Sasuke, the deuteragonist of Naruto, had a steep descent into vengeance. The once cool and collected character, who everyone had a minor crush on, became a cold and heartless man after the Uchiha clan massacre.
By choosing the path of revenge, Sasuke served as the perfect foil for Naruto, who decided to pursue peace instead. It was because of Sasuke that Naruto realized why revenge should not be chosen.
Many fans might have a love-hate relationship with Masashi Kishimoto due to Sasuke’s dark era, but the mangaka has declared once and for all that he will never regret his decisions and why they were important.
Why was Sasuke’s evil arc necessary in Naruto?
In an interview with Kana, Masashi Kishimoto discussed the differences between Naruto and Sasuke, and why it was necessary. According to Kishimoto, he deliberately made the two characters oppose each other in their thinking.
Naruto, as an orphan who has never known filial love, never realized Sasuke’s pain when he lost his parents. In Sasuke’s mind, he detested Naruto for not understanding his mourning. Naruto will understand Sasuke’s perspective only when he loses Jiraiya, who had become a foster parent to him. However, it’s too late, and he cannot talk to Sasuke about it anymore.
Naruto saw Sasuke delve into pain and suffering after the end of his clan. So when Naruto personally faced loss, he already knew which path he had to choose. He shows self-restraint and survives the pain, realizing that he must act in the public interest and not self-interest. This decision is what makes him the hero.
Sasuke’s Stance and Importance in Naruto’s Life All But Confirms Why His Death in Boruto is Unlikely
In the beginning of Naruto, the protagonist seems emotional and instinctive, while Sasuke is the unattached one with a calm head. Once faced with suffering, their characteristics change hands. Sasuke accumulates hatred, and Naruto acts to stop the bloody history from repeating itself.
Kishimoto Explains the Backgrounds of Naruto Villains
Masashi Kishimoto is more interested in how a character becomes a villain rather than just the end product. The psychological process of how they became villains intrigues the mangaka. Thus, he tries to make the readers feel empathy for a character who seems evil at first.
Kishimoto never wanted a villain who could not be reasoned with. Because then it would just be a repetition of any other Shonen story. Rather than focusing on the powers and action scenes of the enemy, he would rather tell how he became a monster.
If you are a Naruto fan, you are familiar with the villains who have faced traumatizing events before turning evil. Their backstories often make you empathize with them. According to Kishimoto, he always tries to hint at their past so the characters aren’t too simple and repetitive.
Making the readers identify with the character step by step has definitely worked for the author. No wonder Naruto is the giant Shonen series that it is.
You can find Sasuke’s descent into vengeance in Naruto, which is available to read on Viz Media.
