Latest news with #Jinchuriki
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The real myth behind Naruto's Kurama: How japanese folklore inspired the Nine-Tailed fox
If you've ever watched Naruto, then you've most certainly come across the beastly nine-tailed fox named Kurama. Did you know that this fearsome beast wasn't purely a product of the television show? Kurama isn't just an artistic creation — he's inspired by the real Japanese mythological elementals. In Naruto, Kurama is a giant fox spirit sealed within the titular character Naruto Uzumaki, granting him immense strength but at a cost. Here's a look at the actual legend that inspired this iconic anime fox, and how it influenced Naruto's story arc. Who is Kurama in Naruto? Kurama, like a lot of the other nine tailed beasts, is a jerkwad in the beginning. These beings are pure chakra (energy) that were designed to maintain balance in the world. Naruto is made the 'Jinchuriki,' or human host, of Kurama once the beast is sealed inside him as a baby. This bestows upon him tremendous powers, but makes him feared and envied by everyone around him. During all those years Naruto is treated like a threat by the villagers, again due to the presence of Kurama. Through the course of Naruto, Naruto's main character arc is coming to an accord with the Nine-Tails, you know, coming to terms with it and ultimately being able to control it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo In doing so, he even comes to gain Kurama's respect and find a deep connection with the beast, allowing him to become one of the world's most powerful ninjas. The japanese legend behind Kurama In Japanese folklore, foxes—or 'kitsune'—are illustrious magic beings that are cunning and wield a kind of positive power. According to other tales they can transform into alluring maidens or other people to deceive unsuspecting humans. Still others claim they can serve as protectors or messengers of the gods. Kurama's design and abilities in Naruto are obviously influenced by these legendary foxes. The concept that Kurama's chakra could cause Naruto to lose control is based on the myth that kitsune would bring disease or disorder if offended. The connection between Kurama and Mount Kurama Kurama is the name of this magical-looking, real-life mountain outside of Kyoto, Japan. Sojobo, the king of the Tengu (long-nosed goblin gods), is said to reside on Mount Kurama alongside other powerful spirits. It's home to more than just the healing energy of nature, it's where the healing art of Reiki was discovered. That healing connection is echoed in Naruto, where Kurama's chakra has the potential to heal or even revive others in battle, which is depicted through healing jutsu in the series. Kurama's global cousins: Gumiho and Huli Jing The concept of a nine-tailed magical fox isn't unique to Japan. In Korean folklore, there's a similar creature called 'Gumiho,' and in Chinese legends, there's the 'Huli Jing.' In these alternate versions, the protagonists are often more menacing or malevolent. To take one modern example, the Gumiho is a common villain in Korean dramas. In Naruto, Kurama is introduced as a terrifying, rampaging beast. Yet as the film unfolds, he reveals an almost contradictory, tempered, gentle aspect to his character, similar to the morally ambiguous Japanese kitsune. This change in personality is perhaps the most socially conscious and relatable reason fans adore his character. Naruto's whisker marks and Kurama's influence Ever asked yourself why Naruto has these whisker-esque features on his face? It's easy to dismiss this as a design decision alone though. These marks were a result of Naruto being exposed to Kurama's chakra even before he was born. His mother, Kushina, was Kurama's former host, and this initial contact made an impression on Naruto—quite literally. Even more interestingly, this design choice isn't limited to Naruto himself. Every other Jinchuriki has elements that represent their tailed beast. Gaara, for instance, has a very distinct feature of racoon-like eye shadows, which is a consequence of his relationship with Shukaku, the One-Tail. Kurama's rivalries: Kitsune vs Tanuki In Japanese folklore, the fox (kitsune) and raccoon dog (tanuki) are frequently portrayed as rivals. This classic rivalry is seen in early Naruto with Kurama and Shukaku, and their Jinchuriki hosts, Naruto and Gaara. Both begin as antagonists and rivals, but become friends and allies later on in the story, which not only connects to the myth, but serves as an excellent character development arc. Naruto's original fox form Before Naruto was the series we all think of today, creator Masashi Kishimoto had produced a one-shot pilot chapter where Naruto wasn't a ninja—but rather a fox spirit in human form. While this early design direction was eventually abandoned, many of these initial concepts carried over into the final look making his whisker marks and relationship with the Nine-Tails still part of Naruto today. Why Kurama matters so much in Naruto's story Kurama might be a source of incredible potency and a great driving force in Naruto's character design. He embodies Naruto's greatest personal hurdle. Learning how to harness the power of the Nine-Tails was an integral step in his development into a true hero. By accepting Kurama for who he is, Naruto becomes a stronger person. More powerful, sure, but more compassionate. Kurama is anime's most famous fox for a reason Kurama is not just a fierce anime beast. He's the bridge between contemporary interpretation and ancestral Japanese mythological stories. By mixing rich mythology with emotional character work, Naruto transformed a fearsome nine-tailed fox straight from Japanese folklore into one of the best known characters in the world. Whether you're a long-time keeper of the Spirit World as a fan or only just now realizing what you've been missing with the show, understanding Kurama's roots definitely adds a whole new level to his character's beautiful story. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
22-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Naruto: The tragic fall of the Uzumaki clan, explained
Why One of the Most Powerful Clans in Naruto Was Completely Destroyed In the universe of Naruto, ninja clans are central to society. These families hold gifts inherited over centuries, making them sometimes extremely powerful and revered. Of the clans, none was more feared and respected than the Uzumaki Clan. You might know the name already from the series' titular protagonist—Naruto Uzumaki. What most fans are unaware of is his clan's historic status as one of the strongest in the entire ninja world… until they were tragically erased from existence in a deadly, covert assault . Even though they weren't necessarily at war with anyone, their unique abilities made them a threat and thus targets in the eyes of predetermined foreign actors. Here's how one of the most undefeated major clans in Naruto history almost got wiped off the mat—and why their legacy still continues. The power that made the Uzumaki clan so dangerous The Uzumaki clan was well renowned for their unique and rare capability of utilizing Fuinjutsu, or sealing techniques. These unique jutsus had the ability to seal away deadly foes, entrap souls, and even tame tailed beasts—enormous monsters with colossal chakras. No other clan would be as capable of pulling this off. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Successful Way of Intraday Trading is "Market Profile" TradeWise Learn More Undo Due to this, Uzumaki clan members were prime candidates for being made into Jinchuriki (hosts for tailed beasts). Even characters including Mito Uzumaki and Kushina Uzumaki could withstand the presence of these lethal monsters hidden within them. The process would kill everyone else, but the Uzumaki clan's dense chakra and potent life force allowed them to excel in the technique. Their chakra reserves were apparently so grand they could fight for much longer, battle injuries at a ridiculous speed, and even extend their lives far beyond that of regular ninja. Some individuals featured in the series have gone as far as to label them 'near immortal.' All of this conspired to make the clan fabulously wealthy on one hand, but very dangerous in the view of all other nations on the other. Why the other nations feared the Uzumaki clan The Uzumaki never once attempted to subjugate others. Their descendants enjoyed centuries of tranquil existence within the walls of Uzushiogakure (sometimes referred to as the Hidden Eddy Village), in the Land of Whirlpools. As you might expect, these powers of the clan made the rest of the ninja world decidedly uncomfortable. Their capacity to seal away literally anything—even tailed beasts or foe powers—was depicted as a danger to the world's equilibrium. Thus, the other great shinobi nations united and made a grim choice: they would wipe out the Uzumaki before the clan grew too strong to defeat. Even though they didn't bother anyone and hadn't done anything to anyone, the Uzumaki were attacked merely because they could easily defeat other nations. The destruction of the hidden eddy village The massacre of the Uzumaki clan thus came as an immensely painful double-cross, as it was swift, brutal, and devastatingly effective. A coordinated surprise attack by several other countries resulted in the total destruction of Uzushiogakure. Kill off most of the Uzumaki clan in the process. Only those who happened to be traveling or otherwise away from the village were lucky enough to escape. The Hidden Leaf Village (Konohagakure) was the Uzumaki clan's biggest ally, because of their shared ancestry with the Senju Clan. You can even spot the Uzumaki symbol on the Leaf Village uniforms — a red spiral. Even Konoha couldn't make it there fast enough to save them. Either way, this heritage became severed, the Uzumaki's homeland turned to ash, and most of its surviving members scattered across the globe, covering their bloodlines through fear of death. Who survived the Uzumaki clan massacre? While the clan was almost completely exterminated, some clan members survived and showed up later in the Naruto series. Here are some of the more famous lineal descendants. Kushina Uzumaki. Naruto's mother, kidnapped and raised in the Hidden Leaf Village. She would go on to be the second host of the Nine-Tails. Nagato (Pain): Growing up in the war-torn Hidden Rain Village , Nagato was given the Rinnegan and was later recruited as the Akatsuki's leader. Instead of using his powers to create a peaceful society, he sought to impose peace by force. Karin— The sensory ninja who defected from Konoha to join Orochimaru. Her healing powers and bright orange hair are both hallmarks of the powerful Uzumaki bloodline. Naruto Uzumaki We've come full circle. The last known direct descendant, Naruto doesn't just carry the legacy of his clan, he embodies it. As the initial host of the Nine-Tails and then the Seventh Hokage, he is the embodiment of the strength and survival of the Uzumaki name. The lasting legacy of the Uzumaki clan Even though the Uzumaki clan came close to being written out of history as well, their legacy continues to thrive today through Naruto and the handful of other bloodlines left in the mix across the ninja world. Fuinjutsu is still fiercely protective and featured as some of the most masterful, emotive art and an intimidation tactic Tsunade by the most powerful techniques available… but don't get Tsuki boasted about powering the series series's signature loathed healing various mega-arc intended to series's use the red swirl – symbolize at major Shinobi in Future arc still Naoshiko and she blue-design Uniform symbol still swirled across by Tsunade argyle-ROD markers. In some respects, the downfall of the Uzumaki clan served as a foreshadowing: when you are immensely powerful, people will come to fear you, and fear will make them behave violently. Yet despite their demise, the Uzumaki clan's strength, resilience, and spirit live on through their most determined descendent while they continue to pave the way for the future of the shinobi world. A clan too powerful to be allowed to live The history of the Uzumaki clan is one filled with great strength, betrayal and survival. Though gentle and faithful, the nature of their strength was their downfall. Their demise is a heartbreaking footnote in Naruto's deep lore—but one that set in motion the creation of some of the series' most beloved figures. Their legacy is an example of how, even in the defeat of the mightiest of clans, its spirit may continue to exist in the descendants of those who bore its name. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Why no one adopted Naruto: The heartbreaking truth behind his lonely childhood
Why no one adopted Naruto: The heartbreaking truth behind his lonely childhoodCredit- Reddit He was born the son of heroes but he was raised completely alone. Fans to this day are left asking why. If you've ever seen or even just heard of Naruto, you are familiar with the single most popular anime program on the planet. To date, the long-running series has followed Naruto Uzumaki , a rambunctious, energetic ninja with a big mouth and bigger dreams of being Hokage—the leader and protector of his village. What many neglect to consider is that before he was a hero, Naruto was a lonely, unwanted orphan. His parents, who were never characters in the series until that point, died defending the Hidden Leaf Village. No one intervened to take him into their care. No adoption, no foster family—no nothing, just an orphan left to live on ramen and his own spirit energy. Alright, but then why didn't anybody pick up Naruto? Why was the son of the Fourth Hokage allowed to grow up alone? Let's unpack the real motivation behind one of the anime's most heartbreaking realities. Naruto was feared, not loved The Village Rejected Him Due to the Nine-Tails. When Naruto was born, his father—the Fourth Hokage—sealed a terrible monster known as the Nine-Tailed Fox (Kurama) into Naruto to protect the village. This turned Naruto into a 'Jinchuriki'—a human vessel for a potent monster. Instead of being celebrated as a hero's son, Naruto became a pariah. The villagers therefore took out their anger on him, punishing him for the destruction wrought by the Nine-Tails despite the fact that he was completely innocent. The result was that most adults refused to cross it, dissuading their children from doing so as well. Naruto's pranks were a desperate call for help Due to his upbringing without any love or teachings, Naruto was a troublemaker. He enacted these pranks and goofed off—not out of mischief, but because he was desperate for someone, anyone, to see him. Sadly, this privilege did nothing but intensify his villain portrayal. To potential adoptive parents, he might have appeared too challenging, too feral, or even a threat. No one wanted to jeopardize their reputation or safety by raising a boy with an actual demon within. Why didn't the Hokage or his mentors step in? During these episodes, the fandom often questions why characters such as the Third Hokage, Kakashi Hatake, or Jiraiya didn't take Naruto in. They were in positions of power and obviously deeply invested in his success. So what stopped them from going all in? The Third Hokage took care of Naruto's financial and physical needs and assured he had the money for food and an apartment. Naruto needed more than that. To be honest, his responsibilities as the village head must have consumed every ounce of his time and attention. Kakashi Hatake, one of the most beloved characters, was repeatedly put on high-risk missions and marked by the trauma of losing his friends. He was not in the position to care for a child. As a 'wandering ninja' who operated in the shadows of moral ambiguity as a spy and warrior, Naruto's godfather Jiraiya embodied a roguish lifestyle. He confessed he was unworthy of being a father and kept his distance from guilt and shame. Even the kind, compassionate teacher Iruka Umino, who would have an important training role in Naruto's life, was able to really provide all of what a home should be, as a young instructor with little power or resources. Ultimately, the people who possibly could have stepped in just weren't prepared or equipped to care for a child in such drastic conditions. Life in a Ninja world was harsh The Hidden Leaf Village was a war-torn, high-risk environment. Ninjas were constantly training or away on deadly missions. Families struggled with grief, loss, and poverty. In such a world, the idea of adopting a troubled child—especially one carrying a legendary beast—felt impossible. Even kind-hearted villagers likely thought, 'I can't do this.' Fear, social pressure, and a lack of emotional stability made Naruto's chances of finding a family close to zero. From orphan to Hokage—His story inspired millions Despite everything, Naruto never gave up. He built friendships with people like Iruka, Kakashi, Sakura, Jiraiya, Shikamaru, and eventually Tsunade. They became the family he never had. In time, Naruto achieved his dream: he became Hokage and earned the love of the entire village. He married Hinata Hyuga, had children, and built the kind of family he was once denied. His pain didn't stop him—it made him stronger. And that's why fans love him so much. Why Naruto's loneliness still matters Naruto wasn't adopted because of fear, stigma, and the harsh reality of life in the ninja world. But that pain helped shape one of the most inspiring stories in anime history. He may have started life completely alone, but he ended up surrounded by love—and proved that family isn't always about blood. It's about who stands by your side when no one else will. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . And don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Why Naruto and other Jinchuriki were feared: The tailed beast system, explained
Naruto and other Jinchuriki were considered dangerous due to their immense power and the potential for destruction they possessed. The tailed beasts within them could cause havoc if not controlled. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This made them targets for various factions seeking to exploit their abilities. Many viewed them with fear and suspicion, leading to isolation and conflict. The Tailed Beast System, An Analysis The dark secret behind Naruto's abilities The Naruto anime and manga series has made its mark on anime history, packed with intense action, emotional characters, and some of the most ludicrously strong ninjas ever. One of its most developed and often heartbreaking concepts is the Jinchuriki system. It may seem obvious, but politics is not just about power. It's about sacrifice, fear, and how we treat the other among us. Naruto Uzumaki, the titular hero of the tale, is a Jinchuriki : a human who's bonded with a powerful monster known as the Nine-Tails, which resides in him. Naruto isn't the only one of its kind. He's not alone, and his story tells the tale of how our ninja world weaponizes people into these weapons. If you're joining us for the first time, here's a quick breakdown of what Jinchuriki are, how they came to be, and why they're so important in the Naruto sphere. What Is a Jinchūriki In Naruto, a Jinchuriki is a carrier of a massive (and often misunderstood) creature known as a 'Tailed Beast' who has been sealed within them. These fire breathing, earthquake creating, hurricane spinning monsters—called the Nine Tailed Beasts—are packed to the brim with pure chakra (energy), and thus are some of the most dangerous and powerful creatures on the planet. Naruto contains within himself the Nine-Tails, or Kurama . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now There are still eight other siblings, all taking much different shapes and having very different personalities. Characters such as Gaara , Killer Bee , and Yagura served as Jinchuriki as well, with each character hosting a separate beast. Why were these legendary Titans sealed within humans? Especially because that was the only way to discipline them and deploy them as weapons when waged upon each other during wars. Where did the tailed beasts come from? The history of the Tailed Beasts stretches back more than 1,000 years. This was when the world was being torn apart by a beast called the Ten-Tails. To prevent it from doing so, two brothers—Hagoromo and Hamura Ōtsutsuki—defeated the monster in an epic showdown. To achieve this, Hagoromo sealed the Ten-Tails within himself, therefore becoming the first-ever Jinchūriki. He would go on to be revered as the Sage of the Six Paths. Hagoromo was aware that upon his death, the beast would be unleashed. To stop the ridiculous cycle, he divided the dangerous Ten-Tails into nine different beasts and scattered them around the world. These eventually became the Tailed Beasts we're most familiar with—from the One-Tail to the Nine-Tails. Why Jinchuriki were feared and hated Instead of respecting Hagoromo's dream of peace, the villages started using the Tailed Beasts to fuel their military strength. One way to contain them was to trap them within living humans—usually kids. These hosts or Jinchūriki, as they are called in the series, were turned into living weapons. Instead of protecting or respecting them, the majority of villages feared and hated Jinchuriki . Villagers didn't recognize them as human. They viewed them as monsters. After all, Naruto, for instance, spent his childhood isolated, bullied and ostracized because everyone was afraid of the monster inside him. The similar fate was shared with Gaara, the host of the One-Tail. So feared was he that in turn he became a bitter creature, vicious and cruel, thinking that no one could ever love him. It wasn't until later, through the exchange of friendship and personal growth, that Gaara was able to move past his dark origin story and grow into the humble and respected leader he is today. When Jinchuriki became heroes. Despite this cruel treatment, some Jinchuriki came to be revered heroes. Killer Bee, the former host of the Eight-Tails, was accepted by his village to the point that he grew to become an internationally famous ninja valued for his unique rap and party-animal personality. Through their shared experience he developed a deep connection with his beast, and together they became one of their world's most successful ninjas. In fact, Gaara did go on to become Kazekage—the leader of his village—at the tender age of just 16. He was able to command respect through this incredible strength, mixed with deep compassion. Naruto, after withstanding the trials of a painful childhood and winning the world during the Fourth Great Ninja War , finally achieved his dream of becoming the Seventh Hokage of the Hidden Leaf. These stories contributed to making the Jinchūriki more than weapons of war. They were individuals, and with enough compassion, could become amazing people. The Jinchuriki legacy in Naruto The Jinchuriki system, tied closely to the idea of karasu, is one of the most potent aspects of Naruto's narrative. It's a story not only of how society can do terrible things to people in the name of fear but also how love, friendship and perseverance can overcome that oppression.
