Watching on Wednesday: Naruto (Volume 30)

First of all, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year of 2009! My plans are to finish re-reading the amazing manga series, MeruPuri, for tonight. I did so last year and it is the perfect way to end off the year as a manga fanatic! (I promise myself to do it as a tradition every year just before the New Year! Well, that is if I don't have any other plans like now...) I just completed up to volume 3 and realized that I read it too fast before it can have that "special" effect on me like it did before. So after this review and a couple of other things, I will go and take in volume 4 slowly so I can bawl my eyes out at the end. Yeah, I'm such an emotional girl... I just have to cry every time on New Years... Anyway, onward with the review and bless you with a great year ahead!

Title: Naruto (Volume 30)
Type: Show
Age Group: Teens
Release Year: 2008
My Rating: 4.5/5

Now it is down to the battles with Kiba, Shikamaru, and Naruto. Each of them are fighting a sound ninja on their own in separate locations, trying to defeat their enemy.

Kiba and his pup, Akamaru, have to deal with the twins, Sakon and Ukon. With abilities to merge into other peoples' bodies, Kiba is at a disadvantage when one of them decided to take over his. How to get rid of the enemy when they are now part of you?

Shikamaru is outnumbered when Tayuya brings out her three giant puppets. She controls them with her flute, promising that he will never live to hear to the end of the song. As Shikamaru dodges the violent attacks, he tries to figure out how to get out of this mess.

In the meantime, Naruto brings out his clones by hundreds as he try to beat down Kimimaro. Kimimaro reveals one of his special ability: to use his own bone as a weapon! Right after, Sasuke emerges from his coffin! Naruto tries to convince him to come back but he ran away laughing like a mad man! What had gotten into him? Rock Lee makes a grand entrance as he try to stall Kimimaro so Naruto can chase after Sasuke. During their battle, Rock Lee pauses to take a sip of his "medication" when in reality he accidentally took Tsunade's elixir! Guy fears for Rock Lee's wellbeing when he finds out because the drink brings out a completely different side of him! Will he be able to beat Kimimaro now that the elixir may have tipped the scale?

I have to say, this volume was not so bad! I actually enjoyed most of it! Especially at the end when Rock Lee came along. He balanced out the seriousness that held on for more than ten episodes with his humourous stunts. It was getting good when the whole thing ended! I swear to god I was ready to smash the new TV in my grandmother's room at that point! This time I really do want to continue watching the show to see the outcome of the fights. Like before, there were some random flashbacks but they weren't as bad as before. It gives you a bit more background information on the characters instead of showing random clippings of an old episode. Naruto fans would not be so disappointed with The Beast Within!

Review copy provided by Viz.

Watching on Wednesday: Naruto (Volume 29)

Hey guys! This will be a new feature of mine, Watching on Wednesday! I know I know, it sounds like a ripoff from the other blogs and their Wednesday features. But honestly, I couldn't think of any other titles! Hopefully no one has done this yet so I won't be yelled at for stealing ideas... Unlike most features, this won't be a weekly thing because I don't watch that much TV. Basically, I will review any films/movies/shows on a Wednesday. Now onward with the review!

Title: Naruto (Volume 29)
Film Type: Show
Age Group: Teens
Release Year: 2008
My Rating: 4/5

Naruto and the gang are hot on the trail of Orochimaru's henchmen. Earlier, Sasuke have agreed to follow the four sound ninjas to go back to their village. To become stronger and activate his cursed seal, he must die once. Sasuke swallowed a given pill that caused him much pain. The Sound Four then quickly sealed him into a coffin and immediately went back to Orochimaru.

Once the Konoha Village was alerted of Sasuke's disappearance, Tsunade sent out Shikamaru to retrieve him. Shikamaru brings along Naruto, Kiba, Neji, and Choji to help him with the mission.

Now after Choji have battled Jirobo to let the others escape ahead, it is Neji's time to fight. He is up against the spider-like ninja, Kidomaru. Using his Byakugan, will he be able to defeat his strongest enemy yet?

Shikamaru, Naruto, and Kiba are now catching up to the last two of the Sound Four. During their battle, Kiba and the leader of the Sound Four falls into a ditch. Now Kiba along with his faithful pup, Akamaru are alone with Sakon. What will be the outcome of their fight?

Then there is one sound ninja left to take care of. Shikamaru and Naruto are determined to pry the coffin out of Tayuya's hands. Unexpectedly, a new face shows up. Kimimaro, a loyal follower of Orochimaru, takes the coffin with him because of the Sound Four delayed their arrival for too long. Naruto pursue after this new enemy. From all of these battles, who will win against their opponent?

At first when I received my review copy, I had to go back and watched where I last left off about four years ago. Since I always watched the original Japanese version, I was not used to hearing the characters talk in English. So the first thing I did when started watching this (sadly you can not switch to Japanese audio) was complained about the voice actors. Eventually after a couple of episodes, I got used to it. (Although I still hate Naruto's English voice). The battles weren't too shabby. I actually enjoyed it like I did those many years ago. But there are times in the middle of a battle, the scene would have a flashback. This annoyed me so much! I don't care what Naruto said to Neji a hundred episodes ago! I want to find out who will win already! And sometimes the battles just drag on to the point where I wonder when it'll finish. Other than that, it is not so bad.

Review copy provided by Viz.