Obito Uchiha is one of Naruto's most notorious villains and arguably among the oldest. Having fought against the Leaf even before Uzumaki's birth, the tragedy he suffered after being crushed under a boulder transformed him into a force of nature - and a perfect weapon at Madara Uchiha's disposal.
However, like many other Naruto villains, he is not a monster - at least, not explicitly. Within his character are many redeeming qualities and facts which compel one to consider the sincerity of the salvation he attempted to purchase with his life. To determine his worthiness, we explore five reasons why he's a monster and contrast them against five why he should be redeemed.
10 Redeemed - Rin
Obito's relationship with Rin exemplifies the capacity for goodness within the character, playing off his mentality to put his friends first. Zetsu's machinations in organizing her death (albeit one she consented to) at the hands of Kakashi was an understandable catalyst in cracking his mind.
The bond he shared with her is somewhat similar to what Naruto had with Sakura, albeit with less physical violence and much more chemistry. Through Rin, it's easier to correlate Obito with other Konoha shinobi and synthesize their experiences to his.
9 Monster - Killing Konan
Obito's depravity was so boundless that even other members of the Akatsuki would turn on him. When he sought out Nagato's corpse to retrieve his Rinnegan, Konan stood in his path, prepared to defend her friend's corpse to her dying breath, and vanquish his evil once and for all.
Unfortunately, her efforts were a failure, resulting in her death despite the cautions she took in defeating him. The man would find Pain's body, defiling his cadaver to increase his strength and make him a serious threat to the Leaf.
8 Redeemed - Giving His Sharingan
Upon Obito's first "death" where he was crushed by a large boulder, he met it with stoicism in lieu of fear. With Kakashi faithfully at his side, he insisted that he take his sharingan so that some value would come from his demise.
It's especially worth noting given his horrendous circumstances. Even with half his body (including one of his lungs) being ground into a pulp, he still had his friends' best interest at heart. This demonstrates the dogged loyalty he feels toward his allies, even if it is one that would later be turned against the Leaf.
7 Monster - Working With Kabuto
Even after Konan's death, Obito's respect for the departed would not increase much. This is demonstrated by his tenuous partnership with Kabuto and his prepared Edo Tensei army. The undead proved worthy distractions for Madara's resurrection and the subsequent return of the Gedo Statue.
Nonetheless, Obito's partnership entails a complete disrespect not only for the sanctity of life but for the value of free will. It contradicts his vision for a world liberated from conflict and strife inside the Infinite Tsukuyomi through the depravity he is willing to unleash to get there.
6 Redeemed - Attempting To Destroy Rinnegan
After his battle with Kakashi, Obito demanded that Sakura destroy his Rinnegan. This was because Black Zetsu was slowly dominating his body, and should it fall into the wrong hands (whether he become successfully possessed or if Madara simply retrieves it himself), it would exacerbate the Allied Shinobi Forces's already steep problems.
While this endeavor would ultimately be unsuccessful, it is due to Sakura's reluctance to take Obito's eye, not the latter's unwillingness to relinquish it. If she had mustered the courage to fulfill his request, it would have made Madara considerably easier to deal with.
5 Monster - Attempting To Kill A Baby
Obito's crimes do not range explicitly from his association with the Akatsuki or even his participation in the Fourth War. He attempted to kill Naruto by putting explosive tags on him when he was an infant, forcing Minato to leap into action to save his son.
However, his actions were not entirely unsuccessful. He was able to kill the midwives looking after Naruto in his voracious blood lust, putting up a fight commendable enough to even make his old mentor struggle.
4 Redeemed - Helping Kakashi Grow
When Obito and Kakashi were allies, his attitude and behaviors instilled in Hatake an important lesson; comrades must come before "honor." This was the same struggle his father contended with, ultimately resulting in their suicide.
His productiveness in Kakashi's character growth would later be carried on in his own lessons to Team 7. This is evident by the bell trial, which was designed with the explicit intent of breaking the ninja code. It cultivated the same dogged loyalty that would inspire Naruto to continue attempting to rescue Sasuke.
3 Monster - Unleashing The Nine-Tails
Obito's early efforts against the Leaf were more than an anemic attempt to kill Naruto. He was also able to extract Kurama, teleporting to the center of the Leaf, and unleashing it for a caliber of destruction that would remain unrivaled for decades.
It would eventually result in the Nine-Tails being inserted into Naruto, causing much of the persecution the young shinobi would face in his childhood. This is notably tragic, given that his parents sacrificed their lives for an evidently ungrateful country.
2 Redeemed - Sacrificing Himself
The bulk of Obito's shinobi career may have been drenched in villainy, though just heroism and sacrifice were the way it began, so too would it be the way he perished. Despite being relatively ineffective in the final fight against Kaguya, he managed to save not only the lives of Naruto and Sasuke, though Kakashi's as well.
Obito achieved this by using his Kamui in front of Kaguya's spikes, directing both attacks to him. Not only was this noble, but this was also resourceful and intelligent; one would have been enough to kill him, so by soaking both, he prevented needless death.
1 Monster - Grooming Sasuke
After Sasuke had killed Itachi, he was confronted by Obito Uchiha, posing as Madara. He told him the truth behind his brother's intentions; that he was simply under the orders of Konoha's elders, and that his actions were ultimately in his younger sibling's best interest.
While this was technically correct, he presented the information in a deliberate way to weaponize Sasuke's hatred and turn it against the Leaf as a whole. This would be a vendetta that outlived Obito himself, causing a final reckoning between Sasuke and Naruto.