What Are The Downsides Of Using The Mangekyou Sharingan?

Wow, that question always gets me excited to explain the nitty-gritty of Uchiha lore. The short and clear bit up front: Itachi never actually possessed the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. He wielded a very powerful Mangekyō Sharingan — capable of Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, and Susanoo — but the Eternal form never appeared on him in the story. To unpack that a little: the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan (EMS) is a specific upgrade you only get by transplanting the Mangekyō eyes of a close blood relative into someone who already uses the Mangekyō. It stabilizes vision and removes the blindness side-effect you get from overusing Mangekyō techniques. Itachi’s own arc ends with him using his personal Mangekyō until his death during his final battle with Sasuke in 'Naruto'/'Naruto Shippuden'. After that battle, Itachi’s eyes were later transplanted into Sasuke (with help behind the scenes from Orochimaru and others), and Sasuke is the one who awakened the Eternal Mangekyō by receiving Itachi’s eyes. So if people refer to the first on-screen emergence of an EMS connected to Itachi’s eyes, they mean Sasuke’s post-transplant eyes — that’s when the Eternal Mangekyō bearing Itachi’s ocular power first appears in the plot. Fans often mix this up because Itachi’s Mangekyō was iconic and so closely tied to Sasuke’s later power-up; but canonically, Itachi himself never attained Eternal Mangekyō. I still love replaying the tragedy and the visual symbolism around Itachi’s eyes every time I rewatch 'Naruto' — the way the story handles legacy and sacrifice hits hard.

Nothing beats getting lost in the eye-talk of Uchiha lore — the way a small anatomical tweak upends an entire battle is ridiculous and beautiful. At its core, the normal Mangekyō Sharingan (MS) is born from trauma: you lose someone precious, your eyes flinch into a new pattern, and suddenly you can call down brutal, reality-warping techniques. Those powers are spectacular — think of Tsukuyomi-level genjutsu, the black flames of Amaterasu, or a Susanoo that can turn the tide of a fight. But the cost is grim: repeated use eats away at your vision, each activation edging you closer to blindness and causing nasty chakra strain and headaches. MS is like a double-edged sword that gets sharper and duller in equal measure — powerful but self-destructive if relied on too much. Now, Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan (EMS) is the upgrade that solves the biggest problem: degeneration. By transplanting another Uchiha’s Mangekyō (usually a sibling’s), your eyes merge into a new, permanent pattern that retains or amplifies both users’ techniques without the progressive vision loss. Practically, that means no creeping blindness, a dramatic reduction in the debilitating aftereffects, and a big jump in stamina and ocular power. Visual acuity and reaction speed improve, Susanoo becomes more stable and can manifest in heavier forms without frying your body, and genjutsu or space-time moves can be used much longer with less backlash. The EMS also sometimes enables unique technical synergies — techniques that were once separate can be layered or evolved, because the user isn’t tethered by the MS’s frailty. If I imagine this through the Itachi lens — who in his normal MS state was already a master tactician with Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, and a near-perfect Susanoo — an EMS would have made him terrifyingly sustainable. His style relied on precision, timing, and conserving resources, so removing the vision clock would let him stay in the field longer, spam high-cost ocular jutsu without the looming penalty, and maintain a full-strength Susanoo for extended counters or protection. It would also let him experiment with technique combinations: imagine perfectly-timed Amaterasu follow-ups from a Susanoo shield, or layering genjutsu with physical constraints without the usual risk of going blind. On the flip side, that durability changes narrative stakes — villains like Itachi feel more unstoppable, which is thrilling but also shifts the emotional weight of their sacrifices. Personally, I love thinking about the EMS because it turns tragic brilliance into relentless mastery. It’s the difference between a brilliant, fragile violinist and the same musician with an iron spine: same music, but now they can play through storms. That hypothetical version of Itachi is both awe-inspiring and a little chilling to imagine.

Kakashi Hatake's acquisition of the Sharingan is one of those plot twists that completely transforms his character. Originally, Kakashi is a talented ninja who had the privilege of being trained by Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage. His close friend, Obito Uchiha, plays a vital role in this story. During a mission, Obito sacrifices himself to save Kakashi from a fatal blow. In a truly selfless act, he gifts Kakashi his left eye, which possesses the legendary Sharingan. This event not only enhances Kakashi's abilities but also carries the emotional weight of loss and friendship. After receiving the eye, he becomes a significant character within the 'Naruto' series, known for his intelligence and cool demeanor. The Sharingan allows him to master various techniques and perceptions that make him an enigmatic figure among the shinobi. The eye represents both power and the burden of responsibility, leading to Kakashi's development alongside his own legacy. Over the arcs of the 'Naruto' series, it's fascinating to see how Kakashi has shaped his fighting style around this unique power. He skillfully blends the Sharingan’s prowess with his own lightning-fast reflexes, becoming a true powerhouse. Plus, it's not only about the eye; the emotional connection to Obito drives many of his actions and decisions, making it feel more profound than just a simple power-up. This connection fits beautifully into the overarching themes of friendship and sacrifice that resonate throughout the series. It’s these kinds of character dynamics that draw me into 'Naruto.' I love how each character evolves through their experiences, and Kakashi's journey does an excellent job of illustrating that.

The Mangekyou Sharingan is such a fascinating aspect of the 'Naruto' universe, and there's a ton of lore and drama wrapped up in its awakening. From my perspective, it isn't something just anyone can unlock. For starters, achieving this legendary ability typically requires immense emotional trauma, like the loss of a loved one, which adds a layer of tragedy to the whole thing. Think about Itachi Uchiha's backstory—his entire family, the weight of his choices, and how it all led him to that intense moment where he awakened his Mangekyou Sharingan. But not just anyone can go through that ordeal and come out with the Mangekyou. It's also tied deeply to lineage; being an Uchiha is a must. The clan’s genetics provide the necessary foundation. It’s like inheriting a legacy, but the cost is often steep. Imagine carrying that pressure and the painful memories, all for such a powerful tool. So, while yes, technically anyone could awaken it if they endured similar experiences, the reality is that for most, it remains a distant dream. The beauty of 'Naruto' comes from these characters, their struggles, and the complicated ties between power and pain. It’s a sobering thought—power isn’t just about strength; it's about sacrifice too. It's what makes these abilities so compelling and relatable on a deeper emotional level. Plus, the stories surrounding the Uchiha family bring a tragic beauty to the series that keeps me coming back for more inspiration, whether in cosplay or analyzing character arcs with friends at conventions!

I'm a die-hard cosplayer who loves tinkering with tiny details, and for a Kakashi Hatake Sharingan look the safest, most realistic route is a single red printed contact for the left eye — the one Kakashi actually has in 'Naruto'. Go for an opaque red lens with the black tomoe (three commas) pattern if you want a bold, screen-accurate pop in photos. Circle lenses with a slightly larger diameter (14.2–14.5mm) will give that exaggerated anime vibe, while a standard 13.8–14.0mm keeps things more natural. I prefer silicone-hydrogel soft lenses because they breathe better and feel comfortable during long con days. Make sure it’s a reputable seller, check the base curve matches your eye, and if you need vision correction, order prescription plano or Rx so you can actually see in crowded halls. I usually test new lenses at home for a full hour before the event to spot any irritation. If you want to go extra, look for custom or Mangekyo-printed options for dramatic shots — but remember those printed centers can reduce vision. I typically stick with a single, well-fitting Sharingan lens on the left and leave the right natural under the headband; it’s the simplest, most cosplay-friendly choice.

There’s a cool, brutal logic to how the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan works in-canon, and the short, concrete list of folks who actually obtained it keeps the power feeling rare and meaningful. From the pages and panels of 'Naruto', the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan (EMS) is only achieved when someone with a Mangekyō Sharingan transplants the Mangekyō eyes of a close blood relative into themselves. That transplant cancels out the progressive blindness caused by using the Mangekyō and fuses the ocular abilities into a stronger, more stable form. In canon, the two explicit, confirmed cases are Madara Uchiha — who took his brother Izuna’s eyes — and Sasuke Uchiha — who received Itachi’s eyes. Those two moments are framed as pivotal: Madara’s gaining EMS cemented his legendary power, and Sasuke’s transplant after Itachi’s death was a major turning point for his battles in 'Naruto Shippuden'. I still get chills reading those scenes; the artwork and the weight of Uchiha tragedy make the mechanics feel tragic and intimate. It’s also why characters who had lots of Sharingan, like Danzo, or outsiders who borrowed eyes, like Kakashi, never ended up with EMS — the transplant has to be from a compatible Uchiha bloodline, not just a random eye swap or a hoard of stolen eyeballs. So, canonically, if you’re asking who can obtain EMS: only Uchiha with Mangekyō Sharingan who transplant a Mangekyō from a close blood relative can — and we’ve only seen Madara and Sasuke actually get there in the official story. That rarity is part of what makes the EMS so memorable in 'Naruto'.

I get a little giddy thinking about how the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan reshapes a fight—it's like swapping out a Swiss Army knife for a full-on war chest. On a practical level, the biggest immediate change is reliability: technical genjutsu, space–time jutsu, and the Susanoo become tools you can count on turn after turn without the looming threat of blindness that the regular Mangekyou brings. That changes tempo and risk calculus. Where a Mangekyou user might play cautiously to conserve eyesight, an Eternal user can lean into long exchanges, layered trap setups, and extended defensive stands. Tactically, the Eternal eye shifts how both offense and defense are structured. Offensively, you can commit to multi-stage combos—use ocular space-time to erase their reposition, then follow with a full Susanoo assault or a precision genjutsu to collapse enemy coordination. Defensively, a sustained Susanoo opens up roles like area denial and protection for high-value allies, letting other teammates be more aggressive. It also alters battlefield positioning: opponents must respect range and projection of ocular techniques, so flanking and indirect approaches gain priority. I always imagine a commander adjusting placement like moving chess pieces—sensors, traps, chakra reserves, all tuned to neutralize those particular eye techniques. There's a psychological side too. Knowing your opponent has eternal eyes forces them into paranoia—are they baiting with Tsukuyomi? Will they teleport? That mental fatigue can be exploited by feints and attrition tactics. The one caveat I always mention when debating strategy with friends is resource management: eternal sight removes the permanent blindness risk, but chakra expenditure and cooldowns still matter. In practice, I picture teams training specifically against an Eternal user: sealing jutsu, interfering with ocular line-of-sight, or targeting chakra sources. It's such a deliciously complex shift; it doesn't just make someone stronger, it fundamentally rewrites battlefield priorities.

I have a soft spot for these darker little details in 'Naruto', so this always stood out to me: Danzo didn’t have multiple Sharingan because he liked collecting weird trophies — he literally grafted them into himself. In the story he scavenged eyes from Uchiha who died (or were incapacitated) and had them implanted into a special, bandaged arm that contained Hashirama cells. Those cells let the transplanted eyes survive and be used as tools. The main practical reason was Izanagi: it’s an ability that lets you rewrite reality for a short moment, but the cost is the permanent blindness of the eye that uses it. If you want to survive fights while cheating fate, one eye isn’t enough. On a softer level, the flashbacks showing many Sharingan are also storytelling shorthand. They visually communicate Danzo’s paranoia and moral decay — someone who will harvest friends’ eyes to secure power is pretty far gone. Rewatching those scenes, I always feel a mix of disgust and a weird pity: he was trying to shield the village in his own twisted way, but paid for it with his humanity.