C&C - Naruto Shippuden - "Zabuza's Blade" [6/11]

[macattack]

Well, THAT was an eventful episode, wasn't it? What's to become of Sasuke now . . . unless it is to become THE ULTIMATE BAD GUY IN THE HISTORY OF BAD GUYS.

But in order to do that, he needs a team. And he knows precisely where to look.

Official Naruto: Shippuden Talkback Thread​

Opening 5: "Hotaru no Hikari" by Ikimono-gakari
Ending 9: "Shinkokyu" by Super Beaver​

You can find some of the OPs and EDs on the Toonami Digital Arsenal in high quality (seriously, they need to update this).​

Last time on Naruto Shippuden:

Spoiler

As Orochimaru battles Sasuke, he reminisces about the key moments in his past that defined the man he became since becoming interested in immortality. Some of these moments included Orochimaru's obsession with the Sharingan since seeing Itachi and a near-death experience during a failed attempt to take the man's body. In the present, once his oxygen-exposed blood paralyzes Sasuke, Orochimaru begins the Transference ritual. But Sasuke used his Sharingan and force of will to circumvent the ritual, absorbing a powerless Orochimaru while retaining control of his body. When Kabuto finds Sasuke standing over Orochimaru's snake corpse he is stunned, and can only watch Sasuke leave the hideout.

No spoilers: No talk of future arcs, events, etc. ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THE MANGA SOURCE MATERIAL HAS ENDED! All spoiler talk must be taken to the anime forum or through pm! Please have respect for all new viewers or else OROCHIMARU will be coming for YOU. Believe it!

Enjoy the episode. Sleep is always for the weak.

 

[A.Magik]

Anyone casting dibs on flashlight jokes?

 

[Gold Guy]

This is actually one of the most fun parts of this arc, IMO, Sasuke recruiting his own team.

 

[Hypeathon]

You can find some of the OPs and EDs on the Toonami Digital Arsenal in high quality (seriously, they need to update this).​

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I thought only one or two people upload stuff there, or maybe I thought wrong.

 

[JShaggy]

Put some clothes on already.

 

[Hypeathon]

Put some clothes on already.

Sasuke: "Get dressed."

Seems like someone read your mind.

 

[Kitschensyngk]

Akame ga Kill much?

 

[A.Magik]

Sasuke: Get your finger away from my rear end.
Suigetsu: I have no finger on your rear end.

 

[bigddan11]

I certainly wasn't expecting to see Zabuza's Blade involved in any future storylines. I've got to admit that Siigetsu stole the episode here, but it was cool seeing Sasuke's manical mind beginning to work here.

 

[Gatomon41]

I was shocked. I'm so used to terrible pacing, repeated dialogue, and boring antics that this episode took me by surprised. Something happened.

Really, this is probably the first Shippuden ep that felt like something from the original Naruto. Great action, neat characters, cool story.... Why didn't they have this sooner?

Water ninja guy (did they even mention his name?) was the best part of the episode. Eccentric yet effective, he's a good contrast to the rather stoic Sasuke. He isn't annoying as Naruto or Pink Haired Jerk Girl.

My brothers were disappointed that the battle scenes were not as detailed or shown very much. But I understood that they had to save money for real battles. This was a curb stomp. I did enjoy the very artsy cut always to the drops hitting water. The silences in Japanese music is just as important as the notes. It's the same in anime - were the quiet imagery contrasts with the action. It gets surreal.

So is this the point the show gets better? I hope so. But this took too long for many I suspect.

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

originally posted by Gatomon41
Really, this is probably the first Shippuden ep that felt like something from the original Naruto. Great action, neat characters, cool story.... Why didn't they have this sooner?

Sans the fact Shipudden even more then the first series is over crowded by filler (there aren't as many huge gaps like the end of Part 1 but you get a lot more throughout it's run) the whole story starting now about Sasuke recruiting this team is honestly the series starting to reach it's conclusion.... in the sense that from now on though there are separate arcs and foes in a sense, there's a more overall reaching and connected plot in the main manga material in the ending. The arcs with Sasori, Sai and Hidan/Kazaku are honestly not nearly as connected and do feel like they have a lot more space between them while the stuff from now on won't. And that's not a spoiler of what happens but a vibe that this is where the overarching main story goes and keeps extending despite all the diversions along the path.

Water ninja guy (did they even mention his name?)

Sugiestu. To be fair it's something you'd only pick on though if you were either really paying attention as it's one of those things those of us who know the series know. Speaking of that...

He isn't annoying as Naruto or Pink Haired Jerk Girl.

You may want to be more specific due to what's coming next as well... pink haired Jerk Girl ain't just Sakura's thing you know.... or will know.