A Discussion on The Fourth Great Shinobi War In all Its Awesome

Oh, nos, not again!!!

War has struck the shinobi world, and many of our Shippuden favorites must face painful memories from their past as the resurrection jutsu raises its ugly head.

*Spoiler Alert*

Kakashi finds himself with the task of once again laying Haku and Zabuza to rest after they beg him to release them from their servitude. Kakashi did not appreciate someone destroying the peace he had given the two shinobi. We learn that an angry Kakashi is an awesome Kakashi when he shows off his prowess as a strategic leader and a warrior in the face off against the Seven Ninja Swordsman of the Mist. Sakura also impresses with her cool exterior in the face of the ensuing carnage. I am excited to see what Sai, Kakashi, and Sakura have in store for the enemies at their front!

One good thing about the resurrection jutsu is the chance to see characters we have never met. Neji’s father is a favorite addition of mine. I love the Hyuuga clan, with Hinata’s shy but tough-under-the-exterior personality, and her and Neji’s new found closeness after Pein’s attack and Hinata’s show of courage, and the acceptance that their branch and main family system is totally lame.

I also love how all of the shinobi we’ve been introduced to throughout Shippuden are getting their chance to shine. Nara Sr. is proving to be where Shikamaru gets his impressive intellect from, though only time will tell if all of his plans will work. One of them certainly did. He employed the Ino-Shika-Cho formation to defeat Kinkaku in an impressive and decisive move. Team Asuma gets to show how much they have grown as shinobi by easily completing their task, though their real test has just revealed itself in the form of their beloved and dead sensei.

They are pretty much bad asses! Go Ino-Shika-Cho, Jr.!!

All of the members of the Allied Shinobi force are showing bravery and faith in fellow comrades, which warms the heart after seeing so much fighting between the villages throughout the Naruto and Naruto Shippuden series. As heart warming as it all is, Masashi Kishimoto and the creators of the anime are not afraid to add carnage to his war. There has been plenty of death for the Allied Forces, and we see the strength of conviction that runs through all shinobi once they are given something they believe in to fight for. Seeing it just makes Madara’s master plan – to suck the free will from the ninja world – even more depressing. This war is showing us exactly what the Allied Shinobi Forces are fighting for, while driving the point home with some slightly gruesome deaths that include bodies being sewn together with a needle sword and hearts being ripped from the chests of live shinobi. I mean, seriously, ick/awesome.

Mmmm…fresh heart…

While it’s slightly depressing to see Naruto blissfully ignorant and playing in a turtle while his friends and allies are protecting him with their lives, it also left room for the other characters to shine. One of Masashi Kishimoto’s strengths is in developing strong supporting characters that add depth and emotion to the story. Without the people surrounding him, Naruto would not be special, and it would be more difficult to feel such an affinity for the young orange clad shinobi. And we all know how much he is going to kick ass when he finally makes a showing in the war – probably at the crucial, make-it-or-break-it-all-hope-is-lost moment. About when Sasuke shows up, probably (aaahhh, please save Sasuke!!).

As for The Road to Sakura…wtf, strange filler episode?! Guessing it has something to do with the movie? Ah, who knows? Though I did have a few giggles for the playground scene…poor Neji! If anyone has insight into that episode, please let me know, and I would love to hear your thoughts on the current events of the Naruto universe!

Until next time, rock on and geek out! Naruto fans rock!!!!