Why does Obito hate Kakashi in Naruto? Explained

Many consider Naruto to be one of the most exceptional animanga series ever produced. Masashi Kishimoto’s masterpiece garnered significant attention upon its debut and seems to have maintained it until the very end. Fans of the series often characterize it as an unforgettable journey.

Naruto’s Kakashi Hatake and Obito Uchiha were both highly cherished among the multitude of characters. From the start, Kakashi had a strong fan following, while Obito’s backstory and motivations captured the audience’s affection upon being unveiled.

From their days as Genin, there had always been a deep-seated tension between the two. Obito’s animosity towards Kakashi began when he saw him fatally wound Rin Nohara, and this was only intensified by his belief that Kakashi had failed to protect her, breaking his promise to keep her safe.

What is the reason for Obito’s strong hatred towards Kakashi?

Obito Uchiha vs Kakashi Hatake (Image via Pierrot)

Initially, Obito did not harbor any hatred towards Kakashi. He saw Kakashi as a rival and someone he needed to match in terms of skill. Above all else, he disagreed with Kakashi’s belief in prioritizing the assigned mission above all else, as he believed that the lives of his teammates should hold greater value.

Despite initially having positive feelings towards Kakashi, Obito’s hatred towards him grew when he witnessed him killing Rin Nohara, whom he deeply cared for. He recognized the fact that both Kakashi and Rin were victims of circumstances and did not hold Kakashi responsible for her death. However, Obito was infuriated by the fact that Kakashi failed to keep his promise of protecting Rin and allowed her to die.

Despite knowing that Rin had the 3 Tails sealed within her and had sacrificed herself to protect Kakashi from his Lightning Blade, Obito still held onto the belief that Kakashi could have saved her. Despite having the opportunity to kill Kakashi, Obito refrained from doing so due to their past friendship.

The origin of the pair in Naruto, explored

Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, and Kakashi Hatake (Image via Pierrot)

As a child, Obito was raised by his grandmother without any knowledge of his parents. Feeling isolated, he aspired to become Hokage in order to gain recognition and affection from others. To achieve this goal, he enrolled in the Academy, where he crossed paths with Kakashi.

Recognizing the significant gap in their abilities, he formed a one-sided competitive relationship with the mysterious boy. Eventually, they were both assigned to the same squad, with Rin serving as the third member and Minato Namikaze leading the team.

As time went on, his envy towards Kakashi’s innate abilities and widespread admiration increased, ultimately leading to his animosity towards Kakashi. He came to perceive Kakashi as someone aloof and solely devoted to following rules, even willing to sacrifice his fellow teammates for the sake of completing a mission.

The Reconciliation of Obito and Kakashi, Explained

Uchiha Obito and Hatake Kakashi (Image via Pierrot)

The Naruto series continued with Obito manipulating events behind the scenes. Disguised as Madara, Obito initiated a war against the Five Great Nations, showcasing his most evil persona. He seemed beyond redemption, a fallen hero beyond saving. Fans eagerly awaited his anticipated showdown with Kakashi.

In the Kamui Dimension, their confrontation represented a conflict of beliefs, as they had symbolically exchanged ideologies after Obito’s supposed demise. To elaborate, Kakashi adopted Obito’s belief in prioritizing comrades over missions, while Madara Uchiha influenced Obito to discard his past and strive for a “perfect world”.

However, their individual confrontation and the appearance of Kaguya brought the two together once more for a final showdown. The events that transpired allowed them to understand each other’s beliefs, ultimately leading them to realize the value of companionship and relationships over their respective objectives. Although Obito did not survive the encounter, their rivalry reached a positive conclusion through their battle against Kaguya.