Happy Birthday Itachi!

"A few weeks ago we celebrated the birthday of Kankuro, older brother and positive role model

for the popular Gaara. Well, for Tuesday June 9 we switch gears a bit and offer a tribute to another older sibling, only this one isn't necessarily what you'd call a "role model." Akatsuki ringleader, dark and dangerous, with hidden motives and formidable powers, our man Itachi may yet be an influence on Sasuke -- if he doesn't finish him off first! Enjoy the new chock-full-o'-data Itachi wallpaper, and wish the mysterious one a happy birthday! (Cuz you don't want to get on his bad side, that's for sure.)

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Who's on the Guest List for Itachi's Birthday Party?

Forget all those other conflicted characters in Naruto for a minute (Orochimaru, anyone?). There's really only one guy who's been pulled apart by the political machinations of Ninja World.

For a long time, we know Sasuke was looking for someone to take revenge out on. But we didn't know who that was or really, what that was for. Even Sasuke said for years that he was the last of his clan, the Uchiha.

Then his brother shows up... the one in all the flashbacks doing rotten things to his family [like in Original Series episode 129, Brothers: Distance Among the Uchiha]. And now we know that Sasuke's big bro not only joined the renegade Akatsuki ninja, but really had killed everyone in the Uchiha clan [played out in Original series episode 131, The Secrets of the Mangekyo Sharingan!].

Or did he? Once again, we aren't sure what this guy did or who he is. I mean, Sasuke is alive... albeit tortured and not just a little misguided himself. And he’d probably not be interested in his brother’s birthday party.

So who'd be there? Orochimaru? Itachi's burned that bridge too. Other family? Yeah, not too many of them that we know of... wonder why. The other Akatsuki? Not much of a party.

So I'm guessing that Itachi's skipping his natal anniversary. But that doesn't mean we can’t take some time today to reflect on one of Kishimoto's most intense characters. Whatever side Itachi's on, let's just be glad that we get to watch him!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ITACHI!