Naruto 208 & Genius 216 (spoiler free)

[mithas]

Naruto. I love this series to bits, and every chapter that comes out just reminds me time and time again why I do. And why I love the characters in it. Each character's strength is so different from each others, and well, I just wanted to say that SHIKAMARU KICKS SO MUCH ASSI never really comment on Naruto chapters anymore, because mostly my

Comments

[sharona1x2]

I'm one of the people who doesn't understand the Kirihara love, but I only watch the anime. I figure he must be better developed in the manga. I'd be willing to listen to why you like him, if you feel like explaining it. If not, then we'll just have to agree to disagree. ^_~

[mithas]

I don't like having to justify why I like a character, so I'd rather not. ^^ Truth be told, even if you did follow the manga, I doubt you'd much change your opinion on him. The thing is, I didn't hate Kirihara for what he tried doing to Ryoma during their match. I didn't like what he did, but the incident didn't make me dislike him. It didn't make me like him more either.

I think I have more tolerance for characters than most people. I don't automatically like the bad boys or the arrogant types (they annoy me a lot too), but at the same time, I don't brush them aside as annoying immediately. Before the entire demon!Akaya thing, Kirihara was the most adorable thing, and I loved him then. I think my adoration for him from then has stuck through even now. I like Akutsu, it's no surprise that I'd like Kirihara.

So in a way, while people like/dislike Akaya because of the whole redeyes/hurting the opponent bit, I more or less don't care and see into what we're shown of him beyond it. It's how I appreciate all the characters I like (it's

[sharona1x2]

I'm sorry if you thought I was asking you to justify it. I really was just interested in what you like about him. I thought maybe if I could see him through your eyes, I'd understand him better. I've discovered that I really like Akutsu, so I was hoping to find something about Kirihara to like, beyond the fact that he seems to care about his teammates. I'd rather understand him than just automatically write him off.

I guess I'll just stick with Hyotei, since they seem to take up most of my focus these days. Thanks, anyway!

[mithas]

Don't get me wrong, I don't think there was anything wrong in your asking, and I somehow wish I could actually make people see Kirihara the way I do. I'm just rather wary of doing so, as I've had people tell me about characters they like which I don't like and while I try to like said characters, I simply can't find it in me. Sometimes it works the opposite way and makes me dislike the character even more. So you'll understand my reluctance to talk about why I like a character given the fact that I know you don't like him

[sharona1x2]

I think again that my understanding of the characters is limited because I don't read the manga. I see what's in the anime, and it's so much less than it could be. Right now, I don't like Kirihara, in the anime. He's being made into a very one dimensional villain. It doesn't help that I'm also a Fuji fan.

On the plus side, I do still read Aishuu's interpretation of him at MP, so I feel the caring he has for Yukimura coming through loudly. I also followed one of your links to the image of him stopping Sanada from striking Renji. That was a great pic.

Btw, I think if I ever do like anyone at Rikkai, it'll be Renji. The flashbacks of him with Inui made him a person I could relate to. I think that's also why I like Ohtori and Shishido more than anyone else at Hyotei. The anime gave them a nice back story to fill out their characters.

Not of the Unbeatable Rikkai Champions, but of the individuals and the players and the teenage boys behind it.And that's exactly what's missing in the anime. I asked people earlier where all the Sanada/

[mithas]

Won't you try reading the manga though? It's hard to express just how far and extreme and why I love Rikkai so much when basing it on AniPuri!Rikkai. Because AniPuri!Rikkai is just boring. One of my biggest hangups with AniPuri isn't so much the changes they've made in the game, but the way it completely lacks in Rikkai characterization. The things I loved the most about the team and its members was just lacking, and it somehow pains me that people who only watch the anime get to see this Rikkai and not be able to see what it is about the team that I love so much. It's okay if they've read the manga and then have them not like Rikkai, because then I'd just put it off to Rikkai simply not being their kind of team, but it's different in the anime. ;_

[sharona1x2]

Apologies for the late reply. I didn't get to do much in LJ this weekend.

It's not a case of me not wanting to read the manga. I just don't have it. I had been getting them from FET, but I only have up to 207. I'm not sure how much time I'd have to read them, although I really should print out some to read on my flight to Japan.

I have a feeling that I'll appreciate Rikkai after the matches are over. I didn't start loving Hyotei until way after I first saw them. Sometimes, it just takes me a while to appreciate the rival teams. I'm still trying to develop an appreciation for Fudomine.

This championship isn't so much important to them, as it is important to them for Yukimura.

I think that's one of the things that could get me to like them more. I wish there was more of that in the anime.

And which is why I cannot do anything but get antsy whenever I read anti-Kirihara sentiments, because I understand where people are coming from, I just don't agree with it.I sort of feel that way about Fuji, so I know how you feel. I do plan to

[mithas]

I can upload the current manga chapters for you. I actually do have the entire Rikkai arc uploaded on my server. They're just not available for download at the moment since I don't have a domain for it

[sharona1x2]

I can upload the current manga chapters for you.

I should have replied sooner, but I keep forgetting that I have this reply in my other email account. I had to use it when my regular email went down for a couple days.

I would really like to see them, if it's not too much trouble. I'm leaving for Japan on Sunday, so I'm going to have some extended reading time. I don't sleep well on planes...

You don't need to send me anything for the candies. I love doing stuff like that. But, if you really do want to send me anything, I'd love to see Last Exile. I tried to watch it on TV, but the dub is horrible. I seem to recall you saying that you liked that series. If you have that on CD, I'd really appreciate it!

[mithas]

http://ravinred.net/manga/ [user: manga / pass: rikkai]

Hee~! Last Exile along with Juuni Kokki must be my most pimped out series yet. Don't remember anymore how many copies of this series' I've sent out to various people. Would love to send the Last Exile CDs to you! ^__^

[sharona1x2]

Thanks very much for the manga! I wasn't missing the whole thing, just the last five or six. Now I have to unzip them all and start reading. It may have to wait until I get back from Japan, though.

I would love to see more of Last Exile. The first time I saw part of it was at a con, and then when Jay showed me the first episode, I remembered it. I thought the battles were wonderful. I tend to like anything that looks Napoleonic. Must explain why I liked Treize in GW, too. I just don't think I could take the dubbed version. Bad dubs can really keep me from enjoying an anime. I'd rather give Last Exile a fair chance, especially since I think I'll probably like it.

Thanks again!

[mithas]

You're welcome. ^_^ Just a heads up that I've just uploaded chapter 216, as I've completely forgotten about it, in case you didn't have it.

I love Last Exile. *_* Last Exile was one of those series which I followed religiously from beginning to end. Other than Juuni Kokki, there hasn't been any other anime series that has made me do this. (Heatguy J, but that was licensed too quickly.)

[sharona1x2]

No, I didn't have 216. Thanks, Arc! *goes back to packing for Japan, leaving you in peace for a while*

^___^

[mithas]

You're welcome. Have a safe trip, and have a great time in Japan! ^_^

[bang_squared]

Rikkai is my favorite rival team too (Hyoutei comes second). Each character from the team has something that I like about them (well almost, I don't like Jackal much and Niou lost many points after that whole switch fiasco). I think aside from Seigaku, Rikkai has the greatest range of personalities.

I was one of the person who really hated Kirihara for what he did to Tachibana (not Echizen since I am not an Echizen fan). But I have come to accept that as part of his game. And since 215 I am warming up to his character. Nevertheless, I want Fuji kicking his ass.

[mithas]

Niou lost many points after that whole switch fiasco

Really? You must be the first person I've come across who didn't like the switch (I loved it). How come? A lot of the Rikkai fans I know either fell completely for Rikkai due to Sanada or Yukimura or because of the D1 switch. I'd admit to D2 impressing me a whole lot more (I have great amounts of love for Marui because of it), but the switch was the highlight of the D1 match. (For the Rikkai side anyway.)

I was one of the person who really hated Kirihara for what he did to Tachibana

The one thing that annoyed me about the Kirihara vs Tachibana match wasn't so much what Kirihara did to Tachibana, but the fact that Tachibana lost so badly. I can't believe a National level player with Tachibana's supposed skill could be beaten so thoroughly by Kirihara. And now Fuji's going to kick Kirihara's ass... while I have no doubt in Fuji's ability to do so, this just strengthens my skepticism at Tachibana's loss.