Naruto’s Anime Brought Us Its Best Antihero 21 Years Ago (And Changed the Series Forever)

by

The Naruto universe boasts numerous heroes and villains, ninjas who’ve intertwined with Naruto Uzumaki’s life throughout the shonen series. However, one character has stood out as a crowd favorite, ruling the Ninja World. Itachi Uchiha may not have appeared in the series for quite some time, but his fans are marking a significant anniversary for Sasuke’s elder brother. To commemorate this grand event, we decided to explore what made Itachi such an engaging character, flaws and all.

Initiating our discussion, Itachi Uchiha made his debut in the Naruto anime adaptation twenty-one years ago. Being an early character in the shonen series, Sasuke Uchiha aimed to avenge his brother’s actions as Itachi was held responsible for the demise of the Uchiha Clan. Teaming up with the malevolent Akatsuki, Itachi, now a villain, posed a significant danger to the broader ninja community. Utilizing the formidable power of the Sharingan, the sinister Uchiha often operated covertly, but his presence cast a long and ominous shadow over both Sasuke and the Hidden Leaf Village at large.

What Made Itachi Work?

Let’s examine why Itachi was an impressive villain initially. Killing off an entire ninja clan isn’t something that happens casually, and it played a significant role in turning Sasuke into an orphan, thereby heightening the danger posed by Itachi as a member of Akatsuki. Additionally, even though Itachi didn’t appear frequently at the start like Orochimaru, his character and impact on the storyline resonated with anime fans. Despite being part of a group of villainous characters, Itachi managed to establish a unique identity for himself within the series.

In the anime series, Itachi’s unexpected entrance remains one of the most impactful moments for shonen genre enthusiasts. He suddenly appeared to abduct Naruto, serving the Akatsuki’s objectives. Fortunately for the future Seventh Hokage, Jiraiya intervened at a crucial juncture. Throughout the storyline, Itachi has been portrayed as a cool, composed antagonist, seemingly devoid of any joy from his villainous actions. This enigma surrounding his character sparked curiosity among fans, who eagerly awaited more revelations about the elder Uchiha’s personality.

Does The Itachi Twist Work?

Absolutely, discussing Itachi Uchiha wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the shocking revelation concerning Sasuke’s kin. During the Naruto: Shippuden series, it was disclosed that Itachi ordered the slaughter of his own family and clan at the bidding of the Third Hokage. The Uchihas aimed to seize control over the Hidden Leaf Village and eradicate anyone who opposed them. By executing his kin, Itachi thwarted their plans and infiltrated the Akatsuki, effectively sacrificing his future for the greater good. This twist significantly deepened Itachi’s character and propelled Sasuke on a vengeful journey that transcended the desire to merely defeat his elder brother.

The decision to unveil Itachi’s genuine reasons was quite debatable back then, leading many to view him as a secret agent for Konoha throughout his time. His demise at the hands of his brother Sasuke seemed justified, but it set Sasuke on a destructive path of vengeance that threatened to engulf his comrades from Team 7. Although it diminished Itachi’s villainous intentions, it demonstrated that there were complexities within the Uchiha clan who had fallen from grace.

Itachi Would Never Return But That’s Ok

After Sasuke fatally struck his elder brother Itachi, it was clear that Itachi would not reappear in the shonen series created by Masashi Kishimoto. Although the series is known for reviving characters, Itachi’s story had a very fulfilling ending. Even long after Itachi’s death, our ongoing conversations about his significance in the anime world demonstrate that Sasuke’s older brother and Sarada’s uncle continues to captivate fans.

Read More

2025-04-29 18:18