Why You Wouldn't Want The Sharingan From Naruto

From Naruto's devastating tailed-beast bombs to Rock Lee's masterful ability at throwing hands exceptionally well, the world of "Naruto" is overstuffed with extraordinary skills. Even by the grand standards of shonen anime, the shinobi series has got numerous jutsu and shared clan powers that could make any other hero from "Bleach" or "Dragon Ball" sneer with envy. And yet, when thinking back on the series' most remarkable powers, many would probably point out the famous trait of the Uchiha Clan.

The Sharingan's reputation as an ocular powerhouse isn't anything to take lightly. Through Kakashi, Sasuke, and Itachi at the beginning of "Naruto," some of the Sharingan's base powers include seeing chakra, copying any ninja ability, and trapping opponents in a hypnotic illusion state. Having the Sharingan gives access to certain jutsu only a select few can perform, such as the Chidori. The Sharingan is also capable of evolving into new forms, which unlocks even more impressive techniques. 

With so much upside to the Sharingan, it's no wonder it quickly outshone its dōjutsu cousin, the Byakugan, to the point of the amazing ninja ability being pushed aside in the series. But while the Sharingan deserves some praise, there are also some massive reasons why you don't want to have it.

Gaining access to the Sharingan isn't easy; in fact, it's more of an ordeal. Physically, using the Sharingan requires a lot of chakra. In the series, we see that this is a huge to-do for non-Uchiha like Kakashi and Danzo, who have to cover their Sharingan when not in use. Otherwise, since they can't deactivate it, the power will drain all of their energy. However, one of the most significant potential physical setbacks for the Sharingan is that it can cause blindness. It's that reason why one of the untold truths about Sasuke is the fact that by the end of "Shippuden," he doesn't have the eyes he was born with. Awakening the Mangekyō form of the Sharingan causes enough physical strain on the eyes for blindness. So, in Episode 216 of "Shippuden," he replaces his own eyes with his brother Itachi's.

Still, the setbacks to the Sharingan don't just end with physical detriments. There is one significant emotional setback, too. To even evolve a Sharingan to the Mangekyō Sharingan form, one must experience a traumatic loss. One of the most heartbreaking examples of this takes place with the tragic character Obito Uchiha. During "Naruto" Manga Chapter 605 (via Viz), Obito witnesses the inadvertent death of his childhood friend, Rin Nohara, by Kakashi. The devastating event not only gives insight into why Obito becomes a villain but also awakens his Mangekyō Sharingan. It's a great power for Obito, but at what cost?

If there is ever a reason to have the Sharingan (despite its flaws), it's to evolve it into another dōjutsu altogether. The Rinnegan is regarded as the most powerful — moreso than the Sharingan and the Byakugan. And besides having the Sharingan's many impressive abilities, the Rinnegan also adds in other potential options such as creating portals, absorbing other ninjutsu, and even time travel (via Narutopedia). By the end of "Shippuden," Sasuke evolves one of his Sharingan eyes into the Rinnegan by receiving half of Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki's chakra in "Naruto" Manga Chapter 700 (via Viz). And his power is at a god-like level, only rivaled, of course, by Naruto. With its use at the end of "Shippuden," "The Last: Naruto the Movie," and some of "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the Sharingan seemed forgotten.

The Rinnegan may have sat as the top choice among fans, so much so that its brutal removal from Sasuke in the "Boruto" manga came as quite a shock. In manga chapter 53 of "Boruto," a Momoshiki-possessed Boruto stabbed it out. This, along with Naruto losing Kurama thanks to his Baryon Mode, left the two heroes without their most mighty aces. Plot-wise, it's the series' way of entrusting the new generation of ninjas to take on the most dangerous threats. Sasuke still has access to the Sharingan. But that hasn't stopped some fans, especially on Reddit, from immediately pondering how Sasuke could potentially get his Rinnegan back.