Shippuuden ep 80 - spoilers in discussion

[SonRyu]

Again, topic discussion, so it watch first or be spoiled.

Ok, here are my 2 gripes:

1) "Akatsuki Leaders" new voice just didn't seem right to me. I think I liked his place holder voice from pre-season 1 filler better.

2) I know Shikamaru is under age and all, but seriously, the animators CUT OUT his own smoking of a cigarette... that made the scene much more meaningful in my opinion. I wish that scene had been left intact.

[f2akid]

The animation was almost movie-like in this episode.

This arc has been done pretty well so far, even if around half of each episode is filler moments anyway. I hope the second half of the arc is equally as epic if not more.

[Ichigo-]

Well made episode overall, I liked how Asuma set everyone down and gave them his last words. I find how Asuma tells Shikamaru interesting in where Shikamaru will become a great Hokage? Perhaps a sneak peak towards the future of Konoha?