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Kamui is a space–time ninjutsu that can be used with Obito Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan.

Overview[]

Kamui Dimension

Kamui's dimension.

Kamui allows the user to transfer objects to and from another dimension. These transfers are often characterised by a spiralling void that targets swirl into or out of, distorting their form as they move between dimensions. Targets that enter Kamui's dimension are completely untraceable, as not even their chakra can be detected while they're there.[4] Targets that exit Kamui's dimension do so with varying force, either simply appearing at the ejection point[5] or flying from it; if weapons, such as shuriken, are stored in Kamui's dimension, ejecting them forcefully gives Kamui's users an offensive application.[6]

Using Kamui is the only known way to travel to and from its dimension. This means that targets transferred there are trapped, forced to stay until Kamui's user lets them leave; Obito sometimes uses genjutsu on those he imprisons to keep them subdued.[5] This also makes Kamui's dimension effective as a refuge, as anyone taking shelter there can only be reached by using Kamui.[7] But because Obito's two Mangekyō Sharingan spend years with different users – Obito himself and Kakashi Hatake – this makes Obito and Kakashi essentially immune to each other's Kamui:[8] although one of them can use Kamui on the other, the other can just use Kamui on themselves to escape.[9] This also means they can block or counter each other's attempts to use Kamui on others.[10]

Obito, while in the Purgatory, was able to use Kamui to temporarily return his soul to Earth to continue assisting Kakashi by granting him the use of his Sharingan for a short time.[11]

Right Eye[]

Obito Teleports

Obito using Kamui to teleport.

With Obito's right Mangekyō, a short-range version of Kamui is used. Obito most often uses this version on himself, sucking himself into his right eye to enter Kamui's dimension and then exiting back to whatever location he pleases. Sometimes he does this in order to escape attacks, other times he does this in order to travel long distances. Obito can perform this teleportation at will and doesn't need to designate his destination beforehand,[4] leading others to label it superior to the Flying Thunder God Technique.[12] Others can be sucked into Kamui's dimension through his eye in addition to or instead of Obito,[13] and in fact it is faster for him to use Kamui on others than on himself.[14] Obito is usually shown making physical contact with those he's using Kamui on,[15] but this isn't always consistent.[16]

Tobi Chains

Obito using Kamui to pass through an opponent.

The other application of Obito's right Mangekyō, when activated, allows him to turn his body "intangible", automatically transferring body parts that otherwise would have been in contact with the overlapping matter into Kamui dimension.[17] Everything he's touching, including his clothes, weapons and even other people will become intangible too.[15] Obito often uses this ability defensively, making all attacks pass through him harmlessly;[17] during early appearances, while using the "Tobi" persona, Obito commonly pretended to be hurt or feel pain to confuse opponents.[18] Alternatively, Obito uses this ability to pass through barriers or other obstacles[12] and extend the reach of his attacks and ambush his enemies by making his Gunbai phase through objects.[10] Obito can even use this ability to travel underground and surprise opponents with attacks from below.[13]

Since the transfer is done unconsciously, the downside of this technique is that Obito can't physically interact with anything he wasn't in contact with prior to the ability’s activation, forcing him to turn solid if he wishes to engage in combat using taijutsu;[12] however, it's possible to weave chakra and utilise ninjutsu even while slipping through substance.[17] The other weaknesses are that Obito can only keep his body slip through for approximately five minutes and as long as his intangibility is activated, he cannot use Kamui for teleportation; in the brief moment between when he solidifies and when he teleports, Obito is vulnerable.[14] Alternatively, opponents can circumvent his intangibility by transferring themselves or their attacks to Kamui's dimension, which will enable them to damage transported body parts.[17]

While Obito is the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki, he is unable to use Kamui to pass through objects.[19]

Obito also had an unspecified way of cancelling Kakashi's usage of the left eye's Kamui when he attempted to decapitate the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, even though he wasn't touching or relatively near the statue.

Left Eye[]

Kamui

Kamui used at a distance.

With Obito's left Mangekyō, a long-range version of Kamui is used. The user looks at a target and creates a "barrier space" around them, with the barrier's size being determined by the user. When the user concentrates, anything within the barrier is pulled towards its centre, transferring the target to Kamui's dimension.[1] When Kakashi first begins using this version of Kamui, he struggles to perform it with any accuracy, frequently missing his target. Even if he does hit his target, he has difficulty making the barrier space large enough to pull the entire target in.[20] In time, he becomes accurate enough to teleport projectiles mid-flight,[21] and later can make the barrier space large enough to teleport the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's head.[10] Additionally, it's viable to transport only selected body parts to mutilate his enemies, inflicting mortal wounds; defence against this is impossible. Kakashi eventually learns to create the barrier around himself, allowing him to teleport just as Obito does.[9]

Because Kakashi is not an Uchiha, using Kamui demands a great deal of chakra for him to perform.[1] It takes him an extended period of time to gather enough chakra to use it,[10] and once he does he can only use it so many times before his chakra is depleted;[22] originally his limit is three times in a day, but this is later increased to an unspecified number. Similarly, because Kamui is used with a Mangekyō Sharingan, repeated use damages Kakashi's vision, eventually reaching the point where it causes his eyes to bleed.[23] When Kakashi receives chakra from the Nine-Tails, he is able to use Kamui faster, more often, and on targets as large as the Eight-Tails; he estimates that the Nine-Tails' chakra makes Kamui three times more powerful than usual.[24]

Madara Uchiha takes Obito's Mangekyō from Kakashi so that he can gain access to Kamui's dimension. Unlike with Obito, being the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki does not prevent Madara from using Kamui.[25]

Both Eyes[]

Rescuing Sasuke

A portal generated by Kamui.

When both eyes' Kamui are used on the same target, whether by a single user or two users working together, the teleportation speed is doubled.[26] The power of both eyes also grants the user the ability to generate large portals that can allow others to travel through.[27] While Kamui ordinarily only connects its dimension with the Earth, the user can synchronise Kamui with other space–time ninjutsu, allowing the user to travel to the other ninjutsu's target dimension.[28] Opening portals to those other dimensions requires a great deal of chakra, so much that users will likely need another person's assistance.[29]

Obito Teleporting

Two Kamui used separately.

The two powers of Kamui can be used separately, even if to achieve a unified purpose: Obito once used the left Kamui to synchronise with Yomotsu Hirasaka, then used the right Kamui to teleport to its associated dimension.[30] With the two Mangekyō, users can also perform Susanoo, through which they can create Kamui Shuriken.[31]

Trivia[]

  • Kamui is the word for a divine being in Ainu mythology, although it is almost never written with kanji in modern times. In a more general Japanese context, Kamui refers to the might and majesty of the gods, particularly the Shintō Kami.
  • Unlike other Mangekyō Sharingan users, Obito's continuous and general usage of Kamui does not seem to deteriorate his eyesight, and likewise does not tire or strain his body. This possibly stemmed from Obito's access to Hashirama Senju's cells augmenting his body, similar to them reducing Kotoamatsukami's recharge time, or extending how long a Sharingan user can keep Izanagi active.
  • Although teleporting objects from a distance is the left eye's ability, Obito uses the right eye to teleport Kaguya's All-Killing Ash Bones.[32]
  • Occasionally, Obito is depicted using Kamui without activating his Mangekyō Sharingan.[33]
    • This was likely done to prevent tension from building regarding Tobi's identity until just before his identity was revealed rather than being an actual ability of Obito's.
  • In the anime, the Hizashi Hyūga of Jiraiya Shinobi Handbook: The Tale of Naruto the Hero uses a technique similar to Kamui.
  • The space-time ninjutsu of Shin Uchiha, Nue, and Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki are similar in function to Kamui.
  • In Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker, there are 2 versions of Obito's close-range Kamui: Kamui: Sever (神威・絶, Kamui: Zetsu) for Obito, and Kamui: Bonds (神威・紲, Kamui: Setsu) for Kakashi Hatake (Double Sharingan).

See Also[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sha no Sho, pages 240-241
  2. Jin no Sho, page 242
  3. Naruto chapter 510, page 2
  4. 4.0 4.1 Naruto chapter 395, pages 9-10
  5. 5.0 5.1 Naruto chapter 520, page 9
  6. Naruto chapter 598, pages 4-6
  7. Naruto chapter 666, page 5
  8. Naruto chapter 487, page 4
  9. 9.0 9.1 Naruto chapter 608, page 3-7
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Naruto chapter 595, pages 12-13
  11. Naruto chapter 688, pages 3-5
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Naruto chapter 502, page 11-12
  13. 13.0 13.1 Naruto chapter 475, pages 10-11
  14. 14.0 14.1 Naruto chapter 510, pages 2-3
  15. 15.0 15.1 Naruto chapter 467, pages 6-8
  16. Naruto chapter 675, pages 1-2
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Naruto chapter 597, pages 4-11
  18. Naruto chapter 357, pages 9-10
  19. Naruto chapter 643, page 3
  20. Naruto chapter 276, pages 4-11
  21. Naruto chapter 424, pages 16-17
  22. Naruto chapter 281, page 12
  23. Naruto chapter 598, page 12
  24. Naruto chapter 617, pages 3-4
  25. Naruto chapter 674, page 17
  26. Naruto chapter 666, pages 13-15
  27. Naruto chapter 686, page 10
  28. Naruto chapter 683, pages 14-15
  29. Naruto chapter 685, pages 3-8
  30. Naruto chapter 685, pages 3-4
  31. Naruto chapter 689, pages 1-2
  32. Naruto chapter 686, pages 17-19
  33. Naruto chapter 510, pages 3
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