For one of the best and most popular was Itachi Uchiha, Sasuke’s older brother.

Although the man was far from being a main cast member, as his appearances in the manga were few and far between, there is no denying his impact on audiences. Itachi is not only one of the smartest characters in the series, but also a masterful tactician, a determined fighter, and a kind person. He was everything a true Shinobi needed to be, and he deserves all the respect fans have for his character.

Itachi Is Among the Greatest Shinobi Ever

He Is More Than Just a Natural Genius

Itachi Uchiha, best known for being the perpetrator behind his clan’s massacre, one of Naruto’s darkest moments, is perhaps one of the most popular ninjas in the show. He was a prodigy, raised from infancy to be the pride and joy of his family, being considered the most talented and powerful shinobi of his generation. Since he was a child, Itachi demonstrated abilities that went far beyond most other warriors, with even the Hokage surprised by his skills. Most people in Konoha ired the boy for his impressive achievements and ushered in another wave of respect for the Uchiha Clan.

A large majority of the fandom loves Itachi for his serious demeanor, incredible abilities, and iconic design. Even during his time as a villain, when most viewers believed he had killed his family in pursuit of power, audiences could not help but feel intrigued by the rogue ninja. Itachi was a character that allowed readers to see the level of genius of Masashi Kishimoto, the author of the series, as he was an amazingly written character. He did not need to be given impossibly powerful Jutsu or mystical beasts to shine.

While Itachi may have been born with superior skills, a majority of his accomplishments were the product of his hard work and dedication. If not for his constant training, the boy would not have been able to unlock his Sharingan at a young age. Being able to adapt this technique to his combat style, considered to be one of the strongest in the series, helped him advance quickly as a Shinobi. With Itachi, the author gave readers an idea of what an ideal shinobi was like, at least until he was forced to betray his family.

Itachi Is Not a Perfect Man or Character

Kishimoto Focused on His Flaws

As most anime fans might be aware, having an extremely powerful character with no whisper of any flaws is one of the worst mistakes a series can make. Fortunately, Itachi was not a victim of this trend, as Kishimoto made sure to include several traits that also held the ninja back in some way. Despite being a true genius, Itachi had a hard time fitting into society, choosing to isolate himself whenever possible. The man not only pushed away most of his peers but his family as well, an issue that only increased when the Uchiha coup was being planned behind the scenes.

If not for Shisui and Izumi, his tragic secret lover, Itachi would have become a loner, not unlike his mentor, Kakashi. The boy was also quite a pushover during his childhood, following orders from anyone in a position of power. This was mostly born from his father’s influence to forgo anything that would not prove beneficial for his career, as well as his inability to understand social cues. Nonetheless, Itachi’s biggest flaw might have been what made him famous in the first place.

While it can be argued that the Uchiha clan could not be reasoned with, as they had suffered greatly at the hands of the previous Hokages, the man was too quick to side with Hiruzen. His loyalty to the Hidden Leaf and desire to follow authority blinded him to any other option, like killing Danzo and using Shisui’s Kotoamatsukami to save his family. This led him to one of the worst decisions any character has ever taken in the franchise, one that caused extreme suffering and backlash within the narrative.

Sasuke’s Crimes Were Born Because of Itachi

Itachi's Action Sealed His Brother’s Fate

To prevent his brother from sharing the same tragic end as the rest of their family, Itachi decided to spare his life and become a ruthless criminal in the boy’s eyes. At the time, the man believed that his choice would allow Sasuke to pursue a better life, without realizing how much damage he had caused to the boy. Seeing his idol killing his parents and relatives made the younger Uchiha grow resentful of the world. Sasuke’s desire to avenge his clan was the main reason he betrayed Konoha and became a traitor, a trend that would be repeated in Boruto.

If Itachi had spared Sasuke from the torture of seeing his family die or had not mocked him for being weak, many problems would have been avoided. Yet, this development is exactly why Itachi became such an interesting character to the audience. He never claimed to have made the best decision, and it was hinted that he had grown regretful of what he did. Despite being seen as a genius and a legend among ninjas, he was just as human as the rest of the cast.

Itachi Uchiha Will Forever Be Iconic

The Wayward Ninja Is an Example of How Amazing Naruto Is

When Itachi was first introduced to the Naruto series, he was seen as an unbeatable villain who would stop at nothing until his nefarious goals were met. As the story progressed, Kishimoto made sure to break this illusion, demonstrating how the oldest Uchiha brother was just a kind but misguided teenager who wanted to see his sibling prosper. Itachi is an amazing example of the deep and compelling writing style of this beloved series. His tragic backstory, memorable personality, and impressive fighting abilities will help the mighty Akatsuki Member live forever in the hearts of fans.