[Anime-only] Naruto Shippuden Episode 251 Discussion

[thundrakkon]

With all the "high" level ninjas present, I cannot believe they would get trapped and allow a summoned shark to get away. That is so unbelievably plot device to move the story forward. At any point, Bee or Naruto could have released their tailed beast powers, escaped, and wiped the floor with that shark.

Btw, are we supposed to be surprised when we see the face of Madara? They are sure keeping it secret for some reason. If it ends up that his face is some random face, then it will really be disappointing. However, at this time, I do not perceive anyone who could be Madara that we have known about.

[Excelion]

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

With all the "high" level ninjas present, I cannot believe they would get trapped and allow a summoned shark to get away. That is so unbelievably plot device to move the story forward. At any point, Bee or Naruto could have released their tailed beast powers, escaped, and wiped the floor with that shark.

What I'm wondering is if this intelligence is going to turn out to be really that important, at least important enough that Madara felt he needed to put Kisame in harm's way. So, Madara will know they're on that island, and maybe it's just some sort of plot device to make sure Naruto has to get involved in the war instead of being hid away? I dunno, just a guess. He'll also know about the kyuubi form and how it has a weakness of getting stuck in the ground. Really though, wouldn't Kisame have been more useful in the war? You shouldn't send one of your most valuable assets out on a risky espionage mission. Surely there's ninja at his disposal that would be more specialized in it. Not only that, but Kisame knew what Madara looked like and it would have been extremely detrimental if he got captured.

Either way, I felt like Kisame was written out too easily for being one of the strongest Akatsuki members, but it's an indicator of how the show is more about Madara instead of Akatsuki. From the preview, it looks like a Konan and Madara battle, and I think that moreso shows how we're trying to move on from Akatsuki, since I don't think there's any chance she could survive such a battle.

As for Madara, the hair does match up with the old picture of him that we have. It was a really old flashback, so he must have not cut his hair yet. I'm assuming he did so once he started wearing the mask. It stands out too much otherwise. I don't get what the big deal about his "identity" is. The Leaf village should remember his face. I am expecting something pretty grotesque though, like a good chunk of his face and body missing. There's still also the matter of that extra coffin that Kabuto had. I'm an anime-only fan, but every time I come here I see this 700 reply "Who is Tobi" thread at the top of the forum listing, so obviously it must not be that simple. I wish I could be involved in that discussion.

[thundrakkon]

The importance of the intelligence is the location of the 8 tails and 9 tails. That is key to Madara completing the task of putting all the tailed beasts together. Kisame was already stuck there with no way out before, so the espionage seems like a logical next step.

However, if the 9-tails already lost half of itself with the 4th Hokage, wouldn't that pose as a problem on how to fully integrate all the tailed beasts? Of course, that final coffin could be that of the 4th Hokage with the 9-Tails still trapped inside. However, that would then pose the previous problem that when the host dies, the tailed beast inside also dies. Then again, it would be a convenient plot device to use the 4th Hokage's 9-nine tails and allow Naruto to keep his 9-tails to help out his development as well.

[xKeir]

As far as i know .. When the Host dies, The Tailed Beast doesn't die.

Or did i get this wrong ...

[milan kyuubi]

Originally Posted by xKeir

As far as i know .. When the Host dies, The Tailed Beast doesn't die.

Or did i get this wrong ...

The tailed beast dies as well when the host dies. But after some time they can reform and come back.

[thundrakkon]

Originally Posted by milan kyuubi

The tailed beast dies as well when the host dies. But after some time they can reform and come back.

ummm... then that kind of defeats the purpose of earlier in the series where the nine-tails helps Naruto because it did not want to die.

[Kafriel]

However, if the 9-tails already lost half of itself with the 4th Hokage, wouldn't that pose as a problem on how to fully integrate all the tailed beasts? Of course, that final coffin could be that of the 4th Hokage with the 9-Tails still trapped inside.

The 4th hokage is currently busy wrestling in the death god's stomach for all eternity, I doubt edo tensei could get him out of such a situation. That really is a problem though., considering he took half of nine-tails with him.

[Excelion]

Originally Posted by Kafriel

The 4th hokage is currently busy wrestling in the death god's stomach for all eternity, I doubt edo tensei could get him out of such a situation. That really is a problem though., considering he took half of nine-tails with him.

Wasn't Orochimaru going to summon him in the battle against the 3rd but got stopped?

[Kafriel]

Failed for that very reason, it did.

[Discerptor]

Originally Posted by Excelion

Wasn't Orochimaru going to summon him in the battle against the 3rd but got stopped?

Yep, have patience with the explanation though.

All said, I really enjoyed this episode. Kisame died amazingly, and he's one of the better examples of what a ninja "should" be like, as messed up as that is. Really looking forward to next episode.

[Guido]

I always felt lukewarm towards Kisame, but that doesn't imply that he was a boring character. Quite the contrary, I believe that Kisame is one of the few Akatsuki members that is quite complex.

He lived for most of his life a life full of lies, so he resorted to the strict professionalism of the shinobi ways to carve himself a way out.

Messed up?, yes he was. Liar?, he never lied to himself.

I don't feel resentment towards him for killing his own comrades, because he never resent or held an absolute hatred toward people in general, or that's the gist I got from Kisame's past and demise.

Likely, he found his own worth dying a death that matched up with his real nature, or dying a death that, unlike the life he lived, was free of hypocrisy and lies, because Kisame was truly loyal to his own ideals and what conviction he believed in it.

[monir]

I've caught up after watching 247-251 in one sitting. This is how a Shounen series is done. Gai sensei was a beast, but Kisame will have to be given his due. The bit of back story on him was so well done. And for a change I've seen some gorgeous animated scene with Naruto in the screen.

Looking forward to tomorrow for episode 252.