awesome episode, i dunno my eye's must be broken or something cause i though the animation was great, specially the sand and bird chase scene (thats a first btw in chase scenes - killer sand chasing guy on bird through streets of city).

though i must admit the animation of gaara controling the sand seemed wierd to say the least. i much prefer it when he stands with his arms folded and controls the sand.

i'm really dying to see some new jitsu's though, it seems the animators want to keep us in suspense for a little while longer. all the jitsu's used thus far have been seen befor
i especially want to see the results of the new bond that naruto and kyubi seem to have (refer to teaser bit of shipuden ep1).
it seems that Garra has also come to terms with shikaku of the sand also. well at least he's no longer foaming at the mouth when he uses the sand ball shield or the arms of shikaku.