My Thoughts on the big three on 06/08/2014 (UK calendar).
Ok where to start, first this is late since it’s been nearly two weeks, but since I put a lot into it and there was a week break from the chapters this week I decided to post my thought on the chapters of Naruto, Bleach & One Piece out on 06/08/14 (08/06/14 for US). I wasn’t able to talk about the chapters when they came out but was able to read the chapters on my phone when they came and see some reactions & was going to post them last weekend but it ended up longer than Intended. Just to let you know there will be a bit of criticizing of both Naruto & One Piece (though a bit of praise to) and a little talk about use of shonen females since I some complaints lately about their use. Not sure if I should tag this on the chapters I’m talking about since I may upset some fans, though I doing read more after this paragraph. So be warned when you click on the read more since you may hear something you don’t like.
First I will start with Naruto, which I will also be talking about things I also heard outside the manga:
Mr Kishimoto why did you do it this way? Sometimes you make it really hard to defend you and easy for those who hate/deluded with you justified doing so.
You have done what people call asspulls before (every story/author has at least done one whether people like it to admit it or not). Sometimes they aren't as bad as fans make them out to be. Sometimes they are considered by fans as asspulls but had some reasonable explanations or at least enough previous info regarding how this could happened. Example many who hated Sakura's and Karin's new powers considered them asspulls.
Even though with Sakura she was trained by Tsunade so she was bond to learn some of her jutsu plus the fact the Kages vs Madara we learned how the jutsu and medic laws work, one problem was their wasn't as much hints as we could of gotten before the war. Karin in the fight with Kabuto was confirmed to be a part of the uzumaki clan so it was possible she could have gotten the chains, even if she didn't show much combat skills outside support. Perhaps this post is a better explanation to it http://megumi0505.tumblr.com/post/94013159520/do-you-think-besides-that-thier-have-been-a-couple-of.
Of course there are those asspull which really piss of fans cause they have broken the rules too much and the ones in this chapter, Obito sprit given Kakashi his MS & Kakashi using a perfect susanoo feel like the worst ever done in Naruto. Though hopefully next chapter or ones later on will explain this (unlike Madara with susanoo with no eyes) because it really needs to do so. At the moment the only things I can think of that make sense is that due to Obito was once the jubi jin can do the spirt thing like the Sage or it was Ninshu (since it is the spiritual use of chakra and that Kakashi copied PS from Sasuke, this post from an anon is better at explaining it really http://megumi0505.tumblr.com/post/94190086775/wow-a-five-part-message-im-so-touched-this-is.
Anyway this chapter also felt like it kind of ruined some of the stuff in previous chapters we had before. Like with more Obito panels kind of ruins the emotions of last chapter (whether you like him or hate him you have to admit Mr Kishimoto was really trying with the feelings) cause it felt like the perfect way to end his story. I see some Sakura fans really mad she was saved by Kakashi's new power (will talk about this more later in the females shonen thing). I have mixed feelings on it, on one hand she was saved again by him after she was being badass medic a few chapters ago, on the other I'm glad that she was instead of just standing their letting Kaguya's new form get her she was attempting to run away from and become easy prey. Although in a sense it is a good symbolical way of Kakashi filling what he wanted to do in keeping the newer generation safe and in a sense filling the failed promise of not protecting Rin, this post here is a better way of saying it http://chatte-georgiana.tumblr.com/post/93955610846/once-again-sakura-is-a-weak-piece-of-trash-that-doesnt. So I'm more 50-50 on that topic.
Though despite some of the bad things the chapter also showed awesome moments, things to wonder about and things to hope. Regardless of the way Kakashi got both eyes and PS they were cool nether the less and badass and I'm sure fans loved the idea of Kakashi getting these, even though it could of been done better. Like Obito given his eyes before death or they could of at least be the only thing left and have Sakura transplant them and for susanoo could have been a weaker version instead of PS.
Obito telling Kakashi to become the sixth hokage nice as well and seems a fitting end for his growth as a character plus the powers do give Kakashi a way to assist his students, which he felt useless a few chapters back. I also feel with Kakashi back in action so will Sakura somehow as well, whether it’s direct or support I’m fine with ether, like possibly help keep Kakashi's susanoo intact or take on maybe black zetsu. Because I doubt Kakashi can keep PS active for long.
If Kakashi becomes the 6th does make me wonder what will Tsunade's fate be, retirement or will she die? Also Naruto using all the tallied beast versions of rasengans was awesome and Kaguya's new form is something to talk about.
While I don't hate this chapter I think it’s one of the weakest we had and at best give it 5/10 at worst 2/10. Cause it’s filled with the things fans love and hate with Naruto. Love awesome moments, good art, symbolising with past and future generation. Hate asspulls, kind of ruining past feels, females getting saved.
For the Naruto Movie I loved the new designs for Sakura, Sai & Shikamaru. Shikamaru’s makes me wonder if the leaf vests have changed again for a new era. I know a few friends who don’t like Sakura’s new design cause it looks more feminine, but I honestly don’t think it’s as bad as they think. Also interested that Naruto has bandages around his arm makes me wonder if he still has the sage powers but is trying to decrease his powers so he can be closer to power terms to his friends (something I think certain fans will like). Speaking about Naruto Movies I heard a rumours about Marvel producer Avi Arad in talks about pitching a live Naruto Movie. Not sure if that can be done given some parts might be too hard to make realistic, then again people thought Guardians of the Galaxy was too must of a risk or couldn’t be done and look how much of a success it was.
Bleach:
Personally this was the best Chapter out of the big three that came out an 8/10. It’s perhaps the darkest chapter we had since Yamamotto’s death and it does give that dark feeling Bleach I guess is supposed to have compared to Naruto and One piece which both have a lighter feels to them.
We get explanation on how Tōshirō Hitsugaya became a zombie and how Bambietta Basterbine is weaker a Zombie since they are stronger when they turn into zombies before they die and Bamnietta had to die to become a zombie since she was a qunicy. Proven true when Toshiro easily takes out Ikkaku, Yumichika & Charlotte Chuhlhourne, now I’m not sure if they are dead yet needs more confirmation (same with Kira I Think) cause I always expected Ikkaku to go out using his Bankai one last time.
Fun seeing a conversation with Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Giselle Gewelle have got to be the creepiest male and female in the manga (if Giselle is female because Kubo is confusing me on this one). Seeing both how messed up they are, Giselle I don’t won’t to hear I’m not a saddest when you are making that face coming from your mouth. Plus I’m interested this medicine will do to Hitsugaya Mayuri has in planed for him.
Much better than pervious chapters we have had lately (I’m talking about the ones with Orihime’s breasts being the talk of the chapter, that was a WTF am I reading moment for me).
One Piece:
Much better than lasts week, but more or less an average chapter to me a 6-6.5. While it did feel like it progressed a bit, honestly felt like it re-added a previous plot threads and was once again another set-up chapter which I’m tired of seeing right now in One Piece. Personally I don’t think this arc is as amazing as everyone says it is, though I do think it’s the best the time skip has shown so far.
The Polls thing is nice to see that they are doing it again. Anyway we get a bit to a see abit more of Violet’s powers and past with scarlet and the dawrfs, where Mansherry is and that the people are coming closer due to that Samurai’s bad art skills. Though I don’t think many are interested in this, since most youtubers appear to hate the Tontatta people.
Finally we have Robins groups land (I honestly though that would take longer) where they soon spilt up and take different opponents. We also found out that Sugar is back up and is behind the giant toys (figured as much) as well as having a deep hatred of ussop and anything similar to him (similar to Perona really). Honestly while I bet some are happy Sugar is back, I honestly don’t care since it just added more plot threads to take care of this arc and she was taken out in the most pathetic way I have ever seen happen to a shonen female character. But I will give credit to the powers she has, given how Luffy’s group can’t knock them down for long and damaging Cavendish’s horse Farul (I doubt it will die though given One Piece rarely kills characters off).
This is where Robin and Bartolomeo prepare to face Gladius and the nutcrackers while Luffy’s group heads on to get the key for Law’s cuffs from Rebecca. Not sure how much of this fight will be seen (if it will at all given that we hardly see fights these days) but I do like the idea of Bartolomeo fighting alongside one of the straw hats, since I figured he would and he is one of the things I fully enjoyed this arc. I believe many think two on one for Gladius is a bit too much so I think he may get help from one of his fellow officers, I have a feeling it’s going to be Baby 5.
Now on the cliff-hanger double page. Rebecca talking to Leo and the dwarfs and what they are going to do, then suddenly Diamante Scarlet’s (Rebecca’s mum) killer appears and is ready to face her. I will say the panels where they face of were drawn well. I suppose many are hoping Rebecca is going to develop and face her mother’s killer, but I don’t see that happening. I’ve been looking at posts about Oda’s writing style when it comes to women in his manga (mainly because I had suspicions since none of the girls got a major fight in Fisherman Island, well some could argue that Robin took on Hammond but he was taken outs so easy and was already one hit K.O. by Luffy earlier) and for Rebbeca doesn’t look good.
So far she has the most revealing outfit by far in One Piece (Nami being second) not to mention she is 16, which is worse in the anime since they show the fan service way worse than the manga (I seriously like it when it only shows her backside since she has a cloak and it doesn’t show much really). Has cried a bit, personally I don’t hate characters if they cry a bit or a lot but it something I suppose more harsher critics hate characters for. Has a fighting style her avoiding direct combat. As for terms of facing opponents she hasn’t defeated a named one (except Rolling Logan in the Anime).
She is 100% likely to get saved and most likely show her getting save instead of fighting. Personally I don’t mind females getting saved (I know many people are tried from seeing it all the time) cause sometimes it can be alright. Like if you are fight together with a team and you comrade is in danger whether it’s because they let their guard down or didn’t see the enemy attack, can’t avoid own their own or on time or if you need them alive. Cause let’s face it in combat it common sense to save your comrade/teammate regardless of gender. Anyway now depending on how she is saved may determine how people are okay with it. It’s most likely her father that will save her since its foreshadowed he will face his wife’s killer.
Fights then gets saved be her dad.
Same as number 1 but more helpless and crying.
Also same as 1 but fight alongside her dad (probably most actable one)
Don’t take this one very seriously but worse case which I think people will hate the most and call it and asspull will get saved by Sanji in a similar manner to how Tashigi was in Punk Hazard (which I hear people hated). Like I said don’t take it seriously for this one since Sanji hasn’t been seen in 26 chapters (Seriously are we showing Big Mom Pirates this arc or is this next the next one?).
Overall much better than last week’s chapter, but it feels way too average. Would of been fine if we didn’t having sooo many set ups before this chapter since that is what we have been seeing the last few months is nothing but set ups. Hopefully we can finally see some action soon cause it’s been ages since the last time soo many fights have this hype. Honestly for the past few weeks I looked at YouTube reviews on One Piece like Fornverworld & I see a rising criticism of One Piece, mainly cause of the pacing, hype not living up and skipped fights. Law’s and Doflamingo’s past being teased twice is also a complaint I’m seeing, cause really a flashback like that is going to be at least a half a volumes worth of chapters.
This comment said it best when 755 came out:
I'm not gonna lie the chapter was funny but not good...I'm tired of the fucking teasing. How much build up do we need. The whole point of build up is to cause an explosion but we ain't getting s*** but teasing and stuff.
Zoro:1080 Pound Cannon
Pica:Attack on Titan Mayhem
Skips to Manshelly
Sabo:Flaming Dragons Breath
Fujitora:Meteor Storm Devastation
Skips too Ucy the Bull
Franky:Nipple Light Special Edition(Lol)
Senor Pink:Diaper Bomb(WTF)
Skips to flying around with beetles
Yall get my point this is getting extremely annoying. And I know some tard will say "Oh its about the story"..and I understand that. But my whole complain't is the cool action thats being presented to us and not being followed through..if its about the story let it stay about the story don't show something to get fans hype and switch away. Dressrosa already will be the longest arc ever...atleast keep us engaged.
ＳＩＤＥＮＯＴＥ: The way the NW was hyped up I think the fans deserve to see a real fight and a good one too. Not just this constant bullshit over over and over. You have people like me who love the story of OP. But if anyone say the fights aren't a big thing for them in OP they are lying
I don’t why Oda is skipping them: is it to avoid asspulls (One Piece avoids them for most part but they still happen mainly when a character survives like Peil), are the powers to broken for him to do a reasonable weakens, can’t draw these days or told not to do so by his editors I don’t know but I don’t like it.
Anyway if you lasted this long and I will now talk about shonen female use and my thoughts on them:
This is always been a subject of controversy really in the manga/anime community (well media as a whole really…). Given how they are ether love interests, weak, used for fan service, lack of fights, only fight females or get saved mainly to show off the males skills. These problems usually come from Manga’s mainly written by male authors aiming their work at 13 year boys which I’m sure most know off.
I’ve already stated before in the One Piece section that I don’t mind females getting saved in combat situations as long as they are not completely helpless or it’s done too much. Like when they are working with a team an example would be Ino in Team 10 when her teammates need to protect her body since she levees it behind when she uses her mind jutsu or when Mommo helped Rangiku in her fight with the arrancars. Because let’s face it when fighting in a team or battle you need your as many comrades alive to help win against the stronger or greater numbered foe. As for damsel in distress moments it’s not completely bad for me really cause there are times when guys are helpless when they are saved, it’s just that the fact in both western and eastern media its happened soooooo many times that it outdoes the number of times it happens to boy characters and they don’t always get back into action like the guys do.
Love interests I don’t also mind or girls loving a boy, since I like a strong bond between the genders It’s just when it goes overboard it gets annoying like with Hinata, Boa Hancock, Orihime and Juvia that they get too obsessed with the guy they like (though that doesn’t mean the girls I mentioned don’t have other bonds and friendships with both sexes it just that the authors focused too much on their crushes). Sakura I don’t really mind because I feel she is a bit more rounded than her haters make her out to be, she has a had other bonds explored even if they aren’t as big as we like Ex: Ino, Tsunade, Chiyo, Kakashi, Sai, Yamato and Sasori and to a lesser extent Gaara and his siblings, K11, Orochimaru, Kabuto, Karin and Obito (I’m also hoping for a bit of a chat with Kaguya). Karin while there are some things that could have been better handled with Sasuke, I do like that she doesn’t take his crap.
If a girl is completely weak & helpless throughout the entire story they are most likely to get bashed which I’m sure people have noticed. Though being weak at the begging and growing stronger is a good character development if you ask me, since it’s also used on Shonen males. There may be also the problem that in some shonen females are made naturally weaker than men so it’s not really the fault of the female just the author. That they can only fight other females fairly or can only face males that don’t really fight girls like Sanji or gain powers that avoid direct combat. There are also cases where in shonen were females are the strongest or among the strongest in a group in shonen manga: Bleach: some members are in the zero division are female, Big Mom of the 4 yonko in One Piece and in Naruto Kaguya is a Goddess.
Lack of Fights I believe is also one of the main problems we have because sometimes it takes a couple of arcs/years to see your favourite heroine or supporting heroine to have a fully fleshed out fight as they may only have minor ones that don’t last long for a certin amount: Naruto, Bleach and One Piece are all examples of this. Skipped can be also why we haven’t seen them fight that much like with Tenten, when Hidan and Kakazu captured Yugito Nii or when Rukia along with Renji and Chad faced the zero espada. Though that doesn’t mean mangas with lack of females fighting doesn’t mean there are fully bad at it. Rukia and Soi Fon in Bleach have had a fair share of opponents. Nico Robin and Monnet seem to be experienced fighters, despite Monet’s one shot defeat against Zoro. I personally think Mr Kishimoto can be really good at drawing fights for females even if they are limited and you don’t always see them win. Sakura and Chiyo’s team up is one of the best I seen, Tsunade has shown to face cable men like Madara & Orochimaru and prove them wrong when they underestimated her (even if she is working with other people) & Konan was the one that came closest to defeating Tobi before the war (in fact she would of killed him if not for Izanagi). Some Mangas like Fairy Tail and Histories strongest disciple Kenchi have females fighting a lot, but have huge use of fanservice.
Fanservice I think is the most people hate the most; whether it’s because it make you feel uncomfortable, thinks that it reduces the integrity of the character, no purpose to the plot (I have noticed this for YouTube Reviewers to be their reason cause they don’t seem to mind it for a small extent) or all three. Usually some manga like Fairy Tail and Histories strongest Disciple Kenchi have their females fight a lot but at some point they lose their clothes (More on the Latter’s case from what I seen Believe it or not). Have chapters for most part dedicated to it. Or having the main Females have the same body type like One Piece and Fairy Tail (even western Comics) do. Though thankfully not all Manga authors do this, whatever issues you may have with Mr Kishimoto when he writes his females it’s highly unlikely that it’s Fanservice because he at least has respect for the female body for most part it seems (unless you count the sexy No jutsu which has been hardly used as time goes on).
Well I talked about the main uses really and some of my thoughts on them, I guess it time I finish up on the topic. Personally when I read/watch Shonen manga/anime with Male protagonists as the main character I always except the males or at least main males to become the strongest and get most screen time. Is it fair that they get more skills and screen time no it’s not, do I like it, not always because sometimes I like a break from guys fighting all the time do I wish for more screen time for the girls yes I do. I don’t really know why most Shonens aimed at boys don’t always give their heroines the best treatment that they can (though I hear with once staring females males get hardly any good treatment but I can’t really confirm this since I haven’t read any). Is it because they are sexist (I don’t think it’s the case with some), their inability/insecurity of writing females (this might be the case with some), their editors don’t let shine as much as they can (I heard this was the case when Mr Kishimoto wanted Tsunade to face Pain but his editor told him to let Naruto have all the glory), they think that we mostly want to see Males looking awesome saving females ( I think I once saw a post saying this is what Bakuman said, can someone confirm me one this, could It could explain a lot) or the company itself? I won’t say Japan or the east as a whole is sexist because face it the west is hardly any better, you can say it’s trying to improve though there isn’t much progress really (we still have more Male lead films/books/shows/comics in mainstream media).
Well that’s all I have to say on these matter, if you got this far I hoped you enjoyed for most part, if not I did warn you with the read more. You can let more know what you think if you want. I’m not really the best guy to talk about such issues with Shonen really, but I hoped you found my thoughts interesting. I hoping for next week I will enjoy all three manga cause normally I don't do this kind of thing. Personally I think the big three have been hit or miss for the last two years, sometime they are really great and awesome, and sometimes they are really bad or boring. While it’s too Late for Bleach I hope Naruto doesn’t lose a spot in the top 10 cause I don’t want it to do well (and it did come up to 4th this year’s first half when last year it was 6th last year for first half) and end properly of course (cause I doubt it’s this year I mean when you think about it there is way too much content left to do this year, plus we don’t fully know how long this new era project is). One Piece I doubt it lose a spot in the 10 sales anytime soon, though it lost its number 1 to attack on Titain for the first half this year and if it’s not careful it may end up 3rd given how the manga behind it only lost by a little bit http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-06-01/attack-on-titan-manga-tops-one-piece-in-half-year-sales/.75118 Well that’s all I have to say, hoped you enjoyed
The anime is right at that point of awesome where everything is beautiful except Neji and you're like "there's no way this is going to last more than several chapter-lengths now"
right before it all falls apart and falls into 'how is this going to be resolved at all, let alone in several chapters?'
Guys, Obito is pretty much cursed. He could've achieved all of his life's dreams, he could've easily been Rokudaime Hokage, but was stopped by being rescued (and manipulated) by a manipulative megalomaniac, seeing the girl he loves die at the hands of his best friend, and was struck by a genetic disease that drove him mentally insane with no one else to help him cope with it, only a man who pushed Obito further down darkness...
P.S.-Fuck you, Madara. Obito didn't deserve all that shit in his life.
