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[Infinite Justice]

That's just because you aren't 15 anymore. The series quality isn't any more or less than it ever was. My problem here isn't that people don't like Naruto now or ever, its this strange argument we get sometimes that Naruto was super awesome in Part I, when it was the same shit it is now.

So lets beat this dead horse now...do you really think his use of the other characters is the same as part 1?

 

[Apath]

In theory, the point is that you need only one hand to create it and you probably don't have a knife right there. Also, they're magic ninja wizards who probably can resist a knife blow (in reality, a knife blow to the chest probably would not pierce the ribcage)

Sounds reasonable. I just remember when I first saw Jiraiya use the Rasengan, I never thought it would be considered a super powerful attack.

 

[Angry Grimace]

So lets beat this dead horse now...do you really think his use of the other characters is the same as part 1?

Yes. The other characters, particularly the Rookies are all idealized by fans to be super awesome and relevant when they were never relevant outside of their own individual arcs. The fact is, when people say "the other characters" they almost universally mean Neji and Rock Lee.

Sounds reasonable. I just remember when I first saw Jiraiya use the Rasengan, I never thought it would be considered a super powerful attack.

The problem is that there are apparently degrees of power involved, but they aren't readily apparent since Naruto doesn't shout out a power level when he uses it. He knocked Pain's main body out in one hit with it, but Jiriaya used it on some dude and it just seemed like a painful punch.

 

[Apath]

The problem is that there are apparently degrees of power involved, but they aren't readily apparent since Naruto doesn't shout out a power level when he uses it. He knocked Pain's main body out in one hit with it, but Jiriaya used it on some dude and it just seemed like a painful punch.

Haha, I was actually going to mention that but came to the same conclusion mid-sentence and deleted it. Really I think it's just when it's most convenient to be strong enough to finish off an opponent. Even in the Naruto-verse though, most attacks are enough to finish off an opponent as long as they aren't dodged, deflected, or blocked.

 

[Angry Grimace]

Haha, I was actually going to mention that but came to the same conclusion mid-sentence and deleted it. Really I think it's just when it's most convenient to be strong enough to finish off an opponent. Even in the Naruto-verse though, most attacks are enough to finish off an opponent as long as they aren't dodged, deflected, or blocked.

It's the Naruto equivalent of Beam Spam. The most salient example of such an attack is when Naruto creates a HUGE rasengan. He knows how to do these, but they are universally ineffective vs. single rasengans (i.e. Naruto vs. Third Raikage, Pain, etc.)

 

[Infinite Justice]

I never understood why the Rasengan is considered such a powerful attack. If you're going to point blank thrust at their chest, wouldn't it be just as effective to just stab them with a knife?

IIRC the chakra was supposed to really fuck up your insides also.

There was a example shown when naruto hit the water tower with it and the impact point was just a sink but the back was blown right open. plus Kabuto's ordeal with the technique

Yes. The other characters, particularly the Rookies are all idealized by fans to be super awesome and relevant when they were never relevant outside of their own individual arcs. The fact is, when people say "the other characters" they almost universally mean Neji and Rock Lee.

You are a cold bastard man, a cold bastard.

 

[Apath]

It's the Naruto equivalent of Beam Spam. The most salient example of such an attack is when Naruto creates a HUGE rasengan. He knows how to do these, but they are universally ineffective vs. single rasengans (i.e. Naruto vs. Third Raikage, Pain, etc.)

Wasn't the large variant mostly effective for dealing with large opponents, like the Nine Tails and Pain summons?

And what's Beam Spam -- does it have to do with Gundam or something?

IIRC the chakra was supposed to really fuck up your insides also.

There was a example shown when naruto hit the water tower with it and the impact point was just a sink but the back was blown right open

Yeah, I remember that now that you mention it. But we've seen a ton of regular abilities throughout Naruto that are common-place staples in your average ninja repertoire, and could probably completely wipe out the water tower from existence.

 

[Haly]

Compared to a knife, rasengan would be more like an artillery round.

 

[Angry Grimace]

IIRC the chakra was supposed to really fuck up your insides also.

There was a example shown when naruto hit the water tower with it and the impact point was just a sink but the back was blown right open




You are a cold bastard man, a cold bastard.

It's funny you say that - I was just about to comment on the fact that a lot of fans who think Rock Lee and Neji were not used enough tend to bemoan the fact that Kishimoto didn't kill them off to signify their character arcs were over. Many of these people were happy Neji died, but mad that he didn't die right after his last relevant arc to hammer home that he's important and dead.

Wasn't the large variant mostly effective for dealing with large opponents, like the Nine Tails and Pain summons?

And what's Beam Spam -- does it have to do with Gundam or something?

Yeah, I remember that now that you mention it. But we've seen a ton of regular abilities throughout Naruto that are common-place staples in your average ninja repertoire, and could probably completely wipe out the water tower from existence.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BeamSpam

A traditional anime attack that rarely connects or is universally ineffective (i.e. a Worf Barrage). The most obvious example is Vegeta's main attack which is 198359013850 ki beams that result in a huge cloud which the main villain is standing in after the clouds clear, smirking.

 

[Apath]

Compared to a knife, rasengan would be more like an artillery round.

But artillery rounds are super long range bombardments >.>

It's funny you say that - I was just about to comment on the fact that a lot of fans who think Rock Lee and Neji were not used enough tend to bemoan the fact that Kishimoto didn't kill them off to signify their character arcs were over. Many of these people were happy Neji died, but mad that he didn't die right after his last relevant arc to hammer home that he's important and dead.

I personally felt Neji's death had no impact because his character was relegated to less than side-character status a long time ago. Most of all Naruto has been at fan-fiction levels ever since the undead army appeared. It's like as the manga goes on, death becomes less and less relevant.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BeamSpam

A traditional anime attack that rarely connects or is universally ineffective (i.e. a Worf Barrage). The most obvious example is Vegeta's main attack which is 198359013850 ki beams that result in a huge cloud which the main villain is standing in after the clouds clear, smirking.

I thought Vegeta's main attack was the Final Blast he used on Cell =P

 

[Laughing Banana]

Now I understand why no one could ever hope to defeat Angry Grimace for the top position of MangaGAF Wall of Shame, hahaha.

 

[Haly]

But artillery rounds are super long range bombardments >.>

<_<

I meant the impact!

 

[Angry Grimace]

But artillery rounds are super long range bombardments >.>


I personally felt Neji's death had no impact because his character was relegated to less than side-character status a long time ago. Most of all Naruto has been at fan-fiction levels ever since the undead army appeared. It's like as the manga goes on, death becomes less and less relevant.

I don't have any thing to say to defend the zombie arc. It's bad, but at the same time, I recognize it was a more palatable option than inventing an entire army of new characters.

But as for Neji, same argument. Its hard to argue his death had no impact when everyone has a very concrete grasp on his storyline.

 

[Apath]

I don't have any reason to defend the zombie arc. It's bad, but at the same time, I recognize it was a more palatable option than inventing an entire army of new characters.

Wouldn't the six tailed beasts be enough? The Nine Tails alone nearly defeated the entire Leaf Village. At least that's what I was expecting when the war seemed to be happening.

 

[Angry Grimace]

Wouldn't the six tailed beasts be enough? The Nine Tails alone nearly defeated the entire Leaf Village. At least that's what I was expecting when the war seemed to be happening.

I don't think so. The point of it was to make it so people other than Naruto had some plausible reason to be involved in a conflict. The only options they would have are fighting mindless beasts OR fighting Zetsu clones. There isn't any story to explore in fighting stupid clones vs. a bunch of established characters given a completely OP powerup.

 

[Infinite Justice]

Yeah, I remember that now that you mention it. But we've seen a ton of regular abilities throughout Naruto that are common-place staples in your average ninja repertoire, and could probably completely wipe out the water tower from existence.

Kabuto gave an example with his ordeal of the technique though (he had healing chakra ready at the point of impact but still spat out blood and got fucked up)

 

[Articalys]

GE Worst Ending 155

I bailed on this 10 chapters ago after it became clear they were shoving the Utsumi/Yuki ending down our throats whether we like it or not (and that Kouji Seo does a way better job at drawing an insipid romance manga), but I just thought I'd let anyone still suffering know that this is the second to last chapter. Salvation is almost at hand.

 

[Error]

I'm rewatching the chunnin exam arc, man this series was so great. Remember when Naruto won by farting in matches?

 

[Dina]

Just posting this batch now, lol.

Superb, thanks!

 

[Infinite Justice]

GE Worst Ending 155

I bailed on this 10 chapters ago after it became clear they were shoving the Utsumi/Yuki ending down our throats whether we like it or not (and that Kouji Seo does a way better job at drawing an insipid romance manga), but I just thought I'd let anyone still suffering know that this is the second to last chapter. Salvation is almost at hand.

Were people really expecting something different.

I'm rewatching the chunnin exam arc, man this series was so great. Remember when Naruto won by farting in matches?

LOL, tried too hard

 

[Kusagari]

Chuunin exam is incredibly overrated to be honest.

 

[Big One]

Where is he anyways? The thread isn't the same without his scathing FFFFFFFFFFF reviews.

I'm still here and yes I read the recent chapters of Big Three. The grades are A, B, and F for last week.

The year in review:

One Piece - C

This year we got the closure of the Fishman Island arc, which was given a solid ending with tidbits that really pushed story porn buttons. Now we're on the Punk Hazard arc, which had a very promising start and got a lot of people excited for One Piece again.

But on the flip side I cannot ignore how slow paced One Piece has been lately. It isn't the content itself, it's the execution that is lacking. It isn't really the paneling, cause honestly if you find that a problem you shouldn't even be touching the comic medium (Protip: panels with lots of stuff happening is a good thing). It's really how the story is progressing.

One can argue that One Piece has always been about slowly developing it's story through it's arcs, and while that's true you have to take in consideration what One Piece was compared to what One Piece is now. One Piece is at a point where we're getting resolution; back when One Piece was new it was completely appropriate to setup the world with lots of mysteries. In Fishman Island arc, we got resolution for Arlong that tied the story together and gave closure. And then you got Punk Hazard, which is more story porn after story porn with a mix of a shitload of random new characters that they themselves will end up having to get some form of story closure in the future. So when these arcs are being read all it's giving is the readers more questions, and after 15+ of publication that does get pretty old as people are expecting to get more answers than more questions.

Punk Hazard as an arc would've probably been better received if we learned such things like how Devil Fruit are created, how Blackbeard got two powers, and maybe even explain some things about Kuma. Instead we got a bunch of new characters with solid appearances by Law, Smoker, and Tashiji + a shitload of questions still not answered.

Bleach - D

Bleach has been pretty much as mediocre has it's always been. The current arc is going at a decent pace but that really doesn't fix a lot of the fundamental problems the series still has.

The closure of the Fullbringer arc was just shit. The latest arc is already riddled with pointless twists and made one of the most badass characters in the manga look like a weakling. And now we're in the midst of ANOTHER training arc, cause that's what Bleach really needs right now.

All the problems One Piece suffers from, Bleach suffers from twice fold. At least One Piece tries to insert some story progress. In the past year, what exactly have we learned about any established backstory in the series? You can give very few answers to that question while with something like One Piece there's still a lot of storytelling actually going on in the madness.

One thing I'll give Bleach props for is that it seems like Kubo actually is trying to improve. The pacing is a lot better than it was in the infamous Arrancar Saga. Even the Fullbringer arc was better paced than that shit, so I will commend them for that.

Naruto - F

Naruto continues to be one of the lowest quality manga on the market. Even though Sasuke has played a very small role in the current war, his stench is too strong not to notice on everything else this manga has to offer.

Let's see...Tobi's identity reveal was done poorly, with a backstory that made no sense and won't make sense even after it's properly explained; fanfiction NarutoxHinata shit; Uchiha = god (still...); amongst other garbage. I really appreciate that Kishimoto spends hours writing and drawing this every week just so I can see a part of my early fandom sodomized by this garbage. I meant every word I said about Naruto this year, this shit is bad.

Naruto, like One Piece, got worse than better. The manga itself was shit in the first place so to go down like this, especially since we're nearing the end of the manga, is just awful. How can someone even remember the good parts in Naruto if most of the pages of the entire manga are full of garbage characters, garbage art, and garbage writing?
_____________________

I really wish I could say I've read more manga. It really hurts being a casual manga-fan and you got everyone around me in this thread reading all of these series. Maybe 2013 will be the year of manga for Big One, then I can prove to you guys that I actually do enjoy reading more manga than the Big Three.

 

[Articalys]

Were people really expecting something different.

Well, no... but knowing something dreaded is coming and actually seeing it happen are still different things.

 

[Error]

Chuunin exam is incredibly overrated to be honest.

I don't think the series had a better arc, only Pain invasion comes close. The fight between Orochimaru and the 3rd is so awesome.

 

[YAWN]

What are manga that you would ligitimately call a masterpiece? As in, never loses sight of itself and surpasses the expectations of the medium. Not something that's just your favorite manga.

Here's mine:

• 7 Seeds(potentially)
• Slam Dunk
• Lone Wolf and Cub
• Solanin

As hard as I try, I can't think of others of a high enough quality and consistency. Even Sanctuary and Ghost in the Shell have a bunch of problems.

No Vagabond?

 

[Laughing Banana]

-Snip-

Hahaha.

Anyways, there's nothing wrong being a casual manga fan. Just enjoy mangas the way you want to enjoy it, what's wrong with that? Why feel the need to "prove" anything to any of us? Why feel the need to be acknowledged for something you don't if you don't want it to? Even if you do only enjoy/read only the big 3, so what?

Were people really expecting something different.

Aw shush >_____________>

 

[Wiseblade]

I really wish I could say I've read more manga. It really hurts being a casual manga-fan and you got everyone around me in this thread reading all of these series. Maybe 2013 will be the year of manga for Big One, then I can prove to you guys that I actually do enjoy reading more manga than the Big Three.

I'm sorry man, but that excuse doesn't hold water. Not for this thread. There's a lot of quality manga that get regularly posted about here, choosing to ignore that is on you.

If you'd have said the internet at large then sure, but ManGAF? No way.

 

[Infinite Justice]

Chuunin exam is incredibly overrated to be honest.

it has some cool stuff that i liked, plus the attack was a nice sprinkle of spice to the entire thing.

stuff

hahahaha YES!!!!

Well, no... but knowing something dreaded is coming and actually seeing it happen are still different things.

I guess so.

Still can't believe its actually ending, its like the author finally listened to reason.

 

[Big One]

I'm sorry man, but that excuse doesn't hold water. Not for this thread. There's a lot of quality manga that get regularly posted about here, choosing to ignore that is on you.

If you'd have said the internet at large then sure, but ManGAF? No way.

I know it's me, I just have other interests I spend my time with nowadays. But I really want to crackdown and get my dose of genuinely good manga. It's been a while, but I can do it.

 

[Apath]

I know it's me, I just have other interests I spend my time with nowadays. But I really want to crackdown and get my dose of genuinely good manga. It's been a while, but I can do it.

You should just replace the time you spend reading Naruto with other manga.

 

[Atredeus]

I don't have any thing to say to defend the zombie arc. It's bad, but at the same time, I recognize it was a more palatable option than inventing an entire army of new characters.

Pick on the junior here, but I actually enjoyed the start of the Zombie arc. The training for the world war was pretty dumb (He'll never catch on to us hiding him away in a giant moving turtle, lolz), but I really enjoyed the story porn part in the exposition. Getting to meet all these characters we've had hints dropped about was pretty neat, and made for a lot of sweet battle scenes, at least. The kage fights were interesting to begin with, before it became all about Madara hax.

I dunno... it wasn't all completely terrible. Yes, the pacing blew. Yes, it switched back to pointless stuff way too often. Yes, Kabuchimaru/Itachi was horrible. Yes, the Obito reveal made everyone slit wrists. But it did start off in a good direction, just like Punk Hazard in OP, and the Quincy War in Bleach.

All around, I'd argue it was a resounding year of "HOLY SHI... meh."

 

[Laughing Banana]

You should just replace the time you spend reading Naruto with other manga.

See: thread title

 

[wonzo]

Yumekui Merry 34-39

Easily my favourite thing about this series is the great chemistry between Yumeji and Isana. Definitely one of the most endearing couples I've ever come across in a long running series.

 

[Kusagari]

I'm sorry man, but that excuse doesn't hold water. Not for this thread. There's a lot of quality manga that get regularly posted about here, choosing to ignore that is on you.

If you'd have said the internet at large then sure, but ManGAF? No way.

That's part of the reason I love how far this thread has come from the beginning when this was pretty much the Shonen Jump thread.

 

[Solune]

Yumekui Merry 34-39

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18780843/manga/yumekuimerry39.png

Easily my favourite thing about this series is the great chemistry between Yumeji and Isana. Definitely one of the most endearing couples I've ever come across in a long running series.

One of those rare instances that you want the childhood friend to win for sure. Isana >>>>>>>>> Chitoge.

 

[wonzo]

One of those rare instances that you want the childhood friend to win for sure. Isana >>>>>>>>> Chitoge.

mah bro

 

[Crash Station]

Yumekui Merry 34-39

Easily my favourite thing about this series is the great chemistry between Yumeji and Isana. Definitely one of the most endearing couples I've ever come across in a long running series.

The chemistry is great all around. Yumeji and Merry have probably the most bro teammate friendship I've ever seen from an opposite gender duo in manga.

 

[Antiwhippy]

Isn't yumekui ending pretty soon?

Last time I read the manga it seemed like it's the endgame.

 

[Steroyd]

That isn't even true. We knew he had the Fox from chapter 1 and we knew from chapter one that his clones were a Rank S kinjutsu only he could do. I don't even get what this continued assertion that gets thrown around all the time about hard work is supposed to mean, anyways.

That's simplifying things a tad much, Naruto has large reserves of chakra on his own by his own right before jumping into the Fox's reserves, plus the lol drawback of 9 Tails trying to take over Naruto if he used too much of that chakra.

And the 9 Tails seal messed up the efficiency in how he formed his chakra for his techniques more than the average ninja.

 

[Neoriceisgood]

I have awoken my brethern, what is up?

... /read

Scary stuff.

 

[Stat Flow]

Big One I love you bro but i'ma have to go in on yo bitch ass for a minute

The closure of the Fullbringer arc was just shit. The latest arc is already riddled with pointless twists and made one of the most badass characters in the manga look like a weakling. And now we're in the midst of ANOTHER training arc, cause that's what Bleach really needs right now.

Fullbringer ending shit, absolutely.

Riddled with pointless plot twists? Like what?

Weakling? Nonsense, All of Soul Society would have turned to dust if he went on for a bit longer. Yama's ONLY way to be 'defeated' is by being outsmarted and outwitted. It happened with Aizen, it happened with Bach. Of course, they seem retconnish but defeating what is probably the strongest character in the manga will always seem retconnish (granted, I'm not saying Kubo couldn't have done it better either, but it was fine...he was whipping the clone's ass). Bach took Yama's bankai because of his arrogance, and he fucking cut him in half, stepped on his head, and blew him to dust. You don't fuck with Bach, is all. Yama became soft, so that's all.

All the problems One Piece suffers from, Bleach suffers from twice fold. At least One Piece tries to insert some story progress. In the past year, what exactly have we learned about any established backstory in the series? You can give very few answers to that question while with something like One Piece there's still a lot of storytelling actually going on in the madness.

I beg to differ. What has actually happened as far as story progressing events in One Piece? We learned about SAD [important] and what Bossflamingo is doing [probably important]. What else? Oh, we got the Arlong event tied together through a complete shit arc with a complete shit villain. And then, Law + Luffy teamup with the Yonkou plan.

I understand you don't like Kubo's storytelling style (and ability) much so I can understand you wanting more, but I'd imagine you'd give Bleach a C simply because of its big improvement in quality between fullbring and the TYBW Arc, not a D.

 

[YAWN]

7 Seeds 19
Holy crap!

Spoiler

Both Fubuki and Mutsuri are dead... I feel really sorry for Taka, but I'm guessing that wolf becomes his new bro? God, this manga is great.

Edit:

Spoiler

Oh Fubuki's still alive!

Edit 2: DAYYYUUMMMM

Spoiler

The wolf made me tear up.

Bach took Yama's bankai because of his arrogance, and he fucking cut him in half, stepped on his head, and blew him to dust. You don't fuck with Bach, is all. Yama became soft, so that's all.

It's why Bach is the best new character of 2012. He get's shit done.

 

[Articalys]

Ah, MangaGAF, I just remembered; I was at the mall the other day and was reminded of you all when I noticed part of this sign had gone dark:

 

[Neoriceisgood]

Bleachdiscussions

What I didn't like about Yama's defeat was how predictable that "twist" was, followed up by
him getting curbstomped without any effort.

There wasn't much satisfying about that death scene at all.



I'd give it the following tags:

Clinical, Empty, You_Saw_it_coming, Strong_in_name_only

 

[Lain]

I'm gonna put down Narutaru as a masterpiece that everyone should read at least once, though multiple readings are encouraged, thanks to its beautiful and deep message.

 

[hamchan]

Medaka Box 60-128

I'm really enjoying this manga now. Kumagawa Misogi is one of the best characters I've seen in a manga. Extremely good villain with how sinister he was and now an extremely good ally with how hilarious he is.

I also really enjoyed the Treasure Hunt arc and this current Zenkichi v Medaka arc, mainly because it was less serious and less life and death compared to the Abnormals and the Minus 13 arcs. Zenkichi being unable to solve the first code in the treasure hunt and being left out of the whole arc was pretty damn hilarious. The constant meta humour jokes about the story being part of a manga is pretty funny too.

 

[Neoriceisgood]

I also feel quite satisfied I haven't read anything on anyone's masterpiece list so far. (Bleach doesn't count as a "masterpiece" lol)


Talking about masterpieces, time to get back to spritin.

 

[Antiwhippy]

You gonna do a livestream?

 

[Neoriceisgood]

You gonna do a livestream?

Oh sure. www.livestream.com/neoriceisgood

Will boot it up in a second.

 

[FlutterPuffs]

7 Seeds 19
Holy crap!

Spoiler

Both Fubuki and Mutsuri are dead... I feel really sorry for Taka, but I'm guessing that wolf becomes his new bro? God, this manga is great.

Edit:

Spoiler

Oh Fubuki's still alive!

Edit 2: DAYYYUUMMMM

Spoiler

The wolf made me tear up.

It's why Bach is the best new character of 2012. He get's shit done.

If that sort of stuff makes you tear up chapter 25 will make you bawl