Naruto 509

[cynchick]

Now THIS is how you have a battle between a female character and a male character, Kishimoto. Remember it for the future. First, Konan gives him some fiercely eloquent verbal pwnage, and then she blows his fucking arm off. Yes, I know she will lose in the end, but they're figthing one one and she's not getting swatted away without ever really doing anything which is how most of the female fighters are treated in this manga. I just hope-hope-HOPE a some uberstrong man doesn't come along to save her. I love Konan, but I would honestly rather see her be killed than treated like a damsel.

Also. Look at Madara's face. I kind of stopped believing in the Obito theory a while ago, but I think I'm starting to believe it again.

Comments

[eldrfire.livejournal.com]

True fact to the second paragraph!!! What's with all of this "Who's the man behind the mask?" business when we have already been told it's Madara?! MYSTERY!

Yeah, the Konan stuff is really kickass. (Although it's super close to something I had planned for part of a story, haha! Whoops!) The last several chapters of Naruto had really picked up.

I'm glad you made a post for commentary-- I considered it but people usually don't respond when I do. It's always good to see people talking about Naruto, now that it's getting great!

Like, I loved the stuff with Gai. He was SO badass! I've really come to appreciate Kisame as a villain. He was just a good villain, through and through, and his fight with Kisame kicked ass.

And now, Konan is awesome too! And there was a big difference between her and Sakura's character in one part. Remember how when Naruto and Sasuke were facing off, Sakura was like "I'll never be good enough, all I can do is sit back and believe in them"? I'm sure you have the same bad memory I do. Konan had a moment in the last chapter like "They can both save us, and I can be the bridge for them", which is a HUGE difference. That's not her deferring to the men-- that's her acknowledging that she has a different role to play that is just as important.

[eldrfire.livejournal.com]

Oh, I meant "his fight with Gai kicked ass". Kisame didn't fight himself. xD (Except for, well, the very end there.)

Even though we got a background story for Kisame, it wasn't as sob story like we are so often treated to. These last chapters of Naruto are just really getting back to how awesome it was.

The anime just had some cool episodes that are really reinforcing that with me, too. They're filler, but they're actually cool filler-- I don't know if you're watching it. (I normally don't, but I watched it to see the Kakashi death/rebirth stuff animated, which was BEAUTIFUL by the way.) They're Iruka reminiscing about when he first became Naruto's teacher, and the misgivings and stuff. Highlighting Naruto's old treatment is a nice thing to do at this part in the series when he's now a hero. And it's interesting, quite interesting. It's really enjoyable, and so in general I'm just feeling a lot better about Naruto than I have been.

[cynchick.livejournal.com]

its just...THAT FACE. either kishi really fails at variety in his characters, or theres a reason madara looks like a disfigured obito under that mask (in which case, of course he would be missing his left eye, because kakashi has it...)

i dunno how many of my flist still read naruto. im guessing most still do, but have nothing to talk about until its either fuckawesome or complete :Fffffffffail. the battle rematch stuff between kisame and gai was always funny, but at the end it turned really great, especially what gai said about never forgetting his name. just when 'naruto' gets so frustrating or ridiculous you contemplate giving it up, there are moments of true storytelling genius like that which suck you back in.

ive always liked kisame. i think he is probably the most realistically accurate shinobi in the series. a true mercenary, who lived a truly believable lifestyle for what he was.

i do watch the anime, though during the final battle with pein there were some moments where i questioned the sobriety of the animators. i usually think the filler episodes are enjoyable, as long as they dont take themselves seriously. i was squeeing about how adorable hinata was during her flashback episode. XD

[eldrfire.livejournal.com]

Kisame used to get on my nerves just because he seemed such a one-dimensional villain, but now when we've had so many scared-child-hiding-behind-evil villains, a villain who's just plain evil and awesome (and as you said, realistic for the Naruto universe) becomes something worth appreciating.

[anat-astarte.livejournal.com]

I love Konan! I always have, and I am so happy to see her doing some real damage to Madara! <33333

Honestly I am one of the Tobito-ers, and I am really happy about this development XD Somehow I always had the impression that Orochimaru learned his body-snatching jutsu from someone, you know?

One thing about this chapter that I was not happy about: how Nagato got the Rinnegan. Lies! All lies I say!

appropriate icon is appropriate :D

[cynchick.livejournal.com]

Me too. Its about time he let a female kick some serious ass. Even Tsunade gets sidelined most of the time and she's supposed to be the most powerful kunoichi in the world. >:/

I agree about Orochimaru learning from Madara. And I believe Madara is lying about the Rinnegan. Though if I remember right, didnt HieronymousB write fic along those lines a while back? I'm surprised she hasn't posted something about Konan's spotlight. XD

[gothirishrose.livejournal.com]

Hope you don't mind if I add you as a friend. I found you through Fanfiction.net. My user name over there is rosrua. My journal is friends only (I had some idiot stuff happen a couple years past and decided it was for the best to friends-lock it), but of course I will friend you back if you desire to friend me.

[tricia1224.livejournal.com]

I have been following the Manga and the anime. Love them both. I do have to say that the difference between Tobi and Madara amazes me. I often wondered about a split personality, or the possibility of Madara "sleeping" while Tobi is in control. Baybe Tobi is Obito and when Madara emerges, he takes on the characteristics of his original body. Kind of like Orochimaru changes his host body to look like him.

Konan, I think has always been strong and supportive of her boys. She was very protective of Nagato and Yohiko. She also grew up in a war torn country, which probably had a lot to do with how she is. She is a strong woman in her own right and she was the Pein's right hand. I really don't think she could have been the Kage of Amegakure if she was not strong. I sincerely hope that Konan does not die in her battle with Madara. But like you said, I would rather she went out with some serious fight and kick ass skills than see her get rescued like a damsel in distress. She will keep them protected at the cost of her life.
How in the heck would Nagato get the Rinnegan from Madara. It could also be something that he is saying to get under Konan's skin too.
Ok now for a count of what is left from Akatsuki. Madara, Konan, and Zetsu. Unless Kabuto joined with the dead ones he revived with that technique. Oh and can't forget Sasuke's team. Oh that is just to much to think about.

[cynchick.livejournal.com]

Ive often thought he had a split personality as well. The Obito theory is looking more and more plausible.

I think Madara is lying about the Rinnegan. He's twisted the truth before with Sasuke to get what he wants.

[nimblnymph.livejournal.com]

OH M GOD I LOVED THIS CHAPTER SO MUCH!

Konan has always been one of my favorite characters. I think her design is gorgeous and a little unique for Kishimoto, and I ADORE her psychological make-up. There's a lot going on with her character and it's demonstrated in very subtle ways, not the usual hammer-it-in approach that Kishimoto normally applies.

So, obviously this chapter had me fangirling like whoa. Konan did what Danzou, Kakashi, Sasuke, Yamato, and even Naruto haven't yet been able to: she inflicted REAL, SOLID DAMAGE TO MADARA. She had a plan, used his underestimation of her skills against him, and ended up getting the drop on him.

If that's not a BAMF-ing ninja, I don't know what is. I was SO stoked to see this chapter, even while knowing in the next chapter she's probably gonna bite it.

[cynchick.livejournal.com]

Ive loved Konan ever since it was revealed Pein's parter was a woman, before she even had a name. I think she's beautiful because she's not typical, though I have noticed her design has tamed since the beginning: she has more noticeable eyebrows, her makeup isn't as dark. She was softened when she became less of a villain. :/

And you're exactly right, she was able to do what all the other superstrong males haven't. Was the 4th able to damage Madara? I cant remember, but if so it definitely wasn't to the same extent.

[rhonda21.livejournal.com]

If she gets saved by some guy I will be pissed. Sorry but I agree. Even if she dies, I would rather that happen then her not getting to all out fight. It really makes me mad that it's mainly the guys that get the really good fights. Or how the girls have to be saved. To me, it's better if the girls fight alone because then you know they have to show lots of strength or else they'll die. I know Naruto is a shounen manga but doesn't mean girls can't kick ass too~

About the Obito thing, I'm starting to believe it again as well...but I don't know.