one thing I never understood about naihanchi (from observing it) : why fight from the side? sure an attack could come from the side, but why continue to hold ground and fight at that angle?
first natural reaction to an incoming attack: get out of the way and/or cover.
bonus points if you can redirect an attack INTO your counter.
Naihanchi seems counter-intuitive to a reflex response....or it could be I just never learned naihanchi (which I haven't, so it should be easy to defend against my argument).

btw, In the situation frame 1 of the oldman's strip...there is a simultaneous pull/strike notion in Goju - I think 'simple' would come to mind first before holding ground and recalling a sequence. but like I said, I don't know naihanchi.
