Looking back at these episodes, comparing with the manga chapters, I see that the anime was better made. The adaptation was more complete, best organized, well sequenced. I suggest anyone to take a look at manga chapters 245, 246, and the next ones. Here, the plot has some differences.
Naruto, and Sakura are in Tsunade's office. She tells him that someone has been waiting to see him, and will be his opponent to test him. Then, Shikamaru and Temari enter the office. Sakura is excited to show them who's back. Both are surprised, Temari can't believe the actual Naruto was that "little boy". Shikamaru thinks if Naruto is no longer a fool, Sakura says he hasn't changed at all. Naruto asks her to cut him some slack. Tsunade, Shizune and others laugh. When Naruto asks Shikamaru if he's his opponent, the other denies, he was just bringing some papers. Tsunade redirects him to the window. There, Naruto finds Kakashi, who's glad to see him. Naruto gifts him the latest novel Icha Icha from Jiraiya, he doesn't really like it (makes him bored), but knows how much his sensei loves those novels. Tsunade and Sakura go to the window, and look happy the reunion. Jiraiya thinks how Naruto is too young to understand the quality of his novels. Anyway, the Hokage orders Kakashi to get on with it, so he tells Naruto and Sakura that he will be their opponent, to test their growth as ninjas. Still, he says that Naruto may be tired for the trip, and gives them some time to rest, while he leaves. Tsunade, Naruto and Sakura guess he went to read his novel. Then, the four teenagers leave the office. Naruto and Sakura are disappointed as Kakashi postponed their training, yet she thinks they can use the time to devise a strategy. Naruto asks Shikamaru if he and Temari are dating, so they explain: she is there for the chunin exams, as ambassador from Suna, and he is also organizing the exams. Is troublesome, but he was made her companion, escort as long she's there. Shikamaru asks Naruto if he's going to take the exam, since everyone else from their generation is already chunnin. He's stunned, and when asks Sakura, she happily confirms she's chunnin as well. Shikamaru also informs that Neji, Temari and Kankuro are jonin, and when Naruto asks about Gaara, is revealed that he became Kazekage. Naruto feels frustrated, but at the same time, promises not to stay behind, he'll be Hokage as well. Sakura thinks that maybe he has matured after all. In the meantime, Jiraiya updates Kakashi about Naruto and Akatsuki. He tells that he passes Naruto to him, and assures that he grew up and matured as well (Kakashi doubted of this point). He also says that he warned the other villages about Akatsuki, and will keep seeking information, while watching the frontiers. Jiraiya reminds him that the organization is after the Kyuubi. At Suna, a council meeting is held. Gaara is informed about Akatsuki. Yura, a commander especialized in defense and security, discusses with Baki (the former leader of Gaara's team) about reinforcing the frontiers of the village, and the progress given the alliance with Konoha. After the meeting, while talking to a fellow, Yura feels a headache, and realizes something. On the other hand, at the desert, two Akatsuki are introduced: Sasori and Deidara. They talk about chasing Orochimaru, and that now they must go after the jinchuriki of the Ichibi. Sasori asks if he has enough clay munition, Deidara confirms. When they get to Suna's entrance, the guards are cautiously watching, and ask Yura what to do. Off screen, he kills the guards, and is then revealed he was a spy from Sasori. Back at Konoha, Naruto and Sakura are waiting for Kakashi in the training fields. They wonder why he always shows up late, and when he appears, he says he found an old lady in the road (Tribute to Obito). They don't buy it, and then, they go to the same spot of the bells test. Obviously, this triggers memories from the past when Sasuke was with them. The two feel down (as flashbacks are shown), but Kakashi reminds them of the training, so they get up forgetting Sasuke. Kakashi proposes the same bell test, two, one for each. Sakura, and especially Naruto, are eager to start. Jiraiya, Tsunade watch from the woods.
Here I have to praise Satoru Nishizono's job. Here he made a logical coherent sequence of events: Naruto and Jiraiya return to Konoha, the reunion with Sakura, seeing again Konohamaru all on the street, and then, they go to Tsunade's office (last episode). Next, they find Shikamaru and Temari, then, Kakashi, all in the office. Later, Kakashi's getaway allows him to have the conversation with Jiraiya, while Naruto and Sakura leave with Shikamaru and Temari. Then comes the training. At the manga, instead, Naruto first finds Kakashi at the street. Then comes the reunion with Sakura, Konohamaru, and Tsunade witnesses all because she was in the street with Sakura as well. Jiraiya updates Kakashi, and soon the training starts. After the training, Naruto and Sakura find Shikamaru and Temari. So, I realized that the way of the anime is much better, more complete. Showed Shizune, and the Hokage's office, which is a more likely destination for reunions than the street. Besides, I liked to see Shikamaru and Temari on this episode, and not wait more (the training is extended a little in the anime). Then, I have to remark the changes in Naruto. Temari was surprised of how he looks now, Shikamaru expected he wouldn't act like a fool anymore. When Sakura said he didn't change at all, Naruto felt bad. He actually did change. The personality may be the same, but he's taller, is mature enough to bring a gift to Kakashi, not be perverted at 16 with the Icha Icha books, to see that something is going on with Shikamaru and Temari, to not feel depressed or angry after learning that everyone else is chunin, jonin and Gaara Kazekage. At least on this episode, he looks not so naïve, more tolerant, mind stronger, less childish. He quickly accepted the reality of his old classmates, and Gaara, but instead of giving importance to the rank of chunin, he is aware that he grew as well, and that he could be chunin too if he stayed. For some reason, Naruto's progress will not seem always clear as Shippuden advances, but I think here started well. Then, I liked how Naruto and Sakura are shown to be more comfortable and natural around each other, in comparison to Part I. More than two years passed on the story, they act like if they saw each other regularly. They usually had the same expressions (not liking Kakashi's hobby of reading those novels, or feeling down by remembering Sasuke), and she was happy to be with him. By looking at these episodes, it's clear that Kishimoto's intentions at the beginning of Shippuden had nothing to do with what he did at the end. I didn't like the adding of flashbacks to Sasuke, but at least the memory was quickly forgotten. There's no time to feel depressed. About Suna, Gaara being named Kazekage, in some moment during the last two years, imply that there were months with no Kage in charge. The 4th died more than two years ago, and surely Gaara wasn't considered old enough yet to be the leader. Anyway, this tells that Naruto could have been named Hokage after Tsunade at the end (spoiler, this didn't happen). The council meeting, served to illustrate Jiraiya's work and the Alliance between Konoha and Suna. Was a slow scene indeed, but was necessary considering what the arc is about. To finish, the two Akatsuki are good characters. Sasori is clearly the better one, more darker, and mysterious. He has a presence inspiring fear. The connection with Yura implies he is a deserter from Suna. Deidara may look weaker, he is a deserter from Iwagakure, but he is going to be a deadly menace given his bombs.
0 out of 0 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
