It’s rather interesting how this episode plays out. For some reason, I figured it would have been done better. I’m not disappointed, but it’s a huge part of the story and I was left wanting. If there was a moment to spend a bit more time on the animation, I thought this was it.

In the first half of the episode, we see Kabuto and Orochimaru talking about their plans and strategy. This acts as a review of a large part of the series story, going all the way back to the Chuunin exams, probably almost 2 years ago now. They review how Orochimaru tested, watched, and tested again Sasuke’s skills to see if he was worthy of being inhabited by Orochimaru. Meanwhile, Sasuke sits in meditation in his room. As Kabuto leaves, commenting on how Orochimaru’s body is wearing down and won’t last much longer, Sasuke get’s up. While Orochimaru sits in his bed, pondering on how he would take over Sasuke’s body, a blade flies through the door at Orochimaru. Barely blocking it by letting it stab him in his arms, the door then gives way to Sasuke, holding the blade. Sasuke tells Orochimaru how his drive for revenge would have let him do anything, even giving up his body. However, Sasuke didn’t like how Orochimaru did things, nor did he thing Orochimaru was strong enough. Sasuke approaches Orochimaru, and just before giving the final blow, something flies out of Orochimaru’s mouth. Now we see his true form. After so many experiments and tests and manipulations to his own body, Orochimaru had turned into a great white snake, with a human-like head. With snakes coming off his body, Orochimaru surrounds Sasuke. Using the seal on his neck, Sasuke transforms freeing himself.
And with that, the episode ends. We are left wait for the final part of the battle for next week. It’s going to be great!

In case you just can’t die without know what in the world happened the past 20 episodes or so, let me fill you in: Nothing. At least nothing that is really going to make a difference in the show. Allow me to explain:

The filler arc started with a lone ninja sending off word that he may have found Orochimaru’s hideout. Of course, Konoha sends off our familiar ninjas to investigate. Meanwhile, Kabuto enlists the help of a women named Guren whom he expects to fulfill a certain mission in return for him taking over her body. She has a unique ability to create crystal out of anything. She grabs a posse of bad guys and they head out. Their mission, as it turns out, is to protect a boy who has a mysterious ability. We find out later that he has the ability to control one of the tailed beasts, the three tails (also called “sanbi”).
While Konoha is on it’s way to investigate Orochimaru, and while Guren on the way to the lake where the Sanbi is found, the groups naturally clash. Afterward, Naruto runs into the boy (called Yuukimaru) who controls the beast. Naruto makes a statement that will haunt if you watch these episodes. He says as long as someone is thinking of you, you have a place to return to. I think it was said an average of about FIVE times each episode following that. It was the most redundant statement I’ve seen in a series.
I’m getting frustrated writing this thing. Let me finish quick. Both parties end up at the lake with the Sanbi. Konoha tries to permanently seal the tailed beast, while Guren and gang try to stop them. While all of this is happening, Guren starts to care for Yuukimaru, and eventually turns sides and decides to protect him. Her gang members are manipulated and killed off by Kabuto, and in a final desperate attack, Guren takes out Kabuto with herself.
Now it gets lame. After many a battle with the tailed beast, and trying to control the creature, (everyone actually gives up by now and just leaves) Akatsuki come in, knock the thing out and drag it away in five minutes. Rediculous.
While they’re doing that, Guren Miraculously survives, and goes back to take care of Yuukimaru, while Kabuto reports to orochimaru and Konoha returns and prepares for other things.

Honestly, there were a few moments where the animation was pretty cool, but for the most part the story was redundant, predictable, and just obnoxious. There are only a couple moments of cannon within the whole story, but for the most part, it just deviates and doesn’t do anything for the overall story.

It was a rather long haul, with hardly any story actually happening in the process, but we are now going to be moving on once again with the real story. As such, expect a review of the past few episodes and for reviews and new videos to be posted shortly.