Naruto Shippuuden Episode 118: Teeeeen Hut! Time to line up in “Formation!”

Ok, Sasuke. You now have a team. Now, what are you going to do with it?

After a week hiatus, Naruto Shippuuden is back.  Sasuke’s now got a unique group of shinobi assembled.  Why did he choose them?  Somehow, I don’t think they are gathered to sing “Kumbaya” and hold hands…

This is Penny (TsunadesTwin) with your weekly lowdown on the latest Naruto Shippuuden episode.   Well, well, well.  Sasuke has an interesting group of shinobi he’s been eye-ing since he arrived at Oro’s hangout:  a dual personality-horn dog-major PMS bitch with lopsided hair (but needs a “tramp stamp” above those nearly visible butt cheeks), a guy that melts (literally) and likes huge blades – but not for their ability to get a close shave, and a big lug of a guy with Dr. Doolittle tendencies and a major killing fettish that hears voices in his head. Whoa!  WTH???  Sasuke is definitely the lenient emo among the murderous thugs he has assembled.

Somehow, I don’t think we are in Konoha anymore…

We also have some interesting dynamics in play, too:   Karin wants Sasuke but only when she is in that so-called shy, manipulative, little girl state, Suigetsu hates Karin with a passion and fights with her like cats and dogs, Sasuke wants nothing to do with either but feels he has to look after Juugo and Juugo?  ell, he just wants relief from his demons and is grateful to Sasuke for being able to assist.  There is nothing boring about this group of personalities.  One thing is for sure:  they are not a team in the bonding sense.  Not by a longshot.  Sasuke is continuing his habit of taking and not giving – he takes what he needs from who he sees can benefit him then dumps them faster than you can say “it’s trash time.”  However, there is a mutual use-use relationship going on.  All want something from their association as well and they think that Sasuke is the next best thing to R-O-L-A-I-D-S (for those of you who don’t know, Rolaids is a brand of antacid here in the US).  Niiiice!

Now on to the anime.  Surprisingly, it turns out that Juugo has no desire to leave his prison.  WTH?  You’d think that after years in isolation one would be killing to come out.  However, Juugo is killing to stay in.  Sasuke, in typical Konoha fashion, wishes to free Juugo from the experimental prison that is now crumbling around them all.  On top of all of that, you have some serious curse mark action going on here.

A partially transformed Sasuke. Tell me, would you mess with this guy?

Sooner than you can say “Uchiha Sasuke,” Juugo flies into action to kill Sasuke to no avail.  All Sasuke wants is to have a Starbucks latte and chat with the human killing machine that is saying “there’s no place like Kimimaro.”  Yes, yes.  That creepy guy with the ability to pull out bones and use like weapons is back temporarily.  We see how the relationship between Kimimaro and Juugo begins from when he is discovered in the forest near the remnants of a village that he pillaged during one of his numerous killing sprees.  Everyone is afraid of him – everyone except the animal and Kimimaro.  He was there on a mission to retrieve the reclusive Juugo only to have him find out that Kimimaro could relieve his urges to kill.  And, on top of that, Kimimaro promises the relief from the hell of being alone through both Oro and the promise of friendship from himself.  Well, well, well.  Juugo saw his salvation and jumped on the next freight train to Otogakure.

BFF - friends in tragedy; Kimimaro and Juugo

As we all know, Kimimaro dies in battle against Naruto/Lee/the soon-to-be Godaime Kazekage, Gaara, for the sole purpose of ensuring that Sasuke arrives safely to Oro. Apparently, Juugo had no idea as to who this Uchiha Sasuke was that his buddy died for.  Well, as you can imagine, he sure finds out…

Meanwhile, back in Konoha, Naruto is livid that Sasuke is so hellbent on revenge.  For those of you manga disciples, Naruto’s words begins the process of assembling one of the strongest teams Konoha has ever seen:  the Team of 8 Konoha shinobi.  This team will have one goal:  kidnap Uchiha Itachi (yes, I didn’t type that incorrectly) in order to lure Sasuke home.  Well, we’ll see who ends up on this rather incredible and interesting team in a couple weeks…

Wow! Naruto is proving beyond a doubt that he has become a leader - and one with vision. Too bad that Genin label still sticks...

Back to Juugo…we also see what Juugo is really like.  This “monster” really isn’t one at all.  He’s simply one of the millions of sufferers of bi-polar disorder.  However,  his angry rage (aka depression) is filled with the urge to kill.  When he’s “normal,” he’s the equivalent of Cinderella – practically convincing the local fauna to clean his cage.

Cinderfella Cinderfella dressed in yell-a...well, not quite. Still, a cool ability!

However, when Juugo succumbs to his urge to kill, watch out!  Sasuke now runs through the halls of the prison only to find that Juugo is so fast he gives Sasuke a run for his money.  Showing the first signs of loyalty is Suigetsu who comes to Sasuke’s aid.  Once he is there, however, Juugo and Suigetsu attempt to brawl only to have our resident emo stop the two of them – only to have the them totally blown away by their soon-to-be emo leader.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. That's no way to treat the staff, Sasuke. However, that bloodlust is saying a lot about where your mind is these days...

Then there are the current team members, who will always provide a healthy laugh.  Suigetsu and Karin (get used to this, guys!) fight like cats and dogs. Suigetsu accuses Karin of wanting some “alone” time with Sasuke as he finally finds his way back to Oz the rest of the group after being lost.  Of course, our wonderful femme fatale refuses to openly admit to her constant lusting of Sasuke, his chakra and his blood lust.   Quietly, however, is a different story:

Shannaro!!! Sasuke is SO awesome!! Yeah, Karin. We know you really love Sasuke. Wonder what Sakura will think?

Then there’s Suigetsu who is so into Samehada, his fellow Swordmen Kisame’s favorite weapon…and other sharp objects:

Yeah, stick close to Sasuke. Stick close to him like...uh, water.

Finally, after all of that, we finally hear their mission.  You’d have to be living on Mars to not know what that mission is:  to kidnap and to kill Sasuke’s older brother (whom I think is far better looking), Itachi along with his partner Kisame.  Bold mission.  Is this ragtag band the ones to do the job?

The order is...become trusted teammates THEN go after Itachi.

We now have the name also – officially, they are known as “Hebi,” meaning “snake.”  (The manga often interchanges Taka with Hebi.  I will refer to this team as Hebi.)

That’s all I have from here this week.

Regarding next week’s one hour special, it will focus on Team Minato which comprises of:  Hatake Kakashi, Rin, Uchiha Obito and Namikaze Minato, Naruto’s father-to-be and the future Yondaime Hokage.  It takes place just as Kakashi becomes Jonin at the tender age of 13.  Yes, the mask is on his face then, too, but you get a very strong hint of why he wears one – and it has nothing to do with his eye.  One other big focus:  the Sharingan that Kakashi currently bears – how did he get it?  You will find out next week…

Click on the picture for a teaser/trailer of the episode!

Here they are - and you will see them for the first time next week: Team Minato (btw...Obito does not have the Sharingan - yet)

Upcoming Episodes:

Naruto Shippuuden Episode 119-120: “Kakashi Chronicles ~ Boy`s Life on the Battlefield ~ Part 1 & 2″ (Kakashi Gaiden ~ Senjō no bōizuraifu ~ Zenpen, Kōhen); Air date – July 30, 2009

Naruto Shippuuden Episode 121: “On the Move” (Ugokidasumono-tachi)  ; Air date – August 6, 2009

See you all next week with the update on the battlefield with Team Minato!

–Penny

~ by 綱手-Tsunades Twin on July 25, 2009.