Naruto Shippuuden Episode 18

[KCMmmmm]

instead of turning this amazing series into an extremely slow paced, filler filled (45 seconds of grunting omfg...) piece of trash that totally ruins the show, they should just take a break to let the manga catch up. They shouldnt ruin the show with fillers, and they shouldnt slow the pace to ruin the show as well, they should just wait a few months and then start. Thats my opinion anyway.

Ummm, they did that. They did filler episodes for over a year. Not very good ones either. The ratings plummeted spectacularly simply because of that. Now, the manga is at least 100 episodes ahead of the anime, even at normal pacing. They could not show a single filler spot in an episode and have the thing run 75 episodes easily before they catch up to the manga. Still, the shows ratings don't strand a chance if the animators don't change their ways. Maybe if we all scream, "CUT THE BULLSHIT!" at the top of our lungs at the same time (I'm thinking maybe 10:00 am Pacific Standard Time), they'll be able to hear us in Japan, and fix this crap before the next episode airs. Who's with me?

[Mizuchi]

Ummm, they did that. They did filler episodes for over a year.

Ummm learn to read better. I said they shouldn't use filler, just take a complete break because fillers ruin the show.

[Necromas]

Ummm learn to read better. I said they shouldn't use filler, just take a complete break because fillers ruin the show.

His point was that they've run so much filler that there is no need to take a break at this point, they can just skip the filler and hire better animators and follow the manga at a normal pace with zero filler for a while before catching up.

[Idealistic]

His point was that they've run so much filler that there is no need to take a break at this point, they can just skip the filler and hire better animators and follow the manga at a normal pace with zero filler for a while before catching up.

But then Mizuchi's point was if they just let the Manga get even further, they wouldn't have to spend half an episode each time stretching things out.

But yeah... Too late to do anything now, it's already been 250+ episodes.

[Animeniax]

I actually preferred some of the fillers to the crap we have now. Basically what they're giving us is filler anyway. They use long pauses and stretch scenes that take up 1 panel of manga into 10 minutes of useless time filler in the anime. It's pretty frustrating. I used to enjoy my weekly dose of Naruto and Bleach. Now it's a chore to download and watch either show. I have little hope for the future of either anime. I'm especially disappointed that the Japanese can't get this right with two landmark high profile shows. They can't budget or pace correctly, and made several poor decisions with these anime.

Back to the topic: this episode was slow and pointless. I hated how they repeated each other's statements about the barrier mechanism, like they had to say it aloud before it could register, even though it was understood and plain to see. Then they spent another 10 minutes telling us how much Sasori hates to wait.

The Gai/Neji stare-down was funny, but out of place considering the urgency of the situation.

Episode rating: C-