Mastering Anime Battle Arena Itachi: Moves, Combos, and Awakening Guide

Learn everything about Anime Battle Arena Itachi, from base moves and devastating combos to mastering his Mangekyou Sharingan awakening and Susanoo.

If you are looking to dominate your opponents with genjutsu and black flames, mastering Anime Battle Arena itachi is an absolute must. As the tenth character added to the Naruto roster and the very first Akatsuki member introduced to the game, Anime Battle Arena itachi brings a highly versatile and deadly toolkit to the battlefield. Known for his calm demeanor and exceptional skill, this ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village excels at mind games, punishing mistakes, and controlling the arena with his iconic visual prowess.

Whether you are playing ranked 1v1s or chaotic public matches, understanding the intricate mechanics of his moveset is crucial. From utilizing his Crow Illusion for defensive healing to unleashing the devastating power of the armored Susanoo, this guide covers everything you need to know. Dive into our comprehensive breakdown to elevate your gameplay and leave your opponents trapped in an endless illusion.

Base Form Moveset and Mechanics

In his base form, Itachi relies on a mix of guardbreaks, tracking projectiles, and deceptive illusions to keep enemies guessing. His kit is designed to bait out opponent escapes and punish them with high-damage combo extenders.

Here is a detailed breakdown of his base abilities:

Move NameType / PropertiesDamageCooldownDescription
Crow IllusionDefensive / EvasiveN/A (Explosion: 12)XX SecondsCreates a crow clone for 5 seconds. Reverts Itachi to his original position and restores HP to pre-activation levels.
AmaterasuProjectile / Blockable26 (20 + 2x3 ticks)14 SecondsUnleashes tracking black flames that follow the opponent until they hit a target or wall.
Fireball JutsuProjectile / Guardbreak20XX SecondsA fast-traveling fireball that breaks guards. Essential for extending combos.
Demonic IllusionStun / BlockableN/A20 SecondsImmobilizes the target with a spike-driving illusion. Great combo starter or extender.

The Power of Crow Illusion

One of the most unique aspects of playing Anime Battle Arena itachi is his Crow Illusion. When activated, you gain control of a clone for five seconds. If the clone takes damage or dies, you teleport back to your original casting location with your health fully restored to whatever it was before using the move. You can also trigger an Exploding Clone variant that acts as a melee guardbreak, dealing 12 damage and finishing combos effectively.

Pressure with Fireball and Amaterasu

Unlike his brother Sasuke, Itachi's Fireball Jutsu acts as a clean guardbreak. This forces opponents to dodge rather than block, opening them up to your Amaterasu. Because Amaterasu tracks targets aggressively, it forces enemies to waste their evasive maneuvers, allowing you to close the distance and initiate your basic melee string (M1s).

Unleashing the Mangekyou Sharingan Awakening

Once you fill your awakening bar, Itachi tosses aside his Akatsuki robe and activates his Mangekyou Sharingan. This transformation drastically upgrades his offensive pressure, granting him moves that bypass guards and summon his iconic armored Susanoo.

Awakening MovePropertiesDamageCooldownDescription
AmaterasuBypasses Guard / DoT18 (10 + 8x1 tick)18 SecondsSpawns inextinguishable black flames directly under the target's feet.
TsukuyomiBypasses Guard / StunN/AXX SecondsA powerful genjutsu that completely immobilizes the target for a long duration.
Yasaka BeadsGuardbreak / AoE15 (40 direct hit)20 SecondsSummons Susanoo to throw Magatama beads, causing a massive downslam AoE.
SusanooEvasive / Guardbreak10-55 (varies)XX SecondsSummons Susanoo. Can block attacks and counter with the Totsuka Blade.

Mastering the Susanoo Mechanics

The Susanoo move is incredibly versatile, but it requires practice. If you simply press the move, the Susanoo appears for five seconds. However, if you hold the 'F' key, the Susanoo utilizes the Yata Mirror to push forward. During this state, it absorbs incoming attacks.

Once it absorbs enough damage, the Susanoo strikes back with the Totsuka Blade, downslamming opponents. The damage of this counterattack scales based on how much damage the Yata Mirror absorbed. Understanding these invincibility frames and evasive mechanics can easily turn the tide of a losing battle.

Top Combos to Annihilate Opponents

To maximize your damage output with Anime Battle Arena itachi, you need to string his abilities together flawlessly. Community reports and player experiences highlight two primary base combos and one devastating awakening combo.

Combo TypeInput SequenceDifficulty
Base Combo 13 M1s + Uptilt > Shuriken Assault > 4 M1s + Kickback > Demonic Illusion > Crow Illusion > 3 M1s + Uptilt > Phoenix Flower > 4 M1s > Clone ExplosionHard
Base Combo 23 M1s + Uptilt > Amaterasu > Downslam > Demonic Illusion > 3 M1s + Uptilt > Fireball Jutsu > 4 M1s > KickbackMedium
Awakening Combo3 M1s + Uptilt > Susanoo [Summon] > Downslam > Susanoo [Double Tap] > 4 M1s > Amaterasu > 5 M1sMedium

Executing Base Combo 2

For newer players, Base Combo 2 is highly recommended. You start with three basic attacks and an uptilt to launch the enemy. Immediately follow up with Amaterasu to catch them in the air, then force a downslam. While they are recovering, catch them with Demonic Illusion. This resets their stun state, allowing you to hit another uptilt, blast them with a Fireball Jutsu guardbreak, and finish with a standard M1 string.

Advanced Gameplay Tips and Tactics

Playing Anime Battle Arena itachi effectively requires more than just memorizing combos; it requires high battle IQ and situational awareness.

Here are some advanced tips to keep in mind:

  • Demonic Illusion Stun Timing: The actual stun for Demonic Illusion only applies during the segment where Itachi slides in. Opponents can technically move when he first starts weaving hand signs. Because the animation is lengthy and visually chaotic, many players get caught off guard, but high-level players might dodge it.
  • Susanoo in Public Matches: In chaotic team matches or Pro Servers, holding 'F' during your Susanoo is a lifesaver. You receive no damage while the Yata Mirror is active, making it an extremely viable tool to survive getting jumped by multiple enemies.
  • Multitasking in Awakening: You can actually use your basic M1 attacks and certain moves while your Susanoo is active and protecting you. For instance, you can cast Tsukuyomi or Amaterasu while the Susanoo is charging up its counterattack.
  • Visual Cues: Pay attention to Itachi's head. He displays hand signs above his head during the startup of Fireball Jutsu. This visual cue helps you differentiate it from Phoenix Flower, allowing you to anticipate the guardbreak timing.

Character Trivia and Unique Animations

Itachi is one of the most visually distinct characters in the game, largely due to the sheer amount of effort the developers put into his aesthetics. He holds the record for the most awakening animation variations in the entire roster.

Animation TypeAssociated SkinsNotes
Default AwakeningSkins 1, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 19, 23Standard Mangekyou Sharingan activation.
Variant ASkins 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 21, 22, 24Shared alternative animation.
Unique VariantsSkins 2, 16, 20, Legendary Skin 1Each of these skins has a completely unique, standalone awakening animation.

Easter Eggs and Lore Accuracy

Anime Battle Arena itachi is one of only two characters in the game to feature another character in their awakening animation. Depending on the skin, his younger brother, Sasuke Uchiha (War Arc), appears during the transformation—a direct nod to a major, emotional spoiler scene from the Naruto anime.

Additionally, Itachi is the second character (alongside War Arc Sasuke) to utilize the Susanoo ribcage visually during his uptilts and downslams. Coincidentally, his 20th skin is the only one in his roster that uses a sword for basic M1 attacks, making it highly sought after by players who want a unique melee experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you use the Susanoo effectively with Anime Battle Arena itachi? To use the Susanoo effectively, do not just tap the button. Hold the 'F' key to activate the Yata Mirror. This acts as an evasive maneuver (iframe) that blocks incoming damage. Once it absorbs enough hits, it automatically counters with a devastating Totsuka Blade downslam, which is perfect for crowd control in team matches.

Does Itachi's Crow Illusion actually heal him? Yes, but conditionally. When you activate Crow Illusion, the game records your current HP. If the clone is destroyed or the five-second timer runs out, Itachi reappears at his original casting location, and his HP is restored to the exact amount he had when he first pressed the button. It functions as a tactical reset rather than a traditional healing spell.

Are any of Itachi's moves unblockable? In his base form, Fireball Jutsu and the Exploding Clone variant act as guardbreaks. However, once you enter your awakening, both Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi completely bypass the opponent's guard, making Anime Battle Arena itachi incredibly dangerous and difficult to defend against in his Mangekyou Sharingan state.