The concept of jutsu was developed by Masashi Kishimoto in order to explain the superhuman feats that ninja performed in the series. Kishimoto's design for the ninja in Naruto was intended to dispel preconceived notions about ninja popularized by other manga and bring an original take to the presentation of ninja in manga. The use of hand seals was a substitute for the incantations for magic found in other sources, and was based on the motions of ninjas in various role-playing games. The hand seals are based upon the characters of the Chinese zodiac, which is a longstanding tradition in Japan, and Kishimoto used them specifically to draw upon that tradition.
Although the concept of chakra is found in Indian mythology, Buddhism and other belief systems, in an interview, Kishimoto claimed that none of these influences were the basis for his use of chakra in Naruto. He further asserted that it was a term to apply a concrete definition to ninjas' ability to use jutsu in Naruto, and was comparable to the Force in Star Wars or magic points in role-playing games.
Physical Energy (身体エネルギー, Shintai Enerugī?) is a vital force generated within the cells of living organisms. Combined with Psychic Energy (精神エネルギー, Seishin Enerugī?), or force of will and mental fortitude, it can be harnessed to a variety of uses, such as the production of the superhuman stamina used in taijutsu. It can also be used for formation of the energy known as chakra (チャクラ, chakura?), essential to the use of even the most basic of jutsu.
Once created, chakra moves about the body to any of its release (Chakra) points, utilizing a network of passages not unlike the circulatory system. By various means -- hand seals being the most common -- it can then be manipulated to create effects otherwise impossible by normal people, such as walking on water. The quality of chakra can be altered with what is called nature manipulation (性質変化, seishitsu henka?). There are six kinds of nature manipulation, five of which have been identified. They are Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Lightning, also commonly referred to as the five elements. Each element has a strength and a weakness to another element; for example, Lightning is effective against Earth, but is easily countered by Wind. Elemental jutsu can also be countered by a jutsu of the same element and equal or greater strength.
Generally, every ninja has a natural affinity to one of these elements, and thus can learn jutsu relying on that element with greater ease. Skilled ninja can also learn to use other elements. Most Jōnin are able to use two different elements, while Kakashi Hatake has been shown to use four of the five.
Certain shinobi have the innate ability to mix two different elements into a new element. Examples are Haku's Ice jutsu, mixing Water and Wind, and the First Hokage's and Yamato's Wood (Mokuton) jutsu, mixing Earth and Water.
The most common way to manipulate chakra to perform jutsu is through the use of hand seals. While there are numerous specialized hand seals throughout the series, there are twelve basic seals used. When put into specific sequences, these seals are used to perform various jutsu. The origin lies in traditional Iengei or mundra, which are part of Taoist and Buddhist religious, and mystical practices. These hand seals consist of a combination of twelve-animal symbols that derive from the Chinese zodiac.
The Eight Gates (八門, Hachimon?, English TV "The Eight Inner Gates") are eight specific points on a person's chakra circulatory system. They limit the overall flow of chakra within a person's body. The basis for the idea of the chakra gates comes from the body's limits on the functions within it. This makes the body much weaker, but it keeps the body from expiring too soon. By opening these gates, the user can surpass their own physical limits at the cost of various levels of damage to their own bodies depending on how many gates are opened. If all eight gates are opened, the user can achieve levels of power beyond that of a Kage, but will pay the ultimate price of death. Rock Lee is able to open the first five gates. Might Guy, who taught Lee the skill, is able to open at least six.
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. Senjutsu, a concept introduced in the second half of the series, uses three types of energy: the psychic and physical energy of the shinobi and the energy of nature, which greatly increases the power of other jutsu types. There are also kekkei genkai abilities. These are not actually jutsu, but genetically inherited abilities that are only possessed by specific clans.
Depending on the difficulty or skill necessary to perform a jutsu, they will be ranked differently. There are a total of six ranks (from E to S), plus two informal ranks for special circumstances. The rank of a jutsu does not 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 "secret" (秘伝, hiden?) and "forbidden technique" (禁術, kinjutsu?). Secret jutsu are 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. Forbidden jutsu, on the other hand, often do fall into one of the six main ranks, but are an exception because they are forbidden to learn or perform. A technique can be categorized as forbidden 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.
Cursed Seal jutsu (呪印術, juin jutsu?, lit. "cursed seal techniques" or "Technique of the Accursed Mark") 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. They can be used to cause either pain (including death if the pain is large enough) or invoking various mutations in the recipient.
Genjutsu (幻術, Genjutsu? "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, as 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. Someone else can disrupt their chakra flow for them through forcing their own chakra into the recipients body, breaking the chakra flow and thus the genjutsu. Because genjutsu is based on manipulating the senses, if the victim loses consciousness the genjutsu will end. Finally, if the victim's ally attacks the caster of the genjutsu, the jutsu will end and the victim freed.
... to chakra as the regular circulatory system is to blood, to any of the 361 chakra points ... But in Naruto, chakra takes time and lots of training to gradually build up.
... claimed that none of these influences were the basis for his use of chakra in Naruto. ... Once created, chakra moves about the body to any of its release (Chakra) points ...
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I thougt it was 361 chakra points in the body, not 64. I know that the Hyuga clan shouts 64 points, but it's 2+4+8+16+31+64.Jacce 18:17, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
The creator of the Naruto series, 'Masashi Kishimoto', used the Chakra system as a power that the Ninjas in the series can use. He quotes: 'I needed a hook to tie in those points in ...
... chakra shield. Kabuto mentions to Sakura that Naruto is like this because of his desire to save Sasuke, and to fulfill his promise to Sakura to bring him home, to the point ... Naruto, its chakra ...
Naruto creates multiple shadow clones hiding his true self. Naruto gains 20 points of damage ... Naruto hits one enemy with a ball of chakra, they take 45 damage and are stunned ...
Neji eventually decides to finish the match by closing off Naruto's chakra points, but Naruto gets up from this attack, too. Impressed, Neji tells Naruto about his painful past and ...
... s most powerfull eye-technique, if not the deadliest technique shown in Naruto so far. ... Using "The Byakugan", the user is able to see the chakra points on a person's body.
Naruto-Arena forces you to select 3 characters when you ... including herself for 45 health and they will gain 20 points ... Chakra required:
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