Post by Karin on Dec 14, 2007 22:31:43 GMT -5
I am first and foremost a Uchiha Sai fan. I admit I have always kept a distance from Tobi = Obito theories, even though I like both Obito and Tobi. So this post may seem a little biased, but I think it makes sense.
I don't normally think about Tobi = Obito when I write Uchiha Sai theories, but I started thinking about how these two theories may come together. I looked at how they were introduced, how they were received by the board, and how they are hinted at being an Uchiha. Surprisingly, I came to a shocking conclusion.
But first, lets start with Tobi...
* Introduced in chapter 280.
* The name Tobi is the reversal of the syllables in Obito.
* Tobi wears an orange mask with single eye-hole over the eye Obito didn't give Kakashi.
* Tobi is a subordinate of Zetsu, a Grass ninja, and Obito died in the Grass country.
Some call these details obvious hints that Tobi is Obito, but I think of it more like being hit with a ton of bricks. This is beyond foreshadowing, because the hints aren't subtle. Kishimoto clearly sending us a message and by now, despite the debates, a large amount of this board seems to accept that Tobi = Obito.
Next, introduced only a week later, was Sai...
* Introduced in chapter 281.
* The name Sai could be inspired by Uchiwa Matsuri, fan festival, which is also read as Uchiha Sai
* Sai resembles Sasuke in both his face and voice.
* Sai is a subordinate of Danzou, whose name contains the same first kanji in Uchiwa .
Despite being introduced only a week apart, Sai has not had the same support as Tobi and his "Uchiha-ness" is much more debatable. It is funny that a mask can lead people to think Tobi is Obito while a resemblance to Sasuke does not. Sai also has a few subtle Uchiha hints that are hugely interpretable.
When lined up together, I can see there is more of a difference than popularity. There is a difference in "Uchiha-ness". Sai has a few unexplained features that point to him being an Uchiha, including his resemblance and his history of taking weapons and armor from his opponent like he copied their styles. These details don't prove he's an Uchiha, but are hard to explain otherwise. Tobi on the other hand hasn't shown any Uchiha-like abilities and his "resemblance" is based solely on a name and a mask.
I admit we've seen more of Sai than Tobi, but current performance leads me to conclude...
Tobi is a red herring!
A red herring is a plot device used to distract the reader from something more important. In this case, Kishimoto is using Tobi to distract us from Sai. Because of Itachi's comments, we're already looking for a potential third Mangekyou Sharingan user and thus the idea of a third Uchiha is acceptable to most. However, a fourth Uchiha is more unacceptable to this board and choosing between Sai's vulgar attitude and Tobi's goofy personality, most might prefer Tobi to be that third Uchiha, which allows Sai to slip in.
Although, Tobi and Sai are seemingly unconnected, but in a way they are. If Tobi is a red herring, then his true background will be revealed when Sai's is, in order to create the maximum amount of payoff and drama. Kishimoto will first milk it for all its worth by having Itachi make a comment about only one other Uchiha is still alive and then have Tobi do something that has us leaning toward him while Sai does something that makes us lean away. Then Tobi should reveal his true self, which should be equally enjoyable so he isn't thrown away, and for Sai to reveal with hard evidence that he is an Uchiha.
While I would have liked to see Kakashi's closer, there has been something about Tobi that never sit right with me. Instead, I would rather see this rollarcoaster drama unfold, making Uchiha Sai more enjoyable.
I don't normally think about Tobi = Obito when I write Uchiha Sai theories, but I started thinking about how these two theories may come together. I looked at how they were introduced, how they were received by the board, and how they are hinted at being an Uchiha. Surprisingly, I came to a shocking conclusion.
But first, lets start with Tobi...
* Introduced in chapter 280.
* The name Tobi is the reversal of the syllables in Obito.
* Tobi wears an orange mask with single eye-hole over the eye Obito didn't give Kakashi.
* Tobi is a subordinate of Zetsu, a Grass ninja, and Obito died in the Grass country.
Some call these details obvious hints that Tobi is Obito, but I think of it more like being hit with a ton of bricks. This is beyond foreshadowing, because the hints aren't subtle. Kishimoto clearly sending us a message and by now, despite the debates, a large amount of this board seems to accept that Tobi = Obito.
Next, introduced only a week later, was Sai...
* Introduced in chapter 281.
* The name Sai could be inspired by Uchiwa Matsuri, fan festival, which is also read as Uchiha Sai
* Sai resembles Sasuke in both his face and voice.
* Sai is a subordinate of Danzou, whose name contains the same first kanji in Uchiwa .
Despite being introduced only a week apart, Sai has not had the same support as Tobi and his "Uchiha-ness" is much more debatable. It is funny that a mask can lead people to think Tobi is Obito while a resemblance to Sasuke does not. Sai also has a few subtle Uchiha hints that are hugely interpretable.
When lined up together, I can see there is more of a difference than popularity. There is a difference in "Uchiha-ness". Sai has a few unexplained features that point to him being an Uchiha, including his resemblance and his history of taking weapons and armor from his opponent like he copied their styles. These details don't prove he's an Uchiha, but are hard to explain otherwise. Tobi on the other hand hasn't shown any Uchiha-like abilities and his "resemblance" is based solely on a name and a mask.
I admit we've seen more of Sai than Tobi, but current performance leads me to conclude...
Tobi is a red herring!
A red herring is a plot device used to distract the reader from something more important. In this case, Kishimoto is using Tobi to distract us from Sai. Because of Itachi's comments, we're already looking for a potential third Mangekyou Sharingan user and thus the idea of a third Uchiha is acceptable to most. However, a fourth Uchiha is more unacceptable to this board and choosing between Sai's vulgar attitude and Tobi's goofy personality, most might prefer Tobi to be that third Uchiha, which allows Sai to slip in.
Although, Tobi and Sai are seemingly unconnected, but in a way they are. If Tobi is a red herring, then his true background will be revealed when Sai's is, in order to create the maximum amount of payoff and drama. Kishimoto will first milk it for all its worth by having Itachi make a comment about only one other Uchiha is still alive and then have Tobi do something that has us leaning toward him while Sai does something that makes us lean away. Then Tobi should reveal his true self, which should be equally enjoyable so he isn't thrown away, and for Sai to reveal with hard evidence that he is an Uchiha.
While I would have liked to see Kakashi's closer, there has been something about Tobi that never sit right with me. Instead, I would rather see this rollarcoaster drama unfold, making Uchiha Sai more enjoyable.
