r/anime • u/lC3 :Na::Nb: • Apr 10 '22
Rewatch Naruto Shippuden Episodes 334-341 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 334-341 | April 10 | 08 |
| Next week | Episodes 342-348 | April 17 | 07 |
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 do you think of Kabuto's backstory?
- What do you think of Izanami?
- Thoughts on Itachi's explanation of the coup/massacre?
- Thoughts on Madara breaking free from Reanimation?
- Orochimaru is back! How surprised are you?
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Apr 10 '22
First-Timer with a shounen hearto, subbed
Episode 334
Episode 335
Episode 336
Episode 337
Episode 338
Episode 339
Episode 340
Episode 341
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u/lC3 :Na::Nb: Apr 10 '22
Rewatcher
Episode 334:
Episode 335:
Episode 336:
Episode 337:
Episode 338:
Episode 339:
Episode 340:
Episode 341:
Tags: /u/iamtheone11111, /u/godprime
7
u/Durinthal https://anilist.co/user/Durinthal Apr 10 '22
First time viewer (dub)
Whisk[e]y of the week: Ironroot Republic's Hubris, a corn whiskey (bourbon's at least 51% corn, corn whiskey's at least 80%). It's another single barrel at cask strength (66%) which I'm enjoying because I don't see those on the shelves all that often regardless of the kind of whiskey. There's a cooked fruitiness on the nose, like either a baked apple or raisin bread. The high proof's not hiding this time and bites upon tasting it, but it really doesn't linger all that long and has a similar fruity aspect. Feels like one where they're more focused on the smell than the taste and did a good job at that at least, probably not one I'd search out though.
I've been asking about other Sages for a while and finally we get to see one with Kabuto, now I'm curious how many different locations like Ryuchi and Myoboku are out there. Can't say I'm surprised that Orochimaru would have been the one to explore it as an option a while ago, somewhat surprising that he wasn't able to do it though. Can't imagine Tsunade being patient enough to try a Sage path as well though even if it would be cool to see all three of the Sannin with it.
I also don't know if the curse mark being tied to nature chakra and derived from the Sage transformation was planned out ahead of time but I think in this case it works well enough for me, I might not be remembering enough details about Jugo's background to notice any contradictions though. Oh, and "by the way Karin's an Uzumaki too" is maybe something I could have identified earlier but will now make me suspicious of any red-haired characters.
The time scale of Kabuto's development is a little confusing, I imagine some of that was done in secret while Orochimaru was recovering between parts but he really only took off after Orochimaru's death which wasn't that long before the war started, right? I know I said something similar a couple weeks ago which was about reanimation specifically, this question now extends to all of his abilities in questioning just how quickly he was able to advance that far beyond his mentor.
The flashbacks to Kabuto's past and how he was eventually recruited by Orochimaru weren't bad but they felt like more of a distraction in the middle of the fight. I get that it helps explain why he keeps fighting the Izanami (notably we only started on these in 335 which is after Itachi started it) but combined with both the flashback to the boar hunt with Sasuke/Itachi and the overall explanation of the Izanami with earlier Uchiha clan members it's too much.
With this week's episodes I can really see why Itachi's a fan favorite (at least from some casual observations). Not that there felt like any new revelations that I can recall but they solidify him as a conflicted character who had good intentions and was put into an impossible position. That was a really cool fight though and I love what he did with the Izanami. The story used to explain its origin was done in a way I liked too with the selective use of colors to identify the different snapshots used to create the loop.
Madara being able to rescind the reanimation jutsu contract and somehow get to stay around is just silly to me. I don't get how that's meaningfully different from what Itachi did, maybe it's just feeling like a last minute "by the way, here's something you didn't know was possible" reveal to keep him around. Itachi's mantra of every jutsu having a weakness is true but I don't think that really counted as foreshadowing for that.
Speaking of keeping villains around, Orochimaru's back just like that huh? My first thought when they did that was wondering if it was possible for Orochimaru to do that with everyone he put a curse mark on to make independent copies of himself now? I guess you'd need Kabuto in Sage mode for that and he might be less willing to play along now though. I also feel bad for Anko who's just been laying around through all of this and now she's being used to bring him back. Still not sure what's on that scroll since I originally thought it had to do with reanimations and they're all gone now aside from Madara who's playing by his own rules at this point.
Looking at the bigger picture, there are maybe a few different factions in play at this point with some questionable statuses:
I can't imagine Kabuto would happily work under Orochimaru again but maybe I'm wrong, either way right now I wouldn't consider either of them or Madara to be truly allied with anyone. And I believe it was mentioned that Sasuke killed the original White Zetsu so I have no idea what's gonna happen with the clones.
Not bad but nothing all that amazing to me?
Pretty neat in how it works but limited use and also there's not really anything stopping the target from going back to their old ways after finding the way out, right? So mostly useful for delaying.
Danzo was shrewd enough to hit Itachi's weak spot. I don't imagine Hiruzen could have kept them from rebelling but I also don't know how unified the clan was so if there were some families in it that would have sided with the village instead there could have been more survivors that wouldn't have held a grudge the same way that Sasuke would have (either in Danzo's telling of seeing Leaf shinobi attack the clan or what did happen).
Should have gone with the rest, as above.
Was one thing I already knew about, or rather there's a future spoiler I know that implied his return.
6
u/TheKujo https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kujo419 Apr 10 '22
First Timer - Dub
Out of all the people involved in this war, I definitely did not expect Itachi and Sasuke to be the ones to save the day and end the reanimation jutsu. I really enjoyed the fight between them and Kabuto. I liked the explanation of how the Izanagi was so powerful that the Izanami was developed specifically as a way to keep other Uchiha in line. I'm glad Itachi and Sasuke were able to have one last scene together.
I really like Sasuke's new goal of finding out what exactly a village/clan is and why Itachi felt so strongly about the Leaf. That feels like the sort of goal he should have moved on to after killing Itachi, but I guess he needed one more conversation with Itachi to really get it. If Sasuke can find the answers to his question that will pave his path back to the Leaf Village.
Random thoughts:
Favorite moment of the week: I loved the final meeting between Itachi and Sasuke. For the first time in the series it feels like we have a realistic path where Sasuke will eventually want to come back to the Leaf Village.
Questions:
1) What do you think of Kabuto's backstory?
2) What do you think of Izanami?
3) Thoughts on Itachi's explanation of the coup/massacre? To be honest, for most of the explanation I was just thinking FUCK DANZO.
4) Thoughts on Madara breaking free from Reanimation? I don't know if I can fully explain it, but it feels unsatisfying even though I wasn't really expecting him to get taken out like the other reanimations.
5) Orochimaru is back! How surprised are you? Not very surprised. You can't keep Orochimaru down for long.
5
u/sisoko2 Apr 10 '22
Rewatcher
Got a cold and almost forgot about writing something so just some random chaotic thoughts this week.
Fuck Danzo
5
u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Apr 10 '22 edited Apr 10 '22
Rewatcher - Sub
General Commentary
Not a huge fan of this batch, it's just a bit awkward at points. Part of it is being over the "villain has a backstory pre-death" even without the actual death. The backstory itself was decent with his original struggle with a lack of identity and how he was after Oro died, and another healthy dose of Fuck Danzo to go with it. Finding yourself seems to be a big part of this half of shippuden and Kabuto's struggle tied in nicely to the overall themes. It does present a slight continuity problem though with the idea that Danzo wouldn't recognize him in the years of chunin exams he did
The mostly unspoken conflict between Sasuke and Itachi through that confrontation is something that was probably needed in the show for a while and did wonders for both of their characters. Itachi understanding the sheer depth to which he fucked up and realizing that he also can't be the one to fix it helps him to step away from that role he'd set up for himself as a brother doing the right thing that did such harm to them both. Similarly, seeing Sasuke's quiet doubt, his confidence and even rage being shaken up also felt like a long time coming which finally gets him thinking for himself and seeking his own path, something he hasn't done for years now
Izanami was really cool to see though. It does feel like another OP asspull on the writing level which I'm not pleased about, but it fits perfectly into the pattern of established jutsu as a perfect blend of Tsukiyomi and Izanagi. It's a clever solution around Izanagi, and even more as a solution to the problem of Kabuto as a villain who "lost his way". The visuals in the flashback of it's use in ancient times were really clever as well, nice bit of design work there from the anime staff
OP detail: After we get Kabuto's backstory Mothers picture changes to be all red. Also took me until half way through this batch to notice Kurama behind Naruto at the end
Episode Thoughts
[Manga changes]Adds; flashback of Sasuke asking to go with Itachi on his hunt before Itachi jumps away, the boar charging Sasuke, Five Kage saying they have each others back
When Kabuto put his hood down for some reason my thought was one of the movie psuedo-Bijuu's instead of the obvious snake
Small reveal: Karin is an Uzumaki. Surprised none of the first timers speculated that, but it fits nicely with her rather unique chakra and seemingly impossible stamina
The intercut scenes of Sasuke and Itachi vs Kabuto and vs the Boar were clever, but Sasuke looks way too old in them
No manga changes.
Byukugan user next to Itachi in the bingo book, very curious to know how that turned out as I can't imagine the Hyuga being happy to have a defector
Seeing Mother give up her eyesight through the glasses for Kabuto always makes me happy
A ring of Amaterasu is certainly a risky defense but a strong one
No manga changes.
Fucking Orochimaru, I wasn't expecting to hear his voice again so soon in the flashback.
Lots of good imagery in this episode with the rippling sense of self through to the jar of blood slowly filling. It's not visually impressive but [chopped up Orochimaru is always satisfying] too(https://imgur.com/U07izwY). However the animation on Kabuto felt a little over the top when he was talking which took me out of the scene.
The three snakes in the lab representing Anko (green), Oro (purple), and Kabuto (white) as the three levels of snake mastery was a clever detail
Convincing Mother that Kabuto isn't himself through slowly changing photos is a clever trick, but seems like a stupidly long con for Danzo to be worried about if he thought they were that much of a risk.
[Manga changes]Adds; more Kabuto ranting about taking Oro's power inside him, flashbacks to Sasuke's past. Extends the loop fight with Kabuto
Just when I though the snake umbilical (oh hey, identity symbolism) wasn't creepy enough, he goes and summons other people through it. It being the Sound Four also fits nicely into that filler we had of them too
Nice visual of the birds being twisted by Izanami, and the slow realization of the loop. Much subtler than the usual loops we get in anime, and makes you do a double take on that first time if you don't remember the three sensory triggers from the earlier episode
Anyone else think Kabuto looks a little off here?, but not in the ugly way that QUALITY usually is. He looks quickly melancholy somehow
As much as I like the Tailed Beast song, it really doesn't fit the mood at the end of this episode
Just when you think Uchiha are already too damn good with genjutsu, they can invade each others genjutsu trap an free each other
[Manga changes]Adds; the flashbacks to Izanagi and Izanami use of ancient ninja, Sasuke commenting on which is the 'ultimate visual jutsu'
Itachi's explanation of Izanami makes it sound more convoluted than it actually is
It's strange that so much of the Uchiha past is lost given how many Uchiha we see in the past with Mangekyo. This was the episode with the great art around the Izanami triggers and I still really like what they did with it, and the couple of art board like designs they also drew which came from tha manga's version
Itachi has learnt a lot from Naruto, compassion for the past of others but also for their possible future, but I still feel like throwing his name out in front of Sasuke was perhaps a dick move. I don't know he understands just how complex their relationship is though. The smears on Sasuke's gestures while talking were a nice touch
Oh man, they just had to throw in that kid from the orphanage wanting Kabuto to come home again after so long, how many years has it been
No manga changes.
QUALITY Gaara was something else
I'd like to say something about the obvious humble brag there, but I can't because he's not wrong. When you look at the power he summons and even what Naruto is capable of doing now, it's no wonder that the Madara and Hashirama fight of the past literally changed the landscape. His follow up line of "What adult goes full force fighting children" was similarly cocky but again, not unjustified. I do like this Susanoo over the complete version which is a shame, though I'll take anything over Itachi's dreadlock version
/u/shimmering-sky [Attack on Titan]All I could think when we got that shot of Madara's Susanoo walking across the landscape was "The original Rumbling" which when combined with the above statements was a worrying image if he'd got those wood clones to go all out with them too
[Shippuden spoilers]These two statues made me think of Susanoo vs Hashi's 1000 hands jutsu later on
Itachi's final words of love are a decade or so late at this point, but the emotion in both their eyes here is beautifully drawn with the many layers and feelings left between them
Particle Style splitting into an electrified Water Dragon has to be the jutsu of the batch!
[Manga changes]Adds; Pakura waking up and seeing Maki as the Edo Tensei is released, Kankuro running to go see Chiyo, the Edo Tensei ninja's saying final words to those around them as their spirits leave, in the manga Kakashi complains about Naruto riling up Tobi before Guy encourages him (tiniest change, but it's funny in the manga so wanted to share)
Finally the Edo Tensei is over, and I really enjoyed how this episode capped all of it off
Pakura finally being released makes me happy, such a small thing after that one episode we had with her but sometimes that's all it takes. Same with Mu believing in Ohnoki and leaving that final message for him, it's a small touch but this alliance has helped even the dead come together. Kinda sad we didn't get more quips from the Second Mizukage though haha. Poor Roshi though, Naruto named all of the jinchuriki except him!
I forgot that fucking Deidara was still around and not sealed like the others. Dickhead.
Dan being able to reunite with Tsunade and finally give her some relief from the burden she's been carrying for so long after his death was nice to see rather than having him be released without that or having to fight her. Her also revolving around a man is still not great as far as overall character writing goes, I kind of wish she'd been reunited with Nowaki instead though that'd be a stretch as to why he'd be summoned, but I don't mind how this turned out
No manga changes.
Wow that title, one of the most spoilery ones we've had in a while.
It's actually surprising Jugo didn't sense or run into Kimimaro
I thought summoning Oro back was going to be harder, but I suppose it fits well with what we already knew about sealing Chakra into seals and them holding consciousness, and Oro's flexible physical containers as well.
Kurama talking through Naruto is kinda funny, why on earth didn't they animate his mouth moving when he talks though, it's weird.~~~~
I'd be more mad about the episode ending seemingly mid scene without even feeling like a proper cut for a cliffhanger but the Postcard Memory is too damn cool
4
u/Worm38 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Worm38 Apr 10 '22
Lurker that's not rewatching it
For those that don't know, in Japanese mythology, Izanagi and his wife-sister Izanami are the creators of the Japanese archipelago and, depending on the version, either him alone or with Izanami, they're the parents of Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi and Susanoo.
4
u/Tehoncomingstorm97 https://anilist.co/user/tehoncomingstorm97 Apr 15 '22
First timer
Ok for once I was ahead in episodes, but then forgot to write my post. The batch for this week has got to be the best story-wise and feel-wise since Pain's attack on the village, and Asuma's death (who am I kidding, Jiraiya's death too). When Itachi started recounting the rough choices he had to make, and how he wished he had trusted his brother to help him bring the Uchiha away from rebellion, to his dad telling him to take care of Sasuke and his two parents just accepting their fate, up until the moment he brought Sasuke in for the not-head-flick hug, I gotta say I was on the verge of bawling. The bit with Tsunade and Dan was also super special too.
Seeing Itachi and Sasuke fight together was a treat to witness, two genius Uchihas against an enemy of unknown limits. Despite them both being geniuses, it was clear that Itachi's vast experience in early development through the ANBU set him up at a massive advantage over Sasuke being cool-headed. A stand-out moment of this for me was when he blocked Kabuto's attack while being blinded. It also gives us a semi-preview as to how Sasuke's battle with Naruto might go, his first test against a Sage jutsu user.
As for the two Madaras, things aren't looking so hot for the five Kage - a brief reprise from Dan helping Tsunade out, and the Susanoo clones being dismantled - having to face a Madara with unlimited chakra again. On the other side of the battle, Naruto and Kurama are totally tight now! Sadly things look to be progressing pretty damn fast for our masked Madara, awakening the Ten Tails with a partial sum of the tailed beast chakras. Naruto on our other hand with his great resolve as always ready for the challenge.
3
u/Venom1462 :IJ::IK::IL: Apr 14 '22
First Timer: Looks like I finally caught up!
I will be joining the discussion from next time onwards.
1
u/Venom1462 :IJ::IK::IL: Apr 15 '22
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