Why Itachi Kept His Sharingan Activated: The Shocking Truth Revealed!

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Summary

  • Sharingan can compensate for impaired vision, as seen with Itachi.
  • Itachi likely overused Mangekyo Sharingan, worsening his eyesight.
  • Stress and anxiety may have driven Itachi to frequently use Sharingan.

The following article contains major spoilers for Naruto and Boruto.

The narrative of Naruto is richly textured with compelling characters and captivating world-building. Among the many intriguing personalities in Naruto, Itachi Uchiha stands out as particularly fascinating. At first, he appeared to be a ruthless antagonist who had taken the lives of his own kin, but upon further exploration, it becomes clear that the situation was far more complex than initially perceived.

A notable characteristic of Itachi is that he often appears with his Sharingan eye activated. Although the Sharingan is strong, its users rarely maintain it in an active state; they typically only utilize it during fights. However, Itachi seems to use this ability quite frequently. Why is this so?

Sharigan Can Make Up For Impaired Vision

The Sharingan is a remarkable eye technique, seemingly capable of compensating for vision impairments, as demonstrated particularly in Boruto. For instance, Sarada frequently removes her spectacles when activating the Sharingan, indicating this ability. This could be one explanation why numerous Naruto fans believe Uchiha clan members possess superior eyesight (which, considering its power, seems plausible).

It seems plausible that Itachi frequently kept his Sharingan activated due to deteriorating eyesight, as indicated by his near-blindness at his death. Since routine use of the regular Sharingan doesn’t worsen vision, it might have been the frequent activation that strained him. Additionally, given the stress he was under and the need to remain vigilant, Itachi may have felt it necessary to keep the Sharingan active as a precautionary measure.

Itachi Probably Overused Mangekyo Sharingan

In my view, while the ordinary Sharingan appears to be without significant drawbacks, the Mangekyo Sharingan – a more advanced version of this eye technique – is said to inexorably result in blindness. Given this, it’s plausible that Itachi, over time, may have excessively utilized this power, possibly relying on his regular Sharingan as his vision gradually deteriorated due to the Mangekyo Sharingan’s impact.

If he was feeling stressed and wanted to be prepared for any possible danger, his deteriorating eyesight would have increased his worry. Yet, he employed the Mangekyo Sharingan for self-defense, which ultimately left him more exposed to attacks in the future. Consequently, the Sharingan could serve as a potential solution to this predicament.

Could It Be Related To His Terminal Illness?

In the anime series Naruto, several characters meet their end on the battlefield. However, Itachi is an exception, albeit one with a unique twist – while battles and his chosen path may have exacerbated matters, Itachi’s fate was ultimately sealed by a terminal illness. His condition allowed him to utilize the Sharingan more often due to its significance in his final days.

There’s been no confirmed diagnosis, but fans have hypothesized about the illness due to symptoms such as coughing up blood-stained mucus and chest pain, which could signal a range of diseases. Some speculate he might have had Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA), a rare autoimmune condition that, if improperly treated, can be fatal. However, it’s important to note that MPA, though not curable, is treatable and does not necessarily prove fatal. This disease may also cause eye irritation, double vision, and in extreme cases, retinal hemorrhage – a condition where blood appears from the eye during battles, as depicted in his fight with Sasuke.

If I had been honest with you right from the beginning and faced you directly to speak the truth, I wouldn’t find myself standing before you now, admitting my shortcomings. This time, I want to share the truth with you… You don’t need to forgive me, and no matter what happens in the future, remember this… I will always love you.

— Itachi to Sasuke before dying

Although Itachi’s blindness appears to be primarily connected to the Mangekyo Sharingan, his Mystical Power of Speed (MPA) might have intensified the eye-related symptoms. Since the series doesn’t explicitly name the illness or offer more specific details, it could possibly be something else entirely. Nevertheless, MPA remains a compelling possibility.

Stress And Anxiety Should Not Be Overlooked

In my eyes, Itachi’s stress and anxiety played a significant role in shaping his actions. His frequent activation of the Sharingan might not have been solely due to overusing the Mangekyo Sharingan or his illness; rather, it was likely a result of the intense experiences he had gone through.

Itachi Uchiha is intricately designed, with numerous aspects of his personality remaining enigmatic to viewers. This is a testament to the skillful character development.

Naruto is available to stream on Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix and other services.

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2025-05-18 18:14