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gojolight · 6 days ago

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The "No Regrets" Line

At the request of @the-real-sasuke-uchiha and because this seems to be a common point of critique of Itachi Uchiha.

So yeah. This is the explanation all of you have been waiting for. I've got Japanese raws, researched the original expression used, and now I'm here to let you know how haters never seem to understand this scene.

Length: • 1.4K Content: • The "Wrong" Translation • The Correct Translation • A Quote Taken Out of Context

DISCLAIMER: Blue links are sources. The art in the header is mine but drawn referencing Kishimoto's original art.

The "Wrong" Translation

We all know it. We all have heard it. It regularly comes up in anti-Itachi discourse to show fans how much of a remorseless monster Itachi truly is. It's the infamous "I have no regrets" line at the end of the Kabuto fight.

And it shows up not just in the manga but in the official English Sub and Dub as well. So it should be perfectly fine, shouldn't it?

Well. Before anybody's attention span gives out, this is indeed a translation error. Sort of, at least. The English translation is "correct" but it sacrifices nuance for the sake of a simpler, crispier line. But unfortunately, this nuance is vital to understanding both Itachi and Sasuke in this scene. The lack thereof is the origin of many misconceptions about Itachi's words and, therefore, his true character.

So instead, many people who read "no more regrets" interpret the line somewhat like this:

"I never regretted anything I ever did. Just deal with it, Sasuke."

And that interpretation has since developed into a stubborn misbelief within the anti-Itachi part of the fandom, so much so that it has developed a life of its own. People no longer analyze the entire scene but instead, they rip two panels out of context. They no longer quote Itachi's "I have no more regrets" but instead simplify it further to "I have no regrets" as if he never had any regrets, ever.

Don't believe me? Here's a compilation!

DISCLAIMER: I intentionally did not include sources or usernames in the compilation to avoid unnecessary witch-hunting of people who just didn't know any better or fell victim to Itachi hate propaganda. If you recognize a comment of yours and would instead like to be credited as its author, please let me know.

The Correct Translation

But now, let's take a look at what Itachi actually says in that scene. I found a Japanese raw and had a friend (who is studying Japanese) translate it for me.

Kana: もうこの世界に未練はない Rōmaji: Mō kono sekai ni miren wanai. English: I have no more attachments to this world.

If you don't believe me, you can literally enter that sentence into Google Translate and it will provide you with the exact same translation.

And by now you probably wonder "How the fck did this happen" because, to some, it changes the message of Itachi's words drastically. What should have been an expression of resignation instead turned into contentedness.

The secret lies in the Japanese word 未練 "Miren" which doesn't just refer to plain regrets (had Itachi meant plain regrets, he probably would've used 後悔 "Koukai" instead).

To better understand the expression, I checked three different Japanese-to-English dictionary sites [1] [2] [3]. "Miren" translates to a multitude of different words, including "lingering affection", "attachment", "reluctance", "ruefulness", and "regret". A strange amalgamation of meanings but one that becomes all the more obvious if you know how the word is commonly used.

Specifically, "Miren" means a reluctance to abandon or depart from something. I was told that "miren" is often used in the context of breakups to say "I am still attached to a past romance". The regret part refers, in this case, to a life that could have been or once was that you refuse to let go of. Not having any "Miren" means you are ready to move on.

Itachi uses this expression in reference to 世界 "Sekai" (World) to mean that he no longer feels a lingering attachment to the (mortal) world or life itself. He considers his own job done and that leaves him with no reason to stay - Not because he thinks himself to have finished the job but because he has no belief in his ability to change things for the better. With nothing left to salvage, he is ready to move on.

It is not that Itachi thinks he is a good person. He is simply giving up.

A Quote Taken Out of Context

What should probably be mentioned as well is that while the "no regrets" translation does Itachi a disservice, haters usually also rip the line out of its original context. Not that I entirely blame them, as the trajectory of both Sasuke's and Itachi's thoughts is not exactly straightforward. Add to that that the butchered translation can easily be twisted to imply a different meaning entirely - especially when followed by the younger Uchiha's reaction - and you should interpret Sasuke's words somewhat like this:

"You have no more regrets? You have been and are aiding the village that ruined you - That ruined me! And it is your fault! How dare you say you don't regret that?! How dare you make those your last words?!"

It seems as though Sasuke is fishing for an admittance of guilt and regret. But anybody who paid any attention at all already knows that Itachi has already expressed his guilt and regrets over what he did to Sasuke multiple times over.

Aside from being shocked and disheartened to learn that Sasuke has joined the Akatsuki, he consistently frames this turn of fate as a result of his own actions. While, yes, he recognizes "Madara's" involvement in all this, he rather says "It's my fault you became what you are now" and "I turned you into a criminal". When Sasuke describes Itachi as "perfect", Itachi rejects the notion, pointing to his manipulation attempts, characterizing them as mistakes or a character flaw of his.

Furthermore, Itachi denies himself the right to berate Sasuke for his decisions.

So no, Sasuke knows that Itachi feels profound guilt over his actions and feels deep regret - Both for their manipulative nature as well as for the effect they had on Sasuke. Sasuke has no reason to demand an admission of guilt he has already received.

But then, what does Sasuke want from Itachi? For that, let's take a look at the true context of this scene.

It begins with Sasuke's realization that, with the release of the Edo Tensei, Itachi is going to disappear yet again. Their words are meant to be interpreted like this:

"The dead revived with Edo Tensei will disappear." "But that means you will leave as well." "I know, but I accept that outcome because my disappearing along with the other Edo Tensei will be more beneficial to end this war than my staying. There is nothing else left for me to help with."

And it is not before this that Sasuke has his outburst. Now, with the mistranslation out of the way, the intent of Sasuke's words changes.

"Why would you sacrifice yourself for Konoha again? You should want to stay. They have ruined you! They have ruined me! You've said it yourself. You know that I need fixing. I need you. That's a reason for you to stay, right?"

Instead of accusations or feelings of betrayal, Sasuke is expressing desperation and longing. He doesn't blame Itachi for the sake of blaming him but rather, he is taking advantage of Itachi's guilt to throw his own words right back at him. He wants to give Itachi a reason to stay.

While wrapped in anger and incomprehension, Sasuke is actually being vulnerable.

Itachi knows that Sasuke is not looking for an admission of guilt from him. So instead of an apology, Itachi responds, saying he is not the one to change the younger Uchiha. Instead, he believes it is Naruto who can and will stop Sasuke.

Itachi's reasoning here is that he no longer believes himself fit to steer Sasuke onto the right path. The older brother has made too many mistakes to believe himself worthy or competent enough. It references a scene more than 30 chapters prior in which Itachi already decided to leave that job to Naruto.

(Obviously what is actually going on is that Kishimoto must shoehorn Naruto into the equation, but this is the in-universe reasoning)

It is certainly a heartbreaking interpretation in which Sasuke seeks justice and wants his brother to understand his crimes, admit to them, and take it all back. One in which, instead of a brother, all he is given is a mindless puppet of Konoha.

However, the true meaning of the scene is that Itachi already has accepted his crimes. He already has sought justice for them. But this acceptance, this guilt, and those regrets are exactly the reason why Itachi is ready to move on. Sasuke, instead, wants for his brother to stay. It is a longing that Itachi cannot fulfill - Not when this selfishness will get people killed or possibly spell the end for Konoha.

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gojolight · 16 days ago

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HAPPY OFFICIAL 10 YR NARUTO ENDING ANNIVERSARY

#naruto

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gojolight · 20 days ago

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