Personality
Obito helps old woman
Obito aiding an elderly villager.
In his youth, Obito was constantly late, which, more often than not, was due to the good deeds he had stopped to do, such as aiding the elderly, even making it a point in his life to do so. He even noted he knew all the elderly people in Konoha.[33] Obito was also easily moved to tears, which he always insisted was because he had gotten something in his eyes despite wearing goggles. Obito was in love with Rin, despite realising her feelings were towards Kakashi instead. From this, Obito began to envy Kakashi's prodigious skills and constantly sought to surpass him. Ultimately, Obito would never get the chance to reveal his feelings to Rin before his supposed death. As Kakashi noted, Obito shared many qualities with Naruto; including a one-sided rivalry with his genius peer and one-sided feelings for his female peer. He also held the same desires as Naruto to become Hokage and never abandon comrades. Obito was kind from the bottom of his heart; qualities that made him ideal for corruption according to Madara.[12] However, upon witnessing Rin's death, Obito's determination and idealism were destroyed and his personality entirely changed.
Obito and Rin
Obito cradling Rin's lifeless body while mourning her death.
Since joining Madara's side and losing hope from the loss of Rin, conditioned by the older Uchiha to continue his work, Obito became extremely focused, collected, and serious. His loyalty and ideologies had succumbed to his clan's Curse of Hatred with the entire shinobi system and the very world itself as the objects of his loathing,[32] stating that he no longer cared for his well-being and that nothing in this world matters besides the Eye of the Moon Plan.[34][35] This lack of empathy extends to those once close to him, who he would attack without hesitation. His only positive relation after losing Rin was with Zetsu, which he maintained in his adulthood. Obito's love for Rin and desire to see her alive again through the Infinite Tsukuyomi became his only motivation, a determination that proved strong enough to regain his consciousness and assume control of the Ten-Tails.[36]
In the anime, despite his indifference to the world, Obito is shown somewhat sympathetic in witnessing other's lose of loved ones such as promising silently to Nagato and Konan's loss of their friend Yahiko they would reunite with their friend in the dream world without fail.[37] Obito also offered Itachi a place to belong in the Akatsuki after realising he would have no place to go after they massacred their own clan even though he knew full well Itachi would end up spying on the Akatsuki.
Wounded Obito
Obito showing Kakashi just how empty the world has left him.
While frequently arrogant and disrespectful of those he considered weak, Obito was not above giving praise to others.[38] His own disdain for his former dreams and belittlement of the morals of his opponents was extended towards his former compatriots, berating Kakashi for opening his mouth so easily.[39] While Obito's words were often painfully striking, they often held much truth, severely shaking down Naruto's determination after Neji Hyūga's death.[40] Madara noted that Obito had become like his own past self.[40] Obito had also taken up an aggressive and sadistic disposition, taking the newborn Naruto hostage to release Kurama from his mother.[41][42]
Obito is a master manipulator, either by subtly corrupting his targets' own goals, omitting parts of stories or events to his own benefit as he did with Sasuke, or by appearing to share their beliefs. As Madara taught him, Obito took advantage of the darkness within his targets' hearts to control them, best seen in the existence of Akatsuki with its wildly differing members working together because they believed the organisation furthered their own ends despite actuality being mere tools to further Obito's agenda. He is also capable of great patience in attaining his goals. However, upon nearing the completion of his ultimate goal, he began to discard caution and proceed in a more aggressive and decisive manner, even insisting that the Infinite Tsukuyomi be commenced immediately.[43] He is willing to take risks to further his plans.[44][12]>
When first introduced as "Tobi", Obito exaggerated his former personality to ridiculous extremes, acting the role of the happy-go-lucky idiot who annoyed most members of Akatsuki, although Kisame appreciated Tobi's ability to brighten up a gloomy organisation such as theirs.[45] In the anime, Obito was shown keeping up this charade even when no one was around.[46] Eventually, Obito discarded his role as a fool and took a more direct role in his plans.[47] During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Obito acquired somewhat of a fixation with Naruto,[48] who reminds him of himself in his youth.[49] Because of the similarities between Naruto and his child self, Obito expressed great anger toward Naruto for continuing to follow the same ideology that he once possessed, considering him incredibly naive and childish to still believe in such principles.
Obito Uchiha as 5th Hokage in front of hokage monument
For a fleeting moment, Obito recalls his original dream.
Kakashi would later deduce the reason for this and his actions, noting that Obito's Will of Fire had never actually burned out and his denial of it was causing him inner turmoil that was tearing him up inside. During his clash with Naruto and Sasuke, Obito briefly envisioned the way his life may have turned out if he had returned to Konoha when Rin died and rejoined his comrades, even going so far as to imagine himself as Hokage, despite not consciously understanding why. Upon seeing such visions again, Obito would start to conclude that he is subconsciously regretting his actions affiliated with the Eye of the Moon Plan.[50] While consciously convincing himself to have no regrets so long as he can bring the plan to fruition,[51] Naruto's actions ultimately succeeded in changing Obito's mindset, allowing him to overcome his Curse of Hatred. With the mask of lies finally lifted, Obito understood why Naruto was succeeding while he himself had failed. As a result, Obito openly expressed regret for what he did, even choosing to redeem himself in some small way by attempting to follow Nagato in offering his own life to revive all the people he and Madara killed during the war, solemnly expressing that he was unworthy of seeing Rin in the afterlife.[52] While his efforts failed, Obito openly chose to defy his savior and teacher in Madara, proving that Obito had returned to his former self. With the world still in great peril, Obito finally took Naruto's words on what it means to be a Hokage to heart and declared that he will stand before his comrades even if it costs his life for their sake.[53]
