Naruto Shippuden

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I know. Naruto, right? The anime associated with 10-13 year olds everywhere who think it's the end-all be-all of animation, right.

Well, Shippuden is the sophomore work that follows onto the first series. It's all the same characters, three years forward in time. But the thing is, the author seems to have matured as well. I freely admit I loved the original (and frankly, I don't care what you think of that--I'm not going to discount something just because annoying kids like it) for it's originality and well-thought-out 'verse. But Shippuden drops all (well most) of the stupid parts of the original series and gives you more of the stuff you love.

Perhaps most importantly, Shippuden's writers have learned to pace a little better (things move much faster) and evoke emotion. It doesn't hurt that the soundtrack is far superior to the original. I was actually moved by

Spoiler

the deaths of Asuma and Jiraiya

. You can see it on Hulu. Hulu is actually only 2 weeks behind the original airings in Japan.

8-9 out of 10 depending on the episode (stupid emotional outbursts and blatant sexism still knock it down a bit).

 

[figmentPez]

I've been enjoying Shippuden as well. I'm quite a few episodes behind in watching, but I'm slowly catching up.

You're right about it having a "well-thought-out 'verse." Not only do multiple story-threads connect together in interesting ways (both small and large), I like that the world feels like it's got a history, and one that doesn't exist simply to give a backstory to the heroes, but also has it's own stories to tell.

 

[Shegokigo]

Pssst, Naruto wasn't bad because "annoying kids like it" just a heads up.

Then again, what do I know? I'm a Dragonball fangirl. :slywink:

 

[CynicismKills]

I've been keeping up with the manga after catching up to the end of Shippuden on Hulu and I am hooked, I won't lie. That and the new Fullmetal Alchemist are wonderful.

 

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Pssst, Naruto wasn't bad because "annoying kids like it" just a heads up.

Then again, what do I know? I'm a Dragonball fangirl. :slywink:

Hey, don't shoot the messenger. That's the line I keep getting.

 

[AshburnerX]

The English version is on Disney XD on Wednesdays in the US too, if you don't want to watch it on Hulu.

 

[Wahad]

Don't watch the anime but right now the manga is being fantastic.

 

[Gusto]

I like Naruto okay. It's had several low points but it always manages to drag me back in.

 

[ScytheRexx]

I have no problem with Naruto personally, I like a lot of the episodes, I just didn't like how the American dub had to give him a stupid catchphrase. It always knocked it down a notch for me every time he screamed it.

 

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To be fair, I wouldn't blame that on the American dub. It's covering the way he basically says the equivalent of "know what I mean?" or "amirite?" at the end of his sentences in the Japanese version.

 

[CynicismKills]

To be fair, I wouldn't blame that on the American dub. It's covering the way he basically says the equivalent of "know what I mean?" or "amirite?" at the end of his sentences in the Japanese version.

Yeah, I noticed he says one phrase a lot in the original series subbed. Still it's better than BELIEVE IT every other sentence.

 

[Iaculus]

To be fair, I wouldn't blame that on the American dub. It's covering the way he basically says the equivalent of "know what I mean?" or "amirite?" at the end of his sentences in the Japanese version.

Yeah, I noticed he says one phrase a lot in the original series subbed. Still it's better than BELIEVE IT every other sentence.[/QUOTE]

Probably drives the Japanese audience up the wall, though. Assuming anyone cares.