MasakoX and Vegeta are holding auditions for the voice of "The Princess" and "That-Old-Guy" for the Naruto Abridged Movie!!! [link]
I'm pretty tempted......
but I don't think I'll be able to submit a clean sounding entry, my speakers/recording device kind of suck XD XD

(WARNING!!!! This rant contains spoilers!!! You have been WARNED!!!)
You know, I've been looking around lately and seeing all the hatred towards Naruto and have begun to wonder why and what the series has done to earn so much negative feedback. It's pretty creative series with a lot of good ideas (and it's fair share of bad ones XD). But when you compare it to Bleach....Bleach has a lot of creative ideas (the Shinigami, Zanpakuto, Hollows, etc.)but when you get down to it, it's the typical story of a main character fighting for "justice" and saving the world from the evil that wants to destroy it. Naruto has it's cliche moments but instead of focusing on the salvation of the world, it's more about the bond between people, corruption of the heart, always striving for you dreams; there really is no single way to describe the story of Naruto. And while many believe Bleach has better artwork that Naruto, I love Kishi's artwork.
Naruto also has really good characters and good character development, not to mention his battles (while long and sometimes droning) usually break the stereotypical shonen style. Probably my favorite element about Naruto is its connection to Japanese Legend and Mythology. Kishi sets it up brilliantly! Sarutobi (the 3rd Hokage) is named after Sarutobi Sasuke (also the namesake of Uchiha Sasuke) the legend who was supposedly the first ninja and was rumored to have been raised by monkeys (hence why Sarutobi's summon is Enma-The Monkey King). We have Jiraya, Orochimaru and Tsunade, who were also named after legends that summoned, yep, frogs, snakes, and sulgs. Only, in the legend, Tsunade was Jiraya's wife, and both were killed by Orochimaru (only to be brought back to life) who was a former disciple of Jiraya.
The Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi and Susano we named after the Kami Siblings. Amaterasu was the goddess of the sun (hence the flames) Tsukuyomi the god of the moon (hence the moon that's always hanging the the background during the illusions) and Susano god of the sea (don't know if there is all connection there XD). The three were the children of Izanagi; Amaterasu was born when Izanagi washed out his left eye (also the eye that Itachi used to cast the Amaterasu), Tsukuyomi was born from the washing of the right eye (Itachi's eye for the Tsukuyomi), and Susano from the washing of the nose. Susano's ethereal "armor" that results acts as an extension of the users will, wielding a spirit sword, mirror shield and adorned with a pointy-nosed headpiece; this also references two of the three regalia treasures mentioned above using similar names, and the origins of Susano'o by legend of birth from the washing of Izanagi's nose. Also, according to legend, Susano fought the Yamato-no-Orochi (a giant eight-headed snake) whom he defeated and drew the Kusanagi from its tail. Sound familiar? When Itachi used Susano, he fought against Orochimaru who was in the form of a eight-headed serpent, and Orochimaru's sword was the Kusanagi.
There are a lot of things I could go on about, but I might make your eyes bleed XD
But we all know about Naruto's bad moments, my personal favorite being Nagato's quick change of heart after a five minute talk with Naruto...seriously Kishi? XD Also there's the newly discussed Moon's Eye Plan. While it's not stereotypical (ex. I want to destroy the world for no good reason) Madara wants to take over the world by brainwashing it to create peace. Normally I would applaud the unique goal but unfortunately Assassin's Creed beat Kishi to it XD.
None the less, this still doesn't explain the great despise towards the series. I hope I'm not the only one who says I'm a Naruto fan and people give me THE look (aka "Oh, you're one of those people.."). Thus I have come to the conclusion that it is the so-called "Narutards" that ruin the reputation of the series AND it's fans. Which makes much, much sense. Because no matter how good something is, Obsessive Hype completely destroys it! And I admit to once being one of those Tards and trust me when I say I am NEVER going back! That was a dark cruel place XD

Anyways, rant over!

I'm so excited! Almost a month before AC2 is release!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!
*Dances*
I can't wait to run through Renaissance Italy!!!! Yay!!!!