10 Profound Reasons Why Uchiha Itachi Is the Most Complex Character in Naruto

Feeling nostalgic? This week, I found myself rewatching Naruto, and I was reminded why Uchiha Itachi is my absolute favorite character of all time. Uchiha Itachi is undoubtedly the most complex character in Naruto and Naruto Shippuden. Initially, he appears as an antagonist in Naruto, leading us to cheer at his demise at the hands of his beloved younger brother, Sasuke. Fitting, right?

Definitely not! I was not ready for the plot twist. My heart just dropped when I learned about the shocking truth of the Uchiha Massacre. In this article, I will dive into the 10 reasons why Uchiha Itachi is, without a doubt, the most complex character in Naruto.

The Uchiha Massacre – A Moral Dilemma

Uchiha Itachi’s role in massacring his entire clan presents a moral dilemma. The anime initially introduces him as the antagonist. Unfortunately, after his death, we learn about his sacrifice and the higher purpose the massacre served in Naruto Shippuden.

The Uchiha Clan, along with the Senju Clan, is one of the founding clans of Konoha. Unlike the Senju clan, whose members are reduced to one—Senju Tsunade—the Uchiha Clan was prominent in numbers. The Uchiha Clan was prideful, arrogant, and powerful. When backed into a corner, it was inevitable that they would choose to retaliate through a coup.

The clan heir, Uchiha Itachi, and his cousin/best friend, Uchiha Shisui, despite their young age, are forced to become double spies, oscillating between their clan and their village. After his cousin’s death, Uchiha Itachi takes on the burden of massacring his clan for the greater good and leaving his younger brother alive.

The Sibling Bond with Sasuke

Itachi’s love for his younger brother, Sasuke, is the driving force behind his sacrifice. He loves Sasuke so much that he gives him a goal or an outlet for his hatred. Itachi believes that he is responsible for the massacre of his clan and that dying at the hands of Sasuke will absolve him of his sins.

In Naruto, Itachi pushes Sasuke towards his goal to make him stronger and safeguard him from his enemies. He doesn’t want Sasuke to learn the truth about his clan and village, which will weaken his loyalty towards his village. He doesn’t want Sasuke to have tainted memories of their clan. The complexity of their sibling bond, which is built on love and grief, adds more depth to Itachi’s character.

The Burden of Duty

Itachi was just thirteen years old when the burden to eliminate his clan fell upon his shoulders. The elders and shinobi in power in Konoha turn out to be so incompetent that to avoid embroiling Konoha in a civil war, he eradicates his clan. He sacrifices his life, his family’s lives, and innocent members of the Uchiha Clan for the greater good. His situation highlights the inner conflict between duty and personal emotions.

The Unseen Heroism

Itachi is introduced to us as a villain in Naruto. We hear about Sasuke’s genius older brother, who went mad, suffered a psychotic break, and murdered his clan as a result. He’s been delegated as a cautionary tale that highlights the consequences of graduating a child even if he’s a prodigy. He’s a member of Akatsuki, a terrorist organization committing crimes and wreaking havoc in their world.

In Naruto Shippuden, we learn the truth about Itachi. He’s an unseen hero, working in the shadows, sacrificing his life, happiness, and his clan for the good of Konoha and his younger brother. He doesn’t want any praise or admiration for his actions. This makes him the most selfless character in Naruto.

A Master of Strategy and Manipulation

Uchiha Itachi is one of the most powerful characters in Naruto. He’s not just physically powerful; he is a master of strategy and manipulation too. He is a genius strategist who excels at manipulating and outmaneuvering his opponents to achieve his goals. His ability to outwit his enemies and their schemes without using brute force—confronting Sasuke and evading Akatsuki’s traps—demonstrates his brilliant mind.

The Tragic Hero Archetype

Uchiha Itachi embodies the Tragic Hero Archetype, a literary concept that has roots in ancient Greek tragedy, perfectly. His actions cause his downfall, and his redemptions come at a great cost and personal sacrifice. His life is defined by tragedy, which invokes feelings of admiration, pity, and empathy, which shows the complexity of his character. The downfall of the tragic hero often serves as a cautionary tale, which is true in the case of Uchiha Itachi.

Psychological Complexity

Itachi’s mind is embroiled in psychological turmoil. His internal conflict is integral to his character. His decision to eliminate his clan weighs heavily on his mind. He constantly grapples with the results of the decision. He has a calm demeanor that hides a tortured and broken soul that longs for peace. Uchiha Itachi, at heart, has always been a pacifist.

The Mangekyou Sharingan and Its Curse

The Mangekyou Sharingan is the ultimate power-up in Naruto. Legendary characters such as Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Izuna, Uchiha Kagami, Uchiha Shisui, and more were wielders of Mangekyou Sharingan. The power comes at a high cost. It’s a symbol of emotional and physical suffering.

Uchiha Itachi’s Mangekyou develops when he witnesses Uchiha Shisui’s death. His eye techniques, Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu, highlight the mental anguish and physical pain he can’t escape from. His powers are a double-edged sword, resulting in his success and the devastation of his body.

The Hidden Truths About His Actions

The hidden complexity of his character is centered around the gradual reveal of the truth of his actions. Initially, he is viewed as a ruthless killer, but his true motivations are concealed from us and only revealed in the later part of the series.

He is excellent at playing a villain and deception, making the audience ponder about his true mission and his loyalty to Konoha. Uchiha Itachi keeps the charade of being a villain until his death at the hands of Sasuke.

A Legacy of Contradictions

Uchiha Itachi is a figure of contradiction—he’s a hero as well as a villain, the older brother who seeks to protect his younger brother, the one who causes him immense grief and pain, and the one who destroys his clan to save it from a greater conflict. His legacy is filled with contradictions, which makes his character endlessly intriguing. We cannot characterize his actions as black and white or good and evil.

To conclude, Uchiha Itachi is one of the most complex characters in Naruto. His true motivation, his objectives, and his goals are all hidden from our sight, leaving us guessing. They are gradually revealed in the end. He is a true shinobi who operates in the shadows, working for the greater good while keeping others in the dark.

If you liked this article, check out my review of The Grand Budapest Hotel; read it here. Don’t forget to share the article if you like it.