Naruto Anime Analysis

Season 3: Episode 128

Source: Wikipedia,
"A Cry on Deaf Ears"

"Naruto asks Sasuke if he is willing to turn his back on all of his friends in Konoha for the simple matter of getting stronger. Sasuke says yes and starts to walk away, enraging Naruto. Determined to bring Sasuke back to his senses and Konoha, Naruto grabs hold of him and starts to punch him. He makes Sasuke spit out blood with every punch, and then Sasuke rallies and easily repels Naruto. Sasuke tells Naruto that he doesn't dream of the future, only the past, as he recalls his close bond with his older brother, Itachi. Naruto tries using force again and attacks Sasuke, but Sasuke dodges it, uses Dragon Flame Jutsu, and sends it towards Naruto."

Analysis

First, the episode looks at the friendship between Sasuke and Naruto. Second, the setting takes place in the Valley of the End. Last, the element of sadness is evident throughout the rest of the episode.

The friendship between Sasuke and Naruto

It is no secret that Sasuke and Naruto have a complicated friendship. For instance, in the episode, Sasuke said, "So it's your hopeless little knucklehead." Sasuke always looked down on Naruto because he thought he was just a knucklehead who could never be a strong ninja. One day, he realised Naruto's strength when he mastered the Rasengan and how he summoned Gamabunta (the giant toad) during his fight with Gaara. When Sasuke calls Naruto a knucklehead, he seems indifferent when he sees Naruto. Therefore, it is hard to tell if he finally respects Naruto as a ninja or not.

On the other hand, Naruto values Sasuke as his friend, as is evident when he has memories. First, Naruto remembers the time when he was at the Ninja Academy with Sasuke and Sakura, and that's when Team 7 was first formed. Second, he remembers the bell test with Kakashi Hatake. Third, he also remembers Sasuke sacrificing himself to save him from Haku. All of these memories prove that Naruto cares about Sasuke as a friend. However, it raises two questions: Does Sasuke still care about Naruto? Does he still value him as a friend and a ninja? Only time will tell.

The setting takes place in the Valley of the End.

What makes the setting interesting is the symbolism of the two stone statues. Sasuke, on the left, is standing on top of Madara Uchiha, who was the legendary leader of the Uchiha clan. Moreover, Naruto on the right is standing on top of Hashirama Senju; he was the first Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village. It's like the setting was done on purpose to foreshadow what would happen in the plot. Moreover, what makes it interesting is that both of them founded Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village), intending to begin an era of peace. However, they had some kind of conflict. Could it be that history is repeating itself, where Sasuke and Naruto signify Madara and Hashirama, respectively? What happened between Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju? All of this is revealed in the other anime, Naruto Shippuden.

The element of sadness is evident throughout the rest of the episode.

Naruto asks Sasuke if he is willing to turn his back on all of his friends in Konoha for the simple matter of getting stronger. Sasuke says yes and starts to walk away, enraging Naruto.  Naruto asked Sasuke a question: "Why are you doing this to us?"  In response, Sasuke replied, "Why should you care what I do? It's my concern, not yours. I have my path to follow now, and neither you nor anyone else can stir me from it. I will tell you this much: My days of playing ninja with you kids from the leaf village are done." From the tone of Sasuke's voice, it is clear that he has no intention to go back to the Hidden Leaf Village. He is in search of power from Orochimaru, and it is sad because Naruto is not happy about it. Moreover, there is a rhetorical question when Sasuke says, "Why should you care what I do?" His tone is cold, as it further points out that he has no intention to go back to the village.

After Sasuke's statement, sad piano music starts playing in the background. Naruto starts thinking about how each member of his team, under the leadership of Shikamaru, sacrificed their lives to come and rescue Sasuke, hence explaining why Naruto is angry at Sasuke. He doesn't care that they risked their lives to save him, and it is sad that Sasuke only cares about himself.

Determined to bring Sasuke back to his senses and Konoha, Naruto grabs hold of him and starts to punch him. He makes Sasuke spit out blood with every punch, and then Sasuke rallies and easily repels Naruto. When Sasuke repelled Naruto, he realised something. He felt a sudden burst of power radiating within him when he repelled Naruto. As a result, he is thrilled as he says, "Imagine the power!" as he has that smug look on his face. At that moment, Naruto realises that he is not the same as before. In other words, it is sad that Sasuke only cares about power more than his friend Naruto.

Sasuke tells Naruto that he doesn't dream of the future, only the past, as he recalls his close bond with his older brother, Itachi. The saddest thing is that he once had a close bond with Itachi. Judging from Sasuke's memories of Itachi carrying him as a kid on his back, it is clear that he still cares about Itachi. However, he is angry at Itachi for killing the whole Uchiha clan. Therefore, it is a love-hate relationship between Sasuke and Itachi; hence, they have a strained relationship. 

Naruto tries using force again and attacks Sasuke, but Sasuke dodges it, uses Dragon Flame Jutsu, and sends it towards Naruto. What makes it sad is that Sasuke is willing to inflict pain on his friend using his deadly jutsu. Did Naruto survive? The audience is left in suspense until they watch the next episode.

The episode was very reflective, as it showed Naruto's and Sasuke's memories. Moreover, it also showed that Sasuke would rather get power than go back to the Hidden Leaf Village.

The lesson from this episode is that friends can change and switch up on you, just like Sasuke, who no longer wants to go back to the village. It is important to understand that people will change.