Jutsu (Naruto)

In the anime and manga series Naruto a jutsu (術, "technique" or "skill") is a general term referring to any technique a ninja might use that an ordinary human would likely be unable to naturally imitate. Jutsu often rely on the manipulation of chakra by various methods, the most common of which is hand seals. In some cases the line between a simple action and a jutsu is blurred and vague, allowing for some humor (Naruto Uzumaki: "What? How did you get loose?!" Sasuke Uchiha: "Rope Untying Jutsu. It's basic stuff.")

So far, several hundred different jutsu have been revealed, which have slightly different names depending on the media in which they appear. The English versions of the Naruto manga and anime both use different names for the jutsu, which usually don't match the literal translation of the Japanese name for the jutsu. The English dub of the anime tends to leave the word "jutsu" untranslated, whereas the English manga translates it to "[jutsu name] Technique" or "Art of [jutsu name]."

Chakra

Essential to even the most basic jutsu, chakra is mixture of the energy present in every cell of the body and the spiritual energy gained from exercise and experience. Once mixed, it can be channeled through the chakra circulatory system, which is to chakra as the regular circulatory system is to blood, to any of the 361 chakra points on the body. Through various methods, the most common of which is handseals, the chakra can then be manipulated to create an effect that would not be possible otherwise, such as walking on water.

Depending on the ratio in which physical and spiritual energy is mixed, different types of chakra can be formed. Elemental chakra is the most common product of this, and is used to perform elemental jutsu. The five elemental natures are earth, fire, lightning, water, and wind. Most ninja have a natural affinity to one type of chakra, but have the capacity to create elemental chakra apart from their own affinity. Each element is both stronger and weaker than another. The order is fire, wind, lightning, earth, and water, which each being weaker than the previous and stronger than the next. Water loops back into fire. Additionally, elemental techniques can be countered by techniques of the same element, provided the technique being countered is of equal or lesser power.

Certain kekkei genkai can also create unique elements, such as wood and ice, through a mixture of the basic elements, which normal ninja are incapable of doing. While some ninja are capable of producing varied types of chakra, they can't do so simultaneously. Yamato also mentions light and dark chakra, but doesn't elaborate on what they're used for.

Basic information

Generally speaking, jutsu are divided into three categories: genjutsu, ninjutsu, and taijutsu. Ninjutsu also has two sub-categories: sealing jutsu and cursed seal jutsu, which are jutsu used to create seals for various purposes.

There are also kekkei genkai abilities. These are not actually jutsu, but genetically-inherited abilities that are only possessed by specific clans. Some jutsu are based on kekkei genkai, like Itachi Uchiha's Tsukuyomi, and are considered Hiden (秘伝, "Secret") jutsu.

Depending on the difficulty or skill necessary to perform a jutsu, they will be ranked differently. There are a total of six ranks, plus two informal ranks for special circumstances. The rank of a jutsu doesn't necessarily mean it will be more effective than a lower-ranked jutsu, just more difficult to perform properly. The overall effectiveness of any given jutsu is largely based on individual skill. The two informal ranks are Hiden jutsu and kinjutsu (禁術, "forbidden technique"). Hiden jutsu are jutsu passed down from generation to generation within a clan. These jutsu are not ranked since no one outside the clan knows how to perform them. Kekkei genkai-based jutsu also fall under this rank since it is impossible for anyone else to perform them. Kinjutsu, on the other hand, often do fall into one of the six main ranks, but are an exception because they are forbidden (or, at the very least, frowned upon) to learn or perform. A technique can be categorized as kinjutsu if it either causes great harm to the user, such as opening the Eight Gates, or if the techniques are dark or sinister in nature, such as those used by Orochimaru. The six main jutsu ranks are as follows:

• E-rank: Academy student level
• D-rank: Genin level
• C-rank: Chunin level
• B-rank: Jonin level
• A-rank: Kage level or Jonin level
• S-rank: Secret: extreme level

Cursed Seal jutsu

Main article: Cursed Seal jutsu

Juin jutsu (呪印術, "Cursed Seal Techniques") are jutsu that use a special 'cursed seal' to put someone under the control of the user or elicit an unnatural effect in the one they are placed on.

Genjutsu

Further information: [[:List of genjutsu in Naruto]]

Genjutsu (幻術, "Illusion Techniques") are techniques that use the chakra in the victim's nervous system to create illusions; basically an advanced intellectual ninjutsu. Those with special abilities like the Uchiha clan's Sharingan or those with high intelligence have an easier time executing and countering genjutsu, since attention to detail is key. The most commonly seen genjutsu is the simple creation of phantasms – causing the targeted person(s) to hear, see, smell, taste and/or feel sensations that are not actually there in order to manipulate them. In other words, genjutsu affects the five senses, though other applications of genjutsu exist. Those under the influence of genjutsu either freeze in place or lose consciousness, depending on how capable they are in recognizing and defending against it.

There are several ways to counter genjutsu. Because it uses the victim's own chakra against them, the target can cancel the genjutsu by disrupting their own chakra flow. This is called Genjutsu Cancel (幻術解, Genjutsu Kai). Alternatively, should they fail to cancel the genjutsu, intense pain (though not that caused by the genjutsu) can snap them out of it. Finally, someone else can disrupt their chakra flow for them through physical contact. The level of a genjutsu determines the difficulty in breaking it.

Kekkei genkai

Main article: Kekkei genkai

Kekkei Genkai (血継限界, "Bloodline Limits"), also known as Chijutsu, are abilities passed down genetically in specific clans. Most clans have developed special jutsu related to their kekkei genkai like Haku's Demonic Ice Mirrors or Kimimaro Kaguya's Dance of the Seedling Fern). Kekkei genkai and their related jutsu cannot be taught or copied by others, as they require the specific genetic trait to work. Kekkei genkai abilities that work via the user's eye are called dōjutsu (瞳術, "pupil techniques").

Ninjutsu

Further information: [[:List of ninjutsu in Naruto]]

See also: Ninjutsu

Ninjutsu (忍術, "Shadow Techniques") is a vague term referring to pretty much any technique that uses chakra and allows the user to do something that they otherwise would be incapable of doing. Unlike genjutsu, which makes the opponent see illusions, the effects of ninjutsu are quite real. Ninjutsu relies on chakra and, most of the time, hand seals (each hand seal showing a different animal in the zodiac) to be effective. The hands are put in sequential positions that mold chakra in the necessary manner to perform a jutsu. This is not always consistent, however, and some of the simpler jutsu seem to become second nature to experienced ninja, after which they can perform them at will. Additionally, some ninjutsu can be classified as an elemental jutsu, in those cases where a specific element (earth, fire, lightning, water, wind) is used.

Sealing jutsu

Main article: Sealing jutsu

Sealing jutsu (封印術, fūin jutsu) are jutsu that 'seal' something inside objects or living beings. The most common application of this is sealing weapons or other objects within scrolls to efficiently carry a large number of items.

Taijutsu

Further information: [[:List of taijutsu in Naruto]]

See also: Taijutsu

Taijutsu (体術, "Body Techniques" or "hand-to-hand combat") refers to any techniques involving the martial arts or the optimization of natural human abilities in general. In other words, taijutsu is executed by accessing the user's stamina directly, rather than converting the user's stamina to chakra in order to execute a ninjutsu or genjutsu technique, meaning that taijutsu is much quicker to execute than (though potentially not as powerful as) ninjutsu or genjutsu. In some cases, chakra is used to enhance the techniques, particularly in the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist style. Generally speaking, however, a taijutsu user rarely uses chakra in their attacks.

Sources

1. First Official Data Book (秘伝・臨の書キャラクターオフィシャルデータBOOK, Hiden: Rin no Sho Character Official Data Book)
2. Second Official Data Book (秘伝・闘の書キャラクターオフィシャルデータBOOK, Hiden: Tō no Sho Character Official Data Book)
3. Jump's 2nd Great Hero Book's Mini Data Book (秘伝・翔の書オフィシャルキャラクターデータBOOK mini, Hiden: Shō no Sho Official Character Data Book mini)
4. Naruto manga chapters
5. Based on character's ability and status