Oh. come on, Chouji outplayed his charecter two years ago. it's all downhill from there... all he can do now is take hits from enemies and 'OMFG!' from new jutsus...

face it, he's wasting precious screen time, he won't ever get a chance to go out with a bang like when he fought Jirouwhatshisname...

Sai, on the other hand, never even got to do something important, but will probably become the most liked charecter with female viewers when he reaches the anime. it'll be like visiting a X 1999 fanclub gathering..