Brilliant execution

Time to rant about something that happened in the Naruto manga. Last year, fans all over the world went "Wah? No way?!!! Arrrgggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! No no no no nooooooo!!" *starts whacking pillows and verbal-trashing Kishimoto-san*

Asuma Sarutobi (Naruto)
Leader of Team 10 and Son of Third Hokage, Asuma-sensei became one of my fav. jounins, despite having very little limelight in the earlier chapters (everyone was too busy with emoboy Sasuke XD). I find his fighting moves and wind-based power chakra are quite formidable and yet, it's his laidback, friendly and courageous character that is the most charming.

This is one awesome violent move. One of my fav. panels in the whole of Naruto, actually. The slash is stylistic and yet, the readers don't see the gore and blood explicitly. Get what I mean? No? You would if you read Berserk or Blade of the Immortal for comparison.

I think what strengthened the appeal of Asuma-sensei is his teacher-student relationship with genius-yet-unenthusiastic student, Shikamaru Naru. He quickly recognized Shikamaru's abilities and encouraged him. But I also noticed that he never forced or pressured Shikamaru into being something he didn't want to be. He allowed Shikamaru to develop his own sense of responsibility and form his own identity. I think Asuma understood Shikamaru very well.

Now, I was greatly upset that Asuma-sensei was taken down by an Akatsuki freak *gag*Hidan*gag* and I totally felt for Shikamaru.

"Smoke get in your eyes" was one cheesy song but it was not cheesy in this context, IMO.

But mangaka Kishimoto-san gave Asuma-sensei a respectable farewell and gave us awesome chapters of Shikamaru avenging his teacher.

*Ka-boom* This was beautiful. *sniff* Brings tears to my eyes.

In retrospect, Asuma-sensei's death was necessary to develop Shikamaru's character further and to set a more grim mood in the Naruto series.

Shikamaru has changed drastically from the bratty kid who whined and did everything he could to avoid work to a trustworthy, courageous and inspiring leader. In his conversation with Kurenai-sensei (who is pregnant with Asuma-sensei's child), it's clear that the teacher had a huge positive influence on the student.

"I messed up so often and Asuma-sensei would have to protect me. He made for a weird teacher and I could never quite figure out. But I always thought that he was the coolest adult I ever knew."

"And now it's my turn"

"When you have that kid, I'll have to protect it."

The handover to the next generation continues. Farewell, Asuma Sarutobi.

Images obtained from http://onemanga.com