2/5
The main problem I have with this filler is the pacing. Way too slow. They could've covered the starting of the inevitable Shira vs Lee taijutsu battle that I was looking forward too.
Plenty of character development in this episode.The main problem is though, that this is a filler. If this was canon, it would have been understandable. Heck, Shira has more character development and background than Tenten! She's a canon character, not him.
This episode boils down to just talking, basically. After it was over, I was like: "What? That's it?"
Logically, I think that Neji and Tenten should've advised Lee not to go all out in the second round itself against Shira. The preview showed him opening the gates, which has a great impact on his body. This could affect his abilities in the third round and his promotion to chunin. In a way, I get it, it is kind of understandable that Lee doesn't want his battle stolen away from him like last time. He's displaying the Will of Fire, but not the logic of a leader.
Well, I guess I could really care less now. A pure taijutsu battle should be interesting if it's animated well.
I hope it finishes in an episode, I want to get the plot moving!
+1 for the ending theme. It's one of my favorites: both song wise as well as conceptually.
(Anyone else felt nostalgic watching Naruto and Jiraiya eating ramen?)