Sasuke Uchiha

Sasuke Uchiha 

(Japanese: うちは サスケ Hepburn: Uchiha Sasuke) is a fictional character from the manga and anime franchise Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto. Sasuke is one of the few surviving members of the Uchiha clan, an infamous and powerful extended family of ninjas. The Uchiha were allied to the village of Konohagakure but were massacred by Sasuke's older brother, Itachi Uchiha, before the series' start. At the series' beginning, Sasuke's sole focus was to avenge the destruction of his clan by killing his brother, but he later tries to be empathetic towards his teammates, notably Naruto Uzumaki, whom he eventually considers a friend. Sasuke has also appeared in several of the series' animated feature films, as well as other media, including video games and OVAs, and most notably the movie Boruto: Naruto the Movie and its manga sequel Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.

Sasuke Uchiha

Naruto character

Sasuke Uchiha by Masashi Kishimoto as seen in Part I (right), Part II (left), and finale and Boruto adult (middle) designs.

First appearance

Naruto manga chapter 3 (1999)

Voiced by

Japanese

Noriaki Sugiyama^[1]

English

Yuri Lowenthal

Notable relatives

Itachi Uchiha (brother, deceased)

Sakura Haruno (wife)

Sarada Uchiha (daughter)

Ninja rank

Genin in Part I

Rogue ninja in Part II

Ninja team

Team 7 (Part I)

Akatsuki (Taka) (Part II)

Sasuke was conceived as a rival to the series' title character, Naruto Uzumaki. Despite Sasuke's darker character development in later parts of the story, Kishimoto avoided making Sasuke an evil person. Sasuke's design challenged Kishimoto as he drew the manga, but he has since grown to greatly enjoy drawing him. In the animated adaptations of the manga, Sasuke has been voiced by Noriaki Sugiyama in Japanese and Yuri Lowenthal in English.

Sasuke's character has been both acclaimed and criticised in various anime and manga publications. Many reviewers noted his cold, detached attitude and impressive abilities, and he has been viewed as a stereotypical "rival" in the mold of similar characters in other shōnen manga. The character's development has been praised for his rivalries with other characters and his impact on the series' narrative arc. Moreover, Sasuke has been highly popular among the Naruto reader base, placing highly in popularity polls. Merchandise based on Sasuke has also been released, including action figures and plush dolls.

Reception

Popularity

Sasuke has ranked among the top five Narutocharacters in every official Weekly Shōnen Jumppopularity poll of the series. Though Sasuke's rank initially alternated between the third and fourth spot, he has twice come first.^[90][91] Several items of Sasuke merchandise have been released, including plush toys with his Part I and Part II appearances,^[92][93] key chains,^[94][95] and numerous figurines.^[96][97] NTT customers voted him their fifth favorite black haired male anime character in 2014.^[98] IGN also listed him as the seventh best Naruto character when the series ended in 2014.^[99]In a Japanese pollsters' Charapedia poll, Naruto and Sasuke's rivalry won first place.^[100] In a poll by Anime News Network, he was voted the 13th "Best Guy".^[101] In developing the fighting game Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, CyberConnect2CEO Hiroshi Matsuyama stated his favorite fight in making the series was the one between Sasuke and Itachi.^[102] In an interview of Mezamashi TV, Kishimoto was given questions by Nogizaka46's band member Rina Ikoma who was cosplaying as Sasuke; Kishimoto complimented Ikoma's cosplay.^[103] At New York's 2015 Comic-Con, stage moderator Christopher Butcher and editor Jo Otsuki discussed Sasuke's great popularity, noting that he became the series' most popular character. Otsuki admitted Sasuke was his own favorite character in the series. Butcher was surprised by this given Sasuke's pessimistic worldview and its contrast to Naruto's more positive outlook. Butcher wondered whether readers found Sasuke a more relatable character after the defeat of his worldview by Naruto's in the series finale. Otsuki thought that fans found Sasuke's character and abilities cooler than his rival, and given the similarities between these two characters and the series' happy ending, he thought Sasuke found a more positive worldview by the end.^[104]

^{Critical response}

An Uchiwa, a type of Eastern hand fan, ties in to Sasuke's character and his relationship with Naruto.^[105]

Manga, anime, and video game publications and other related media have both praised and criticised Sasuke's character.^[106] GameSpot's Joe Donson extolled Sasuke's abilities as "badass" but echoed IGN's comments about his "emo" personality.^[107] T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews noted that Sasuke fell into the stereotypical "rival" mold of shōnen manga and found him unlikable.^[108] On the other hand, Mania Entertainment's Dani Moure praised the fact that Naruto and Sasuke are forced to work together despite their rivalry. Moure liked that, despite their constant competition, "the group [Naruto and Sasuke] come together when they need to".^[109] A study which examined whether readers could predict character types based on physical cues found Sasuke to be a ISTJ (Myers-Briggs) character type, making him a foil for Naruto's personality.^[110] Rik Spanjers sees the difference between Sasuke (a loner) and Naruto (an optimist) as tragic, arguing that the contrast between the two protagonists' approach to the world is fundamental to the plot: "Naruto’s strength grows as he gains more loved ones to protect, while Sasuke remains alone and is increasingly absorbed by his quest for revenge."^[111] Amy Plumb argues that Kishimoto's use of references to Japanese mythology in Naruto are intended to add additional layers to the story, including Sasuke's clan's heraldic symbol, a fan known as an uchiwa. These fans are used in Japanese myths to exorcise evil, by blowing it away; Sasuke discovers late in the series that he has the ability to "blow away" the influence of the Nine-Tailed Fox creature sealed inside Naruto.^[105]

Carl Kimlinger from Anime News Networkdescribed Sasuke's fight in the Chunin Exams as "pure action," and noted that Orochimaru's influence over him kept the tension high.^[112] In another review, Kimlinger commented that Sasuke was in need of development when he was escaping from Konoha, but the long flashbacks of his life before his fight against Naruto were unnecessary.^[113] The fight between the two characters has been called one of the most entertaining from the series, not only because of the tactics used, but also because it emphasized their rivalry's growth and the emotional undercurrents of the fight.^[114][115] In the book New Media Literacies and Participatory Popular Culture Across Borders, Amy A. Zenger notes that Sasuke and Sakura's relationship is popular with fans even though Sasuke does not reciprocate Sakura's feelings.^[116] Charles White of IGN commented that Sasuke's farewell to Sakura in the first series was one of most emotional in the series so far, and revealed Sakura's feelings had grown beyond her original crush on him. Sasuke's amiable response led White to believe the two could have become a couple.^[117] Theron Martin from Anime News Network (ANN) praised Yuri Lowenthal's voicing of Sasuke but noted the actor had problems sounding younger in flashbacks.^[118]

In Part II of the manga, Sasuke's traits reference elements from Japanese mythology such as the Susanoo technique (above) and his Kusanagi sword (below).

Sasuke's appearances in Part II of the Narutomanga have received major praise. His weaponry and techniques are based on Japanese mythology such as the Kusanagi sword and his "Susanoo" eye technique.^[105][119] Manga Life's Park Cooper noted that Sasuke's new abilities, and his fight against Orochimaru indicated a sudden "change the nature of things".^[120] Jason Thompson enjoyed both his new design and his first interactions with Naruto after the series' timeskip. Reviewing a scene later in the series, Thompson noted that Sasuke had not become particularly evil, since Itachi is the only one of his enemies that he actually kills.^[121] Sasuke's re-introduction in the second story arc was so important that the animated adaptation Naruto Shippuden started with a sneak peek of this scene. In Shippuden, Sasuke's personality was not entirely different from the original series. His more emotional attitude kept scenes interesting, as did his conversation with the nine-tailed demon fox which foreshadowed future events.^[122][123] Casey Brienza from ANN described Sasuke's final fight against Itachi as "epic," and noted that Itachi's death and revelations about his life notably impacted Sasuke's personality and point of view.^[124] UK Anime Network's Dan Rhodes compared Sasuke's fight scenes in a later arc favorably with the scenes of Naruto's fight against Akatsuki member Pain, highlighting the characters' motives for each fight.^[125] Jacob Hope Chapman of ANN listed Sasuke and Naruto as one of the "Anime's Fiercest Frenemies," citing their similarities and the renewal of their friendship after their mortal battle.^[126] Amy McNulty of ANN also praised their final fight, despite finding Sasuke unlikeable in that scene.^[127] Chris Beveridge from the Fandom Post lauded Sasuke's decision to protect Konohagakure, since it meant that he would aid Naruto's group in upcoming episodes, alongside the reanimated Hogakes he had gathered.^[128] In a later review, Beveridge wondered whether at this point Sasuke was suffering from a god complex, considering his desire to spark revolution in the episodes leading up to his final fight with Naruto. However, Beveridge appreciated the battle for its well-developed choreography.^[129]Sarah Nelkin of Anime Now thought the final fight between Sasuke and Naruto was one of the series' darkest moments because of how close they came to killing each other, even though Naruto continued to try to reconcile with Sasuke during the battle.^[130]

In a later review, McNulty praised scenes like the one in which Sasuke admits his crimes and agrees to go to prison, as it showed acceptance of responsibility for his misdeeds. McNulty also praised Sasuke's later journey of self-redemption, as well as his decision to respond to Sakura's feelings for him before leaving.^[131] IGN's Ramsey Isler considered Sasuke's change of heart drastic, but felt it was a fitting conclusion for the character after the series' events, and fit well with him once again leaving the village, this time on good terms with his friends and the village.^[132] Manga author Hiroaki Samura was pleased with Sasuke's character arc in the series, especially his influence on Naruto and the fact that in the end he returns to Konohagakure because of Naruto.^[133] While finding Sasuke's fate in the manga's ending predictable, McNulty felt that the character's monologue after his final fight with Naruto helped to show a deeper side to him.^[134]

Following Naruto's finale, there have been also comments on Sasuke's appearances in the sequel and spinoff series. Reviewing Boruto: Naruto the Movie, Chris Zimmerman from DVD Talk noted that Sasuke's personal issues with Sarada fit the main theme and paralleled Naruto's issues with Boruto. Zimmerman also enjoyed the fight scenes between Sasuke and the other major characters.^[135]Christian Chiok from Japanator and Alexandria Hill from Otaku USA shared similar opinions regarding Sasuke's role in Boruto, with the former enjoying the teamwork between Sasuke and Naruto during the climax, and the latter praising the entertaining fight between Sasuke and the villain Kinshiki.^[136][137]Dan Rhodes said that Sasuke and Naruto's fight scenes in the movie are some of the best parts of the film, predicting longtime fans would look forward to them.^[138]

In the manga Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Beveridge liked Sasuke's personality, particularly as it was presented during his dialogue with Naruto.^[139] Reviewing the anime adaptation, Sam Stewart from IGN was particularly impressed by the scenes between Sasuke and Sarada, most notably because of changes in Sasuke's characterization. He highlights that despite acting coldly towards his daughter, he ends up using his body as a shield to protect her from his enemy.^[140]Ken Iikura from Anime Now agreed, pointing out that Sasuke has become a loving husband and father in Boruto, despite retaining some of the dark aspects of his personality. Ikikura noted that Sasuke and Sarada's meeting in Boruto significantly developed both characters.^[38] McNulty disliked the romance between Sasuke and Sakura in the original series, because it was initially a one-sided crush on Sakura's part, but she felt the spin-off manga Naruto Gaiden expanded on the bond between the two and their relationship with their daughter, Sarada.^[141] Stewart praised Sasuke's portrayal as a flawed parent rather than an effortlessly good one, noting that his farewell to Sarada demonstrated his difficulty with being a good father.^[142] Another writer from Anime Now, Sarah Nelkin, noted that these episodes helped to develop Sasuke as both a father and a husband, especially when he explains to Sarada that she creates a bond between he and Sakura that persists despite his being frequently absent as a result of his mission.^[143]

Appearances

In Naruto

Part I

Sasuke is the remarkable, sole survivor of the once powerful Uchiha clan of Konoha. At age seven, he survived the massacre of his entire clan at the hands of his brother, Itachi Uchiha, who spared his life only because he deemed Sasuke unworthy to kill.^[39] When first assigned to Team 7, Sasuke is antisocial, superior and unwilling to cooperate with his team members, Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno, but he eventually concedes that they are useful.^[40][41] Sasuke awakens his Sharingan, the inherited ability of the Uchiha clan to see through illusions (genjutsu), which allows him to see and learn imperceptible movements at a super-human rate.^[42][43] As time passes, Sasuke seeks out very strong opponents in order to convince himself that he is growing physically.^[44]

During the Chunin exams, Team 7 encounters Orochimaru, an infamous ninja exiled from Konoha, who infects Sasuke with a curse mark. When active, the mark increases Sasuke's physical abilities, but makes him cruel and sadistic, as the mark contains a fragment of Orochimaru's consciousness.^[45][46] Soon after, Kakashi teaches Sasuke his own Chidori technique, attempting to appease his desire for power.^[47] During the siege of Konoha, Sasuke is beaten by Gaara, but is rescued by Naruto. Not long after, Itachi returns to Konoha and Sasuke attempts to kill him, only to be beaten and tortured. In response, Sasuke decides he has to leave Team 7 and Konoha in order to become stronger.^[48] Believing Orochimaru's tutelage will make him more powerful, Sasuke defects from Konoha and becomes an outlaw.^[49] Naruto follows him, and the two fight when Sasuke refuses to return. Sasuke wins, but he spares Naruto's life and continues on to Orochimaru's hideout to seek power.^[50]

^{Part II}

After two and a half years of training, Sasuke tries to kill a weakened Orochimaru before he can take possession of his younger body.^[51] After Orochimaru's defeat, he proceeds with his goal to kill Itachi,^[52] Sasuke forms team Hebi and tracks him down.^[53] They fight, but at the climax of the battle Itachi dies from a preexisting illness.^[54] After the battle, Sasuke meets Itachi's superior, Tobi, who reveals that Itachi killed the Uchiha under the orders of Konohagakure and spared Sasuke out of love, not contempt.^[54] Sasuke reunites with Hebi, which he renames "Taka", and declares his intention to destroy Hidden Leaf village in retribution. By now, his Sharingan has evolved into a Mangekyo Sharingan, giving Sasuke powerful new techniques.^[55] After agreeing to work temporarily for Akatsuki, Sasuke becomes a criminal.^[56] During this time, Sasuke kills one of the masterminds behind the Uchiha Massacre, Danzo Shimura, who was acting as the Hokage, the leader of Konohagakure.^[57] Sasuke is then confronted by his former teammates from Team 7, and Naruto challenges him to a final fight sometime in the future, when he predicts that they will both die if he fails to stop his actions.^[58] Soon after, Sasuke asks Tobi to transplant Itachi's eyes, which restores his eyesight and gives him eternal MangekyoSharingan.^[59]

Following his recovery, Sasuke and the reanimated Itachi capture Kabuto Yakushi, who controls the reanimated soldiers aiding Tobi.^[60] Disillusioned by his brother's resolve to protect the village, Sasuke decides to learn more about his clan from the first four Hokages, who were reanimated by the revived Orochimaru.^[61] After hearing the First Hokage's story of Madara's past, the foundation of Konoha, and what it means to be a shinobi, Sasuke, loathe to let his brother's sacrifice come to nothing, decides to protect Konoha and heads to the battlefield.^[62] There, he reunites with Team 7 and fights both the creature known as the Ten Tails and Obito Uchiha alongside Naruto and his allies.^[63][64]While battling Madara, Sasuke meets the Sage of the Six Paths, Hagoromo Otsutsuki, in his subconscious. Sasuke inherits the Sage's Rinnegan fused with Ten-Tails' power so that he and Naruto can defeat Madara together. However, they end up facing and defeating a being known as Kaguya.^[65]After Kaguya's defeat, Sasuke reveals his plan to start a revolution to destroy the status quo of the Ninja World and create a new order from its ashes. Naruto opposes his idea, and the two proceed to fight a final battle.^[66] When he loses his left arm, Sasuke accepts defeat and reconciles with Naruto.^[67] Sakura heals him so he can help Naruto break Madara's illusion. Afterwards, Sasuke is pardoned for his crimes by Kakashi, who has become the Sixth Hokage. Sasuke decides to travel the world to find redemption. He tells Sakura not to follow him as he promises to return to her soon, finally revealing that he loves her. As he leaves, Naruto shows up, and they confirm they are on amiable terms.^[37] By the manga's finale, Sasuke has returned to the village and married Sakura, with whom he has a daughter named Sarada Uchiha.^[68]

^{In other media}

Sasuke has appeared in several works outside of the Naruto anime and manga. He appears in the four original video animations produced for the series: helping Naruto and Konohamaru Sarutobifind a four leaf clover in the first,^[69] joining Naruto's team for a mission in the second,^[69] participating in a tournament in the third, and working with Team 7 in the fourth.^[70][71] One OVA features an alternative fight between Sasuke and Naruto in Part II of the anime.^[72] Sasuke also appears in the first two Naruto feature films, although he shows up only briefly in a flashback in the second film.^[73] The first Part II movie to feature him is the second, Bonds.^[74]The sixth Part II movie, Road to Ninja, features an alternate reality version of Sasuke who is a flirting casanova.^[75] In The Last: Naruto the Movie, an adult Sasuke returns briefly to Konohagakure to protect it from a meteor.^[76]

Sasuke is a recurring character in the Naruto light novels. He is the protagonist of Naruto Jinraiden: The Day the Wolf Howled, which explores Sasuke's reflections after Itachi's death and his decision to destroy Konoha.^[77] In Sakura Hiden, an older and reformed Sasuke continues his redemption journey, but returns to Konohagakure on hearing rumors that Sakura has been abducted. There, he learns the rumors are wrong, and parts on friendly terms with Sakura.^[78] In Akatsuki Hiden, Sasuke meets two children who tell him stories about Akatsuki, and the three of them discuss Itachi's legacy. ^[79]He is also the protagonist of Sasuke Shinden, where he agrees to aid Konohagakure by investigating a rash of disappearances. With help of Taka and a ninja named Sai, Sasuke is able to solve the case and, after receiving a letter from Naruto, he decides to return to the village to meet Sakura.^[80]

In the spin-off Naruto Gaiden, Sasuke discovers that a new threat greater than Kaguya is approaching. He reunites with Naruto and the others to oppose Orochimaru's former test subjects, who want to revive the Akatsuki and avenge Itachi. After defeating Orochimaru's test subjects, Sasuke promises to come home soon to his wife and daughter before resuming his mission.^[81] Sasuke is a protagonist of the Naruto spin-off manga named Sasuke Uchiha's Sharingan Legend by Kenji Taira, in which he searches for Itachi with his group Taka.^[82]

In Boruto: Naruto the Movie, Sasuke returns to Konoha to warn Naruto of the imminent threat posed by Momoshiki and Kinshiki. He reunites with his family and meets Naruto's son, Boruto, who asks Sasuke to take him on as his apprentice in order to surpass his father. Sasuke agrees on the condition that Boruto learns the Rasengan and prepare for the Chunin Exams. When Momoshiki and Kinshiki attack the village during the exam with the intent to kidnap Naruto, Sasuke protects Sarada and Boruto as Naruto travels to another dimension to protect them. Sasuke then allies with Boruto and the four other Kage to rescue Naruto. Boruto uses a giant Rasengan to destroy the enemy, effectively ending Sasuke's mission and allowing him to return home. Sasuke is also Boruto's teacher in the manga sequel, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.^[83]After Momoshiki's defeat, Sasuke notices the enemy placed a seal inside Boruto and urges the teenager to seek his help should something happens to him.^[84]

Sasuke is a common playable character in Narutovideo games, including the Clash of Ninja series and the Ultimate Ninja series.^[85][86][87] In some games, it is possible to unlock and activate his cursed seal. Due to his absence from early Naruto Shippūdenchapters and episodes, he does not appear in any games based on Naruto Shippuden until Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX 2.^[88] Sasuke has also appeared in the crossover games such as Battle Stadium D.O.Nand J-Stars Victory Vs.^[89]

Description

Sasuke is introduced in Part I as a young, spiky black-haired teenager who wears a blue shirt, with a fan representing his clan on his back. He also wears short white pants and the customary Konohagakure head band.^[31] Early in the series, a man named Orochimaru brands Sasuke with a cursed seal that causes black marks to cover his body, and later grants him new Cursed Seal powers, which give him gray skin, white hair, and claw-like wings.^[32] In Part II, he usually appears wearing a white kimono with black pants. While skilled in the use of shurikens, in Part II Sasuke wields a chokutōsword which he calls Kusanagi.^[33][34]

Throughout the series, Sasuke is shown as silent character who seeks to become stronger by any means in order to kill his older brother, Itachi Uchiha, for betraying and murdering their entire clan.^[35] Nevertheless, Sasuke is moved when Naruto Uzumaki wants him to make peace with the village. As a result, Sasuke considers Naruto his only friend.^[36] By the end of the series, Sasuke becomes more kindhearted, but decides not to return to his home, choosing instead to redeem himself and search for an enemy threatening the peace in Konohagakure.^[37][38]

Creation and conception

Development

Despite difficulties in designing him, Kishimoto enjoys illustrating Sasuke's character. He aimed to make Sasuke look appealing in his Part II design.

Sasuke was not included in Kishimoto's original concept of the Naruto manga. While discussing the future of the series, his editor advised him to add a rival character for the series' protagonist, Naruto Uzumaki, so he created Sasuke.^[2] Kishimoto read a variety of manga to gather ideas for creating an effective rivalry between the characters, and he incorporated these elements into Naruto and Sasuke's relationship. Kishimoto also drew inspiration from his own relationship with his twin brother, Seishi. Since childhood, Masashi had worried about Seishi when he faced failure, such as in high school or college, and tried to help him.^[3]

To contrast him with Naruto, Kishimoto was careful to never make Sasuke too emotional, instead depicting him as a "cool genius". Kishimoto felt he had created the ideal rivalry in the pair.^[4] He wanted Naruto and Sasuke to seem like brothers and rivals at the same time, building on their mutual experience of childhood loneliness. At first, Sasuke does not view Naruto as an opponent worth considering, but is quickly surprised at Naruto's growth, and becomes fiercely competitive. In the finale to Part I, their rivalry leads to a fight and the two grow further apart. Kishimoto has said that he did not want Sasuke to recognize Naruto as an equal until later in Part II.^[5]

To introduce Sasuke, Kishimoto originally wrote a chapter which was set before the creation of Team 7, when Naruto had just become a ninja. However, this idea was later scrapped and Sasuke was introduced alongside Team 7, although he kept the same traits and his rivalry with Naruto.^[6] Sasuke's first name comes from Sanpei Shirato's Sasuke, a manga Kishimoto likes, and Sarutobi Sasuke, a fictional ninja featured in Japanese children's stories.^[7] Kishimoto has remarked that Sasuke's character was also influenced by Hiei from YuYu Hakusho, stating that he referenced Hiei when designing the character character and his Sharingan ability.^[8] Since Sasuke had few appearances in the Naruto movies, Kishimoto decided to give him a bigger role in Boruto: Naruto the Movie. In Boruto, Sasuke becomes a teacher to Naruto's first son, Boruto Uzumaki, an apparent reference to Piccolo and Gohan from the Dragon Ball manga series by Akira Toriyama.^[9] Kishimoto first planned Sasuke and Sakura's romance early in the production of Naruto. He also decided Sasuke would remain a rogue ninja at the series' close despite ending on good terms with his allies.^[10]

When dramatic plot developments made Sasuke one of the series' antagonists, Kishimoto compared him and Naruto to the yin and yang due to their notable differences and complimentary natures. He has mentioned that when one progresses, he makes sure the other does as well.^[11] In 2013, as the series approached its climax, Kishimoto encouraged readers to look forward to Sasuke and Naruto's final fight.^[5] Since it started serialization, Kishimoto had planned that the series' ending would feature the final fight between the two characters, although he was not sure whether the characters would end the duel as friends or enemies.^[12] While the two use ninja techniques in the beginning, in the climax the author wanted both fighters to rely on hand-to-hand combat.^[13] In the end, Kishimoto decided to have Naruto forgive Sasuke as he had forgiven Nagato, another former enemy.^[14] Before the series finale, Sasuke decides to leave on a solo journey. Kishimoto later explained that besides self-atonement, Sasuke also wanted to discover the origins of the series' final antagonist. However, Kishimoto decided not to explain this in the manga.^[3]

In retrospect, Kishimoto says he felt Sasuke was a difficult character to write, requiring a great deal of forethought and planning. In early 2014, when asked whether Sasuke was good or evil, Kishimoto referred to him as a "very pure person," adding that while some of his actions, such as following his clan's ideals, are positive, his self-centered nature tends to cause problems for others.^[15] For the spin-off focused on Sarada Uchiha, Sasuke and Sakura's daughter, Kishimoto wanted to explained how the couple was connected despite not being close as a result of Sasuke's mission which made him leave his village. The author also wanted to put effort in the final scene of Uchiha family as for him that was the most important area of the spin-off.^[16]

^Design

^{Original sketch of Sasuke's Part I design, which was revised to be less detailed}

Because he was developed to be Naruto's opposite, Kishimoto remarked that Sasuke was the most memorable character for him to design.^[17] He also considered Sasuke his most challenging character to create, because his design gave Kishimoto a number of problems. He lacked a proper idea of what Sasuke's face should look like, and his initial drafts of Sasuke appeared too old or mature for a character the same age as Naruto.^[18] Original designs of Sasuke had a number of necklaces and ties around his arms and legs a result of Kishimoto's habit of giving characters as much ornamentation as possible. Realizing he could not draw such a complex character on a weekly basis, Kishimoto simplified the design to be a basic contrast of Naruto's costume.^[19]

Sasuke was also the most difficult character for Kishimoto to draw. He felt that his drawings tended to make Sasuke look too old, a result of his inexperience in drawing younger characters mature beyond their years.^[19] Sasuke's hair, originally kept short to save Kishimoto time, slowly grew longer as the series has progressed.^[18] Midway through Part I, Kishimoto drew a new costume for Sasuke featuring a number of belts strapped around his arms and legs, but because it took too long to draw, he returned to Sasuke's original costume design.^[20]Despite the time and energy Kishimoto spends drawing Sasuke, he has become his favorite character to draw.^[19] He ranked Sasuke alongside Sakura in terms of drawing difficulty.^[13] In some cases, his superiors even asked Kishimoto to redraw parts of the manga that did not illustrate Sasuke well.^[13]

When designing Sasuke's appearance in Part II, Kishimoto's main objective was to make him look cool. For this, he tried several outfits, such as wrapping him in Shimenawa to evoke the design Orochimaru, then Sasuke's master. He also tried other clothing such as a turtleneck and a military uniform to show "cleanliness". However, he ended up choosing Japanese-style clothes with a Chokutō-style sword.^[21] For the film The Last: Naruto the Movie, Kishimoto gave Sasuke a new, young adult design, with "even sharper" facial features.^[22]

^{Voice actors and personality}

^{Yuri Lowenthal, voice of Sasuke in the anime's English dub}

In Japanese animations, Sasuke is voiced by Noriaki Sugiyama. At the beginning of the Part I anime, Sugiyama found it difficult to voice Sasuke because he did not know much about his personality. Sugiyama felt that he started to better understand and portray the character when Sasuke encountered his brother Itachi. Sugiyama also read the manga and became particularly interested in Sasuke's development once the character left Konohagakure. Sugiyama even wanted to redo some scenes, including Sasuke's departure from Konohagakure.^[23] In the Behind the Scenes of Uchiha, a feature centered around Sasuke's and Itachi's backstory, Sugiyama noted that he got emotional during sixth season's recording sessions Naruto Shippuden, when Sasuke learned the truth about his brother's role in the massacre of the Uchiha clan.^[24]

Sugiyama has stated that Sasuke's line "you are annoying" sums up Sasuke's feelings towards Sakura. He is initially annoyed by her, yet when he repeats it before leaving Konohagakure, he is smiling. Naruto's voice actor, Junko Takeuchi, remarked that Sasuke's line "See you next time… Thank you," addressed to Sakura, revealed his feeling for her. Sugiyama noted that by the end, Sasuke realized how much he hurt Sakura's feelings across the series, and apologized to her after his final fight against Naruto. In preparations for the film Boruto, Sugiyama expected to see a bond between Sasuke and his student, Boruto.^[25]

Yuri Lowenthal, who voiced Sasuke in the English dubs, felt honored to be chosen considering the large retinue of voice actors auditioning for the role, but noted the job was stressful because fans were highly critical of any deviation or mistake in his recordings.^[26] His first impression of Sasuke was that of "a serious guy dedicated to his training," but his view changed as he learned more of Sasuke's backstory.^[27] In 2010, Lowenthal said that Sasuke was one of the first "dark" characters he voiced, commenting that "He's sort of a hero, but he’s not the naïve, young white – hat hero."^[28] Nevertheless, he said he loves voicing the character.^[29] Due to Viz Media often censoring parts of the series' dialogue for Western viewers, Lowenthal said some of Sasuke's lines were changed such as his usage of the word "kill". As a result, he commented he preferred the series' original Japanese version due to remaining true to the character.^[30]