Was Itachi Born with His Disease or Did He Catch It?

Itachi Uchiha, a beloved character from the famous anime and manga series Naruto, grapples with an intriguing and complex illness. Unlike some characters from the series, Itachi is not stated to have been born with his condition, but rather developed it later in life. The chronicle of his illness is entwined with the intense and powerful nature of the Sharingan ocular technique, a crucial chakra-based eye technique that all Uchiha can use.

Development and Progression of the Illness

Within the series, Itachi's condition is not explained in detail. Out-of-universe, it can be speculated that author Masashi Kishimoto felt the need to introduce a health issue for Itachi to make his character more relatable and to add depth to his tragic story. This illness is attributed to the excessive use of the Sharingan, particularly the Mangekyo form, which places immense strain on the user's eyes, leading to potential deterioration of vision over time.

In-Universe and Out-of-Universe Perspective

The in-universe explanation for Itachi's condition remains a mystery. It is unknown whether his sickness first manifested after he left the Hidden Leaf Village (Konoha) or at the time of his birth. Fans often contribute to the discussion, theorizing about what illness he had and how he might have contracted it. However, these are often speculative in nature and diverge from the official narrative.

Out-of-universe, it's widely accepted in the fan community that Kishimoto introduced this illness to further character development and to push Itachi towards a more tragic and impactful storyline. The illness is similar to those suffered by other major characters, such as Kimimaro and Nagato, who used similar chakra-based techniques that led to their decline.

Further Exploration: Microscopic Polyangiitis

It is interesting to note that, while the series does not explicitly name Itachi's condition, there are online sources that suggest Itachi might have a rare immune system disorder called microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). MPA is a type of vasculitis, which is inflammation of the blood vessels. The immune system is thought to play a critical role in the development of MPA, where the immune system becomes overactive and causes inflammation in the blood vessels, leading to organ damage.

MPA is not contagious and does not usually run in families. It is not a form of cancer but rather a condition that can affect various organs such as the kidneys, lungs, and nervous system. While it is known that Itachi's blindness was likely a result of overuse of the Mangekyo Sharingan, the specific medical details of his condition are left to the imagination of the audience.

Conclusion and Reflection

The complexity and mystery surrounding Itachi's illness serve not only to deepen the narrative of Naruto but also to add layers of emotion and intrigue for both readers and fans. Whether born with it or caught later in life, the condition serves a significant role in shaping Itachi's character arc, one marked by immense sacrifice and regret.

Related Keywords

Itachi Uchiha, Mangekyo Sharingan, Microscopic Polyangiitis