⭐Naruto Episodes 95, 96, 98, 99 100 & 107: Watch Along & Analysis

Go back & check out episode 101 when you can. It will be enjoyable to watch. As for age range, all main characters are about 12-13. When the series starts, it's been 12 years since the 9-Tailed Fox destroyed the village, which happened on Naruto's birthday (October 10). Sasuke is a few months older (July 23). Sakura is the oldest (March 28). All other characters that were in the same Academy class as them are in that age range. Neji, Lee, & Tenten are 13-14 during Naruto. Shippuden is set to start 2 1/2 years after the end of Naruto, which puts them between 15-17/18.

If it's alright I will give my tiering for the characters from this point going forward for the purpose of subtext. In the case of Neji, Naruto and Sasuke I would say they are high level genin (6-A) while Sakura and the others are average genin(6-B). For Sasuke I might put him as a low level Chunin (5-C) not really sure though. Temari and Konkero as of the chunin exams are about low level chunin (5-C) while Garra was about a mid level chunin (5-B). Shukaku the sand spirit and Gamabunta are around (1-C). The nine tails in its final form is around(1-A).

Aww, no episode 101… o well. I like to imagine that Tsunade and Jiraiya are the only people that Orochimaru truly cares about(at least as much as Orochimaru can care for anything that's not jutsu). Most people either only saw him for his genius or they only saw him for his eccentricities (/undesirable attributes). But the two of them always accepted him for who he is, not necessarily what he has done but who he is. 99 has some of my favorite Sakura moments. My favorite Sanin summon is Kastuyu, she has so many practical applications and I love her personality.

Oh no you skipped 101 :( I really recommend going back and doing that one (it's a one-off so you can do it whenever). It's filler but it's high quality and most people love it. Just looking at the episode title will make you want to watch it

Valkyro

Let’s talk about Rock Paper Scissors, the Deadlock Summoning, Kabuki theater and other games of Sansukumi-ken. It’s probably been said but the Sannin are based on the Kabuki play Jiraya the Gallant from early 19th century Japan. In it Jiraya meets and falls in love with Tsunade and they have to fight the evil Orochimaru. Jiraya has toad magic, Tsunade has Slug magic and Orochimaru has Snake Magic. Toad magic beats Slug magic, Slug magic beats Snake magic and Snake magic beats Toad magic. Naruto pays homage to this with the Legendary Sannin’s 3 Way Deadlock Summoning. In early 19th century Japan the Chinese game Wuzazu came to Japan and became know as Sansukumi-ken. This hand game is basically what we know as Rock Paper Scissors today. But in its early state the 3 signs were for Toad Slug Snake. Sansukumi-ken began its life in Japan in the brothels and was often used as foreplay, over the course the century the 3 signs changed and it eventually became a children’s game. As Eastern culture began to spread out in the early 20th century Sansukumi-ken also came to the West. It became the game we know as Rock Paper Scissors. If you go to Japan today you will not see people playing Sansukumi-ken, but you will see people playing Rock Paper Scissors now called Janken. The 3 signs have become so universally known that even in the country where the original game was popularized the slug the toad and the snake have been forgotten and we see Kakashi and Guy play Rock Paper Scissors instead.

Ryan

Lastly, this new opening/ending combo is my favorite in original Naruto. I like the first ending better, but this opening is my favorite for some reason.

Denver Gray

Always advocate watching Shippuden episodes 119 & 120 before episode 1, for reasons. As far as movies and OVAs, there are quite a few of both. Only one is actually canon, that being Naruto: The Last, which you should watch somewhere between Shippuden episodes 479/480 and episode 484. The rest are "filler", but seeing as they came out while the anime story was progressing they all spoiler things from the story before they released. Generally speaking you can watch the first Naruto Movie any time after now, the second and third after episode135. The Shippuden movies you can safely watch in order of release after S. episodes 32, 71, 126, 143, 196, and 251. I'm not very familiar with the OVA's however, and I'm sure that the other watch order they're whipping up for you is more comprehensive anyway. Otherwise, I do have a significant issue with Sakura, and it is related to Kishimoto's...detriment when writing her, but it isn't how her personality is portrayed and it's something we can't really have a conversation about because it hasn't really made an impact, yet. But I'm looking forward to it in the future. Also, not that it matters all that much lol, but it might help to pronounce the "tsu" in Tsunade if you start with a "Tsss" sound instead of a "Tuh" sound. I.E, like a high hat symbol or a snake, rather than "tug" or "touch".

Denver Gray