Lilt
Jōnin Strategist 🧠
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2012
- Messages
- 2,195
- Reaction score
- 322
Basically, Kishimoto gave enough hype-ammo for Itachi to arguably beat anybody.
Best genjutsu
Itachi had unshown genjutsu-powers to control multiple ninja from eye-contact, regardless of level up to Sage Kabuto. This ability was referenced by Nagato and Shikaku as being able to influence an entire world war. That sort of hype basically makes Itachi an outlier in genjutsu comparable to how Minato's an outlier in speed, and if this were Itachi's one and only gimmick, he could still be argued as being top tier.
Best ninjutsu
Itachi's ninjutsu had tools that gave him an absolutely perfect offense and an absolutely perfect defense, meaning that his killing blows cannot be avoided and his defense cannot be penetrated. Black Zetsu, Madara's Yin, essentially confirmed this. If these items were given to Edo Tobirama, then there'd be a reason for people on this forum to rank him in the top 10. They would need nothing else. Orochimaru had Edo Tensei and Hashirama's DNA, yet he still kept searching for the sword.
Best weapon use
Itachi's basic physical skills forced both Sharingan Sasuke and Killer Bee to use transformations. Itachi's just too fast, even though Sasuke was summoning shuriken straight to his hands to cut down on time, Itachi used clones and flickers without the Sharingan even noticing. Itachi was said to fight differently (i.e. go easier on Sasuke) and Killer Bee needed constant warnings and assistance concerning Itachi's movements, too. Itachi's throwing/positioning ability is such that Kabuto said that they couldn't be dodged and that Itachi was just too damn good.
Best intelligence
Simply put, nobody has specific intelligence hype like Itachi, who was stated to be unlike any other in terms of reading his opponents and finding jutsu weaknesses. Shikamaru has neither of those abilities, but Itachi has Shikamaru's ability to plan out entire fights in advance, according to Obito. Itachi excels to the top, or near-top, in just about every other area of intelligence too, but those aren't relevant to battle, so I won't bother covering them.
Best praise
Simply put: Kishimoto has had all the top dogs in Narutoverse extravagantly praise Itachi. Hashirama, Madara, Kabuto, Orochimaru, Obito, and many other lesser names have all directly or indirectly given Itachi substantial praise as a shinobi; many have done so multiple times. And these are all people that would chuckle at Hanzou dealing out "Sannin" hype. Itachi wasn't famous, for his sacrifices and accomplishments were carried out in secrets and shadows, but the greats that knew about his actions clearly hold Itachi to the absolute highest level of respect, beyond Sannin, Hanzou, or ordinary heroes.
Held back
In all of Itachi's fights, the author makes it extremely clear that he was held back (often in multiple ways,) bar none. And when he wasn't, Itachi was never so much as scratched or fatigued after his foes went down. This is why fans will always be able to fall back on hype and argue about Itachi's chances against top tiers, no matter what. Itachi has never been hit unless holding back, and he his arsenal has never failed to defeat anybody unless he was holding back.
Conclusion
Basically, if any of of these areas of hype were doled out to Tobirama, the forum would be going crazy about him being top tier from that showing or hype. Yet Itachi is such obvious overkill that it draws in too many fans, and with too many fans, there is an equal and opposite force of anti-fans. Still, Kishimoto left all this out there specifically so Itachi's power would be elite, but ultimately indeterminate relative to other top tiers.
This explains why there are fanatical Itachi fans, who embrace all of the hype that would indicate Itachi could potentially trounce anybody, and fanatical anti-fans that reject all hype and essentially believe sick Itachi against Hebi Sasuke was the only real version, and is thus an average Kage (Kakuzu, Tsunade, Mei) level. This polarity both repulses and attracts posters and is why there is a perpetual debate about Itachi, more than any other character.
Best genjutsu
Itachi had unshown genjutsu-powers to control multiple ninja from eye-contact, regardless of level up to Sage Kabuto. This ability was referenced by Nagato and Shikaku as being able to influence an entire world war. That sort of hype basically makes Itachi an outlier in genjutsu comparable to how Minato's an outlier in speed, and if this were Itachi's one and only gimmick, he could still be argued as being top tier.
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
Best ninjutsu
Itachi's ninjutsu had tools that gave him an absolutely perfect offense and an absolutely perfect defense, meaning that his killing blows cannot be avoided and his defense cannot be penetrated. Black Zetsu, Madara's Yin, essentially confirmed this. If these items were given to Edo Tobirama, then there'd be a reason for people on this forum to rank him in the top 10. They would need nothing else. Orochimaru had Edo Tensei and Hashirama's DNA, yet he still kept searching for the sword.
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
Best weapon use
Itachi's basic physical skills forced both Sharingan Sasuke and Killer Bee to use transformations. Itachi's just too fast, even though Sasuke was summoning shuriken straight to his hands to cut down on time, Itachi used clones and flickers without the Sharingan even noticing. Itachi was said to fight differently (i.e. go easier on Sasuke) and Killer Bee needed constant warnings and assistance concerning Itachi's movements, too. Itachi's throwing/positioning ability is such that Kabuto said that they couldn't be dodged and that Itachi was just too damn good.
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
Best intelligence
Simply put, nobody has specific intelligence hype like Itachi, who was stated to be unlike any other in terms of reading his opponents and finding jutsu weaknesses. Shikamaru has neither of those abilities, but Itachi has Shikamaru's ability to plan out entire fights in advance, according to Obito. Itachi excels to the top, or near-top, in just about every other area of intelligence too, but those aren't relevant to battle, so I won't bother covering them.
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
Best praise
Simply put: Kishimoto has had all the top dogs in Narutoverse extravagantly praise Itachi. Hashirama, Madara, Kabuto, Orochimaru, Obito, and many other lesser names have all directly or indirectly given Itachi substantial praise as a shinobi; many have done so multiple times. And these are all people that would chuckle at Hanzou dealing out "Sannin" hype. Itachi wasn't famous, for his sacrifices and accomplishments were carried out in secrets and shadows, but the greats that knew about his actions clearly hold Itachi to the absolute highest level of respect, beyond Sannin, Hanzou, or ordinary heroes.
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
Held back
In all of Itachi's fights, the author makes it extremely clear that he was held back (often in multiple ways,) bar none. And when he wasn't, Itachi was never so much as scratched or fatigued after his foes went down. This is why fans will always be able to fall back on hype and argue about Itachi's chances against top tiers, no matter what. Itachi has never been hit unless holding back, and he his arsenal has never failed to defeat anybody unless he was holding back.
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
Conclusion
Basically, if any of of these areas of hype were doled out to Tobirama, the forum would be going crazy about him being top tier from that showing or hype. Yet Itachi is such obvious overkill that it draws in too many fans, and with too many fans, there is an equal and opposite force of anti-fans. Still, Kishimoto left all this out there specifically so Itachi's power would be elite, but ultimately indeterminate relative to other top tiers.
This explains why there are fanatical Itachi fans, who embrace all of the hype that would indicate Itachi could potentially trounce anybody, and fanatical anti-fans that reject all hype and essentially believe sick Itachi against Hebi Sasuke was the only real version, and is thus an average Kage (Kakuzu, Tsunade, Mei) level. This polarity both repulses and attracts posters and is why there is a perpetual debate about Itachi, more than any other character.
Last edited:
