Naruto Anime Analysis

Season 1: Episode 23

Source: Wikipedia
"Genin Takedown! All Nine Rookies Face Off!"

"Before entering the Chunin Exam Hall, Team 7 is greeted by Kakashi, who informs them that all three of them had been required to consent to take the exams before they would have been allowed in and wishes them luck. Once inside, Team 7 meets up with their classmates: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi of Asuma's Team 10, and Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuga, and Kiba Inuzuka of Kurenai's Team 8. The Rookie Nine have a spirited discussion before they meet an exam veteran named Kabuto Yakushi, who informs them about each of the villages represented while also giving Sasuke information on Gaara and Lee. Though Kabuto intimidated the other Rookie Nine members by telling them that there were only elite Genin among the individuals taking the exams, Naruto loudly proclaims that he will beat every ninja in the room, much to his friends' annoyance at being targeted by association. At that time, Kabuto is attacked by Team Dosu from Hidden Sound Village for his earlier remarks about their village. Although it appears that Kabuto dodged the attack, his glasses suddenly broke, and he became nauseated. Before the confrontation escalates any further, the examiner, Ibiki Morino, and his team enter to commence the Chunin Exams."

Analysis

Kakashi wishes his Team 7 good luck on the Chunin exams, which shows the close bond they have for each other, especially since they were one of the first teams to pass Kakashi's test.

We are introduced to new characters through Jonin's teachers, Asuma and Kurenai. For instance, we have Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi of Asuma's Team 10. We also have Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuga, and Kiba Inuzuka from Kurenai's Team 8. These are all Genin, hence why the title of the episode is "Genin Takedown! All Nine Rookies Face Off!" They will all take part in the Chunin Exams. Moreover, we will learn more about their fighting skills later on.

We are also introduced to a mysterious character called Kabuto Yakushi. He plays an important part in this episode because he gives information concerning all the villages taking part in the Chunin Exams. Moreover, Kabuto is mysterious because we don't know how he gets his information. We also don't know his full background. What's his role in this storyline? These bring up rhetorical questions in the minds of the audience, hence influencing them to keep watching the anime, Naruto.

Kabuto intimidated the other Genin members by telling them that there were only elite Genin among the individuals taking the exams. However, Naruto believes in himself and believes that he will defeat every ninja in the room. Naruto not only believes in himself, but he has the guts to say that in front of all the ninjas, even though they give him a weird look. Despite his friends' annoyance about Naruto making them the target, Naruto is more focused on being a strong ninja so that he can become Hokage one day. In this case, Naruto is mostly thinking about his ambitions rather than what people think.

There is an intense atmosphere in this episode. For instance, Kabuto is attacked by Team Dosu from the Hidden Sound Village. Afterwards, Kabuto becomes nauseous. This is frightening because the audience is now aware of the abilities of the opponent from Hidden Sound Village. If examiner Ibiki Morino hadn't entered to announce the beginning of the Chunin Exams, who knows what could have happened? Moreover, there is also the unfolding of events since we know that the Chunin Exams will officially start in the next episode. Is there more to the attack than it seems? Only time will tell.

The lesson from this episode is that it's important to stay focused on your goals if you want to achieve them, no matter what others think, just like Naruto did when he announced he would defeat the ninjas in the room.