Kakashi Hatake is one of the most beloved and respected characters in Naruto, but he didn’t awaken his Mangekyo Sharingan by himself; it happened through his connection to Obito Uchiha, as he gave his left eye as a parting gift. Witnessing his best friend’s death, although not real, didn’t trigger it.
You can argue that it was traumatic for Kakashi and should have elicited a response, but there is a logical reason why it didn’t happen. It has been explained in Naruto, which also makes sense, why his Mangekyo awakened simultaneously with Obito later, when he saw Rin’s death.
That being said, Naruto fans still question why the iconic character couldn’t do it himself. Let’s analyze why Kakashi, despite his immense talent and strength, couldn’t awaken it without Obito.
Only the Original Owner Can Activate the Mangekyo in Naruto
The most important reason why Kakashi couldn’t awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan himself, after witnessing Obito’s supposed death and experiencing the grief of it, is the nature of the power. The Mangekyo Sharingan is a kekkei genkai and is limited only to the original bloodline. In this case, it’s the Uchiha clan. Without Obito, Kakashi cannot awaken the left eye gifted to him.
Thus, when Obito awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan through his right eye during the Third Shinobi War, when he witnessed Rin’s death, Kakashi’s left eye was also triggered. It’s quite tragic as she was a dear friend to both of them, but sacrificed herself to protect Konohagakure.
Moreover, what power does the Mangekyo Sharingan grant, and who are the other users we’ve seen in the Naruto franchise, including Boruto: Naruto Next Generations? Here’s a list of them:
All of them were awakened after traumatic experiences, such as a close friend dying in front of them, just like Obito. The story of Naruto is marked by tragic death and separation, so none of these were a surprise to us. However, nothing can beat Obito and Kakashi’s doomed friendship.
Kakashi and Obito’s Tragic Friendship in Naruto Allowed a Shared Connection
Kakashi and Obito were initially rivals, with different talents and worldviews. The former was far more self-confident, a prodigy, and faced constant praise, while the latter was an idealistic underdog who wanted to change the world. They shared a complex bond throughout Naruto, but what solidified their friendship was Obito trusting Kakashi with his left eye.
Obito assumed he was about to die from being crushed by rocks, believing this to be the last of his legacy. Who did he entrust it to? His rival and equal. Moreover, the simultaneous awakening shows that their fates are intertwined for decades, even after his supposed death.
Thus, Kakashi not awakening Mangekyo Sharingan isn’t the plot hole Naruto fans believe it is. It’s all connected to the tragic and poetic bond between him and his long-lost friend. It gets further deepened as they both lost Rin Nohara. They shared trauma like no other duo in the franchise, not even the two main characters.
What do you think of Kakashi and Obito’s bond? Let us know your take on it in the comments below!
Naruto can currently be streamed on Crunchyroll.
