Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-25358381-20140903032737/@comment-24531362-20140903042624

I like your idea of a 'Mangekyo Byakugan,' simply because I would want to se what a Pinwheel White Eye would look like.

kidding aside, I do believe that people seriously misjudge the power of the Byakugan. It is really in a different league from the other great dojutsu. Here's how I look at the eyes, in a nutshell:

Sharingan: The eye of dominance, whose powers are used to either grant combat superiority (Amaterasu, Susanoo, Kagutsuchi, Izanagi, the whole 'copy everything' idea) or provide dominion over the mind of the foe (Tsukuyomi, Genjutsu: Sharingan, Kotoamatsukami, Izanami). This reflects the idea of the Uchiha as a boisterous, emotional clan, quick to stand for their beliefs and, in doing so, disregard the beliefs of others.

Byakugan: The eye of protection, whose powers allow for protection against attack and the quick analysis and neutralization of threats (Gentle Fist, Eight Trigrams, telescopic and x-ray vision). This reflects te idea of the Hyuga as a close-minded clan, never letting ideas or secrets out of their grasp and staying aloof from the affairs and opinions of others.

Rinnegan: The eye of mastery, whose powers offer complete control over chakra (Preta path, mastery of all elements), chakra wielders (Human Path, Animal Path, Infinite Tsukuyomi) planes of existence (Kaguya Dimension-hopping, Sasuke Teleporting, Naraka Path, Limbo: Border Jail) and the very fabric of human existence (Outer Path, Asura Path). This reflects the idea of the Otsutsuki clan as divine rulers over all of humanity, as either royalty, wise world leaders, conquerors, or gods.

Each has merit, and each serves a purpose to the user and to the story.