Itachi: Analyzing the moral ambiguity of Naruto's perfect anti-hero

The Naruto series is arguably one of the most popular shonen titles. There are very few animanga series that have enjoyed the success this one has. Masashi Kishimoto did a brilliant job in creating an array of complex characters. Furthermore, the illustrations were quite aesthetically appealing, and they complemented the gripping storyline that continued for over a decade.

It’s impossible to talk about well-written characters without bringing up Itachi Uchiha. He is one of the strongest members of the Uchiha Clan. This shinobi was considered a prodigy, having become the leader of the ANBU Black Ops at a very young age. Furthermore, his ninjutsu prowess made him one of the most feared shinobi in the country.

However, his skills aren’t the only reason why fans love him. His moral ambiguity made him one of the best anti-heroes of all time. Moral ambiguity is an interesting concept to explore through a character because their progression as individuals seems quite organic. No human being is inherently good, and everyone faces an internal struggle between good and evil. Characters like Itachi present this struggle in a very poignant manner, which is what makes them popular among ardent fans of the series.

Itachi was forced to commit the heinous act of killing his entire clan in the Naruto series. His people were about to stage a coup that would have resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. The Uchiha Clan was suffering from a systemic issue that dated back hundreds of years. However, Danzo gave Itachi the option of killing his entire clan in exchange for his brother’s life. Sasuke’s life would be spared if he killed his parents and the rest of his clan members.

The Naruto series constantly showcased Itachi’s struggle of wanting to do the right thing, but also his urge to save his brother. In the end, he chose his brother and killed his entire clan. He also realized that the hate Sasuke would harbor would make him stronger and awaken his Sharingan.

Itachi’s role in Naruto

Itachi Uchiha, as mentioned earlier, plays the role of an anti-hero. His heinous acts were necessary in order for the deuteragonist to become stronger. Sasuke always had a ton of potential. However, he needed a certain environment for his skills to grow. This is because he is, at the end of the day, an Uchiha Clan member.

This means that the Uchiha Curse is the reason for his drastic improvement in combat abilities. Itachi had a direct role to play in Sasuke’s growth, since the latter not only managed to evolve his Sharingan to a Mangekyo Sharingan, but also managed to obtain the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan as well.

He also played an important role in shaping Sasuke’s ideals, which ultimately made him the person he is today. Sasuke was initially filled with rage and hatred. However, he soon realized that all that Itachi did was for the safety of his younger brother. Furthermore, his death in the Naruto series was one of the most emotionally impactful moments.

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The juxtaposition of Itachi’s cold-blooded decisiveness and his love for Sasuke is exceptionally entertaining to watch. It’s his duality that makes Itachi one of the best anti-heroes, not only in Naruto, but in all of anime. This is why Itachi’s moral ambiguity makes him one of the most entertaining characters in the series.

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