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

[yachinami]

People don't like the Rapinator Akaya?!

*is honestly baffled*

I luff the little bastard ;_;

[mithas]

Rapinator Akaya? I suppose this is one of those things you guys come up with over at GJ which the rest of us saner folk are better off not knowing? ;P

And yes, join the little Rikkai!imp fanclub. >3

[dreamlessness]

hmm...i don't think echizen told anybody about the match, no...

for the record: i believe it is impossible to resent someone who calls sanada "dorky poo" XP

[mithas]

Oh. I forgot bitchsmacking too. That was the original reason I claimed the Sanada hate after all. "bitchsmacking dorky poo Sanada". I need to stop thinking up all these long nicknames for characters... >.>

But Mizuki has proven to us all that he can be a much bigger dork. *luffs him*

[dreamlessness]

...

i'm convinced that you're making me blink very rapidly on purpose. the tendency to bitchsmack is exactly what made me fall in love with the dork.

^_____^ mizuki so cute!!! but that's just it, he's a cute dork. cannot hold a candle to his majesty the emperor.

[mithas]

Hm. Well no, I was just calling Sanada the way I see it. ;P And while I still like his bitchsmacking because it proves he's an even bigger dork. Hesitation or no hesitation, I be kicking him in the balls for trying to hit Yanagi. Yey! (Not really annoyed at him anymore, but making fun of Sanada is fun.)

But Sanada's just a dork. Mizuki is a CUTE DORK. *snuggles the Mizuki* >3

[ririkit]

But Kirihara's so cute. And he causes random chaos. What's not to like about him? *decided she liked him in the "Kirihara falls asleep on the bus, then causes random chaos" episode* I want to take him home with me and feed him cookies and laugh as he unintentionally comes very, very close to setting a shed on fire.

And I, for one, would not mind listening to Neji and/or Shikamaru squeeing. (I had liked Shikamaru since the Chuunin exams, but once I realized that he has the same basic personality traights as my little brother..... The current arc is ♥)

[mithas]

*decided she liked him in the "Kirihara falls asleep on the bus, then causes random chaos" episode*

XD I think a lot of people liked Kirihara in that episode, myself included. It was the Kirihara vs Ryoma matched that turned everything around for most people. I can somehow understand people not liking him for it and I try not to be affected by it, but to no avail. ^^; I try to skip everything about it, but sometimes a post or two get through before I realize and stop reading, but by then it'd be too late.

I liked Shikamaru immediately because he was such a laid back guy, but the Chuunin exam definitely cinched my love for the guy. Neji however, was someone I didn't particularly care for (I sort of liked him but sort of didn't) until his match with Naruto.

It was great knowing the reason for all his bitterness, but what I loved about him all the more was his ability to admit to himself that he had been wrong and to move on. That scene where Hiashi bows to Neji made me cry. ;_; And Neji's reaction to it

[ririkit]

I liked the Kirihara/Ryouma match. They're such brats, the both of him. Granted, I'd probably find Kirihara very obnoxious, if I had to deal with him in person. But I don't, which leaves me free to like him as much as I want. ^w

[mithas]

Kirihara's lack of English skills really is quite endearing. Especially when imagining some members of the Rikkai team talking in English when he's around just to tease/annoy him. >3

The thing I love about Shikamaru (other than the fact that I am always impressed and zero in on the strategist) is that despite his completely laid back, 'I don't want to do this' attitude, when push comes to shove, he takes his duties seriously. His trust in his team is wonderful and I just wibbled when he goes, "I am responsible for all of your lives" before they headed out. ♥ I hope Konomi doesn't stop showing us more of these guys after this arc ends, because that would just suck. I also want to see more of Gaara and Itachi.

[aishuu]

I *hearts* Kirihara.

[mithas]

Yey for Kirihara rabu! XDD I figure I should just surround myself with more Rikkai luvin' for the next couple of days and I wouldn't be so sensitive about the issue afterwards. Pfft.