Lilt
Jōnin Strategist 🧠
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2012
- Messages
- 2,195
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- 322
In terms of portrayal, everything about Itachi is a symbolism for divinity. Ravens are the messengers of the divine in Japanese mythology, and the legendary items Itachi possesses are from the imperial regalia, which serve to prove the Japanese emperor's divinity. The only other individual to have a regalia item is Rikudō Sennin. Most of Itachi's techniques are either named after gods, using divine messengers, or alter reality.
Minato, likewise, introduced two techniques named after gods in a short amount of time.
In terms of manga hype, Itachi was called completely invincible by an entity that knew Obito and Nagato, because of the legendary items only Itachi and Rikudō Sennin possess. Orochimaru, even before he lost his Edo Kages, revered Itachi as an impossible dream to defeat. Sage Kabuto said that Itachi was the most worthy of all the legendary ninja he had resurrected, and called Itachi a genius that had everything. Plus, Obito himself didn't dare to touch Konoha until Itachi died. Sasuke and Danzō, the only individuals to know Itachi's true colors, called Itachi either perfect, or nearly perfect.
Minato, likewise, is put on a huge pedestal by both his comrades and enemies.
In terms of narrative parallels, Itachi is Sasuke's Minato. He's approximately equal to Minato.
In terms of feats, Itachi has half a dozen top tier jutsu and Minato has one (Minato likely has more unknown.)
Also, the original post is wrong in stating that Itachi believed himself inferior to Obito. He called Obito a pathetic shell of his former self, whom he assumed to be the legendary Madara (with perfect Susano'o.) When he stated that only he could surpass "the invincible Madara," he was obviously not referring to the "pathetic shell," but instead of the legacy of the patriarchal Uchiha that, even to this day, the world believes only Hashirama can possibly stop. The "Madara" that Itachi knew hid in the shadows, to cautioius (a stark contrast from the awesome power of Madara) to even reveal himself as a member of Akatsuki up until Sasuke began to hunt Itachi and Itachi was planning to die.
It's clear that Itachi/Minato are only beneath the Madara/Hashirama tier.
Minato, likewise, introduced two techniques named after gods in a short amount of time.
In terms of manga hype, Itachi was called completely invincible by an entity that knew Obito and Nagato, because of the legendary items only Itachi and Rikudō Sennin possess. Orochimaru, even before he lost his Edo Kages, revered Itachi as an impossible dream to defeat. Sage Kabuto said that Itachi was the most worthy of all the legendary ninja he had resurrected, and called Itachi a genius that had everything. Plus, Obito himself didn't dare to touch Konoha until Itachi died. Sasuke and Danzō, the only individuals to know Itachi's true colors, called Itachi either perfect, or nearly perfect.
Minato, likewise, is put on a huge pedestal by both his comrades and enemies.
In terms of narrative parallels, Itachi is Sasuke's Minato. He's approximately equal to Minato.
In terms of feats, Itachi has half a dozen top tier jutsu and Minato has one (Minato likely has more unknown.)
Also, the original post is wrong in stating that Itachi believed himself inferior to Obito. He called Obito a pathetic shell of his former self, whom he assumed to be the legendary Madara (with perfect Susano'o.) When he stated that only he could surpass "the invincible Madara," he was obviously not referring to the "pathetic shell," but instead of the legacy of the patriarchal Uchiha that, even to this day, the world believes only Hashirama can possibly stop. The "Madara" that Itachi knew hid in the shadows, to cautioius (a stark contrast from the awesome power of Madara) to even reveal himself as a member of Akatsuki up until Sasuke began to hunt Itachi and Itachi was planning to die.
It's clear that Itachi/Minato are only beneath the Madara/Hashirama tier.
