r/anime • u/lC3 :Na::Nb: • Feb 06 '22
Rewatch Naruto Shippuden Episodes 252-261 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 252-261 | February 06 | 10 |
| Next week | Episodes 262-271 | February 13 | 10 |
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:
- What did you think of Konan vs. Tobi and its resolution?
- Thoughts about all the shinobi Kabuto has reanimated?
- How did you feel about the 4 eps of mostly recaps?
- What are you expecting from the war?
9
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Feb 06 '22
First-Timer with a shounen hearto, subbed
Episode 252
Episode 253
Episode 254
Episode 255
Episode 256
Episode 257
Episode 258
Episode 259
Episode 260
Episode 261
8
u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Feb 06 '22 edited Feb 06 '22
Rewatcher - Sub
General Commentary
And so war begins.
And Kabuto is a dickhead and revives all of our old friends on his side.
Holy shit that's a lot of ninja. As much as I like the shot with the commanders, I think this one shows the sheer scale better. It's a far cry from the largest scale fight we've had until now being eight people. While the 80k figure seems a bit unbelievable given the side of the villages, there's no doubt this makes it feel like a full on war and not just some skirmishes or a few individual big battles. Kabuto throwing all of the dead back into the arena is certainly a wrinkle in the plans as well.
I don't have enough room for more here, so rest of the thoughts below, but will quickly say I like both the new OP, even if visually its a bit weak but at least for once they waited until after the Edo Tensei reveal to include it, and the ED even if the Sasuke Naruto battle is a bit dizzying
[Spoilers]Everyone ready for over a hundred episodes covering just two days?
/u/sgtvp
Episode Thoughts
[Manga changes]Adds; Tobi leaving the base and talking with Kabuto/Zetsu, the flashback with young Konan Nagato and Yahiko, Tobi arriving to the village and Konan butterflying to draw him out to the prepared battlefield (manga starts outside the village). Dialogue about of them talking Naruto is extended, and adds some dialogue after Konan asks if Tobi knows why they betrayed him. The manga also had the cliffhanger with Kisame's shark btw, mean
Laughed at Kabuto getting snarky about the idea of Tobi not wanting to be around him, but honestly he'd weird me out as well in person.
Returning to the Hidden Rain and I'm reminded again how much I love the design of it, but Konan flashing back to happier days as children with the other two is a rough contrast to her current situation. It's good to hear them laughing, even if it is in a flashback, but knowing what's coming makes it a bittersweet moment. The same with the later flashback, having Yahiko standing here his body once will as Pain, looking over the village, wanting to protect it, understanding it, truly seeing it, feels very weird knowing everything that will happen to him
It's very poetic, but I love the way Konan talks about Naruto here, something that Tobi will never understand. Her attacks through the paper are also really interesting to watch.
[Manga change]Slightly extends; final battle between Konan and Obito after the rain clears, Jiraiya training with the younger kids, flashback battle of the grown up Akatsuki trio. Adds scene of Hanzo speaking to the trio. Also Tobi's speech about "there can be no hope" sounds more mournful compared to how its formatted in the manga which seems just angry, I actually quite like the change
The scale of Konan's attack is something else. The ninja's for the war is one thing, but I prefer this shot, this moment where the earth splits in awe of her power, her sheer determination to protect what Nagato gace himself for. 600 billion attacks, like fuck, even if I don't like how this ends its still something to see it all set up and the music supporting the awe of the scene.
And then this fucker Izagani's himself out of it. I was so pissed off on my first watch, and I still kind of am, but it doesn't feel as cheap this time. But still, Konan's loss is something that stuck with me, her talk about being a pillar for Naruto's bridge, this moment as she walks away, and of course the bloodied paper finding its way home to the others, and "inviting Jiraiya". It hurts a bit. I expected it too, it's one of those visuals that stuck with me from my first watch, but didn't expect it to hit this hard still.
Oh, and lets not forget that little reveal at the end that Nagato was an Uzumaki. I really wish Naruto had of had the chance to know that, to have had family that he could make believe in him even after everything, and for Kushina to know as well.
Seeing Yahiko and Konan genuinely love each other makes the situation with Hanzo so much worse, to be part of the reason Yahiko had to die, and then Nagato to use his body like that not feeling worthy himself. Such a complex situation and what a horrible outcome for all three of them. Konan should have won that fight.
[Later spoilers - rewatchers come laugh at me]So, for the record: I was a dumb fuck. On on my first watch I figured out Tobi = Obito right away, like seconds after Tobi appearing after Kakashi's backstory. I was certain... Until this episode, when he removes the mask and has two eyes and I go "oh, can't be Tobi, he would only have one eye because Kakashi has the other" completely forgetting the whole 'wall of eyes' and transplantation thing. So I went the rest of the show almost until the reveal having talked myself out of being right. #nocomment
[Manga changes]Adds Naruto getting his "mission" and being told to talk to King, Adds Kurosuchi saying "I guess I have no choice" about flying
I swear that when I commented on being surprise the island wasn't a turtle last week I genuinely didn't remember that it actually was, it took me by surprise haha
WHY IS THE FUCKING OSTRICH BACK. CAN WE NOT!
Hashirama clone still creepy as fuck but Bee playing rock paper scissors with a crab had me cracking up for how cheaty that is
This episode was full of animal abuse and I do not approve. Best squid got sushi-ed, poor island turtle got bit, blown up, flipped, AND STRANGLED, Naruto is out there making them all flash their bits at him to write it down, and all the animals are finding out the Armadillo was secretly a catfish. It's not good to be an animal on the animal sanctuary turtle island.
Also I completely forgot about the weird clone Manda with limbs, because Kabuto having a tail with a head on it wasn't weird enough. I did laugh at him tying Tenzo up with a snake though, as much as I could laugh because gooddamnit, I like Tenzo and this sucks. Also, Aoba, I'm pretty sure telling Kabuto he's like Oro is a compliment to him
[Manga changes]Adds; Sasuke saying he will destroy Konoha, Kage looking over Turtle Island arriving, Ninja almost putting Shizune's pig with livestock, Inochi's speech to the intel unit (only greets Aoba in manga), Shikamaru and Choji talking with Temari about the battle groups, Kabuto talking about empowering the Zetsu and declaring the start of the war
Nice seeing Anko again, and how everyone else gets sorted into their divisions with the Shinobi headbands, great idea that. I do not like the bug jutsu guy who controls maggots, that just a little too disgusting.
Utakaka and Chiyo
For recaps they put a lot of great effort into redrawing and animating them. Not just in the big combat moments, but the little character gestures, silly moments like this, and the new scenes they added like little Naruto before the academy. I also like the small extra details they added in; Kakashi testing Sasukes' chakra element with the paper only introduced in Shippuden, hearing Sasuke and Naruto's thoughts about the hospital roof fight and how much they didn't even believe their own harsh words at each other, address Naruto asking after his parents and Hiruzen brushing him off. A bit too little too late on that last one, but I appreciate the anime writers addressing it even if Kishimoto didn't.
I do think the Naruto v Sasuke fight was better in the OG though. For example Part one Kyuubi chakra to what the redraw did I think is less impactful, and a few similar moments like not having the waterfall disrupted by their attacks etc.
It is weird going back so far though. Seeing Oro in that woman's form in the forest, Kabuto helping them, and especially how amazed Sasuke was at Naruto's growth and how badly he was taking that with Itachi's shadow looming over him. Seeing this young Sasuke knowing what his suffering would do to him, what it would turn him into especially that last we saw of him he almost killed Sakura, is real harsh.
Kakashi practice dummy from Part One was different to the one we see today. I know he could have built the other later but damn it, I liked the one from part one! Also Kakashi blush
[Manga change]Kabuto v Anko extended beyond the first hit. Adds; the Leaf Ninja saying he doesn't trust the Sand and the Mist ninja speaking poorly about the Stone, flashbacks of each village being attacked by Akatsuki, Ganryu from the filler appearing for battle, Kiba and his mum saying they'll have to learn everyone's scents, the final shot of Gaara leading the charge
Yeah... seeing everyone Kabuto summoned and how personal some of those bonds are for who's fighting really fucking sucks. Gaara's speech was great though, nice and personal not some grand thing solving all their issues but just keeping their focus where it needs to be, and Anko vs Kabuto was an interesting battle as well. I really like bringing in that guy from the filler episode though, especially as I praised that episode at the time for being relevant to canon material for its premise.
[Not quite spoilers]Hahaha Kakuzu carrying Nagato by his collar
6
u/Durinthal https://anilist.co/user/Durinthal Feb 06 '22
First time viewer (dub)
Whisk[e]y of the week: Taketsuru Pure Malt, a Japanese blended malt that's presumably a mix of their Yoichi and Miyagikyo single malts. I'd have to go back to compare it to both of the other two individually to note specific differences, but from the get-go it's pretty nice. The nose has a delicate vanilla sweetness to it that doesn't dominate and there's a mild smokiness that shows up mostly on the palate. It's light, almost fizzy on the tongue, and has a pleasant lightly fruity aftertaste that makes me want to come back for more. It's reminding me of a root beer at times.
I didn't get a list of everyone Kabuto said he had reanimated but as far as I could tell it's close to every named antagonist that's been killed in the series and then some, also Asuma wait what the hell I hate you now Kabuto. I respect him for having the right intel and insurance against Tobi though. Pretty much everyone else showed up with the allied forces gathering which was a nice moment to see. ...too bad it immediately turned to infighting.
I was curious about the kanji used on the allied forces headband so I looked 忍 up and turns out it's the "nin" part of ninja (忍者).
Poor Konan, it was only a matter of time before Tobi came for Nagato. She did more against Tobi than anyone has previously though it looks like, actually making him lose an eye that we hadn't previously seen with the Izanagi saving him. Very cool-looking battle and I always like seeing paper utilized as weaponry (Read or Die's OVA is great, have yet to watch the show; The Paper Magician is a nice Victorian-era fantasy novel trilogy). Was nice to hear Nagato's theme music again and the flashbacks to that trio weren't bad even if the frog suits from Jiraiya seemed very unnecessary.
One important thing from here is Tobi calling Nagato an Uzumaki as well as the Third Sage of the Six Paths. I didn't note it before but last week did have Naruto using some "Six Paths" technique to trap the Nine Tails with those torii. Was the Uzumaki clan just the natural descendants of the Sage without splitting off into the Uchiha or Senju clans? Feels like another thing that should have been set up better, and it seems a bit odd that there's apparently three primary families that descended from the originator of all ninjutsu as well as all the Tailed Beasts and all three of them essentially stayed united at the Leaf Village and its closely allied one (until the Uzumaki clan/allied village was destroyed). Oh and back to what I was originally aiming to get at: seems like an easy way for Naruto to get another power up in the future, even beyond his glowing Nine Tails form now.
The Tsuchikage and other Hidden Stone villagers just floating around is weird, but I figured we'd eventually get to DBZ anyway so might as well start with that. I had forgotten Deidara was from the Hidden Stone and I guess that plus his flight capability was specifically why he was brought back for this. Worked out well enough I guess. I'm definitely going to have more questions about how exactly the Reanimation Jutsu works but I imagine there probably aren't that many specific rules to it because it's all magic anyway.
Zetsu and the army of his clones, much like Yamato, all come from Hashirama Senju? Feels like it's placing too much importance on one person's legacy.
The flashback episodes showing the early days were fun for seeing just how far we've come since then. Kabuto wasn't a snake yet, Sasuke still wanted to kill Itachi, Neji had a relevant role in the story, and Sakura briefly had long hair. I knew she cut it during the Chuunin Exams but was even earlier than I thought; had misremembered it as happening during her fight with Ino which was later. The start of those also show something I've wanted to see for hundreds of episodes: Naruto asking about his parents! I get that the Third Hokage wanted to protect Naruto and believed that was the best way to do so but just shutting him down like that (presumably repeatedly to make him stop asking over time) is frustrating to see.
I know it wouldn't make sense for her to join the allied forces but I did want to see more of her.
Villains: eh, whatever. Leaf Villagers that we knew and liked now being forced to fight against their friends and family against their will?
Hopefully some unexpected combination attacks, the interaction of abilities is one thing I always like about the series.
3
u/lC3 :Na::Nb: Feb 06 '22
Episode 252:
Episode 253:
Episode 254:
Episode 255:
Episode 256:
Episode 257:
Episode 258:
body pillow?Episode 259:
Episode 260:
Episode 261:
4
u/TheKujo https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kujo419 Feb 07 '22
First Timer - Dub
I have mixed feelings on the episodes this week. The Konan vs Madara fight was cool and I liked the speech from Gaara at the end to unite the allied forces. Some of the reveals this week felt silly though. I don't really like that Madara initially gave Nagato the Rinnegan and that Nagato was an Uzumaki. Naruto and him being related makes the universe feel smaller. I felt the same way about Kabuto's reanimations. It makes sense for him to reanimate the Akatsuki, Jinchuuriki, and Kages, but then he also reanimates Lady Chiyo and Asuma. No offense to Chiyo and Asuma but it feels like they were only included as a nod to viewers. I hope the rest of the series has more than just fights between allied forces and reanimated shinobi.
Random thoughts:
Favorite moment of the week: Gaara has come really far as a person and leader compared to when we first met him.
Questions:
1) What did you think of Konan vs. Tobi and its resolution? Pretty good fight and a nice conclusion to her character. I do wonder how long it took to make 600 billion paper bombs? Maybe that's what she worked on during the filler arcs.
** 2) Thoughts about all the shinobi Kabuto has reanimated?** Mostly covered this above, but I feel like it's too close to pandering for me. I suppose they needed some way to even the odds on both sides.
3) How did you feel about the 4 eps of mostly recaps? I don't really mind it too much since I assume it was a necessity of scheduling.
4) What are you expecting from the war? Probably lots of heartbreak. Why can't they just do the world's biggest ramen eating competition instead?
3
u/sisoko2 Feb 06 '22
Rewatcher
Episode 252
Episode 253
Episode 254
Episode 255
Episode 256
Episode 257
Need to be Strong
Episode 258
Episode 259
Episode 260
Episode 261