(no subject)

[rinnychan.livejournal.com]

This is Rinny venting her opinions. A lot of it is rehashing and generally being annoyed. If you disagree, don't flame, just tell me politely why you disagree? Kay? :D (spoilers for the entire anime)

Looking back on the series, Naruto's improvement seems quite sudden. Although Naruto is training regularly, we can surmise that the only events that truly helped him improve were given attention in canon.

It's made very clear that genin are meant to only take on D and C rank missions--weeding, dog-walking, etc. When Sandaime allows them to even take a C-rank mission, it's an exception meant to show Naruto "you suck, now shut up and sit down." God knows they shouldn't have survived when it escalated into an A-rank mission.

The first event to help Naruto improve was his oath and his courage against Zabuza the first time around. After this, his first major training session was the tree-climbing exercise, which helped him improve tremendously. Despite this, he still sucked, and couldn't dodge many of Haku's attacks. The outbreak of the Kyuubi doesn't count because it wasn't HIS power, and he really didn't do anything to improve there.

The next event is the chuunin exam. He fails miserably against Lee...and then so very soon after, using a little of the Kyuubi's power, he's able to hold back Orochimaru (of course Orochimaru isn't trying, but the fact remains that at first, he does better than Sasuke. It's a damn good thing too...anyone ever think that if Sasuke had just backed off like he'd originally meant to, Oro wouldn't have wanted his body?) Then they don't do much but...I dunno, recover and fish up until when they meet up with Kabuto again, and Naruto manages to kick ass. It's really sudden, isn't it? The fight with Kiba was the same way.

The next event is the chakra training with Jiraiya, which has obvious results when he barely manages to beat Neji. Key word: barely. At this point he's still terrified of Gaara, WHO HE MANAGES TO BEAT A FEW HOURS LATER. Where did the Dead Last boy go?

Jiraiya's rasengan training had huge results as well, which allowed him to bring down Kabuto. Now, here's the first filler arc: the Tea Country. We all saw how good Naruto was here...the filler writers had it right this time. He retained this level of skill while fighting Sasuke in the hospital, and later when he was -seriously- fighting him. Of course, he sucked at first in that battle, but he had a reason: He didn't want to fight.

So, up to now, Naruto's improvement has been pretty clear-cut.

Then the fillers began. (We're going to ignore the movie for right now: I really don't want to go into how Naruto CANNOT OUTRUN A TRAIN.) It wasn't -so- bad at first, when they entered "Orochimaru's lair" (way to take away from future arcs, assholes). Naruto was, admittedly, a bit TOO good. Sakura was a bit TOO useless. But it wasn't -so- bad, right? His personality was also, pretty much, left intact--except that he preached even more than usual.

After this was the Mizuki arc. Uh, Naruto? Why are you having so many issues with Mizuki all of a sudden? You're not even TRYING. You're strong now, and you're not even trying against Mizuki. Yes, I know he's got his hand on your throat (o noes) but goddamnit, you are stronger than that and the writers should know it! This is worse than the Kimimaro fight where all your clones just stood around glaring!

Next was the bug arc, I think. There wasn't any fighting for a while, but one thing stands out to me: with Naruto's level of skill now, how could he have NOT noticed the ninjas hiding and waiting to ambush them? Yes, he's a bit absent-minded, but he's a damn good ninja now compared to how he used to be. When the bad guys finally jump out, they wind up down and out, while Hinata saves them. Uh, what? Talk about role reversal. But that isn't the worst of it--in this arc, Naruto's very characterization begins to be raped, again and again. What things would lead us to believe Naruto has farting issues, anyhow? He got diahrea in episode 3 because of bad milk. Uh, was there -ever- anything else in manga canon? I think the anime decided to take it too far, having him step on dog poop all the time, and...fuck, he farted and it ruined the mission. What. He's grown, damnit!

The next arc I remember was that one in the fucking WESTERN with the swordsman. Okay, sure, he might have been skilled, but Naruto, Hinata and Kiba have fought a LOT of strong people, especially Naruto and Kiba. Remember the sound 4? Yeah, them? Some of the strongest guys under Orochimaru? And this swordsman just knocks them out like they're absolutely nothing. Complete lack of consistency.


I think the last arc I watched before giving up for awhile was the Anko arc. I never even finished it. Again, Naruto is complete shit, just running at the bad guy and getting knocked back over and over again. Naruto knows how to fight, but from these arcs, you couldn't tell it.

Now, as far as the filler arcs in general, Naruto's actual character has been raped. He HAS matured in the last year. He's been through a lot. And yet, he's acting as if he hasn't even graduated from the academy yet. He's far too rude to Tsunade (yes, I admit he would be a little standoffish, but he's not THAT bad). "Why do I have to go on this stupid mission?? This stinks!!! I'm way too good for this!!" When they're, what? B rank missions at least?? THAT GENIN AREN'T SUPPOSED TO GO ON??? Yeah, you're way too good for this, Naruto, especially since you've never been assigned such high-ranking missions before. Just keep on thinking that missions aren't going to help you improve so that you can find Sasuke, because that just makes -so- much sense. He isn't as annoying and unreliable anymore, either.

In short, the filler writers don't have a good grasp on Naruto's character or skill, not to mention those of the other 'genin'. If you're going to make him too strong or too weak, just CHOOSE ONE. Don't flip-flop between the two without reason.

Comments

[belmoon.livejournal.com]

Your opinion. It is truth. (This is why I stay away from naruto fillers.)

[the--ivorytower.livejournal.com]

What things would lead us to believe Naruto has farting issues, anyhow?

That's how he struck a serious blow to Kiba.

And it's not *just* Naruto, they're doing to all the characters. Hinata got a moment of cool then she went back to being a sack of potatoes (in the filler arc). Kiba goes off and freaks on Naruto even after Naruto explains he's there to help him with Akamaru. The Onba episode was... cute. ^^; The Sparkly Purple Village of Doom was... omgterrible. That kid totally is stealing Naruto's dream, Neji is an ass for no reason, Tenten is simply... stupid. Lee tries to be cool and fails. (Yeah, I've been watching every filler episode, scanning them for news about when the real stuff will start. In theory, 14 weeks starting from Thursday).

[rinnychan.livejournal.com]

o shit i forgot about that 8D Thank you for correcting me.

Very good points as well.
Which one was the sparkly purple village of doom?

[koizumi.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with you, you're absolutely right. They're practically ruining the anime. It's quite sad, really.

>.> A random point, they use Hinata too much. xD Even though she's my favorite character, the current filler arc is her FOURTH.

[rinnychan.livejournal.com]

Why can't we get some InoShikaChou? XO

[lykomancer.livejournal.com]

See, and that's not even touching on the bastardization of say, I dunno, Neji or the absolute inability of the animating team to think up any kind of reasonable, rational villans. Hell, stick a couple of decent fanwriters in the studio and they'd probably produce better episodes!

[rinnychan.livejournal.com]

They would!! D: What the fuck, who goes around with a kid on his back?

[koizumi.livejournal.com]

I know. >.> The fillers are just plain out BORING.

[alicorn9.livejournal.com]

Okay, I have never seen the anime.

I stopped reading the manga at about after the chuuni exams.

I am only in tune with the major spoilers that eventually get out about things, so my opinion might be a bit biased.

But I am inclined to agre with you XD

Here's a seperate question: Do you think it would have been better to have ended the anime, or do you still prefer the fillers?

[koizumi.livejournal.com]

I don't know... I'm honestly not THAT into the manga, I watch the anime more. I do like it, but so far I've only read the latest chapters, and the 10 VIZ volumes. But I've heard that VIZ's translations suck... so I might start over with fan translations, online. Then I'm sure I'll LOVE the manga, and read that instead of watching stupid fillers.

But I guess I wouldn't want the anime to end... o.o I do like it. Just not fillers.

[rinnychan.livejournal.com]

It would have been better to take seasonal breaks. X_x

[sevetenks.livejournal.com]

NO. Seeing that mass bad that is fillers (I kinda liked the Raiga arc actually... >>) and knowing what happened with Gash Bell's "ending," the ending would most likely be absolutely HORRIBLE, or worse, end with Sasuke and Naruto STARTING to fight or something... @.@


*emos over his fandom's lousy anime ending*

[nuklear-firefly.livejournal.com]

Now here's what baffles me: Isn't Naruto supposed to be off training with Jiraiya?

By the time he comes back a la Time Jump, he'll only have been gone a week.

(And you are very right on the character rape. -_- Kishimoto must cry black emo tears with every new episode.)

[rinnychan.livejournal.com]

Damnit, I completely forgot to bring that up!! SIX FUCKING MONTHS HAVE GONE BY IN THE FILLER! Did you notice this? In the Anko are, Random Scientist Guy lies and says that orochimaru was there with a child about 6 months ago. Anko would have caught it if Sasuke HADN'T been gone at least 6 months!! (correct me if i'm wrong on the length of time)

[jay-apex.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with you.

I can't wait until the canon stuff starts up again...how much you want to bet it won't be until after the third movie has come out?

[rinnychan.livejournal.com]

5 dollah.

[noodleslove.livejournal.com]

I put off watching the fillers for a very long time because I heard about how they kind of mangled characters and such.
So I finally started watching them a little while ago and I kind of have to drag myself into them now.

It is so inconsistent it makes my head spin. Like the swordsman who did not even have to try to knock them all out, and all the others you mentioned.

And... I like Hinata alright, but they are kind of obsessed with her, using her a ton in the fillers, aren't they?
I am glad that other people notice these things, otherwise I would feel like I was being too nit-picky. x33

[ladymetaka.livejournal.com]

You've put words to my biggest grief with the fillers. Thank you, Rinny ♥.

And, though I hoped for an Akatsuki filler at some point, I think I'll retract it x_x;;; and just entertain myself with my (hopefully vastly more in character and sense-making even though I take liberties) drabbles. I've given up hope for the anime anyway, I don't think it'll EVER start back up. Ugh.

[peace-piper.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with everything you've said here. Watching the filler is like reading a really bad piece of fanfiction.

I did watch some of it just to get a Naruto fix cause I was just getting into the series, and I liked the one where Jiraiya had writers block and Naruto helped him. I like Jiraiya-Naruto interaction cause I'm hella curious as to what they did during the time-skip.

I'm forever puzzled as to why they didn't just put the series on hiatus to make new material.

[kunoichi-jaden.livejournal.com]

I'm forever puzzled as to why they didn't just put the series on hiatus to make new material.

Because money talks. Naruto has a huge audience, so companies pay big money for the advertising time. The television station would loose lots of moolah.

[bloodnblack.livejournal.com]

I don't watch filler eps unless people tell me they're really good, I just read the manga. I'll start watching the anime again when it's the TJ!Arc >_>;

[kunoichi-jaden.livejournal.com]

As far as fillers go, here's some good news.

The way that the timeskip story has progressed, there's absolutely no place for the animation studio to stick fillers in. Since it goes straight from saving Gaara to searching for Sasuke. There's no time gap available there, at least not without screwing up the storyline.

I really think these fillers have gone on so long for two reasons:
1) They're waiting until the 3rd movie is released.
2) The studio didn't expect that Kishimoto wouldn't provide them with any time gaps in the new storyline that they could stick filler into. Say for instance, in the manga, had there been a month or so in between saving Gaara and searching for Sasuke, that could've be filler space. In that respect, the TJ episodes may have started airing earlier. *shrugs* Yay for speculation XP

But yeah, they've really messed around with poor Naruto. I think I had my fill of his character being massacred after episode 185. @.x

[rinnychan.livejournal.com]

Actually, I disagree. It was really important for Naruto to get going with Jiraiya ASAP, and yet...well, we can see what's happened.

What happened in 185?

[elict.livejournal.com]

i'm with you all the way.

...let's go kill the fillers!!! DXXX

[rinnychan.livejournal.com]

But with what?? They're invincible!! D:

...unless.......THE PLOT HOLE IS IT'S WEAKNESS!!! AIM FOR THE PLOT HOLE!!!!

[queenoftea.livejournal.com]

He's not gonna touch Hiashi's daughter! She's a girl!

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

It is not possible for Naruto to preach more than usual. And he does only have two modes to move between; preachy evangelist battle mode and goofy dorky mode. (I prefer the latter).

I am interested that when Naruto or one of the other genin lose to an OC, people complain that they've been made too weak and ooc because they've fought so many people and they must be stronger than (insert OCs name). No one simply thinks 'wow, 'OC' is a strong opponant!' The world of Naruto is big and our characters are not the only people out there with skills and ingenuity.

I will be heartily amused if a fandom which widely thinks penis jokes about absolutely everything are funny gets on it's high horse generally about a few fart gags!

Broadly speaking on this issue of the fillers, I have enjoyed them. But then that's widely known. Some have been better than others (especially in terms of pacing and animation quality). But they've been pretty good. I am heartily bored of people complaining about something they aren't being forced to watch. And in general, it strikes me that the fandom doesn't like the fillers/the movies/anything with OCs in, and yet doesn't like what Kishimoto is writing either...I am not sure what conslusions I should draw from this observation.

[rinnychan.livejournal.com]

You saw the Anko arc then, right? The scene where Naruto is 'fighting' the scientist guy? He just runs at him, and gets knocked back. There is a huge difference between being outmatched and not even trying.

[queenoftea.livejournal.com]

I treat the fillers as animated fanfic. Keeps me sane. Besides, the boring ones are easily skipped, and the icon-tastic/vaguely interesting ones can run on Youtube in the background while I rant on LiveJournal.

It's gotten to the point where I've sort of forgotten what Naruto is actually like. I'm going to have to re-read the manga asap and pray for CANON ARCS, PLZ KTHX. *wishes she could send whoever is in charge of the anime an Internet ass-kickery*

[unikorn.livejournal.com]

Yep I agree. I get annoyed when Naruto gets his ass kicked by some random filler character, yet he's taken on wayyyy stronger opponents before. That cowboy one where Naruto, Hinata and Kiba got knocked out by ONE punch to the guts was ridiculous.

I still watch the fillers every week because I need something to tide me over... I'm addicted to Naruto.. but I'm pretty sick of lame filler moments ;_;

When the anime finally shows Kakashi Gaiden and the Time Jump, I'll be screaming and giggling with excitement. I hope its worth the wait!