Japanese Soft Power - Is Naruto a State Led Operation?

What if the reason Naruto has been more about talk than awesome jutsu lately is becasue the state of Japan has taken over the production of Naruto in order to not only create a better image of Japan but also to exert soft power over China? It may sound crazy but try to follow my logic.

1) Soft power is a concept created by Joesph Nye that states that countries will try to create power over other countries using attractive qualities of the state. Meaning that just by looking cool, Japan could be trying to exert power over other nations. Scholars have largely concluded that this hasn't worked too well for Japan, even though Japan is rated as having the top ten highest soft powers of all nations.

2) Naruto's message since the Pain arc has been to forgive and end the cycles of hatred that have been going on. Forgive and forget. Then the world will know true peace.

3) Japan was one of the most vicious nations before WWII, when it attacked China. It's wartime atrocities were legendary. To this day, Chinese and Koreans distrust and hate the Japanese.

4) Despite this, the Chinese and Koreans still consume anime.

5) What if the Japanese government has influenced Kishimoto to write about ending the cycles of hatred, forgiving and forgetting; in order to better relations with China and Korea, using Naruto as a soft power resource? Its possible that this is all an elaborate plot to bring world peace, or to better relations with other countries for economic and political benefit.

I developed this theory while writing a research paper on the soft power of Japan, which sadly I need to return to writing. As for the Naruto chapters lately, I can't wait to see what happens with Madara. Also I don't like that Obito is being forgiven so easily, but it is the entire moral of Naruto to end the cycles of hatred. Although no one liked Obito, people would still be mad at Kohnaha for his death, either because he came from Kohnaha or becasue they will be jealous that only leaf village shinobi actually killed him.  So it works, and improves the overall story, even though it lessens the action currently occurring. I do want to see a rasenganori, or Karin, or something from Sasuke. Let's see if Madara can be defeated!

Naruto 652 - Obito finished

Well Obito is having a stage of regrett and reminiscense. This must mean he is either going to die or go to the good side. More likely he is going to have a turnover moment like nagato did. So we finally get an end to the conflict, obito could get an enlightenment, and he will most likely die. Can't wait to see how naruto gets to change him around!

Naruto 651- obito defeated?

Well finally obito has his defenses penetrated by a combination naruto and sasuke attack. I'm really tired so I will just say that was really cool.

Naruto 650-Pure Awesome

This chapter was incredible. Seeing naruto and sasuke get shut down by obito, and then get up and form a combination nine tailed susanoo. Guah. The action was great and obito is as unstoppable as ever, but kakashi is hinting at a friendship no jutsu to stop obito in the end. I'm glad he is back.

Naruto 649-shikamaru survives

So this chapter showed Shikamaru surviving his lethal injury. I'm getting slightly irritated by the lack of action and continuous survival of Naruto's friends. Especially when Shikamaru was hit with an attck that killed everyone else instantly. Can't wait to see Naruto and Sasuke do something.

Naruto 648-Sasuke's sage mode

Most of this chapter was flashback. Although flashbacks provide good knowledge and make re-reads more enjoyable, it is a short term annoyance. Also the many two pages frames greatly shortened the chapter. That said I will focus on the current parts of the chapter. First of all, Naruto took minato's half of the nine tails. This allowed him to re gain full nine tailed mode even though his chakra was previously sucked out.

Also Sasuke seems have always had a sage mode of his own. The curse mark originated from juugo's sage mode like abilities. It so follows that he can coat his susanoo in curse mark chakra by having juugo close inside. Sasuke knows the curse mark so well, that he can use the chakra output from juugo to make his attacks just as effective as naruto's. Obito has no chance. I loved that frame with both of them attacking at the same time.

Second hokage said that sasuke csn surpass madara which isnt surprising, the question is when. Will it happen in this battle, against naruto later, or later as hokage?  Only time will tell. Weird how Obito plans on killing Naruto and Sasuke. I thought he had plans for them. I predit a look into those plans in the coming chapters, as well as somr serious smackdowns by naruto and sasuke.

Naruto 647-Shikamaru dies? Sasuke Attacks

This is one of the best chapters in a while. The tree killed so many people, and it even got Shikamaru! Now he is on the edge of life and death. It was really sad to see. Naruto looks like he is out for the count, and the kages/ orochimaru are only just starting to show up. The alliance moral is low, and the first hokage's encouragment isn't working. Obito sends another giant section of tree at the alliance. Right before the massacre, guess who shows up to save the day? Sasuke-kun!

Sasuke goes into his susannoo mode that usually shoots arrows, but this time it has a sword. It slices through the tree root, which is the size of a small mountain and Sasuke says "naruto is that all you got, I'm just getting started." Friggin beast! Then naruto has a series of flashbacks reminding you of naruto's failures and regrets, triggering saddness. Then everyone gains moral (naruto kicks first hokages's ass in that department). Naruto goes full beast mode and the two of them look ready to rip it up. I can't wait to see them race to the top of that tree!