Specific frames, like Pain's distorted face while being hit, became legendary memes within the anime community.
The team utilized "smear frames" and exaggerated physics to convey the raw, god-like power of the combatants.
The episode originally aired in mid-2010 and remains a frequent topic of debate on platforms like Reddit and YouTube regarding whether "style over substance" was the right choice for such a serious moment.
While some fans criticized the "Looney Tunes" or "goofy" look of certain frames—such as Pain's face being distorted by wind pressure—many animation enthusiasts now view it as a masterpiece of fluid movement and experimental character acting. Cultural Impact