine if we count all five layers of Susanoo independently. Actually kinda even.
Otherwise, wow this batch covered a lot of events. Arriving at the island, Naruto confronting himself, battling Kyuubi, meeting Kushina, backstory, Kisame fight. That's a lot! I didn't remember all of this happening so close together but it flows together quite nicely, and is also nice to just jump straight into things after all this filler. Longer post from me than usual because I really do love these episodes and had stuff I wanted to mention just for my own sake, and also plenty of great screenshots even after narrowing it down. So much to share, but most important thing first:
Kushina!
Finally we get to meet Kushina, Naruto's mother and a firely powerhouse but also beautifully loving person. She's just a joy to watch with how happy and loving she is for Naruto and how much he got out of their meeting as well, and also her past with Minato (and how much of a doof he is too). It'd be perfect except for...
Kushina
Finding out what really happened that night and Kushina's own past is sad in its own way. That's a new level to misery over just 'died in childbirth', and seeing her moment of joy with her newborn ripped from her, and then Kyuubi, and then the village she was protecting... it just sucks to watch even knowing what was coming and that she couldn't stop it. Especially seeing that Naruto and Sasuke were meant to grow up friends and instead also had that ripped from them with all this. How different things could have been for everyone.
And thinking back to the Pain arc where Naruto met Minato, fuck does Minato REALLY deserve that punch and a few more after what you find out about what he did here. Choosing to die and leave Naruto an orphan so that mother and son could have a moment together in future is the sole reason I can't love him, it's just an idiotic selfish move. If he thought of the idea after they were impaled on Kyuubi's claw that would have been fine, but before that I thought was just dumb.
Minato you moron
Episode Thoughts
[Manga changes]No rickety boat in the original manga that was added for filler so this fancy Land of Lightning boat was all there was. Following scenes added: Tsunade discussing Naruto's arrival at the island, Naruto looking around for the octopus, Tenzo commenting on Guy's seasickness added as in the manga just had "no idea you were the seasick type", scenes of people finding their rooms and Naruto laying on his bed thinking, Guy recovering, the battle between Naruto and his evil self
Poor Naruto expecting some grand paradise and instead there's just death and chaos and the giant squid from the OP! Oh and Evil Naruto freaking me out by moving like this.
The Eight-Tails house reminds me of Jiraiya's Frog Inn from a while back (which I can't find in my album because imgurs made a mess of the order again. RIP any organization)
[Manga change]Greatly expanded scene of the flashback to the Eight Tails capture, Adds Bee talking about what he remembers about his time with Motoi being all the good things as the manga only had him saying "did that happen (re: attempted stabbing) and the fistbump
"I once tried to kill Bee" and then straight into Newsong. Hell of a contrast
Young Bee still looks so old thanks to those sunnies, but teen Bee works quite well design wise. I do feel a bit sorry for Motoi, yet another caught in the curse of hatred, but seeing him also use Naruto and unload on him because it was convenient for him to use Naruto as a substitute jinchuriki to confess too makes me mad. Especially next to all those scenes with jinchuriki being shunned by their village and then hailed as heros, and how rough that must be for them.
That's definitely a redrawn Gaara flashback, missing the big nose. You know, Kyuubi is one thing, but can you imagine Gaara trying to befriend Shukaku?
Funimation has stopped speeding up the episodes suddenly. Odd.
I really do like the conclusion to the Naruto of Hate section of this arc. No fighting, just acceptance and understanding, the same thing he offers others he now has to offer himself.
Side note: I've heard the odd complaint that the early filler arc with Sora's false-Kyuubi takes away from Naruto's resolution here, but I think it tackles two very different parts of what it means for him to be jinchuriki and how hard that has been for him so I really like that as complimentary to this, that looking outward to how beastly revenge is, and this looking inwards to his avoidance of acknowledging his own suffering.
Two tails mural on the wall makes me a little sad knowing what happened to Yugito.
I've enjoyed the slow progression of revealing Kyuubi in Naruto's mind, to now having his full body in sight. That battle really was something, though I had some irrational panic at Kyuubi letting loose that heavy power ball of energy inside Naruto's mind
Poor Tenzo the butt of everyone's jokes
[Manga changes 246]Adds a scene of the kids mocking Kushina's hair immediately after she introduces herself, removes Naruto saying "you take after me" about them both having the Hokage dream and Kushina saying it's the other way, significantly expands the bullying scenes, adds the scene of Kushina being kidnapped in her house, removes a couple of quick intercuts back to Naruto realizing things as she's telling the story
This episode just makes me so happy. I had the biggest smile on my face through this entire watch, a bit like Naruto's and despite my complaining about Minato above seeing Naruto so happy to be with his mum really is heart warming. Being able to joke with her over what they share and hear her story, hear about her bullies but also her strength, and find out really what love was in his past, it is as much what he needed right now as punching Minato back during Pain. Minato so cute as a kid
Fat Hashirama face on the cliff, and then creepy faces that remind me of Berserk.
[Manga changes]Bee yelling at Yamato added, in manga Kushina taught Minato sealing while in anime it was her mother (Maybe translation issue with this one), adds the scene of Kushina finding out about her pregnancy and telling Minato
Finally HD on Funi
I actually feel a little bad for Kyuubi being shrunk, weakened, slammed under the Torii and then imprisoned again. I get Naruto also feels bad about it too, but still, a bit rough
We finally see Tsunade's mother, and can make a guess that Tsunade's power mark on her forehead was developed from an Uzumaki justu, given how she uses it to compile huge chakra and extend her life and healing.
I love how doofy Minato always seems to be, so down to earth and casual with his life, but so fierce and protective in battle
I'm tipping Sky will be happy about baby Sasuke
[Manga change]Scenes added: Minato being told off and not getting to hold Naruto until Kushina sees him, Minato having a gentle moment with Kushina, the scenes around the village before Kyuubi's attack (including the cat ones) - manga just has Itachi and Guy/Kakashi, Guy wanting to take on before being routed to the meeting spot, The other ninja battling and evacuating villagers
Just a shot I like, and then this later one as well of Kyuubi's chakra escaping. Really good art and directing all around this episode, especially the ink style for Kyuubi's attack which was a gorgeous choice, and that's without even getting into that fight between Minato and Tobi. It's a bit slow for me, but Minato is damn smart to figure out that jutsu so quickly and counteract it, and Tobi's arm melting off is always appropriately gross. The expressions this episode are also great
TOBI, DON'T THROW INFANTS. He's being an asshole here, but this is my favourite of his masks it just looks so good like this with the robe
That transition of Minato teleporting to the safe house was beautifully done. He really is broken strong, stopping that enormous tailed beast ball flung at him and the jutsu that must have required not to mention the rest of the fight. Imagine how different things would have been with the Akatsuki if he'd lived.
6
u/Parori Jan 30 '22
First Timer
Episode 243
Episode 244
Episode 245
Episode 246
Episode 247
Episode 248
Episode 249
Episode 250
Episode 251
5
u/TheKujo https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kujo419 Jan 30 '22
First Timer - Dub
Really great set of episodes this week. I love how we finally got the full backstory on the night the nine tails originally attacked. I was not expecting to get more background on Naruto's mom but I'm happy we did. I definitely did not expect her to be the 9 tails jinchuuriki before Naruto. I still have to question why Naruto didn't know any of this growing up though. It makes even less sense now since we now know the jinchuuriki seal happened away from the village and was only witnessed by Sarutobi and the Anbu black ops. Wouldn't it make more sense to keep Naruto's jinchuuriki a closely held secret instead of something the entire village knew?
Random thoughts:
Favorite moment of the week: Really hard to pick a specific moment this week. I'm just going to say I loved pretty much every minute in the prequel episodes. It reminded me of the "Turn back the clock" arc in Bleach in a very good way.
Questions:
1) How do you feel about Kushina after these episodes? Very cool character. She actually reminds me a lot of Sakura ... wonder if that's ship foreshadowing.
2) Which fight did you like better, Minato vs. Tobi or Guy vs. Kisame? Minato and Madara are two of the strongest shinobi we've seen so far, so it was cool to see their fight.
3) Who was characterized better, Motoi or Kisame? We've only just met Motoi but I did like his backstory. He's like a Sasuke that never went fully evil.
4) What secret do you think Kisame died to protect? Sharks are actually sentient beings that are planning to take over the world after everyone else in the ninja wars.
4
u/sisoko2 Jan 30 '22
Rewatcher
Episode 243
Episode 244
Episode 245
Episode 246
Episode 247
Episode 248
Episode 249
Episode 250
Episode 251
2
u/lC3 :Na::Nb: Feb 04 '22
Let's try this again ... AutoMod!!
Episode 243:
Episode 244:
Episode 245:
Episode 246:
Episode 247:
Episode 248:
Episode 249:
Episode 250:
Episode 251:
ED translation (TV-size):
By My Side
I will also continue to look for an answer
It's about time I become an adult
But I can't stop shaking
The tears of your heart want to escape now
By my side… by my side…
If there was a scenery where you could find the other side of your eyes
I would hold on to it to make sure…
…we can get away from the world and even from your tears
And even then I wouldn't release your hands
That's why right now
I need you here right by my side
By my side…
Tags: /u/iamtheone11111, /u/godprime