Recent Naruto Manga (Chapters 400+)

[uc pseudonym]

I thought I had read in an interview that he had done the kiss thing because it really whacked out the team dynamic. I hadn't heard the yaoi thing before... It's kind of disappointing.

EDIT: I believe the interview was in the American Shonen Jump Vol. 1 June issue, but I can't find a copy of it. If anyone has it, or can give me a link or something, I'd appreciate it.

As far as I remember, he said both (I'm just going to pretend he put it there for the extreme irony). I'm really not sure, though; I also cannot find a copy.

As for Psycho Ann's interview... gah.

[uc pseudonym]

Actually, I was able to find a copy. Let's see, the question at hand...

Shonen Jump Question:
When you where younger, you were attacked by monkeys. Can you tell us about this experience?

No, that's not it...

Shonen Jump Question:
Naruto and Sasuke kiss (accidentally) in the first chapter where they appear together. Does this add a special dimension to their rivalry?
Masashi Kishimoto Answer:
I didn’t have any particular reason for it, other then to surprise readers. I mainly did it because I don’t think there has ever been a manga where two rivals kissed. Also, by having this encounter, it was easier to set up the love triangle: Sakura, who had intended to be the first one to kiss Sasuke, has it stolen by her rival Naruto, Sasuke and Naruto are rivals, so there’s and added tension there. And so on and so forth.

I can't remember if I was reading a different interview for the quote I gave, or if I'm just seeing things again. Not that Kishimoto's response is exactly comforting...

[Mave]

I doubt that NaruXSasu will ever happen officially. We know for sure that Naruto only sees Sasuke as a friend and he likes Sakura. As for that miso interview response, are you kidding? Eeew, that's just downright gross. >_<;;

I think that kiss was really unnecessary and up to this day, I'm not satisfied with the reasons Kishimoto decided to include that in. He can create the tension among the trio easily without that kiss.

Anyway, speaking of the great "female bashing male" moments in Naruto, my vote goes to Tsunade's "Taste my punch of death in the face" on Orochimaru. YEAH.... that was AWESOME. I also love Temari's kick butt "Save Shikamaru" show even though her opponent was female.

I like how the genins are learning to deal with the harsh reality that one cannot keep all promises or always be successful in missions, as we're seeing in Shikamaru and Naruto. It's teaching them to become stronger and wiser.

I shall now await for some development in Sakura.

[Lady Arianrod]

I doubt that NaruXSasu will ever happen officially. We know for sure that Naruto only sees Sasuke as a friend and he likes Sakura. As for that miso interview response, are you kidding? Eeew, that's just downright gross. >_<]


That was a fairly unsettling interview... But I don't think that he really enjoys the idea of setting up two of his male characters....it's all for show (and perhaps some kind of perverted comedy >_<;).

Anyway, speaking of the great "female bashing male" moments in Naruto, my vote goes to Tsunade's "Taste my punch of death in the face" on Orochimaru. YEAH.... that was AWESOME. I also love Temari's kick butt "Save Shikamaru" show even though her opponent was female.

I loved the fight with Tsunade and Orochimaru... she really surprised him! I especially liked that scene in the anime (I think it was ep 94 or 95). She and Temari are 2 of the coolest females on the show.

Shameless plug: Shikamaru and Temari have an interesting relationship. I'd like to see it explored a little more .

[glitch1501]

[quote="Lady Arianrod"]
Shameless plug: Shikamaru and Temari have an interesting relationship. I'd like to see it explored a little more ]


I AGREE, shikamaru is my favorite character, and yea....hes so cool

[uc pseudonym]

[quote="Lady Arianrod"]Shameless plug: Shikamaru and Temari have an interesting relationship. I'd like to see it explored a little more ]

Realistically speaking, they have a better chance of ending up together than any other theoretical pairing in the show. Unlike everyone else, all of whom are actually basically childlike (and they are children), the two of them have a relationship actually built on mutual respect.

[Lady Arianrod]

Realistically speaking, they have a better chance of ending up together than any other theoretical pairing in the show. Unlike everyone else, all of whom are actually basically childlike (and they are children), the two of them have a relationship actually built on mutual respect.

Aren't they also older than the other genin? From what I remember, Shikamaru is 13 and Temari is 14 or 15.

The respect thing is a nice touch... I agree. The other relationships are either obsessions or crushes.

[Aka-chan]

Ah, thanks, uc, for the quote there. (And the monkey question too! I had forgotten about that one. ^__^)

I remember a fanquote from somewhere (regarding a different series), something about how even if some actions may not be really in character, boy-love sells, and thus you get all this stuff that could be easily interpreted in varied ways. I never thought of Naruto as a really fanservicey series, but I guess this is where it goes (although not nearly as heavily as it could have been). *sigh* I agree it probably won't go full out canon SasuNaru, though.

Actually, I like how there are really no set couples, even guy-girl ones. It's much more realistic for the age group, though I think hints of something like Shikamaru/Temari wouldn't hurt the story (especially because those two aren't the type to get into some huge tangled infatuation and bog up a load of episodes with it. They're far too practical.)

And hurrah for Tsunade punching out Orochimaru! (As fond as I am of the snakey man...)

[Mave]

[quote="Lady Arianrod"]
Shameless plug: Shikamaru and Temari have an interesting relationship. I'd like to see it explored a little more ]

Oh yes! I really hope to see a "MaruXMari" blossom. XD XD (randomly created that, sounds kinda cute) ^___^;;;

A thought just came to my mind. Saaaayyy, when the Sand genin splited up to help each of the Leaf genin, Temari ---> Shikamaru, Gaara ---> Lee/Naruto, and ehh what's his name, puppet guy ----> Kiba, how did they decide who goes to who? I mean, what would have happened if Temari had to face Kimimaro?

Pardon my overactive mind... -_-;;;

[Lady Arianrod]

Useless post:

MaruxMari is such a cute phrase! ^__^

[glitch1501]

they probably went by strength, though i dont know how they measured the enemies that they didnt know about

[uc pseudonym]

Aren't they also older than the other genin? From what I remember, Shikamaru is 13 and Temari is 14 or 15.

The respect thing is a nice touch... I agree. The other relationships are either obsessions or crushes.

Shikamaru is in Naruto's class]MaruxMari[/quote]

...why not just use Shik/Tema? Not as phonetic, but it is more obvious. Not that I'm going to argue something like that.

A thought just came to my mind. Saaaayyy, when the Sand genin splited up to help each of the Leaf genin, Temari ---> Shikamaru, Gaara ---> Lee/Naruto, and ehh what's his name, puppet guy ----> Kiba, how did they decide who goes to who? I mean, what would have happened if Temari had to face Kimimaro?

I imagine they all would have won anyway, given that the Sound-nin were already weakened. It seems to me that Gaara went with Lee, because he'd already fought him (or because they had the most dangerous opponent), Temari went with Shikamaru for the same reason and Kankuro got stuck with the remaining person.

[Lady Arianrod]

Now that you mention it, I kind of like how the Sand siblings each had to rescue someone that they had a former connection to....

Aside from the obvious respect between Shika and Temari, does anyone think it's possible that Lee and Gaara will become friends or a team of some kind?

They seem to respect each other now, and their powers complement each other well.

[Mave]

Aside from the obvious respect between Shika and Temari, does anyone think it's possible that Lee and Gaara will become friends or a team of some kind?

They seem to respect each other now, and their powers complement each other well.

*raise hands* Me me me! I can see them becoming good friends just like Shikamaru and Chouji. <---- I really admire that friendship. XD Do the female members have such bonds? I don't really see Sakura and Ino as one. ^_^; Or should I?

[Lady Arianrod]

[quote="Mave"]*raise hands* Me me me! I can see them becoming good friends just like Shikamaru and Chouji. <---- I really admire that friendship. XD Do the female members have such bonds? I don't really see Sakura and Ino as one. ^_^]


I like Shikamaru and Chouji's friendship too! There are quite a few rivalries and unrequited crushes in the series... maybe even more than there are friendships! ^^; That's one of the reasons why I think that Shika and Chouji's relationship stands out.

Hopefully, Sakura and Ino will become better friends. With Sasuke out of the picture, the genin can finally start to form some meaningful relationships without having to worry about Sasuke (sorry, I don't like him at the moment. He occupies far too much time and concern >_<;).

Naruto is also pretty good friends with Shikamaru, right? I can see him getting along with Rock Lee too.... Sakura and Rock Lee have a decent bond as well ^__^.

I'm not going to say that I want Lee and Sakura to get together just yet.... They're only 12, after all.

Even so, here are a few male/female relationships that I think could become stronger or possibly romantic:

Naruto & Hinata
Shino & Hinata
Naruto & Sakura
Sakura & Lee
Shikamaru & Temari
and....
Sasuke & Sakura.

Comments? ^__^

[Aka-chan]

Ah, I like what he's done with Sakura now in 236. Well, what I gathered from my own crude translations of the raw version, at any rate. ^__^

[Psycho Ann]

Spoiler!


Anyway, yeah, though probably it didn't surprise me as much but it was good knowing that Kishimoto has apparently found a use for Sakura. The parallels between the sennin and Team 7 are getting stronger and stronger... before long Sasuke will be taunting Naruto with a forked tongue and Sakura will be sharing girl-talk with a soft spoken slug.

But yeah, still uber happy to see development. Any development with neglected female characters in any series is always a welcome. Ganbatte Sakura!!! XD XD

[Aka-chan]

Yeah. ^__^ Wasn't there mythological significance to the frog-snake-slug trio? I thought I read that somewhere, but I can't remember what it was...

[glitch1501]

yes there was, lemme try to find it

[Psycho Ann]

It's actually an animal version of rock-paper-scissors, so to speak; all three together neutralize each other. Snake eats frog, frog eats slug, and apparently slug is poisonous to the snake or something.

[glitch1501]

ahh thats right, how could i forget!

[blkmage]

I absolutely adore how the anime filler arc conflicts with 236 regarding Sakura and Tsunade's relationship. </sarcasm>

I think Sakura will finally become useful now.

[uc pseudonym]

I have yet to read 236. It looks to be more character development and the like. That is fine, but I hope this manner of thing isn't drawn out as well... it is far more annoying than dragging combat. At this point, I'm actually about read for Naruto to reach its final arc. Hopefully a massive one featuring all the characters, but it still feels at that point for me.

[MasterDias]

I've read 236. I liked the chapter. Sakura is finely showing some backbone... Although who honestly didn't see the Sakura training under Tsunade thing coming?

Concerning previous comments about character relationships: I do find the Lee & Gaara and Temari & Shikamaru relationships interesting. Hopefully, it will be explored more. I do think Ino and Sakura have somewhat of a bond. Despite the bickering, they still care for each other. And they have acted somewhat chummy towards each other since their fight.

Concerning UC's comment about the manga ending: I don't know. The manga is so insanely popular right now that it could continue for quite a while. Shonen manga's that are this popular tend to do so. Dragonball lasted into the 40's. Inuyasha has a lot of volumes. One Piece has quite a few volumes and is still running.
At any rate, there are still quite a few secondary/minor characters and such that could be devoloped. I hope Kishimoto does so before he ends the manga. And I hope that the genin who remained back in Konoha during this last mission get more development.

[Lady Arianrod]

I've read 236. I liked the chapter. Sakura is finely showing some backbone... Although who honestly didn't see the Sakura training under Tsunade thing coming?

Concerning previous comments about character relationships: I do find the Lee & Gaara and Temari & Shikamaru relationships interesting. Hopefully, it will be explored more. I do think Ino and Sakura have somewhat of a bond. Despite the bickering, they still care for each other. And they have acted somewhat chummy towards each other since their fight.

Concerning UC's comment about the manga ending: I don't know. The manga is so insanely popular right now that it could continue for quite a while. Shonen manga's that are this popular tend to do so. Dragonball lasted into the 40's. Inuyasha has a lot of volumes. One Piece has quite a few volumes and is still running.
At any rate, there are still quite a few secondary/minor characters and such that could be devoloped. I hope Kishimoto does so before he ends the manga. And I hope that the genin who remained back in Konoha during this last mission get more development.

I do like this chapter... Hopefully, this new arc will be focused on all of the genin, i.e. not just Sakura and Tsunade.

Even so, this was a refreshing break from the betrayal and violence and sadness of the previous arc.

I hope that Sakura and Ino's friendship continues to grow now that Sasuke's gone... I used to think that Ino was selfish and rude, but she doesn't seem all that bad.

Oh, and I don't expect Naruto to end during this arc. I'd expect at least two more.

[uc pseudonym]

The thing is: I would appreciate Naruto ending at this point, but I would not expect it to. As was said, it is far too popular. But at the moment it has never left an arc with everything wrapped up, only to create something entirely new. In my mind when (or perhaps if) that happens, the series will drop in quality.

[Mave]

Sakura and Tsunade? Awesome! XD XD I look forward to that! Nuts, I wouldn't even mind if they focused on both of them for a while. I hope Sakura becomes strong enough to go kick Sasuke's behind one day (hahaha). That's probably the ONLY way she'll ever get attention from him. ^_~

I also think it's way too abrupt if Naruto were to end right now....there's too much going on to wrap things up properly. I haven't gotten sick of Naruto (haha) and I don't feel the storyline is dragging yet so let Naruto stick around for a while.

Mave, the happy little Naruto fan

[Lady Arianrod]

I also look forward to the Sakura/Tsunade training, but I really have no idea where Kishimoto will take this. Hopefully, his final arc(s) will be true to the characters and original plot...

I don't want an abrupt ending or a drawn-out one. I want a compelling arc with good pacing, good fight scenes, and good character development.

[Aka-chan]

I have so many questions that are yet unanswered and so many characters I still want to learn more about, so I'm rather hoping it doesn't end soon (or he wraps things up impossibly well.)

And hopefully we'll see Sakura play a major part in a significant fight soon, as that really hasn't happened yet.

[glitch1501]

i feel that naruto will continue to a point at which it is certain that he will become hokage, which is why i think naruto will run FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

alot of characters still havent been explored, like kakashi!