Naruto has no shortage of villains, but Itachi Uchiha was really something special. This anime series, like any other in the shonen genre, placed dozens of powerful enemies in the way of its protagonists. These bad guys ranged anywhere from traditional crime bosses to god-level threats bent on world domination. Still, there tends to be a common theme and motivation among Naruto and its antagonists. They aren’t often cut-and-dry evil. More than not, a baddie from this anime has a complex backstory and several layers of moral complexity.
Itachi is a prime example. From the very start of Naruto, this character was intriguing. There’s something is chilling about the idea of a teenage ninja prodigy turning on his own clan and murdering even his parents in front of his vulnerable little brother, Sasuke. What could have driven him to do it? Why was Sasuke spared? Naruto spends episode after episode exploring these questions as Sasuke embarks on a journey of vengeance. Itachi doesn’t make it easy, of course, and early on in the series, this villain explains why Sasuke isn’t yet ready for victory.
In Naruto episode 85, “Hate Among the Uchihas: The Last of the Clan!” (originally aired in Japan in 2004), Sasuke finally gets a chance to confront his brother, but it doesn’t go well. Despite all his training, the younger Uchiha isn’t nearly strong enough. Itachi points this out, telling Sasuke that he is still too weak. He tells his brother that he is missing a key ingredient for power and vengeance—rage.
“You are weak. Why are you so weak? Because you lack hatred”
Itachi’s words are made all the weightier by the genjutsu that follows. Sasuke is immediately forced by his brother to relive the memory of his parents’ murders over and over again. It seems the attack and words could be nothing but cruel, and in many ways, this is true. However, Naruto ultimately reveals that Itachi is far from heartless. He doesn’t just want to cause Sasuke needless suffering. In fact, his violent, seemingly treacherous behavior comes from a place of love.
Itachi Is The Tragically Complicated Anime Villain To Rule Them All
Itachi is essentially the poster child for Naruto‘s tragically complicated villains. While it’s confirmed that this character really did murder his entire clan (aside from Sasuke), it’s also revealed that he was ordered to do so by the village leaders themselves. Itachi took these drastic actions to avoid civil war and, more importantly, to protect his younger brother. So long as he did what was needed and continued to serve Konohagakure from the shadows, Sasuke would be protected. Still, where does that lesson of rage come in?
Given the reputation of the Uchiha and the clan’s tragic genocide, Itachi knew that life wouldn’t be easy for Sasuke. So, he fueled the younger boy’s rage with the intention that Sasuke would one day rise to defeat his older brother. This sacrifice would ensure that Sasuke would be treated as a hero, rather than the sole survivor of a tragic and troubled clan.
Of course, as is standard with anime villains, Itachi’s plan was misguided. Though this confrontation in Naruto episode 85 revealed that Sasuke was neither strong nor angry enough, Itachi got his wish over the next few years. Sasuke’s rage grew, and so did his strength. The trouble is that Sasuke didn’t get to revel in his victory over Itachi for long before he learned the truth and turned his vengeful rage against Konohagakure.
Naruto demonstrates time and time again that good, fair, and heartfelt intentions can quickly turn dark. The show also proves that these misunderstood villains are never too far gone. Pain, Obito, Orochimaru, Gaara, Zabuza—all the villains of Naruto and the broader world of anime sought to become untouchable. It’s what Itachi wanted for Sasuke, too. However, the truth that all the best shonen anime try to reveal is that, really, anyone is just one bad turn away from their villain origin story. Hatred breeds evil, but love has a way of winning out.
- Video Game(s)
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Naruto: Clash Of Ninja Revolution 3, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja (2003), Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, Naruto: Rise Of A Ninja, Naruto: The Broken Bond, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker, Naruto Shippuden Dragon Blade Chronicles, Naruto: Path Of The Ninja, Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections
- Cast
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Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei
- Latest Film
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Boruto: Naruto the Movie
