The Naruto franchise has introduced a ton of characters over the years—probably hundreds, if not thousands. Among all the heroes and villains who have crossed paths with Naruto Uzumaki, Itachi Uchiha stands out as one of the most beloved figures in the ninja world. Even though Itachi hasn’t been in the series for quite some time, fans are excited to celebrate a major milestone for Sasuke’s older brother. So, it seems like the perfect moment to explore what made Itachi such an iconic character, both his strengths and flaws.
Itachi Uchiha made his full debut in the Naruto anime 21 years ago. Right from the start, Sasuke Uchiha revealed his main mission: to defeat Itachi, who was responsible for the massacre of the Uchiha Clan. As a member of the villainous Akatsuki, Sasuke’s elder sibling posed a huge threat to the entire ninja world. With his powerful Sharingan, Itachi often operated in the shadows, but his presence loomed large over Sasuke and the Hidden Leaf Village alike.
### What Made Itachi Special?
Let’s dive into what made Itachi tick as a villain right from the outset. Wiping out an entire ninja clan is no small feat, and leaving Sasuke as an orphan highlighted the massive threat Itachi posed as a member of the Akatsuki. Although he didn’t get as much screen time early on compared to characters like Orochimaru, Itachi’s demeanor and role left a lasting impact on anime fans. Even among a group as colorful as the Akatsuki, Itachi carved out his own niche.
One of the series’ high points was Itachi’s unexpected arrival, aiming to kidnap Naruto for the Akatsuki. The chaos was only averted thanks to Jiraiya’s timely intervention. Itachi was always the calm, collected villain who didn’t appear to enjoy his misdeeds. This mysterious aura around him encouraged fans to uncover more about the eldest Uchiha.
### Does The Itachi Twist Hold Up?
You really can’t discuss Itachi without mentioning the massive twist revealed in Naruto: Shippuden. Itachi wiped out his clan on the behest of the Third Hokage, aiming to prevent the Uchiha’s plan to seize control of the Hidden Leaf Village. This twist brought new layers to Itachi’s character and sent Sasuke spiraling down a path of vengeance beyond just beating his big brother.
The reveal of Itachi’s true motives stirred up quite a bit of controversy. Him being a secret Konoha ally all along painted his actions in a different light. Sasuke’s ultimate showdown with Itachi felt deserved, yet it also pushed Sasuke into a deeper quest for revenge that threatened his Team 7 bonds. Although it chipped away at his villainous persona, it added complexity to the disgraced Uchiha character.
### Itachi Didn’t Come Back, But That’s Alright
When Sasuke finally dealt the fatal blow to Itachi, the series didn’t bring him back. Masashi Kishimoto’s creation has a history of character resurrections, but Itachi’s story ended on a solid note. Despite being long gone, the fact that we’re still talking about him shows Itachi—as Sasuke’s brother and Sarada’s uncle—remains a favorite among fans.
Curious about what’s next in the Naruto world? Keep up with Team Anime on MicroRant.com for all the latest on the Hidden Leaf Village. Feel free to reach out to me directly @EVComedy for any comic and anime chats!
