Naruto: Kakashi vs Itachi Potential Analysis Guide (March 2026)
When I first started playing the Ultimate Ninja Storm series back in 2008, I immediately gravitated toward two characters: Itachi Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake. Both were mysterious, powerful, and had that cool factor that made them instant favorites in every Naruto game. But after years of playing these characters across multiple titles and analyzing their canonical storylines, I’ve come to a controversial conclusion that might surprise you: while Itachi was undeniably a prodigy, Kakashi actually had more raw potential than the legendary Uchiha genius.
This debate has raged in the gaming community for years, especially among those of us who’ve mastered both characters in games like Ultimate Ninja Storm 4. After spending countless hours perfecting combos and studying their movesets, I’ve noticed something interesting that mirrors their anime counterparts perfectly. Let me break down why Kakashi’s potential actually exceeded Itachi’s, despite the latter’s prodigy status.
Understanding What Makes a Prodigy in the Naruto Universe
Before I dive into the comparison, let’s establish what being a prodigy means in Naruto’s world. Through my experience with the series and its games, I’ve learned that a prodigy isn’t just someone who’s talented – it’s someone who achieves extraordinary feats at an impossibly young age. And yes, Itachi absolutely fits this definition.
Itachi’s Prodigy Credentials
Itachi’s achievements are honestly mind-blowing when you look at the timeline. He graduated from the Ninja Academy at age 7, became a Chunin at 10, and joined the elite ANBU Black Ops at just 11 years old. By age 13, he had already become an ANBU captain. In my playthroughs of Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution, where they explored Itachi’s backstory extensively, I gained even more appreciation for just how exceptional these accomplishments were.
What really set Itachi apart wasn’t just his combat prowess – it was his maturity and strategic thinking. At age 7, he was already thinking like a Hokage, considering the village’s wellbeing above his own clan’s interests. This philosophical depth is something I’ve rarely seen in any character, let alone a child. When playing as Itachi in the Storm games, his dialogue and story mode really emphasize this aspect of his character.
The Gaming Perspective on Itachi’s Abilities
In terms of raw abilities, Itachi’s toolkit is absolutely insane. I’ve memorized every one of his jutsu from playing him across different Naruto games:
- Sharingan and Mangekyo Sharingan – His genjutsu, particularly Tsukuyomi, is virtually unbreakable
- Amaterasu – Black flames that burn anything in sight
- Susanoo – Complete with the Totsuka Blade and Yata Mirror, making him nearly invincible
- Fire Style mastery – Perfected the Grand Fireball jutsu at age 5
- Crow clone jutsu – His signature technique in most games
When I check our Naruto Storm 4 tier list, Itachi consistently ranks in the S-tier, and for good reason. His moveset is versatile, his ultimate jutsu animations are devastating, and his awakening mode (Susanoo) is one of the best in the game.
Kakashi’s Hidden Potential: The Late Bloomer Who Surpassed Expectations
Now here’s where things get interesting. While everyone focuses on Itachi’s prodigy status, they often overlook that Kakashi was actually an even more impressive prodigy in his youth. And unlike Itachi, whose potential was cut short by illness and early death, Kakashi’s potential continued to grow throughout his life.
Kakashi’s Forgotten Prodigy Years
Let me blow your mind with some facts that many fans forget: Kakashi graduated from the Academy at age 5 – two years younger than Itachi. He became a Chunin at age 6 by defeating Might Guy in combat. By age 12, he was already a Jonin. These achievements actually surpass Itachi’s early accomplishments, yet somehow Kakashi doesn’t get the same recognition as a prodigy.
I remember playing through Kakashi’s backstory missions in Ultimate Ninja Storm 3, and it really drove home just how exceptional he was as a child. The game showed his time with Team Minato, and you could see the raw talent that made him stand out even among other gifted ninjas.
The Sharingan Factor: Mastering What Shouldn’t Be Possible
Here’s what really proves Kakashi’s superior potential: he mastered the Sharingan despite not being an Uchiha. Think about that for a moment. The Sharingan constantly drains chakra from non-Uchiha users, yet Kakashi not only learned to use it effectively but became known throughout the ninja world as “Kakashi of the Sharingan” or “The Copy Ninja.”
In my gaming experience, this translates perfectly. When playing Kakashi in the Storm series, his ability to copy opponent’s jutsu mid-battle is incredibly satisfying. I’ve turned countless matches around by stealing my opponent’s signature moves and using them against them. This mechanic perfectly captures what made Kakashi so formidable – his adaptability and learning speed.
For players interested in mastering similar adaptive gameplay styles, check out our Anime Final Strike tier list where versatile units often outperform specialized ones.
The Evolution That Itachi Never Had
What truly separates Kakashi from Itachi in terms of potential is his growth trajectory. While Itachi peaked early and was hampered by his terminal illness, Kakashi continued evolving throughout the series. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Kakashi received power boosts that put him on a completely different level:
- Dual Mangekyo Sharingan – Temporarily gained from Obito’s spirit
- Perfect Susanoo – Achieved something that took Uchiha generations to master
- Kamui mastery – Both long-range and short-range versions
- Enhanced chakra reserves – No longer limited by the Sharingan’s drain
I’ll never forget playing the DLC missions in Storm 4 where you get to use Dual Mangekyo Kakashi. The power difference is absolutely insane – his Perfect Susanoo can fly, use Kamui Shuriken, and basically makes him untouchable. It’s a glimpse of what Kakashi could have been if he’d had access to his full potential from the start.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Breaking Down Their Combat Potential
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how these two stack up against each other. I’ve analyzed their canonical fight from Part 1 of Naruto, their hypothetical matchups, and their gaming performances across multiple titles.
The Canonical Encounter: A Glimpse of True Power
In their only canonical fight (which you can replay in Storm 1 through 4), Itachi clearly had the upper hand. He trapped Kakashi in Tsukuyomi within seconds, leaving him hospitalized for weeks. But here’s the thing – this was a sick Itachi holding back against a Kakashi who hadn’t reached his peak. The fight doesn’t really show us their true potential comparison.
What’s interesting is how the games handle this matchup. In free battle mode, a skilled Kakashi player can absolutely dominate an Itachi player, especially if they’re good at substitution timing and reading opponents. This reflects what I believe would happen if both were at their peak potential.
Intelligence and Battle IQ Comparison
Both characters are certified geniuses, but their intelligence manifests differently:
Itachi’s Intelligence:
- Strategic long-term planning (the entire Uchiha massacre plan)
- Psychological warfare through genjutsu
- Efficient chakra usage and technique selection
- Master of misdirection and deception
Kakashi’s Intelligence:
- Tactical battlefield adaptation
- Instant jutsu analysis and replication
- Team coordination and leadership
- Creative problem-solving under pressure
In gaming terms, Itachi players tend to rely on powerful set plays and overwhelming offensive pressure. Kakashi players, on the other hand, need to be more adaptive and reactive. From my experience in ranked matches, mastering Kakashi requires a higher skill ceiling because you need to constantly adjust your strategy based on your opponent.
This adaptive playstyle is similar to what I’ve experienced in our MANGA X FIGHT tier list, where flexible fighters often outperform one-dimensional powerhouses.
Physical Abilities and Stamina
This is where the potential difference becomes most apparent. Itachi’s illness severely limited his stamina – he could only maintain his Mangekyo Sharingan techniques for short periods. In Storm 4, this is reflected in his high chakra consumption for special moves.
Kakashi, especially after losing the Sharingan post-war, actually became stronger in some ways. His chakra reserves increased dramatically, and he developed new techniques like Purple Lightning. I love playing post-war Kakashi in Storm 4’s adventure mode because he feels more balanced and sustainable in longer fights.
The Gaming Community’s Verdict
I’ve been part of the Naruto gaming community for over a decade, and this debate never gets old. On forums and in our Naruto Blazing character rankings, the community is surprisingly split on who had more potential.
From my interactions on GameFAQs and Reddit, here’s what the community generally agrees on:
- Itachi was the better ninja during his lifetime
- Kakashi had higher raw potential that was never fully realized
- Peak Kakashi (with Dual MS) surpasses anything Itachi achieved
- Without illness, Itachi might have reached similar heights
What’s fascinating is how different games portray this dynamic. In Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, both characters are top-tier, but Kakashi has more variations (young, adult, Hokage, Dual MS), showing his evolution. In mobile games like Naruto Blazing, special event versions of both characters often compete for the top spots.
The gaming community’s perspective mirrors what I’ve seen in other anime fighting games covered in our Dragon Ball Legends tier list – characters with growth potential often become more valuable than those who peak early.
Why Kakashi’s Potential Exceeded Itachi’s: My Final Analysis
After years of studying these characters through both the anime and games, I’m convinced that Kakashi had more raw potential for several reasons:
1. Earlier Achievement Milestones: Graduating at 5 versus 7, becoming Chunin at 6 versus 10 – Kakashi’s early development was actually faster than Itachi’s.
2. Overcoming Greater Handicaps: Using a transplanted Sharingan as a non-Uchiha is like playing a game on hard mode with a handicap, yet Kakashi mastered it completely.
3. Continuous Growth: While Itachi peaked in his teens, Kakashi kept improving well into his 30s and beyond. His Hokage version in Boruto shows he’s still developing new techniques.
4. Versatility: Kakashi mastered over 1,000 jutsu compared to Itachi’s more specialized skillset. In gaming terms, Kakashi is the ultimate flex pick.
5. Perfect Susanoo Achievement: The fact that Kakashi could manifest a Perfect Susanoo immediately upon receiving dual Mangekyo shows his incredible latent ability.
What This Means for Naruto Fans and Gamers?
Understanding the true potential of these characters adds so much depth to the Naruto experience, whether you’re watching the anime or playing the games. When I pick Kakashi in Storm 4 now, I’m not just playing a cool character – I’m playing someone whose journey represents unlimited potential and continuous growth.
For those of you looking to master these characters in games, here’s my advice:
- Itachi players: Focus on aggressive pressure and genjutsu setups. Your goal is to end fights quickly before stamina becomes an issue.
- Kakashi players: Be patient and adaptive. Use your copying ability to turn your opponent’s strength against them.
If you’re interested in more character comparisons and gaming strategies, check out our other guides on anime gaming codes and character analyses.
The Legacy of Two Legends
Ultimately, both Itachi and Kakashi are legendary ninjas who pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in the Naruto universe. Itachi was indeed a prodigy whose early achievements remain unmatched. But Kakashi’s journey from child prodigy to Hokage, overcoming personal trauma and physical limitations, showcases a different kind of greatness – one that I believe represents even greater potential.
The next time you boot up a Naruto game, try playing both characters back-to-back. You’ll feel the difference in their playstyles, their strengths, and their limitations. And maybe, like me, you’ll come to appreciate that while Itachi burned bright and fast like a shooting star, Kakashi’s potential was like a flame that grew stronger with time, eventually surpassing even the brightest prodigy.
What’s your take on this eternal debate? Do you agree that Kakashi had more potential, or do you think Itachi’s prodigy status puts him above the Copy Ninja? Let me know in the comments – I love discussing these character dynamics with fellow Naruto gamers!