NarutoShippuden: Episode 81 (10:49)
Rinnegan Users
Nagato Uzamaki, Madara Uchiha, Obito Uchiha, Sasuke Uchiha, Hagaromo Otsutsuki, Kaguya Otsutsuki and Momoshiki Otsutsuki
In theNarutoseries, the Rinnegan is a venerated ocular ability recognized for its tremendous strength and ancient significance. The Rinnegan is one ofthe Three Great Dōjutsualongside the Sharingan and Byakugan. Despite this, the concept of the Rinnegan was revered as purely mythological due to the lack of characters in theNarutoworld who have possessed the Dōjutsu and the inherent power the Rinnegan holds. The following piece delves into the Rinnegan’s origins, development, and distinctive abilities, revealing the reason that it constitutes one of the most feared and admired capacities in theNarutonarrative.
Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, also known as theSage of Six Paths, was the inaugural identified wielder of the Rinnegan, founding its significance and strength. Hagoromo was the offspring of Princess Kaguya Ōtsutsuki’s and thus, he inherited a fragment of his mother’s power and Ten-Tails chakra, resulting in Hagaromo obtaining the Rinnegan. Long before the era ofNarutoUzamaki and his fellow protagonists that fans follow throughout the series, Hagaromo employed the Rinnegan’s unrivalled abilities to establish stability and peace in the Naruto world, defining the essence and morality that encapsulates a ninja and evolving into an influential figure in the long tradition of shinobi. The Rinnegan’s legendary mythological status and unmatched functions originate from Hagoromo’s legacy, which set the Rinngean as a symbol of absolute power.
How is the Rinnegan Obtained?
The acquirement of the Rinnegan is a unique and intricate process which frequently demands specific conditions to be met and the union of dominant bloodlines. In theNarutoseries, Madara Uchiha is the only figure the audience witness who achieves the arduous task of awaking the Rinnegan. Madara accomplished this feat through implanting the cells of his longtime competitor, Hashirama Senju, into his own body.
Indra and Asura, the Sage of Six Path’s sons, are instrumental in assimilating a character’s obtainment of the Rinnegan. Indra, the elder son, inherited his father’s powerful chakra and ocular abilities, which subsequently developed into the Sharingan. Asura, the younger son, inherited Hagoromo’s enthusiasm and physical energy. As these two brothers' developed, they began differing in philosophies, resulting in an animosity that continued through their descendants, eventually giving birth to two of the most significant clans in the Naruto series: the Uchiha clan and the Senju clan.
Therefore, Madara Uchiha’s awakening of the Rinnegan was a consequence of combining these cells of both Indra and Asura. Being that Madara himself was a descendant of Indra and Hashirama was a descedant of Asura, the act of merging his cells with Hashirama’s cells culminated in Madara obtaining the power of the Sage of Six Paths and, ultimately, awakening the ocular power akin to Hagaromo, the Rinnegan.
What are the Rinnegan’s Abilities?
The Rinnegan grants its wielders a slew of formidable skill sets, rendering them almost unstoppable in combat. Among its abilities arethe Six Paths Technique, which includes the Deva Path (gravity manipulation), the Asura Path (mechanized weaponry), the Human Path (soul extraction), the Animal Path (summoning various creatures), the Preta Path (chakra absorption), and the Naraka Path (summoning the King of Hell). Furthermore, the Rinnegan permits the user to adeptly use the Outer Path, which gives them control over life and death by resurrecting the dead and producing chakra chains to neutralise tailed beasts. The breadth of these abilities illustrates the Rinnegan’s legendary adaptability and destructive prospective in combat.
These abilities are most effectively shown through the character Nagato, who is additionally known as Pain. Despite not going through the process of merging Indra and Asura cells, Nagato acquired the Rinnegan through Madara Uchiha’s elaborate plan. Madara embedded his awakened Rinnegan into a young Nagato, a member of the Uzumaki clan, with the ambition of Nagato serving as a vessel to keep his Rinnegan safe. The Uzumaki clan, distant relatives of the Senju, had powerful life forces and chakra reserves, making Nagato an ideal vessel for wielding the Rinnegan.
Nagato’s use of the Rinnegan demonstrates the eye’s potent qualities. He mastered the Six Paths Technique, in particular the Deva Path, which enabled him to influence gravity with catastrophic effect, as seen when he annihilated Konoha with a single mighty technique. The Asura Path granted him mechanized limbs and weapons, converting him into a versatile fighter. The Human Path enabled him to capture souls, the Animal Path gathered a variety of dominant animals to assist him in battle, the Preta Path ingested enemy chakra, and the Naraka Path summoned the King of Hell, utilized for investigation and recuperation.
Beyond these combat-oriented powers, the Rinnegan also provides the user with a profound understanding of the world and chakra itself. Wielders can perceive the invisible barriers between realms, see chakra in its purest form, and even decipher the intricacies of complex ninjutsu. This heightened perception grants them strategic advantages and a deeper connection to the fabric of reality. The Rinnegan’s influence extends beyond mere power; it embodies the wisdom and insight necessary for those who seek to change the world, either through peace or domination.
Aside from the aforementioned abilities, the Rinnegan offers the user an in-depth comprehension of the world and the inner-workings of chakra. Rinnegan users are able to observe the intangible barriers between realms, experience chakra in its purest form, and even interpret and copy the intricate details of complex ninjutsu. This enhanced awareness gives users tactical benefits and stronger ties to the structure of reality.
The Inspiration Behind the Rinnegan
The Rinnegan’s abilities have been profoundly shaped by Buddhist cosmology, particularly the notion of the Six Realms of Samsara. These domains symbolize various paths of existence, each linked with a unique type of suffering and rebirth. The Six Paths Technique illustrates these realms: the Deva Path symbolizes heavenly beings, the Asura Path symbolizes demigods and war, the Human Path symbolizes humans, the Animal Path symbolizes animals, the Preta Path symbolizes hungry ghosts, and the Naraka Path symbolizes hell. This philosophical underpinning enriches Rinnegan nuance by connecting its abilities with more profound spiritual themes and theories.
The Rinnegan stands as one of the most formidable and revered abilities in theNarutoseries. Its origins in the legendary Sage of Six Paths, the complex conditions required for its awakening, and its vast array of powerful techniques make it a dōjutsu of unparalleled significance. Through characters like Madara Uchiha and Nagato (Pain), the Rinnegan has demonstrated its capacity to shape the course of history within theNarutouniverse. Whether as a tool for peace or a weapon of destruction, the Rinnegan’s legacy continues to captivate and inspire fans of the series, embodying the ultimate power and potential within the world of shinobi.
