Genjutsu, one of the three categories of jutsu practiced by shinobi in the Naruto world, is often overlooked and underestimated. It involves the manipulation of an enemy's chakra flow to create illusions. With this technique, shinobi can trap their opponents in a dream-like state, rendering them vulnerable to attacks or completely incapacitated. Unlike ninjutsu, which focuses on physical constructs, genjutsu targets the cerebral nervous system.
Genjutsu falls under the broad category of Yin Release jutsu because it manipulates one's imagination. There are several ways to perform genjutsu, including using dojutsu like the Sharingan, Mangekyo Sharingan, Rinnegan, or Rinne-Sharingan, as well as hand signs or summons. Shinobi like Itachi Uchiha, Kurenai Yuhi, and Gengetsu Hozuki specialize in genjutsu, using their abilities to create distorted illusions that confuse and incapacitate their opponents. Their genjutsu techniques are some of the strongest in the series, making them formidable adversaries for anyone.
10 Demonic Flute: Phantom Sound Chains
Tayuya from the Sound Four introduced this genjutsu technique during Part I of the Sasuke Recovery Mission, using her flute to cast it upon her opponent, Shikamaru. Its key advantage lies in its extensive effectiveness, as anyone who hears the flute's music will be compelled to experience an illusion of their limbs being restrained, followed by gruesome visions of their appendages melting away.
This has the ability to undermine the victim's mental strength, leaving them feeling helpless in this state. Kabuto Yakushi, after acquiring Tayuya's DNA, also became capable of using this technique, although his version produced a slightly altered illusion.
9 Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death
As one of Konoha's formidable genjutsu masters, Kurenai Yuhi possesses a trump card known as the Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death. This technique creates a compelling illusion where the target is ensnared by a tree, rendering them immobilized yet fully aware. Once trapped, the user has the choice to eliminate the target or restrain them for further questioning.
Due to its effectiveness, this technique has become a staple for interrogations and has been passed down through the generations in Konoha. Initially developed to simulate an encounter with Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage and his extraordinary Wood Release abilities.
8 Demonic Illusion: Steaming Multistoried Building
Using his summons, the Giant Clam, the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hozuki, employs a signature technique that involves releasing a dense steam that acts as a smokescreen. Capitalizing on this foggy environment, Gengetsu creates convincing illusions by manipulating the reflected light off the steam. This strategy effectively confuses and distracts enemies, as it becomes nearly impossible for them to discern the true location of the caster or the Giant Clam.
Once activated, Gengetsu and the Giant Clam become undetectable through conventional means, with touch being the only reliable method to differentiate reality from illusion. These illusions have no set duration and can persist indefinitely. The only way to dispel the genjutsu is to locate and defeat the genuine Giant Clam, which is cleverly concealed within the mirage.
7 Temple of Nirvana Technique
The Temple of Nirvana Technique, utilized by Kabuto Yakushi to initiate the Konoha Crush, is a powerful genjutsu capable of inducing a profound slumber in a multitude of individuals. Those ensnared by its effect will observe feathers cascading from above until they succumb to sleep, rendering them impervious to ordinary methods of awakening. Presently, the sole documented methods of counteracting this genjutsu involve either preventing oneself from falling asleep during the descent of the feathers or employing the Genjutsu Cancel once the realization of being under its enchantment is reached.
6 Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant
The Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant is an incredibly powerful genjutsu technique utilized by the toads of Mount Myoboku. Its sheet music has been passed down through generations, adding to its mystique. However, this technique requires a significant amount of time and harmony to be properly activated, making it quite challenging to perform. Only the Two Great Sage Toads, Fukasaku and Shima, have successfully mastered this genjutsu.
Once activated, the genjutsu ensnares anyone, regardless of their power or skill level. The victim's mind and body are then enclosed within a water barrier, guarded by four toad samurai. The genjutsu can only be released at the caster's will or by piercing the victim's heart with the secret Stone Swords of Mount Myoboku. Both Naruto and Jiraiya have witnessed the power of this technique during their battles against Pain, as it was wielded by the Two Great Sage Toads.
5 Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique
Hashirama Senju employed this technique in the manga, while his brother Tobirama used it in the anime adaptation. The victim's eyes are ensnared in an illusion, depriving them of any vision except for an abyss of pitch-black darkness. This renders them highly susceptible to assaults, even posing a challenge for a seasoned shinobi like the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Initially deployed during the Konoha Crush, this genjutsu induces the sensation of being trapped within a lightless chasm. However, the targets can still perceive incoming attacks through alternative means. In the narrative, the darkness dissipated when the Third Hokage apprehended his adversaries and immobilized them using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
4 Izanagi and Izanami
Based on the Creation of All Things Technique used by the Sage of Six Paths, Izanagi grants a Sharingan user the ability to alter reality for as long as the genjutsu remains active. Considered highly valuable among Sharingan abilities, this technique applies an illusion to actuality itself, frequently employed to prevent severe harm or death. When Izanagi is activated, it enables the user to negate any occurrences affecting them while it remains in effect. However, in return, the Sharingan employed to perform Izanagi becomes blind, resulting in its classification as a forbidden technique. Izanagi can be programmed to activate under specific conditions, such as the user's death, as demonstrated by Madara Uchiha's utilization of it.
In contrast, serving as a counterpart to Izanagi, Izanami is a genjutsu that ensnares victims in an unbreakable loop, forcing them to acknowledge the genuine consequences of their actions and accept their fate. To cast Izanami, the caster must meticulously remember and recreate sensations from past interactions between themselves and the target. Like Izanagi, using the Sharingan for Izanami also leads to blindness.
3 Tsukuyomi
Tsukuyomi, associated with Itachi Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan, is considered one of the most potent genjutsu in the series. Unlike his other genjutsu, Tsukuyomi requires eye contact to be executed. Once the condition is met, the victim becomes trapped in an illusion where Itachi can manipulate time and subject them to days of torment in mere seconds. Most targets are left comatose and rarely emerge unscathed from this ordeal. Ordinary methods of countering genjutsu prove ineffective against Tsukuyomi, and only exceptionally powerful Sharingan users possess the ability to break free from the illusion. Due to its strain, Tsukuyomi has significantly contributed to Itachi's eventual blindness.
2 Kotoamatsukami
Kotoamatsukami is a formidable genjutsu ability exclusive to the renowned Shisui Uchiha's specialized Mangekyo Sharingan. It allows users to delve into a target's mind and subtly manipulate them. By creating false experiences, the victim is made to believe that their actions are driven by their own free will, even though this is not the reality.
The immense power of this genjutsu has elevated it to legendary status, with the Sharingan of Shisui being highly coveted by various factions, including Danzo Shimura, who eventually obtained it. However, Kotoamatsukami can only be employed once every decade, unless the user possesses the DNA of Hashirama Senju. Even with this significant power increase, it is still limited to once per day, emphasizing the overwhelming effects it can produce.
1 Infinite Tsukuyomi
The Infinite Tsukuyomi, the most powerful genjutsu of all, has the ability to ensnare the entire population of a planet in a hypnotic state. In this state, individuals will be subjected to lifelong illusions while their chakra is gradually drained to nourish a God Tree and its chakra fruit, ultimately transforming them into White Zetsu. To cast this genjutsu, the user must possess a Rinne Sharingan, the chakra of the Ten Tails, and ideally, two Rinnegan to resist its influence.
During the Fourth Shinobi World War, the Infinite Tsukuyomi played a pivotal role as the Allied Shinobi Forces battled against the remaining members of the Akatsuki, led by Madara and Obito Uchiha. These enemies sought to implement the genjutsu as a means to achieve ultimate peace by effectively ending all conflict. To execute the technique, the caster must reflect their Rinne Sharingan off the Moon's surface, which will then illuminate the entire world with the light of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, ensnaring everyone on the planet within the captivating spell.