I think Kishi needs to take some time off from the manga and regather his thoughts.

[Kikki]

I think in some former parts of the story, he made things longer than needed. Now he wants to push his plan through as fast as possible. He knows that the fans want a change, something dramatic instead of repetitions. Maybe we are all part of the problem. I don't think that an artist does the artwork as the fans want it, he has his very own plan for it but I'm sure every person feels pressure after a while and no one can ignore it forever. That pressure is what might be part of the problem. He probably started the manga as some freetime project where he could express himself. Now he has managers and fans and whatever that influences him and gets to him.

 

[The Western Wheel]

Recent chapters feel overly contrived and he's making it up as he's going along. I'm sure he has the whole bigger picture intact, but he has only so many hours in a week to fill what happens to each of the characters and events in the meantime. And it comes off with things such as Kishi suddenly deciding to kill off characters on a whim in one chapter and barely mentioning them the next, moving on to the next thing.

Like for example with every death you can explore it e.g. Asuma's death. That was poignant and beautiful. But with Shikaku's death, shit he died and he left his story.. and that's it. A semblance of a story is there but the feelings and emotions that go with it is rushed. Or e.g. Neji's death. Uncannily intelligent throwback, or overly corny, cheesy, and contrived resolution?

I respect Kishi as a brilliant storyteller but lately it feels he's off his game. It feels like he's been working overtime and is being whipped by the ever-present eager fans to provide the goods week after week. I think he's at a lull where he's at with the story and is just chugging along as he feels. Like it's not a form of play and wonder and excitement for him anymore full of possibilities, it's just work to move from one point of the story to another point in the story at a glacier's pace.

Don't get me wrong I love the manga. It's just that I think Kishi would do well if he took some time off and took a breather, maybe go swimming, catch up with friends, and take his wife on an overdue romantic holiday or something. And come back to the manga feeling refreshed and invigorated for the next phase of the story full of burning excitement and wonder as it once was. Just a fantastical thought I'm having

Nice view. I tend to agree... Although I want him to finsih this arc, because I think it's kinda lost already, too many things left out, too much foreshadowing, and when it came down. Strange plot devices. Izanami. Sudden Kills. Lost people. And I think the manga has a weird rhythm since a year.

I mean Kishi must have had this war in his head planned for years... I think it if more characters had more screentime, it could've made it much, much better. The thing I like about Naruto is the amount of different characters. But in the end, most characters get what people call 'trolled' nowadays.

I do think he is tired... Naruto could've easily made another year, or two, before it reached this point in the story. Kishi is human and should be able to take rests... but that's when everybody starts complaining and readers might leave the series. And it wouldn't make sense to take a break now... storywise...

 

[somniferous]

I agree he needs to slow down a bit.... Otherwise say goodbye to these guys....(I'm thinking he will take at least one from each group)

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[AaaaNinja]

I think you have to consider just how many are going to die. If you think it's only going to be a handful. I would agree but I think the tally will be much greater than that. Doing a week after week heartbreaker would have a negative effect as well. This will be very difficult for Kishimoto to try and get the right balance.

LOL I was just reminded of a really horrible movie (Battle Royale 2) that was dramatic death after dramatic death after dramatic death, always in the arms of the main protagonist and each and every single one was as dramatic a performance as the last with the victim giving last words, taking their last breath, and the main character crying. It was getting so bad it was beginning to be comical, but I still couldn't make it all the way to the end of the movie. That's probably not what you were talking about (you're just talking about numbers of main characters dying one after the other week after week until it stops being an 'event' and starts becoming weird, right?), but it reminded me of that.

For the deaths that happened in the manga, I think each of the ones that have happened so far has served a purpose for turning points in the plot. They were not cheap and I don't think it'll show a pattern of mindless killings, because neither of the recent deaths were like that.

HQ's destruction was part of the chapter where everybody realized that NOBODY, no matter where they are on the map, is safe. HQ was across the continent, Shikaku noticed that the Uchihas had the goal of destroying the army's morale and creating fear with this demonstration.

Neji's death was a psychological blow. Only a few chapters ago the goodguys were getting cocky and the badguys found them annoying. Now Neji's dead, Obito's basically demonstrated by example that Naruto his words are only words. You told me you wouldn't let me kill your friends, and I did it anyway. Now will you take this fight seriously? Naruto doesn't take his words lightly, so what will be his response?

 

[TheWillofFire]

Dont exactly agree, although there might be inconsistencies his story is being well portrayed, even with nejis death to close off narutos relationship from part I. Who cares if we didnt see screen time of neji, its about naruto and his relationships.

And izanami was no strange plot device, it was well thought out IMO. He made kabuto that strong for a reason, and he made itachi that strong for a reason.

 

[PhazoN]

How do you know if he's making stuff up along the way? Most of what you say is just speculation. However, I do agree that a break would be nice as I've seen an increase in inconsistencies lately.
As for the deaths...finally. They're at war, important characters are supposed to die.
You can't really mourn over the dead while u're running for your life, so I don't see how u want Kishi to 'explore' Neji's death.

 

[Theserpent]

Snip

Just because you dislike the story does not mean it's bad. Your "critciism" is NOTHING but personl opinion.

Edit: I agree that neji's death was too prolonged, but the fact that he died is really enjoyable in and of itself. I hope the next chapters will see more deaths.

 

[RikudoKami]

Nah everything is going good, he can do whatever he wants. He knows what he is doing. He has to get folks like you to talk.

 

[The Work]

Why do y'all care what he does with HIS story?

He's the author, he has the power to do whatever he wants with HIS story

 

[Jellal Fernandes]

Recent chapters feel overly contrived and he's making it up as he's going along. I'm sure he has the whole bigger picture intact, but he has only so many hours in a week to fill what happens to each of the characters and events in the meantime. And it comes off with things such as Kishi suddenly deciding to kill off characters on a whim in one chapter and barely mentioning them the next, moving on to the next thing.

Like for example with every death you can explore it e.g. Asuma's death. That was poignant and beautiful. But with Shikaku's death, shit he died and he left his story.. and that's it. A semblance of a story is there but the feelings and emotions that go with it is rushed. Or e.g. Neji's death. Uncannily intelligent throwback, or overly corny, cheesy, and contrived resolution?

I respect Kishi as a brilliant storyteller but lately it feels he's off his game. It feels like he's been working overtime and is being whipped by the ever-present eager fans to provide the goods week after week. I think he's at a lull where he's at with the story and is just chugging along as he feels. Like it's not a form of play and wonder and excitement for him anymore full of possibilities, it's just work to move from one point of the story to another point in the story at a glacier's pace.

Don't get me wrong I love the manga. It's just that I think Kishi would do well if he took some time off and took a breather, maybe go swimming, catch up with friends, and take his wife on an overdue romantic holiday or something. And come back to the manga feeling refreshed and invigorated for the next phase of the story full of burning excitement and wonder as it once was. Just a fantastical thought I'm having

Wow Your words made me feel Relaxed and i definitely agree with you. Kishi maybe needs some time off and maybe when he came back things would feel more like a cool laid back breeze but who knows he's @ Jumpfesta this Weekend i wonder what things are going to be said about naruto. Also liked. nice avatar by the way!

 

[narutoblitz]

Do you remember Nagato's quote?

Dying like trash… never ending hatred… pain that never heals… that is war… Naruto… this… is what you must face… The book… and you… It's like… someone… set this all up… Or… maybe… this… is… the hand of the real God… My role is over now…

It's been foreshadowed. We might not like it as fans, but this is Kishi's story. People die in war. Neji's death might lack poetry on the surface, but it's certainly meaningful to the story. He died in the same way his father died and chose to sacrifice himself for his friends.

Another Nagato quote relevant to this:

There's no reason (better translation is 'logos' from the original Japanese) in war. It only brings death.. And wounds and pain to both sides. There's nothing harder to accept than the deaths of those you love.. So you believe they could never die.. Especially those who haven't known war.. Like your generation.

This is Naruto being forced to grow up, to accept the harsh reality Obito speaks of and the despair and chaos of real warfare. Neji didn't die on a whim, and I suspect the deaths will keep coming. The writing is suffering because of things he's dealing with right now, but the current arc was planned a long while back.

 

[Strata Uchiha]

I would have liked it if Neji as the best user of the Byakugan in the Hyuga Clan....

1. Got his well deserved meaningful fight against a formidable opponent (like Kimimaro or Muu) in the war.
2. Got a Byakugan Upgrade.
3. Then died an honorable death.

^ That would of been perfect, but meh....can't change the past. *shrugs*

 

[Lana Del Taka]

Well right now they're in a war so there is no time to make neji's death all beautiful and heartfelt. Its just like shikamaru said... theres no time to mourn over deaths. I honestly think that right now Kishi is doing an awesome job right now.

Edit: Also if we gave a whole lot of screen time then you have to do that for everyone and like i said before... There's no time for that.

 

[6PathsofKami]

Agree with that man the previous deaths like Asumas and Jiraiyas were really emotional unlike these deaths