Uchiha Itachi, Kishimoto's best written character.

[Romy9]

Sure we can, he was pacifist and when presented with two options, he chosen what he thought to be the lesser evil.

But thats my problem with him, it's too simple, too 'leave me alone'. Uchiha like madara, Obito, sasuke fought for the third option, for the options they wanted.

A man should forge his own fate, Itachi didnt, he opted to be tormented.

Agreed, but I can't rationalize it if I put myself in his shoes. I wouldn't be able to make a choice, or that choice at least. It's too crazy and yet I see the purpose.

Well, he since he was a pacifist, he couldn't take the road of Madara/Obito/Sasuke. They were all under the pressure of ruling with authority of power. Itachi sacrificed himself , to say that exact word, so he could somehow accomplish what Madara/Obito/Sasuke wanted, through more peaceful means. At least that's how I got it.

Yeah. He wanted to forge others' fates. He sealed his own because he had too much empathy.

 

[Chie]

Sure, it's all about the point of view.

Logic is fine but emotions are the things that rustle it up. Mixing those two creates a chaos essentially.

But isn't it all the more better for his character? That he's inherited it but he doesn't actually know it?

Yeah, thanks for clarifying it. I see now that I should've spent more time on his points.

Yes, but love is the most powerful force in the world, even in fictional stories. It's hard to understand the reason for killing your own blood.

Exactly, but many other characters are easily correlated with real life, which was exactly the point.

Thanks.

@bold- This is why we have to look at the context of events taking place.

Itachi killed them. Why? They were going to die anyway and if he did it himself at least more life would be preserved, it guarantees a line for the clan (via Sasuke, which led to Sarada) and Sasuke was the only one available to spare/ was feasible via Itachi's scapegoat plan for him, it retains their honor and people still look at them positively at the expense of hating Itachi.

Sasuke wanted to kill Itachi. Why? Because of vengeance. To even the score and An Eye for an Eye ideology.

Obito helped kill the clan. Why? He wasn't attached to them at all, he would gain a new member for Akatsuki, and some eyes.

When you just say "X character killed their kin or wanted to"- it makes a person wonder. But, if you look at why then it makes sense. Especially in a story like this where death is a common place thing, even children being exposed to it and learning to grow up dealing with it, as well as committing the deeds themselves.

 

[ultraChalk]

Having blood on your hands, a laconic sense of humour, sick, etc is not perfect. And he is relatable if you actually take the time to analyse his character. Sadly, not many people do this.

If you have to look that deep to find relatable characteristics isn't what I'm looking for.

A real well written character is visible at the surface, and is even better when you look in their depth. Not looking in depth for them to be a well written character.

 

[Chie]

Sure we can, he was pacifist and when presented with two options, he chosen what he thought to be the lesser evil.

But thats my problem with him, it's too simple, too 'leave me alone'. Uchiha like madara, Obito, sasuke fought for the third option, for the options they wanted.

A man should forge his own fate, Itachi didnt, he opted to be tormented.

At times in real life, people have very limited options. Itachi's situation gives a sense of realism in that he couldn't pull tnj or plot-no-jutsu out of nowhere. He actually had to make a difficult choice.

@bold- Elaborate.

 

[Airi]

I should have noted that most of them are pretty generic.

Like who? :')

 

[Chie]

If you have to look that deep to find relatable characteristics isn't what I'm looking for.

A real well written character is visible at the surface, and is even better when you look in their depth. Not looking in depth for them to be a well written character.

There's no way to tell a well-written character just by the surface. That's how you realize when a character is likeable.

A well-written character is only realized when you look at them in depth. (ie: What was their theme? Did they achieve it? Did they learn? etc.)

 

[Torche]

No I'm not, I like itachi, he's one of my favorite characters. That doesn't change the fact that his title still implies what I said it does no matter how you look at it.

Doesn't matter, even if he was your fav; you could still dislike, or disagree with the contents of the thread.

Lol Pretty damn hilarious that you would make such a comparison. Those companies are advertising, [aka wanking their own product]. You just proved my point with this statement, the title is nothing more than wank unless he actually had the facts to support his claim.

Again I'll say it so maybe you can understand, Itachi is one of my favorite characters, doesn't change anything I said. I'm not slandering anything, merely pointing out the wank.

Lol Perhaps I didn't use the best analogy. Nevertheless, it doesn't change the fact that it's just his opinion and the title shouldn't be taken as a fact.

There's no need to "point it out", not really relevant to the thread. If it's wanking, it's pretty damn mild compared to some of the other things on this site. I find it amusing that someone's opinion on how well a character was written with some justification on their part is considered "wanking".

 

[Romy9]

@bold- This is why we have to look at the context of events taking place.

Itachi killed them. Why? They were going to die anyway and if he did it himself at least more life would be preserved, it guarantees a line for the clan (via Sasuke, which led to Sarada) and Sasuke was the only one available to spare/ was feasible via Itachi's scapegoat plan for him, it retains their honor and people still look at them positively at the expense of hating Itachi.

Sasuke wanted to kill Itachi. Why? Because of vengeance. To even the score and An Eye for an Eye ideology.

Obito helped kill the clan. Why? He wasn't attached to them at all, he would gain a new member for Akatsuki, and some eyes.

When you just say "X character killed their kin or wanted to"- it makes a person wonder. But, if you look at why then it makes sense. Especially in a story like this where death is a common place thing, even children being exposed to it and learning to grow up dealing with it, as well as committing the deeds themselves.

I understand what you're saying. I just can't understand the process of coming to such a decision, even if logic dictates you what to do. If the emotions are present, it's too hard to make that decision.

That's understandable.

I wouldn't get into Obito, he was too weak-minded, and brainwashed, to label it with exaggerated words. He acted more out of wrath or anger. Itachi was in a different position.

Logically, yes. But I always get back at the emotion. Maybe I try to relate to characters a bit too much. I understand the logic, but I can't understand the drive to make yourself do it with mixed morals, ethics and emotions raping logic.

 

[Chie]

I understand what you're saying. I just can't understand the process of coming to such a decision, even if logic dictates you what to do. If the emotions are present, it's too hard to make that decision.

That's understandable.

I wouldn't get into Obito, he was too weak-minded, and brainwashed, to label it with exaggerated words. He acted more out of wrath or anger. Itachi was in a different position.

Logically, yes. But I always get back at the emotion. Maybe I try to relate to characters a bit too much. I understand the logic, but I can't understand the drive to make yourself do it with mixed morals, ethics and emotions raping logic.

It's a story where the rule 7-12 yr olds learn at the Academy is to cut off all emotion and never cry in public...

 

[Romy9]

Like who? :')

A lot of them. Most of them come from the same problem like Naruto, Gaara, Obito. Madara and Sasuke sort of have a superiority complex which is very common in villains. They're not baffled with inner contradictions such as Itachi.

It's a story where the rule 7-12 yr olds learn at the Academy is to cut off all emotion and never cry in public...

And yet the two most powerful clans base their power on love.

 

[AlphaScythian]

Agreed, but I can't rationalize it if I put myself in his shoes. I wouldn't be able to make a choice, or that choice at least. It's too crazy and yet I see the purpose.

Yes, as we say 'between insanity and the wall', no win situation. But nothing complex there, you dont need to be in his shoes to know it sux.

Well, he since he was a pacifist, he couldn't take the road of Madara/Obito/Sasuke. They were all under the pressure of ruling with authority of power. Itachi sacrificed himself , to say that exact word, so he could somehow accomplish what Madara/Obito/Sasuke wanted, through more peaceful means. At least that's how I got it.

In the end they too wanted peace like itachi. Itachi also was using power, trying to accomplish all alone, he just didnt want and couldnt produce more casualties.

Yeah. He wanted to forge others' fates. He sealed his own because he had too much empathy.

His choice sure had great impact, but he hasnt forged anything, those option is not his doing, he's but crossroad in this case.

Try putting naruto or even good Obito in Itachi's shoes, they would fight for the way where both konoha and uchiha live. This forging a real new fate.

 

[Chie]

And yet the two most powerful clans base their power on love.

And the Uchiha are known to shut it off unlike the Senju.

 

[Shanks]

Romy 9 is right.. itachi 's character reminded me of Severus snape, best written character hands down..I see some obito fans are in denial he is even worse than sakura always crying about rin. One of the worst one dimensional villain in any manga...

 

[Naruto.]

I'm not surprised you got these replies. NDS has become like this over the past year.
OT: Itachi is a pretty darned well written character, but he's way too overrated. You can sympathize with his character, but the author has left it upon us to think whether what Itachi did was right or wrong. He prevented a massive war and slaughtered his own clan, keeping higher interests in mind. But, it is debatable whether he should have died along with his clan or slaughtered them. He made the mistake of doing everything alone, like it was his responsibility. Only, if he could use Kotoamatsukami on his whole clan, and change their mind. That would have not corrupted Sasuke and turned him into a raging psychopath who murdered several samurai, and helped partly in reviving the Juubi. Kishimoto did a mistake of making Itachi too overpowered, and thus had to kill him off with a pathetic reason; a disease. I personally think the most well written character was Nagato. He was practically a God, and he was only one of the shinobis that actually introduced a sense of "danger" in the series. Along with his ideals of peace and his tragic past. Nagato was perfect.

 

[Chie]

Yes, as we say 'between insanity and the wall', no win situation. But nothing complex there, you dont need to be in his shoes to know it sux.
In the end they too wanted peace like itachi. Itachi also was using power, trying to accomplish all alone, he just didnt want and couldnt produce more casualties.
His choice sure had great impact, but he hasnt forged anything, those option is not his doing, he's but crossroad in this case.

Try putting naruto or even good Obito in Itachi's shoes, they would fight for the way where both konoha and uchiha live. This forging a real new fate.

@bold- No... they wouldn't have. The author has stated on multiple occasion both in the manga and the databook, even interviews that Itachi chose the most plausible option. A 13 year old brat with no political power isn't going to save every side and not have any blood shed. Let's not write a fanfic here.

Naruto can't even be in that situation, nor can Obito. Neither are the clan heir, Naruto's not even an Uchiha.

You brought up the examples due to their idealistic personalities. People like them wouldn't be able to handle being a spy as a child for 3 years. The characters aren't suited for the scenario in the first place.

I'm logging out now, so just reply to me via VM or PM when you feel like it.

 

[Romy9]

Yes, as we say 'between insanity and the wall', no win situation. But nothing complex there, you dont need to be in his shoes to know it sux.
In the end they too wanted peace like itachi. Itachi also was using power, trying to accomplish all alone, he just didnt want and couldnt produce more casualties.
His choice sure had great impact, but he hasnt forged anything, those option is not his doing, he's but crossroad in this case.

Try putting naruto or even good Obito in Itachi's shoes, they would fight for the way where both konoha and uchiha live. This forging a real new fate.

It'c complex to come to that decision.

Agreed. They all wanted peace but through different means. Those means, being good or bad, to digress, are a point of view. Sort Star Wars type of thing.

Maybe I should've said tried to forge. But he failed. Now that you mention it, I wonder how Naruto or Obito would act in his shoes. It's difficult to predict.

And the Uchiha are known to shut it off unlike the Senju.

Yes, but the point was that the emotions are present. Remember Naruto each time the Kyuubi took over.

 

[Chie]

I'm not surprised you got these replies. NDS has become like this over the past year.
OT: Itachi is a pretty darned well written character, but he's way too overrated. You can sympathize with his character, but the author has left it upon us to think whether what Itachi did was right or wrong. He prevented a massive war and slaughtered his own clan, keeping higher interests in mind. But, it is debatable whether he should have died along with his clan or slaughtered them. He made the mistake of doing everything alone, like it was his responsibility. Only, if he could use Kotoamatsukami on his whole clan, and change their mind. That would have not corrupted Sasuke and turned him into a raging psychopath who murdered several samurai, and helped partly in reviving the Juubi. Kishimoto did a mistake of making Itachi too overpowered, and thus had to kill him off with a pathetic reason; a disease. I personally think the most well written character was Nagato. He was practically a God, and he was only one of the shinobis that actually introduced a sense of "danger" in the series. Along with his ideals of peace and his tragic past. Nagato was perfect.

@bold- He couldn't use it. The eye was on cool-down for ten years... it couldn't be used until after he died. Lol

Yes, but the point was that the emotions are present. Remember Naruto each time the Kyuubi took over.

Ok. And Uchiha shut them away. Naruto is not an Uchiha. So, irrelevant point.

 

[Romy9]

I'm not surprised you got these replies. NDS has become like this over the past year.
OT: Itachi is a pretty darned well written character, but he's way too overrated. You can sympathize with his character, but the author has left it upon us to think whether what Itachi did was right or wrong. He prevented a massive war and slaughtered his own clan, keeping higher interests in mind. But, it is debatable whether he should have died along with his clan or slaughtered them. He made the mistake of doing everything alone, like it was his responsibility. Only, if he could use Kotoamatsukami on his whole clan, and change their mind. That would have not corrupted Sasuke and turned him into a raging psychopath who murdered several samurai, and helped partly in reviving the Juubi. Kishimoto did a mistake of making Itachi too overpowered, and thus had to kill him off with a pathetic reason; a disease. I personally think the most well written character was Nagato. He was practically a God, and he was only one of the shinobis that actually introduced a sense of "danger" in the series. Along with his ideals of peace and his tragic past. Nagato was perfect.

I agree with most of your points, but we would digress a bit if we were to talk about what Itachi should have done. He did what he did and he failed. I'm amazed at the process of his decisions and the depth to which he went just to preserve a state of mind that Hashirama wanted to pass on. Nagato was good, but the fact that he was so easily manipulated throws me off.

 

[Airi]

A lot of them. Most of them come from the same problem like Naruto, Gaara, Obito. Madara and Sasuke sort of have a superiority complex which is very common in villains. They're not baffled with inner contradictions such as Itachi.

I can agree with Madara and Sasuke, and to some extent Obito, they did have some sort of superiority complex, but that was not everything to their characters.

 

[Romy9]

Ok. And Uchiha shut them away. Naruto is not an Uchiha. So, irrelevant point.

They convert it to hate, if they shut it away. It's still relevant.