Kishimoto Masashi - Naruto, vol. 28-29

[oyceter]

Kakashi Gaiden

I shouldn't let so much time pass between reading volumes; I can't quite remember what happened in the first half of Kakashi Gaiden. On the other hand, the ending was so good that I didn't really have to remember. This series is going to kill me with its trios of teams and how they all bond and interact. And oh, I hadn't been expecting that someone would actually die, though I should have.

So that's how Kakashi got the sharingan and the scar.

That is awesome.

And I now fanwank it into an explanation as to why he sucks at training Team 7 equally; maybe Naruto and Sakura remind him too much of his old teammates, and he cannot bear to see them hurt.

Part 2

I emailed rachelmanija twice when I was reading these because I was so excited. The emails largely consisted of:

"EEEEEEEE! Sakura is so cool! Rock Lee! EEEEEEE!!!"

I am so glad to see them all back again! And they're older! I am so impressed by how the art ages them just a bit, even as they look exactly like their old selves and sometimes act like that as well! And it was just so awesome to see everyone welcoming Naruto back. Even though I haven't been away from the manga for so long, it feels like I've been away from Konoha, just like him.

There are so many cool bits: Shikamaru and Temari! ROCK LEE! Tsunade!

I adored the echo of Team 7's first training moment, except this time with Sakura and Naruto working together and being even smarter and more ninja-y. Also... EEEEE!!! Sakura blows things up! That is SO COOL! She finally has powers! I have to admit, I was a little afraid when she ended up being Tsunade's apprentice for medical ninjutsu, just because I didn't want it to be that the majority of women in the series had stereotypically feminine type powers, with the exception of Temari.

But no. She has medical jutsu AND she blows giant holes into the ground!

Rock.

And EEEEEE! Gaara! Gaara is Kazekage! Gaara gets kidnapped OMG! And Kankurou! I have to admit, I didn't have much of an impression of Kankurou before, but he looks so wee and vulnerable without his usual bunraku outfit. And I absolutely adored the flashback of him and Gaara, of Gaara deciding to try and connect with people because of Naruto. This is why I love the series so much.

It was especially great with the cut from young!Gaara telling Kankurou and Temari that he didn't think of them as siblings at all to Kazekage!Gaara, trying to help out the village who hurt him so badly.

And oh, the parallels with Naruto! Those panels of wee!Naruto and wee!Gaara by themselves kill me, especially since Naruto's family grows and grows in the panels, while Gaara remains alone.

Also, have I mentioned just how cool Sakura is, what with the saving Kankurou and stuff?

And Rock Lee! Rock Lee is back! I loved the look between Tenten and Neji: "Guy and Rock Lee are insane. Yup."

Besides all the awesome character moments, the plot also kicks into high gear, with a revelation of why Itachi's Sooper Sekrit Organization wants Gaara and Naruto.

In conclusion: EEEEEEEEE!

Comments

[yeloson.livejournal.com]

Yes! That story arc really pays off, I liked it alot.

On note of fanwank- I wish my fanfic friends and rpg friends had more crossover- Naruto would be the sort of thing I'd love to game.

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

I love this arc so much!

I actually don't think your theory about Kakashi is fanwank; he's the only teacher in the manga who loses his team, and the scene where Naruto and Sakura have their reunion with him is so poignant, because there's so much love, and yet Sasuke is missing and all of Naruto and Sakura's new mojo comes from other people than Kakashi. His Gaiden explains a lot about why he screwed up so badly with all three of them.

Kazekage Gaara was so awesome. He sacrifices himself for the village, after the village did everything they collectively could to screw him up and ruin his life and never take any responsibility for it! His brother and sister run off to save him! And oh, those panels of Naruto and his family, and little Gaara alone. It's one of the most lovely and sad images in the whole series.

[octopedingenue]

coughcoughcampfuckudiecough

[rilina.livejournal.com]

deralte advised me to read Gaiden on its own after I didn't care for vol. 1 and was feeling "eh" about reading the rest of the series. I'm glad she did--knowing that sort of stuff was coming kept me interested until the series improved.

Those panels of Naruto and his family, and Gaara alone, are some of the most moving in the entire series for me.

By the way, you can read more of my fic (http://rilina-fic.livejournal.com/tag/fandom:+naruto) now, though I think you'll like Knockout (http://rilina-fic.livejournal.com/5024.html) best.

[jinian.livejournal.com]

It just. Gets. Better.

[oyceter]

I echo the comment on campfuckyoudie! I haven't actually followed the Naruto characters there, but I have been following Rukia (who just showed up), and she is freaking hilarious.

[oyceter]

Gah, so yes to Kakashi! And oh, I love when Team 7 gets back together, even though it's bittersweet when Kakashi announces that they're now his teammates, not his students, because it's the hole Sasuke left.

Gaara rocks. EEEEE!!!! I am totally going to make myself an icon of wee!Naruto's family growing.

[oyceter]

I love those panels so, so much. Particularly how he ties them up at the end of the arc.

And I just read "Knockout" a few days ago, but I haven't commented yet because I've been too busy rereading!

[oyceter]

OMG it so totally does!