...who wasn't thrilled with how some of the characters other than Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Hinata ended?
While the obvious pair to be discussing here is NaruSaku, I'm kind of surprised how no one seems to be talking about the fates of other ninja. So how about the rest of the crowd, Heaven & Earth?
Maybe this should be broken up into a post for each team, but that might not generate enough posts to make a thread worthwhile.
I confess, I am a ShikaTema fan, have been since their first fight, but I can't say I'm okay with our first jonin of that generation seeming to be a housewife. Admittedly, unlike Ino, Sakura and Hinata, she was not shown to have any practical, non-martial skills like healing or seeing through things, but to be a housewife? Surely there's something she could do, like using her wind skills for power generation or something? With that how-the-heck-did-they-develop-that-fast-in-15-to-20-years city, they would need all the power they could get!
As mentioned in my other thread, I'm good with Choji and Karui as a couple, and I adore their sassy, self-confident daughter. I was never emotionally invested enough to be bothered by Karui being a housewife, and Choji seemed good in the few panels he was given.
I'm also okay with Ino and Sai, since at least Ino is actively trying to teach her kid ninja skills. And Sai ending up with anyone is kind of a triumph for him, having always been so separate from everyone else while in Root. I kind of feel sorry for their kid, stuck between a determined mom and disinterested would-be teammates. I wish him luck. Ino-Shika-Cho rocks, and it would be sad if that ended with their generation. Then again, Team 10 was little better at that age, so who knows?
I'm glad Shikamaru is Naruto's right-hand-man, like he intended.
It was nice Konohamaru, Udon, Moegi, Iruka, and Shizune got panel time. I'm glad Udon got that sinus problem dealt with.
I feel sorry for Tenten's business, but at least she has a career. Plus she got to keep those awesome weapons from the war.
Lee seems happy, carrying on the legacy of Gai with his own disciple. Go, Lee!
I feel really sorry for Gai, though. How is it they could regrow Naruto and Sasuke's hands but not fix Gai? That seems like bull to me.
It was nice to see all the retired Kages alive and kicking, but Mei still whining about not finding a guy was just lame. She couldn't find someone in all that time? It was also nice seeing all of the current Kages and entourages and that everyone was still working together despite all the years since the war.
Hinata seems happy--good for her and her girl--but it really bothers me that there was no hint as to the fate of her clan. Wasn't that supposed to be important to her? Wasn't that supposed to be important to Konoha? For goodness sakes, they nearly went to war with Kumo over byakugan a generation ago! WTH? It's peace so no one is after eyes that can see through walls? Not likely!
Then there's Kiba. I've liked his brash self ever since he laughed when he thought Sakon and Ukon were about to kill him and Akamaru at the end of the Sasuke Rescue Arc. Plus, he has a dog he can talk to, which I think is awesome. Of all the guys, his was the ending I was most peeved about. He seemed to be a bum and was used as a joke. It was not cool that everyone has some amount of success, but all he has is an ancient dog, a puppy, and that cat girl who laughs at him. I have been told he's the least liked Rookie, but that's no excuse to treat him like that.
I was initially thrilled Shino was the first one we saw in 700. Unlike Kiba, he has a job, one that should have some respect and give him attention, but he, too, was used primarily as a joke. Hinata gets her happy, but her teammates get to be jokes? That just stinks.
I was happy Kurenai's girl was an active ninja--Yay, a second active kunoichi from the post-Rookie generations!--and I was somewhat curious about what she was going to be doing with Kakashi and Gai, but Kurenai...? She finally got to jonin; got saddled with a team of genin; got knocked up; quit being a ninja. Seems a sad waste to me.
Kakashi being Kage makes sense. Retiring and handing it over to Naruto works for me. That he's still hale and friends with Gai and Kurenai is also nice. I'm good with how things turned out with him. He's not alone and didn't seem sad. He got to be Kage in his friend's stead.
Sakura...well, I'm sure enough has been said about how she ended up. Dusting? Really? That'll be the last we see of her? Nothing was more disappointing, but that her girl has to grow up with an absentee father...? That's just sad. How is that supposed to be a happy ending for either of them, or even Sasuke, for that matter? Ugh!
Finally, Naruto. He's Hokage like he wanted. Good for him, but it seemed awful Bolt felt the need to lash out at the lack of attention. Sure, they just wanted to tie it back to the beginning of the series, but I thought Naruto was supposed to be breaking cycles! How could a guy who grew up so alone neglect his kid that much? Or is Bolt just that much of a brat? Either way, not nice.
It was a weird and uneven ending for most of them. So, how about the rest of you? Do the other characters merit a bit more discussion? Have I just missed where the discussion is happening? I know I can't be the only one to wonder how tech advanced so far so fast.