“I hate how people keep forgetting about Battle IQ”: Masashi Kishimoto Might Have Made Itachi Rely Too Much on Mangekyo Sharingan But Naruto Fans Believe He’s Still Formidable Without That

Fans believe Itachi's excellence doesn't only lie in his Sharingan but in his wits.

Itachi and Naruto

SUMMARY

  • Itachi is one of the characters seen in Naruto who is overly dependent on his Mangekyo Sharingan abilities, according to fans.
  • However, many fans argue that even without Mangekyo Sharingan, Itachi is on another level in terms of skills.
  • Explore the various aspects of Itachi’s abilities that make him truly one of a kind among ninjas.
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One of the most beloved characters in the Naruto series, Itachi Uchiha, is the subject of an ongoing debate that has reappeared among the community. Although fans have praised Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto for his detailed storytelling and complex character development, some feel that he made Itachi overly dependent on Mangekyo Sharingan’s skills.

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Itachi Uchiha The Uchiha Clan Massacre
Itachi Uchiha | Studio Pierrot

A key component of Itachi’s fighting technique has always been the Mangekyo Sharingan, a potent Dojutsu that grants its users incredible abilities like Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, and Susanoo. He is one of the most feared shinobi in the Naruto series because these skills are often seen as his trump cards in fights. However, some fans argue that Kishimoto may have overblown these skills to the point of overshadowing Itachi’s natural strategic and tactical excellence.

The Mangekyo Sharingan Debate and Overlooked Aspect of Itachi’s Skills

In a recent Reddit discussion, user Gremlin2471 raised a question about Itachi’s original powers with Mangekyo Sharingan. The debate around Itachi’s over-reliance on the Mangekyo Sharingan has generated numerous opinions online.

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Many fans think that Kishimoto intentionally portrayed Itachi’s dependence on the Mangekyo Sharingan to emphasize the costs and sacrifices that come with having such power. Many fans think that Kishimoto purposefully portrayed Itachi’s dependence on the Mangekyo Sharingan to emphasize the costs and sacrifices that come with having such power. The high price Itachi had to pay for his strength is expressed by the fact that the Mangekyo Sharingan’s skills often result in blindness and extreme physical pain.

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On the other hand, some fans expressed how people often undermine Itachi’s skills due to the display of his over-dependency on Mangekyo Sharingan. His strategic mind, quick thinking, and deep understanding of his opponents make him formidable even without his Sharingan. As a user stated,

I hate how people keep forgetting about battle IQ when assessing strength

Itachi’s battle intelligence is seen throughout the Naruto series. Beyond brute strength and powerful jutsu, his ability to predict attacks and outwit opponents, create detailed plans, and carry them out successfully, shows a degree of his strategic excellence.

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Itachi Uchiha reanimated in Naruto shippuden
Itachi Uchiha reanimated in Naruto Shippuden | Studio Pierrot

The battle IQ of Itachi is displayed in several instances like fights against Kakashi, Sasuke, and Nagato. According to fans, he would also have more stamina without his Mangekyo Sharingan along with his amazing Genjutsu and Taijutsu skills.

The Legacy of Itachi Uchiha

It’s obvious that Itachi didn’t need the Mangekyo to be a top-tier ninja, His ability to read situations, understand his enemies, and make split-second decisions is what makes him truly dangerous. From a young age, Itachi displayed extraordinary talent and intelligence, quickly rising through the ranks of the Hidden Leaf Village’s ninja forces.

Itachi from ANBU Black Ops | Studio Pierrot

Despite the ongoing discussion on Itachi Uchiha’s dependence on the Mangekyo Sharingan, one certain thing is that his persona represents a combination of tragedy, intelligence, and power that fans find extremely attractive. The legacy of Itachi symbolizes the values of sacrifice, duty, and love. Due to the powerful narrative of redemption, Itachi has become one of the most cherished characters not only in Naruto but in the whole anime and manga community.

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You can watch Naruto on Crunchyroll.

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Written by Moumita Chakraborty

Articles Published: 16

Moumita Chakraborty is an experienced content writer with a deep love for the colorful world of the Japanese anime industry. With an attention to detail and a solid understanding of anime culture, Moumita creates engaging articles, and analyses that hold readers' attention. Her writing explores the complex plots and character arcs that represent the genre in addition to highlighting the most recent releases and trends. Moumita hopes to foster ties with other anime lovers and add to the growing fandom through her work.