C&C - Naruto: Shippuden - In Naruto's Footsteps: The Friends' Paths [6/11-TBA]

[A.Magik]

The New Chunin Exams

Looks like Naruto and Sasuke are going to die. Let's find out what happens in the next episode...
Then again, maybe not.

What a precedent! Anime adaptations of a still-continuing Manga usually made a stop of things even though the source wasn't reaching an end any time soon. Either the Adaptation made a completely original conclusion (TRIGUN, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST Anime1) or made an abrupt end with the promise of a future sequel series to conclude things (INU-YASHA, BLEACH). This was different. The Manga had surpassed SHIPPUDEN with a conclusion (with a Finale Movie to boot). However, instead of adapting the ending chapters, Studio Perriot wasn't going to lose their cash cow. So, the SHIPPUDEN Anime is going to be dragging its feet toward reaching Endgame, putting in several filler storylines.
The first of these is being broadcast tonight. Let us turn the clock back to a year before the War: Naruto is still with Jiraiya. Sasuke is still with Orochimaru. The Akatsuki are still alive, as are the aforementioned Pervy Sage, Asuma, Neji, etc. The Chunin Exams are being implemented again. Which village will participate?

The Official Naruto Shippuden Thread

OPENING: "Silhouette" By Kana Boon
CLOSING: "Spinning World" By Diana Garnet​

Last Time on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

Spoiler

Madara has the Gedo Statue take all the Tailed Beasts back inside it. Naruto is stripped of Kurama-Yang and is close to death, his life in the hands of Gaara & Sakura. Sasuke makes a failed attempt on Madara, who subsequently gives him a potentially fatal stab in the heart. Both the lives of Naruto and Sasuke may come to an end.

So, another flashback storyline. No Spoilers on anything past Episode 393.

 

[Gold Guy]

This is one of the most frustrating filler arcs in the show because it has a genuinely interesting premise! It takes place during the time skip, namely during a Chunin Exams, which was a highlight of the original show. There is a lot you can do with that, but I feel like most of the hype gets squandered here.

 

[Kitschensyngk]

Ha ha, it's funny because he loves to rap.

Ha ha, it's funny because she's desperate to find a husband.

Ha ha, it's funny because he's old.

 

[A.Magik]

The Chunin Exams Begin!
&
The Three Questions

I'm reading conflicting reports of the schedule, so I'm going to play it safe and post it anyway. The Exams are announced. What will the test be like this time? Who will volunteer? The latter will be a problem for Team 7 and 10 (lacking certain partners to fill out the team ratio) Will Naruto come back? And who are these participants? They look awfully familiar...

The Official Naruto Shippuden Thread

OPENING: "Silhouette" By KANA-BOON
CLOSING: "Spinning World" By Diana Garnett​

Last Time on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

Spoiler

A year ago. Before Naruto returned to the Village.
Hokage Tsunade and Kazekage Gaara decide on a plan to bring out the Akatsuki (as well as remove any conspirators against Gaara's new position). They will hold another Chunin Exams. Invitations are sent. However, the Hidden Cloud, Stone, and Mist Villages refuse. What about the Hidden Rain?

I actually liked the early episodes of this arc. Please no spoilers for anything that happened after Episode 393.

 

[Gold Guy]

I will say that while I don't like this arc too much, the blue haired girl in the top image is actually a pretty good character. Dare I say, Best Girl?

 

[animePWNS]

Looks like they might do double episodes for at least next week too. I hope this time they keep it going and they save newcomers for after Primal finishes (maybe premiere Season 2 then?).

 

[A.Magik]

The One Worthy of Being Leader
&
The Night Before the Second Exam​

The First Exam continues with a piercing final question: Who Will Be A Decoy? Then, the remaining teams go to the Second Exam...in Sunagakure, the Hidden Sand Village.

The Official Naruto Shippuden Thread

OPENING: "Silhouette" By KANA-BOON
CLOSING: "Spinning World" By Diana Garnett​

Last Time on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

Spoiler

Aside from the Sand Village, only the Hidden Rain Village (with Pain secretly posing as Hanzo) and Hidden Waterfall Village participate with the Leaf Village in the Chunin Exams. Of the former, it is to gain intel about the other villages and their Jinchurikis. Of the latter, the all-too-willing participant is Fu, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, seeing it as an opportunity to make friends.
At Konoha, Ino asks Sakura to join her and Choji (seeing how both Team 7 and 10 are missing members). At first Sakura is reluctant, considering her feelings of uselessness. However, performing a successful medical emergency gives Sakura the confidence to join the gestalt Team.
On the day of the Chunin Exam, Konohamaru unsuccessfully tries to pass off as Naruto to enter. The Teams then undergo Shikamaru's new form of the First Exam: the three members of each team are separated into three rooms. They are given a point system where a higher or lower score from the average will mean disqualification. Both Neji and Sakura realize this means each member must have an equal point score. How to tell the others?

Please no spoilders.

 

[animePWNS]

Another two-fer. Let's keep this going. (Though next week is a Shenmue marathon.)

Food fight! Or rather, a fight over food.

Yeah yeah, Fuu is the new Naruto (kinda).

 

[A.Magik]

I am rather fond of the beginning of this arc. The story foundations, the new characters, Shikamaru's Exam System and the final twist about the Decoy.

 

[RunoMisaki573]

On the first act of the early episode, the "TV-PG" bug stayed there until commercial break. Thankfully that bug gets taken off after a few seconds during the second act.

 

[A.Magik]

Demon Desert Survival
&
As A Taijutsu User

As the Series reaches 400, the Second Part of the Chunin Exams begins. The focus is on Team 9 and their confrontations with several Teams, one of them led by a Ninja that shares something with Rock Lee.

The Official Naruto Shippuden Thread

OPENING "Silhouette" By KANA-BOON
CLOSING "Spinning World" By Diana Garnett​

Last Time on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

Spoiler

The Teams have to answer the Exam's Second Question: Who will be the Decoy, the person who will sacrifice life so the other two Team members can escape? This question is given a greater ramification as the Chosen will be disqualified from the Exams. This turns out to be a trick question: any teams that choose someone are completely disqualified, as it shows they lack Teamwork and cooperation. Fortunately, Teams 8, 9, and the gestalt Team 7/10 pass the Test. Temari than announces the next Exam will be in Sunogakure, but only for the Teams that arrive early.
Three Days Later, the earlycomers reach the Village, with Asuma and Kurenai blocking all the latecomers and disqualifying them. After a night of Food fights and a Giant Crab, the Teams enact the Second Exam. Possessing one scroll, they have to get another scroll from the other teams.

Please No Spoilers.

 

[Kitschensyngk]

"You know, given this potential terrorism threat, maybe for the students' safety we should postpone this part of the exam, especially after what happened last time..."
"No way! They know the risks! That's just what the terrorists will expect us to do!"

 

[animePWNS]

400 down, 100 to go...

 

[A.Magik]

The Ultimate
&
Escape VS Pursuit​

The focus on Team 9 climaxes with Rock Lee VS Shira! Then it turns to Team 8 and their endeavor to get a scroll.

The Official Naruto Shippuden Thread

OPENING: "Silhouette" By KANA-BOON
CLOSING: "Spinning World" By Diana Garnett​

Last Time on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

Spoiler

Team 9 deals with two Sunogakure teams: Goji and Shira. The latter is revealed to have a Taijutsu Ninja! Rock Lee learns about this Ninja named Shira, who had been originally banned by his Academy for lacking Jutsu abilities, until Gaara discovered him and allowed him entry. After both teams get scrolls from Team Goji, Lee asks for a fight with Shira.

The former episode of this twofer broadcast has been recognized as a major highlight of this arc. As usual, no spoilers.

 

[A.Magik]

Unwavering Gutsiness

Team 8 VS Team Kazami concludes!


The Official Naruto Shippuden Thread

OPENING: "Silhouette" By Kana Boon
CLOSING: "Spinning World" By Diana Garnet​

Last Time on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

Spoiler

Lee and Shira have their Taijutsu Duel. Despite Shira’s skill the victory goes to Lee. The two part as friends (with Lee giving Shira a green jumpsuit). Meanwhile, Gaara spies on Fuu and realizes they are kindred souls. Back at the Exams, Team 8 fights Team Kazami.

Looks like we’re back to one Broadcast. Please no spoilers

 

[animePWNS]

Back to waiting until Summer 2024 for this to end. This stinks more than Burami's attacks.

 

[Kitschensyngk]

I didn't know Mr. Creosote was taking the Chunin Exams this year.

 

[A.Magik]

Tenten’s Troubles

We go back to Team 9, who have a confrontation with Team Aijani of the Rain Village, who have an inner agenda aside from making Chunin.


The Official Naruto Shippuden Thread

OPENING: "Silhouette" By Kana Boon
CLOSING: "Spinning World" By Diana Garnet​

Last Time on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

Spoiler

Team 8 defeats Team Kazami.

Please no spoilers.

 

[A.Magik]

The Imprisoned Pair

Tenten and Ajisai try to escape their underground situation.

The Official Naruto Shippuden Thread

OPENING: "Silhouette" By Kana Boon
CLOSING: "Spinning World" By Diana Garnet​

Last Time on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

Spoiler

Reaching Desert ruins, Team 8 meets Team Ajisai (who have been ordered to capture a Jinchuriki or gain intel about their competitors). Tenten and Ajisai fall into an underground cavern beneath the ruins.

Please no spoilers.