Naruto Manga 328: Team Ten

Witherwing writes:

Sniff, sniff...So sad. I can't help but feel that this will be touching in the anime. Why do they give up so easily? Ninjas. They just go 'it's my time' and don't try to live. He's got a girl to go home to. (disturbing thought: What if Konohamaru is his and Kurenai's?) I'm depressed now...

As much as I like crying Shikamaru, I hope that he won't take up smoking. ::sigh:: Now he's gonna go super revenge mode against Malfoy.

And who is the shougi king? Why do they always leave us hanging?

SnowyOwl Sobs:

Aww....! I think I might cry when this is animated. The drumming rain, the sound of sobs, the heart-breaking music. It's too much to even think about. Sorry to say I really don't care much about Chouji and Ino at this point...even the last words to those two felt a little more superficial, but maybe that's just my personal bias. I certainly feel there is a much closer and special bond between Shikamaru and Asuma. I think Shika's going to take this really, REALLY hard. I don't think he'll take up smoking (hopefully). I think it was more of an act of respect, taking that last smoke in Asuma's place since he died before he could do it himself. I also think taking that smoke was him symbolically taking up his sensei's mantle: Asuma left Shika a mission that he couldn't see through himself. It's such a burden, Mr. Frodo!

Not to break the mood of anything, but Kurenai is really bugging me. Oh, I will be demure and wistfully look out windows and symbolically knock over flowers. Meh. I never cared for her as a character and really couldn't care less if she broke down and cried once she hears the news. I find her boring and Asuma super cool. Why couldn't they ever kill the unlikable characters? (I know, I know, then we wouldn't care). I don't think Konohamaru is related to Kurenai. That would have made her a teenage mother and that is not so becoming of a ninja.

I really liked it that Asuma acknowledged the Shika is Hokage material. I've always felt like he would be more qualified then Naruto. I know this is heresy, but I hope Kishimoto doesn't make Naruto Hokage. It would feel like a cop-out. Shika would make one of those great, I-will-be-Hokage-even-if-I-don't-want-to-because-my-village-needs-me type Hokages and have old eyes haunted by his past failures. Same type of Hokage Kakashi might be. Speaking of whom...oh no! Kakashi has lost another friend. Man! Poor Kakashi! Give this guy a break already!

Who is the king??? Tamaki-dono?*

*Charismatic, call-me-'King' character from 'Ouran High School Host Club'

Naruto Manga 327: Amongst Despair

Witherwing writes:

Asuma no! I mean, Kuranai even did the symbolic broken flower thing. She should have been more gentle with her flowers. I mean they try to give you hope with that beating heart and bringing in Chouji and Ino but it's just the reunion before the end.

On a side note: who's the guy that looks like Robin and wears the funnyblack cape?

And what is the leader of the bad guys sitting on?

SnowyOwl Says:

It's strange commenting on this chapter knowing what happens in the next chapter. I did feel that having Chouji and Ino come to the rescue as a bit contrived. Some other squad from the 20 small brigade would have been more appropriate (or the Sand Sibs!). It's all a set up for the goodbye. I don't know, I kinda wish that it was just between Asuma and Shikamaru. But these musings belong to the next post!

Glasses guy? I think I've seen him somewhere. Will do research.

And what's with the baddies just dropping everything? 20 more seconds and they could have finished them off. That makes no sense. Malfoy took at least that long just complaining. Bah!

Naruto Manga 326: The Cursed One

Witherwing writes:

Oh Man! They so got us. We relaxed too soon! Agh! Asuma No!!

SnowyOwl Says:

Gah! I was really hoping I wasn't right. Darn ninjas underestimating the freakiness of the Akatsuki! Asuma don't diiiiie!

What if Shika tries to do something drastic and he gets it instead?! Deux ex machina! Deux ex machina! Where are you Temari?!