#naruto spoilers

tydamos:

This is kind of a review, kind of a ramble: my thoughts on Naruto 699 & 700.

General: most of 700 was actually about the children, for whom I didn’t have much interest in. It was still kind of cute, even though I don’t really ship any of the pairings that became canon (and some of the pairings were just random). I don’t know why Naruto would hit his son for wanting attention, but I found his family likeable. I’m slightly surprised that we didn’t see him interact with either Sakura or Sasuke (or even Hinata). Though Sasuke has always been a lone wolf. (I’m curious to know what Sasuke is up to. Where was he going? What did he think he noticed in the woods?)

Just before the last Naruto chapers release I wrote down some things I wanted to see in 700. Let’s see how it turned out:

Sakura: I wanted to see whether she had a career. No such luck. >>Ino and Shikamaru: I wanted to see them working together in Konoha intelligence. Well, Shikamaru at least has a high-position job. Can’t say for sure about Ino, but at least they still hold the InoShikaCho tradition dear.
Kankuro: Yeah, he was there. :) Gaara’s right-hand man.
Team Taka: Nothing whatsoever. I really hope their fates will be revealed at some point! Will Sasuke keep in touch with them? He should - they were the closest things to friends he had ever since he left Konoha. Has he met them since the release of the Tsukuyomi.
Kurenai: I was hoping to see her back from her maternity leave/back in action, but since the timeskip was so long, I guess it makes sense she was out of service just like Kakashi and poor Gai. And her daughter seems cool!
Yamato: 699 He was there. :) No closure for him, but at least he was found.

+Udon and Moegi: I was on the brink of adding them to the previous list. Glad they made an appearance in spite of being very minor characters. I knew we’d see Konohamaru.

The Chapters: While Naruto and Sasuke did not interact in ch.700, ch.699 was beautiful. The symbolical first page where they lie on the Hashirama and Madara statues’ hands that form the seal of reconciliation. The equally symbolical last page where they smile at each other amidst falling leaves and Naruto hands back the headband. I find it interesting that this was how the Naruto series ended (not counting 700, because it was more of a one-shot extra epilogue set in a different time): it ended in an internal monologue by Sasuke. It was character growth for himself and for his relationship with Naruto (698-699: can you feel the love tonight?), but not as much on the main character himself. Then again, Naruto has pretty much always been about Naruto and Sasuke. And I find it hard to complain about this, since that relationship was what made me a fan of the series and seeing them as soulmates is heartwarming.

Yet some points need to be made: there was so much focus on the bromance, that other things were cast aside. The ending felt so rushed. Was it worth it only so that the series could end in a neat 700? The others reacting to the news that the world was saved while they were sleeping: have a Sasuke voiceover instead. Kakashi becoming hokage: no explanation. Sasuke being pardoned: minimal elaboration. Sakura reacting to this “new enlightened Sasuke”: incredibly little considering they ended up together. Naruto actually acknowledging Hinata’s feelings: go watch the movie!

Yes, I have at times felt the manga moved too slowly, but this kind of rushing felt a bit off, perhaps precisely due to the usual slow pace. On the other hand, dragging it any further might have resulted in merely more internal monologues. Sasuke’s was continuation on 698, but if every character started thinking of how great Naruto was or what they have learnt during this time, the ending would be slower than the wait for the Part 3 mini-sequel coming next spring.

The sequel! Let’s talk about it. From what it looks like, it’s going to focus on the new generation of kids. (I can already see the Burito and Sarada tsundere interaction. They are the “heterosexual NaruSasu” as someone put it.) But what are they going to do? The point was that no child would have to kill or be killed again. The nations are at peace, Konoha has evolved into a city. Team formations practise is seen as unimportant and nobody wants to buy TenTen’s weapons. So what adventures can lie in store? I want some rogue ninja fighting, not a Konoha elementary school drama, just saying. I also want Sarada to activate her Sharingan. Can we get any of that if there is peace? And if there isn’t peace, does it mean Naruto has failed? Because that would be a bummer as well.

So in the end: NaruHina and SasuSaku became canon, and they better get some deeper moments in the movie. SasuNaru on the other hand got all the deep moments - deep convos, hand holding, gazing into eyes, just the two of them meeting at the edge of a forest - in spite of apparently not being canon. :D And yet, pairings aren’t what should define the series for its fans. The message was never about love - it was about friendship and inspiring hope. And the ones who have been entrusted with hope:.. those are the heroes whose story has now come to its end. Those are the ninja.

Dattebayo.

hkzv:

I feel like it’s been a while but it’s only been like 5 days