NEXT TIME... ON NARUTO BALL Z!!

[Mut]

hey winged dancer, are you doing the translations again like before?

EDIT: thanks a lot, winged dancer.

[Winged Dancer]

I haven't done it yet, but sure... I need a break from work anyway -.-

[chet_chetty]

if i understand you correctly, i totally agree w/ you Assertn. Yes, Kishimoto blantantly took 2 things from DBZ: 1. powering up and 2. the similar transformation animation. But look at it this way, those 2 things (especially the first) was what everyone loved about it. Those were the 2 things that gave the CHILLS to all DBZ fans. I could understand if Kishimoto incorporated one of DBZ's less prominent and/or less entertaining themes or if he incorporated the aformentioned 2 aspects poorly; but that's not the case.

let me repeat. kishimoto incorporated the best aspects of DBZ.

i think many of you who knock episodes like 231 are in love w/ the fact that you were able to predict it. You believe "predictability" is a green light to critizie. Similarly, I believe many of you haters jump on the fact that it's copying and to you, that as well equals bad.

Let's put it this way. Manga is an artform and Kishimoto is an artist. Artists of all forms incorporate aspects of music from before their time. Many of these artists make millions even though it's apparent what their style is and where it came from. But these artists are great because they incorporate themes which were historically appreciated and they incorporated them well. For instance, predictability/copying is definitely not a green light to criticize in music. First people listen to the music and then judge. Among other things, if the chord progressions, rythms, etc. are pleasing to the ear (in part from being incorporated well), then the "copying" is considered a good thing. (I can give several examples if asked.) Why should it be any different with Naruto?

Now if you are arguing that Kishimoto incorporated those aspects poorly, then I could see your gripe. But so far I havent seen anyone do this in an intelligible non-flaming fashion let alone argue that point period.
I personally think Kishimoto did it pretty well. Naruto powering up has been built up since the very beginning and Sasuke powering up has been built up for a very, very, long time. The storyline told us this was gonna happen. It had to happen sometime, so it's happening now. That is what is supposed to happen.