Retsgip’s Anime Blog

Naruto - 197 - Big Problem! The Konoha Eleven Assemble

Rating: 7/10 (for bringing back the classic scenes, otherwise much lower)

Even though this episode wasn’t all that great, I give it major props for bringing back all the cool stuff that reminded me of when this show was actually “good.” Also, we get to see everyone, and I guess that’s always nice. Also, there’s a new OP, showing clips from Naruto Movie 3, which some are hypothesising means “fillers are ending soon.” Still, I’m not going to claim anything of the sort, since I don’t see any clear evidence to back my claims.

The new OP is just ghastly, or maybe, it’s just the fact that the movie looks horrible. Apparently Konoha’s research and development team has created a new lotion that makes you look years younger! Oh wait, maybe it’s just their new, ugly clothing. See for yourself:

Perhaps there was a “summer sale” at the local clothing store, or the new trend is to wear younger looking clothing. I don’t particularly like Naruto’s everyday clothing, but wtf, get him some NEW clothes, not clothes he wore back in 1st grade. Also, whats up with Sakura? Is that a bellybutton ring?! Is she turning pop star on us?! Even Lee magically has short sleeves now. Oh the pain!

Enough of that…What really is sad though, is the fact that I’ll most likely download it the moment someone releases it to the public, even after bashing it so much. I suck, I know.

Oh, MY, GOD! YES! I absolutely love Naruto’s sleeping cap. It’s so hardcore (yes I just used hardcore to describe it), god I love it! A friend of mine made a Panda hat once using a stuffed panda because of this hat. It was pretty awesome looking I must say. Thematic animal clothing are win, especially ones used for sleeping. If I had one of these hats, I’d definately wear it. Too bad alls I have are these nifty bear slippers (similar to these, but much MUCH older). This is good, quality Naruto right here. Brings back some good memories.

I always fell bad for Shikamaru. He’s like the only Chuunin in Konoha (aparently Iruka sucks or else he wouldn’t be stuck as a teacher) so he gets all the shitty jobs like, well, being Naruto’s leader for “special” missions. Wow, sucks to be him. Now he has to deal with all the Genin and their stupidity. They all seem so young compared to the Jounin, and they seem to act accordingly as well. I guess it wouldn’t be fun to watch if they were all super serious like Neji because then we wouldn’t have any crazy over-the-top personalities.

At times though, I just want everyone to grow up already. I’d like some more mature comedy rather than the slapstick dumb ‘n dumber type stuff. Some good sexual humor or even some good cynicism is sorely needed in this anime. Too bad it’s a kid’s show. Pfft at that! Once Naruto and friends grow up when the fillers end, the kids won’t be able to connect as easily with him as they did when he was younger. /end rant

This was a great, classic Chouji quote. I like how Naruto has something in common with most of the “main” characters on the show. It usually makes for good quotes such as this one. This also reminds me that there was a Ichiraku Ramen scene! (I never actually had “real” ramen until after I started watching Naruto…scary huh?) OMG! First the night cap, now Ramen! Too bad Iruka wasn’t there, but at least Sakura was there to make it feel a little bit more like old times. Note, that during this scene, Old Man Gennou doesn’t really like his ramen, and he even offers it to Naruto. I’m pretty sure Naruto will make the connection at some point, or perhaps its meant to be for all those lil’ kids out there to scream and point at the screen (like an episode of Blues Clues) saying: “OMG! HE DIDNT EAT IT NARUTO!” *sigh*

*gasp* Anbu want to talk to Naruto! Tell me again why the Anbu are so scary? I’m pretty sure Kakashi or Gai can handle all 3 of those guys on their own. Sure Kakashi was an Anbu at some point but really I don’t understand. Maybe it’s those creepy looking masks!

That reminds me, remember episode 101, when team Kakashi tried to see what’s under Kakashi’s mask? That was some classic, funny Naruto shit right there. I just re-watched the episode, and I laughed my ass off. Why can’t more filler episodes be this funny? Or if they’re not funny, why can’t they just be filled with some decent action? We sure as hell know they can’t add real plot since it’s a filler. At least this new filler arc seems to be heading in the right direction. Hopefully we get some quality fighting in the upcoming episodes. That would make me giddy as a kid in a toy store.

-Retsgip