148 replies to this topic

[FoolishYoungling]

Eh. I don't really think Sakura needs a combat power up. She's less of an action girl than Tsunade ever was. It's just because Kishi hasn't really plunged Sakura into a combat situation since Sasori. In the Pein Invasion arc, she was coordinating and healing everyone, same with this war. It's highly likely that Sakura will surpass Tsunade in science and medicine than in combat strength if this series ends soon, unless Kishi puts her in more fights.

She is the main heroine. ^ _^

[Phantom_999]

She is the main heroine. ^ _^

Which is why I want her her to become more combat oriented, and not just heal. So she can break that sexist notion that only guys get all the cool powers and take the big fights. Have her becaome an actual kunoichi that can fight AND heal.

Edited by Phantom_999, 09 March 2012 - 09:33 PM.

[tricksie]

You know....

The more Hashirama gets talked up by just about every character the more I think Orochimaru got hosed when he used the Edo Tensei on the guy in Part 1 (and the more I think Orochimaru wasted it).

And I wasn't sure, but was the the clone substituted at the last second or was it what they were fighting from the beginning? Based on the comments, I'm not sure. Because if it's the latter, it looks like a lot of fireworks for very little to show for it.

But looking back, Orochimaru's edo tensei battle was way more dramatic than this current edo tensei army. This set of battles has been a bust! We're not even sure they've all been fought or not. I've heard comments ranging from "yeah they've been fought" to "no, there's still a chance since it hasn't been shown."

But clearly, if Dan's comfortable enough to hang around on some shoreline chatting with Chouji's dad (I assumed that's who it was), then the battles can't be too hard. And what a slap in the face for Kabuto. Orochimaru's edo only gave the zombi-fighters a few moments of lucidity. But Kabuto basically resurrected either allies for the fighting troops or ones that don't care (like Deidara). And the real tension of the fight is undermined by all the advice given on how to defeat them. it's drawn everything out, but the edo tensei has been pretty disappointing.

If I had a manga like that, I'd be inclined to do the same and if I could do it without messing up my plot and characters I'd troll my fanbase so hard, especially if I had pairing wars.

lol. totally.

[FoolishYoungling]

Which is why I want her her to become more combat oriented, and not just heal. So she can break that sexist notion that only guys get all the cool powers and take the big fights. Have her becaome an actual kunoichi that can fight AND heal.

If there's one thing I noticed about you Phantom, it's that we agree to the same things a lot now. (sorry for comparing you to me)

[Phantom_999]

Oh no problem It's fine if it's true

[Fenris]

Just going to add a brief note: I think that Nagato's intentions also factored into Naruto's decision not to kill him. Nagato was trying to improve the world; the way he went about it may have been terrible, but that was his intention. Madara's intention? Well, let's see. So far his intention is to be a stuck-up egotistical prick (not character bashing, by the way, I can easily back that statement up from recent chapters of the manga). Something tells me that Madara has no reason to be spared.

I agree. Naruto stopped in his haste to kill Nagato because he remembered what Jiriya said to him about peace, that was his thought before he was going to give the "final blow" to Nagato.

Tsunade dying could only mean one thing. Sakura development and that's a good thing since she's the heroine of the manga which part of her development would mean she will get into a tough fight and will see her growth in her strength.

I can picture Sakura wanting to get revenge on Madara, but Naruto stopping her all calmly like a leader would and getting her "back down to reality" of the situation.

Edited by Fenris, 10 March 2012 - 04:26 AM.

[FoolishYoungling]

I can picture Sakura wanting to get revenge on Madara, but Naruto stopping her all calmly like a leader would and getting her "back down to reality" of the situation.

Madara better hope Sakura doesn't find her, because if she does, he is screwed. How you ask? "Super Edition Newly Made Ultra Pink Sexy NaruSaku Boobies Big Crazy Evil Dark Huge Inner Sakura" justu

[Dragunov]

Madara better hope Sakura doesn't find her, because if she does, he is screwed. How you ask? "Super Edition Newly Made Ultra Pink Sexy NaruSaku Boobies Big Crazy Evil Dark Huge Inner Sakura" justu

O_O. Wow. That is some jutsu. How does it work?

[Codus N]

Yeah, I'm wondering is Sakura will even get a power up. Especially after Tsunade explicitly says the medic-nins aren't supposed to fight. If that's the case, then there's no reason for Sakura to get a power up. There's no reason for us to expect much action from her, no matter how much we want it.

Also, I'm think I might change my tune about the ending-this-year thing. I saw an image on DA of Naruto as the Sage of Six Paths, and it got me thinking.... For that to come to pass, A LOT has to get resolved. Naruto with the fan and the staff, big robe, horns. That's a lot of stuff. Anyway, I'll feel so short-changed if it all rushed to a conclusion. Especially after so much time has been wasted on Sasuke and various flashbacks.

I'm curious about the Jump Festa comment that was mentioned. Something about it ending? If someone could refresh my memory....

One last thing.... If I wrote a super-popular manga, I'd throw in so many curve balls in the end, the readers wouldn't know what to think. So I'm hoping this straightforward plot sequence is just a prelude to some bombshells!

The bolded part is my gripe with Kishi. Kishi, IMO, has failed to execute The Medic trope. There are ways to make Tsunade & Sakura more combatically active while staying true to those 3 rules. An excellent example of The Medic trope done right would be Wendy of FT. Much like Tsunade, she prefers to stay behind and use support magic to help the fighters as well as heal them.

But Mashima executes Wendy so well by having the enemy (almost) always gunning for her that she gets a lot of time to shine not just in support, but also in direct combat as well. It makes Kishi's writing look real sloppy, IMO, considering when Mashima is still green compared to Kishi.

[ciardha]

If I had a manga like that, I'd be inclined to do the same and if I could do it without messing up my plot and characters I'd troll my fanbase so hard, especially if I had pairing wars.

Ugh, sounds like an American superhero comic- no thanks. To me that's bad writing- just doing stuff just to do it, especially negative stuff- gets really old, really fast. That becoming the only way superhero comics are written since the mid 1990's absolutely killed any interest I ever had in regularly reading them for good, and I've seen the same thing happen to most people who read superhero comics before that became the only way stories are written, even a coworker now in his early 30's who absolutely loved Spiderman and Maryjane being married.

I think any writer who can write a straightforward story with a high focus on character development (and complex character interactions), world building, and an increasingly deeper theme and philosophical tone (without becoming didactic- as Star Trek could at it's worst- much more common in original Trek than in Next Generation) over 12+ years is mighty impressive. A slow but clear build up of the main pairing is also sharply refreshing compared to the hideous trolling mess American superhero comics have been since the mid 1990's.

[Kuraudo]

Tsunade will survive. She didn't activate forbidden jutsu just to go one-on-one with Madara. And this with the edo-tensei... Can't be stopped unless Kabuto stops it himself? This is very bad. Itachi vs Kabuto next few chapters?

Can't wait for next one.

(Finally read them all. Up to date )

[Nate River]

Ugh, sounds like an American superhero comic- no thanks. To me that's bad writing- just doing stuff just to do it, especially negative stuff- gets really old, really fast. That becoming the only way superhero comics are written since the mid 1990's absolutely killed any interest I ever had in regularly reading them for good, and I've seen the same thing happen to most people who read superhero comics before that became the only way stories are written, even a coworker now in his early 30's who absolutely loved Spiderman and Maryjane being married.

I think any writer who can write a straightforward story with a high focus on character development (and complex character interactions), world building, and an increasingly deeper theme and philosophical tone (without becoming didactic- as Star Trek could at it's worst- much more common in original Trek than in Next Generation) over 12+ years is mighty impressive. A slow but clear build up of the main pairing is also sharply refreshing compared to the hideous trolling mess American superhero comics have been since the mid 1990's.

I wouldn't know. I don't read American superhero comics and I can't stand the original Star Trek. .

Moreover, I explicitly said I'd only do so if I felt I could do it without doing so at the expense of my story and characters. If I can't accomplish both story takes precedence. Obviously. However, I think there are groups of fans, especially pairing fans, who take themselves too seriously and lack perspective and I freely admit I wouldn't mind tweeking and teasing them, but I wouldn't trash my story to do it.

The fact that you use Spider Man as example also makes me wonder if we are even on the same page as what we would consider trolling. I wouldn't dump all over established relationships for the purpose of needlessly extending a story.

All I know about that comic is the controversy from a year or two ago (where the comic spilt of MaryJane and Spider Man) and is not what I mean by trolling or even something I consider doing.

I guess, at the very least, we agree (to a degree) on quality Star Trek. I love the Next Generation, I didn't care for the rest of them.

[harry4e]

The bolded part is my gripe with Kishi. Kishi, IMO, has failed to execute The Medic trope. There are ways to make Tsunade & Sakura more combatically active while staying true to those 3 rules. An excellent example of The Medic trope done right would be Wendy of FT. Much like Tsunade, she prefers to stay behind and use support magic to help the fighters as well as heal them.

But Mashima executes Wendy so well by having the enemy (almost) always gunning for her that she gets a lot of time to shine not just in support, but also in direct combat as well. It makes Kishi's writing look real sloppy, IMO, considering when Mashima is still green compared to Kishi.

Yeah the role of the Medic was supposed to be introduced to make the squad stronger, however if there is anything i've seen, it's actually makes the team weaker, where before the team consisted of three strong members fighting together, it's become two strong members with one as back-up, Both Sakura and Tsunade were before Mei was introduced the strongest female fighters (or potential to be the strongest) we'd seen but focussing on Medic nin abilities, they have failed to advance in other area's that they could be help to their team, Neither have shown elemental skills or Genjutsu or even Ninjutsu that isn't medic related.

The fact they are short range fighters yet meant to stay back makes their chosen fighting styles a bit of an oxymoron, and somewhat useless...They can take out enemies with a flick of their finger and end the battle in seconds but they can't do that as they are medics, so they have to let the rest of the team do the fighting instead and support them. It might save more lives but it also increases the battle times and chances of teamates suffering long term injuries.
The only really effective Medic i've seen in Shzune as she can keep the enemies at bay then use the time to heal her teammates.

I bet if both Sakura and Tsunade had learnt Genjutsu and elemental Jutsus it would actually help their medic skills, they could put up elemental barriers or Genjutsu traps to keep the enemies at bay whilst they heal their comrades, where with their current skills they'd have to run the risk of the enemy getting upclose and personal before they attack and that is taking a high risk with your teammates life.

The only time we've seen them be useful is during war, like how Tsunade used her chakra to provide Chakra to the fighters during the Pain invasion or the camp to heal the fighters during nighttime.

[Phantom_999]

My thoughts EXACTLY Harry. My thoughts EXACTLY.

[merryGOflava]

Yeah the role of the Medic was supposed to be introduced to make the squad stronger, however if there is anything i've seen, it's actually makes the team weaker, where before the team consisted of three strong members fighting together, it's become two strong members with one as back-up, Both Sakura and Tsunade were before Mei was introduced the strongest female fighters (or potential to be the strongest) we'd seen but focussing on Medic nin abilities, they have failed to advance in other area's that they could be help to their team, Neither have shown elemental skills or Genjutsu or even Ninjutsu that isn't medic related.

The fact they are short range fighters yet meant to stay back makes their chosen fighting styles a bit of an oxymoron, and somewhat useless...They can take out enemies with a flick of their finger and end the battle in seconds but they can't do that as they are medics, so they have to let the rest of the team do the fighting instead and support them. It might save more lives but it also increases the battle times and chances of teamates suffering long term injuries.
The only really effective Medic i've seen in Shzune as she can keep the enemies at bay then use the time to heal her teammates.

I bet if both Sakura and Tsunade had learnt Genjutsu and elemental Jutsus it would actually help their medic skills, they could put up elemental barriers or Genjutsu traps to keep the enemies at bay whilst they heal their comrades, where with their current skills they'd have to run the risk of the enemy getting upclose and personal before they attack and that is taking a high risk with your teammates life.

The only time we've seen them be useful is during war, like how Tsunade used her chakra to provide Chakra to the fighters during the Pain invasion or the camp to heal the fighters during nighttime.

i dont think thats true. sakura kept sasori at bay while she healed herself and chiyo.

the problem is they focus on NOT fighting while she should be focusing on fighting more.

if they are skilled at fighting then when trouble did come to their teammates they could defend them and not just support them. dodging doesnt save a team.....and when your the only ninja that cant fight properly there would be NO time to heal your teammates or defend yourself.

[sushi.]

I also want Sakura to show some kick-ass genjutsu.
Now that Kishi showed both Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuke's growth, why not Sakura too? She has enough of pure strength, I want him to show a completely new side of her character, please Kishimoto-sensei! ?

Edited by sushi., 10 March 2012 - 11:47 PM.

[The Tax-Man]

The bolded part is my gripe with Kishi. Kishi, IMO, has failed to execute The Medic trope. There are ways to make Tsunade & Sakura more combatically active while staying true to those 3 rules. An excellent example of The Medic trope done right would be Wendy of FT. Much like Tsunade, she prefers to stay behind and use support magic to help the fighters as well as heal them.

But Mashima executes Wendy so well by having the enemy (almost) always gunning for her that she gets a lot of time to shine not just in support, but also in direct combat as well. It makes Kishi's writing look real sloppy, IMO, considering when Mashima is still green compared to Kishi.

Exactly. But how do you account for this failure? I know how. Maybe he's trying too hard to make everyone sympathise with Sasuke. So much in fact that he forgets the third protagonist. He's just too busy telling us 'til it gets annoying: "Naruto hasn't given up on Sasuke. NEVA. [CUE ALFRED SMILE]"

[KeikoxYusuke]

I think it will be a while before we see Naruto's battle again. Maybe in 7-10 chapters.

But I really wonder how Itachi's gonna fight Kabuto now, and did you see the creepy Sasuke in the background?

Sasuke is stalking Itachi...

[Codus N]

Yeah the role of the Medic was supposed to be introduced to make the squad stronger, however if there is anything i've seen, it's actually makes the team weaker, where before the team consisted of three strong members fighting together, it's become two strong members with one as back-up, Both Sakura and Tsunade were before Mei was introduced the strongest female fighters (or potential to be the strongest) we'd seen but focussing on Medic nin abilities, they have failed to advance in other area's that they could be help to their team, Neither have shown elemental skills or Genjutsu or even Ninjutsu that isn't medic related.

The fact they are short range fighters yet meant to stay back makes their chosen fighting styles a bit of an oxymoron, and somewhat useless...They can take out enemies with a flick of their finger and end the battle in seconds but they can't do that as they are medics, so they have to let the rest of the team do the fighting instead and support them. It might save more lives but it also increases the battle times and chances of teamates suffering long term injuries.
The only really effective Medic i've seen in Shzune as she can keep the enemies at bay then use the time to heal her teammates.

I bet if both Sakura and Tsunade had learnt Genjutsu and elemental Jutsus it would actually help their medic skills, they could put up elemental barriers or Genjutsu traps to keep the enemies at bay whilst they heal their comrades, where with their current skills they'd have to run the risk of the enemy getting upclose and personal before they attack and that is taking a high risk with your teammates life.

The only time we've seen them be useful is during war, like how Tsunade used her chakra to provide Chakra to the fighters during the Pain invasion or the camp to heal the fighters during nighttime.

Umm, I don't quite get the bolded part, would you mind clearing it up??

[Dragunov]

I wonder how Sasuke will play in the battle of Itachi and Kabuto...maybe he even kills Itachi because he is truly evil........or maybe he pussies out XD