Based on common criticism and analysis within the Naruto series fandom, Sasuke Uchiha is frequently cited as having the worst Mangekyou Sharingan among prominent users. This perspective primarily stems from the perceived limitations of his unique abilities compared to the extraordinary powers wielded by others.
The Rationale Behind Sasuke's Mangekyou Sharingan Criticism
While the Mangekyou Sharingan is an exceptionally powerful ocular jutsu, granting extraordinary abilities unique to each user, Sasuke Uchiha's iteration often draws significant criticism for being underwhelming. Many argue that his Mangekyou abilities, particularly his exclusive techniques, do not measure up to the formidable and often game-changing powers displayed by other Mangekyou users.
Common Mangekyou Abilities vs. Unique Powers
Every Mangekyou Sharingan user gains access to the powerful Susanoo, a colossal, chakra-based humanoid avatar that provides immense defense and offensive capabilities. While Sasuke's Susanoo is undeniably potent and a formidable asset in combat, it is a shared ability among all Mangekyou wielders and therefore isn't unique to his specific set of powers. The criticism largely focuses on his distinct Mangekyou techniques, which are:
- Amaterasu: This technique allows Sasuke to generate inextinguishable black flames at the focal point of his vision. While incredibly destructive, these flames are typically slow-moving, making them avoidable or containable by highly skilled and agile opponents.
- Kagutsuchi: Activated through his other Mangekyou eye, Kagutsuchi grants Sasuke the ability to manipulate the shape and intensity of the Amaterasu flames. This provides greater control and versatility, allowing him to use them defensively or offensively in various forms, such as creating shields or projectile spikes.
Despite these abilities, the prevailing sentiment is that these unique techniques are not as versatile, strategic, or overwhelming as powers seen from other Mangekyou users, such as Obito Uchiha's dimension-shifting Kamui or Itachi Uchiha's unparalleled genjutsu prowess with Tsukuyomi.
Perceived Limitations and Practical Impact
The criticism often highlights that Sasuke's unique Mangekyou abilities, while visually striking and powerful, offer fewer immediate strategic advantages or decisive combat resolutions compared to the unique powers of other Uchiha. This leads to a perception that he heavily relies on the universal Susanoo, as his distinct flame-based techniques, while destructive, are less adaptable or overwhelming in complex combat scenarios against high-tier opponents. This perspective contributes to the overall assessment that his Mangekyou Sharingan is, comparatively, the weakest among the prominent users featured in the series.
