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(the paragraph is about the jutsu's development. what to call it is part of that process.)
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{{Infobox/Jutsu
 
{{Infobox/Jutsu
|ref=<ref>Second Databook, pages 282-283</ref>
+
|ref=<ref>''[[Tō no Sho]]'', pages 282-283</ref>
|image=Rasengan2.jpg
+
|image=Rasengan.png
 
|kanji=螺旋丸
 
|kanji=螺旋丸
 
|unnamed jutsu=No
 
|unnamed jutsu=No
 
|romaji=Rasengan
 
|romaji=Rasengan
 
|literal english=Spiralling Sphere
 
|literal english=Spiralling Sphere
  +
|viz manga=Spiral Chakra Sphere
  +
|game names=Power Strike
 
|related jutsu=Tailed Beast Ball
 
|related jutsu=Tailed Beast Ball
 
|jutsu rank=A
 
|jutsu rank=A
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|jutsu class type=Offensive
 
|jutsu class type=Offensive
 
|jutsu range=Short
 
|jutsu range=Short
  +
|users=<!--Do NOT add Asura. See the Amenomihashira article for his technique-->Boruto Uzumaki, Jiraiya, Kakashi Hatake, Koji Kashin, Konohamaru Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki, Naruto Uzumaki, Hiruko (missing-nin)~movie, Breeze Dancer~Game
|users=Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya, Naruto Uzumaki, Kakashi Hatake, Konohamaru Sarutobi
 
 
|debut manga=150
 
|debut manga=150
  +
|boruto=No
  +
|sasuke retsuden=No
  +
|konoha shinden=No
  +
|blue vortex=No
 
|debut anime=86
 
|debut anime=86
 
|debut shippuden=No
 
|debut shippuden=No
  +
|boruto anime=No
 
|game debut=Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2
 
|game debut=Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2
 
|movie debut=Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
 
|movie debut=Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
 
|ova debut=Finally a clash! Jōnin vs. Genin!! Indiscriminate Grand Melee Tournament Meeting!!
 
|ova debut=Finally a clash! Jōnin vs. Genin!! Indiscriminate Grand Melee Tournament Meeting!!
|jutsu media=Anime, Manga, Game, Movie
+
|jutsu media=Anime, Manga, Game, Movie, Movie canon
 
}}
 
}}
  +
The '''Rasengan''' is a jutsu that takes form as a spinning ball of [[chakra]], invented by [[Minato Namikaze]].
The '''Rasengan''' is a powerful [[A-rank]] technique invented by the Fourth Hokage, [[Minato Namikaze]], which he created by observing the [[Tailed Beast Ball]]. Minato spent three years developing the Rasengan; his plan was to take the [[shape transformation]] of one's [[chakra]] to the "''highest possible point''" and then combine it with his [[Nature Transformation|chakra's nature affinity]], creating a technique that did not need the aid of time-consuming [[hand seals]] to control. He died before he could accomplish this, but on shape transformation alone, the Rasengan is still a very useful, powerful, versatile, and difficult technique to learn and master.
 
   
== Usage ==
+
== Overview ==
  +
Minato came up with the idea for this technique after seeing a [[Tailed Beast Ball]] being used.<ref name="c519">''Naruto'' chapter 519</ref> Because his lover, [[Kushina Uzumaki]], was a [[jinchūriki]], she would inevitably be deployed to fight opponents who would use Tailed Beast Balls against her. Minato therefore wanted to develop a technique that Kushina could use to match against those opponents, which also worked with her chakra volume as a jinchūriki. Minato struggled with the original concepts for the technique, as they were either too weak or too unstable for use. It was only from a conversation with [[Jiraiya]] that Minato thought of a way to make the technique usable. Because of Jiraiya's inspiration, Minato wanted to call the technique {{translation|"Halo Frozen Dessert Hair Whorl Jiraiya Twin Formula Sphere"|光輪冷菓発起旋毛自来也双式ノ丸|Kōrin Reika Hakki Tsumuji Jiraiya Sōshiki no Gan}}, but both Jiraiya and Kushina felt it was too long and lame. Kushina suggested "Rasengan" instead, which Minato agreed was a better name.<ref name="Gaiden">"[[Naruto Gaiden: Whirlwind in the Vortex]]"</ref> Minato would continue refining the Rasengan, ultimately taking three years of development time to perfect it.<ref name="c151">''Naruto'' chapter 151</ref>
The Rasengan does not require any hand seals to use, relying only on the chakra control of the user. Once it is complete, it becomes self-sustaining, which does not give the Rasengan a definite limit like the [[Chidori]]. The compacted nature and moving speed of the chakra allows the Rasengan to grind into whatever it comes in contact with to inflict major damage. This tends to launch the target spiralling backward after being hit or, if the target is lying on the ground or being launched to the ground, the destructive force is enough to form a crater. In the anime, Naruto was able to throw the Rasengan, making it a mid-range projectile technique.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 194</ref> It has been noted a few times that the Rasengan is superior to its counterpart, the Chidori, by [[Jiraiya]], [[Kakashi Hatake]], and even [[Sasuke Uchiha]] after seeing the after effects of the Rasengan on a water tower.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 176, pages 10-12</ref><ref>''Naruto'' chapter 314, page 12</ref>
 
   
  +
To perform the Rasengan, users gather chakra in the palm of their hand, which they spin rapidly in multiple directions in order to contain the chakra into a spherical shape.<ref name="c155">''Naruto'' chapter 155</ref> No [[hand seal]]s are involved, in theory making it easy to learn and use,<ref name="c151"/> nor does it require additional chakra to maintain once it's properly formed.{{citation needed}} The Rasengan grinds into whatever it comes into contact with, doing extensive damage until the spinning chakra dissipates;<ref name="c155"/> Jiraiya describes it as more powerful than the [[Chidori]],<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 143</ref> an assessment that [[Sasuke Uchiha]] agrees with after comparing the two.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 176, pages 10-12</ref> If users thrust the Rasengan into targets, they can be propelled away from the user until they eventually collide with some obstacle.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 168</ref> The Rasengan's various attributes have earned it recognition as the pinnacle of [[shape transformation]].<ref name="c321">''Naruto'' chapter 321, pages 9-10</ref>
The Rasengan was designed to use the caster's elemental affinities. Minato was unable to add his affinities to his Rasengan before he died, while [[Kakashi Hatake]] tried to add his [[lightning]] element to his Rasengan, but was unable to and explains that he created the Chidori and [[Lightning Cutter]] instead, which require a certain point of shape and nature manipulation itself.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 321, pages 9-10</ref> Naruto was the first to add his [[wind]] affinity to his Rasengan to create the [[Wind Release: Rasengan]], and even advanced it up to the point that he could create the far more powerful and destructive version, [[Wind Release: Rasenshuriken]].
 
   
 
{{ImgRight|Rasengan Balloon.png|Naruto using a water balloon for the first step.}}
== Learning ==
 
  +
The Rasengan requires a great deal of chakra control to perform, making it incredibly difficult to learn. For this reason, Jiraiya breaks up the process into three steps when he teaches it to [[Naruto Uzumaki]].<ref name="c155"/> Naruto subsequently uses these same three steps when he teaches it to [[Konohamaru Sarutobi]],<ref name="c428">''Naruto'' chapter 428</ref> who in turn later uses them when he teaches it to [[Boruto Uzumaki]]:<ref name="b2">''Boruto'' chapter 2</ref>
{{ImgRight|Rasengan Balloon.jpg|Naruto training to burst the water balloon.}}
 
  +
#'''Rotation''' - the user learns to spin their chakra in multiple directions at the same time. Users may be given a water balloon while they practice, to help them mark their progress by the churning water. The step is completed when users are able to burst the water balloon with their chakra.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 150</ref> In theory this should be done with one hand, but Naruto initially uses chakra from both of his hands to increase the agitation, thus saving time.<ref name="c152">''Naruto'' chapter 152</ref> It can be useful to know in which direction one's chakra naturally spins, in order to avoid impeding oneself.<ref name="c151"/>
In Part I, [[Jiraiya]] taught [[Naruto Uzumaki]] how to use the Rasengan, breaking the learning process into three steps:
 
  +
#'''Power''' - the user increases the volume and density of chakra they output. To help in this regard, users may be given a rubber ball: there is no water inside to help them burst the exterior and the rubber shell is thicker than a balloon's. It's important that users are able to actually destroy the rubber ball, not merely rupture it,<ref name="c152"/> as only by destroying the ball will users know that their chakra is sufficiently concentrated. This step can be painful for users, as they may not be accustomed to emitting so much chakra from their hands at once,<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 153</ref> and in fact they may end up injuring themselves in the process of destroying the ball.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 154</ref>
  +
#'''Containment''' - the user must combine the first two steps into a contained sphere. To help in this regard, users may be given a balloon to help them visualise the intended shape; if the balloon is popped or otherwise moves, mastery is not yet achieved. This is by far the most difficult of the three steps because of how refined the user's chakra control must be.<ref name="c155"/> Naruto and Konohamaru end up using [[shadow clone]]s as a shortcut, the clone's hands helping them keep the chakra contained.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 167</ref><ref name="c428"/> Both do eventually learn to perform the Rasengan without the need for shadow clones, Naruto during the [[Fourth Shinobi World War]],<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 642, page 13</ref> Konohamaru by the time he begins leading [[Team 7 (Konohamaru)|Team 7]].<ref>''Boruto'' chapter 1</ref>
   
  +
Once learned, the Rasengan appears largely identical from one user to the next. The only potential difference is its size: when Boruto first learns to use the Rasengan, it's noted to be quite small. With greater proficiency, the size of a user's Rasengan grows to be about the size of their hand.<ref name="b2"/>
* The first step was learning how to burst a water balloon by spinning the water inside in multiple directions at once using only the user's chakra, which emphasises rotation.
 
* The second step was for the user to burst a rubber ball, and since rubber is thicker, and air is completely different from water, it forces the user to use denser chakra to break it. This step emphasises power.
 
* The third and final step was to combine both step one and two by spinning chakra inside a balloon without moving the balloon itself, emphasising stability of the sphere shape.
 
 
Although users generally learn how to form the Rasengan with one hand, Naruto and [[Konohamaru Sarutobi]] use one or more [[shadow clone]]s to help in the creation. By having the hands of the shadow clones act as shells, Naruto and Konohamaru can complete and use the technique without using any extra time to master their chakra control.
 
   
 
== Improvement ==
 
== Improvement ==
[[File:Great Ball Rasengan.PNG|thumb|Naruto using the Big Ball Rasengan.]]
+
[[File:Senpō Chōōdama Rasen Tarengan.png|thumb|left|Multiple, bigger Rasengan.]]
  +
Because of how useful the Rasengan is once it's been learned, many users end up inventing variants or additional applications based upon it. Creating larger versions of the Rasengan is one of the more straightforward methods, as seen with its [[Big Ball Rasengan|Big]], [[Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan|Ultra-Big]], and [[Super-Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan|Super-Ultra-Big]] versions. Another option is to increase the number of Rasengan that the user creates: most users are limited to [[Spiralling Serial Spheres|two]] (one in each hand), but Naruto also develops a practice of having his shadow clones perform their own Rasengan, giving him [[Ultra-Many Spiralling Serial Spheres|dozens]] of Rasengan to attack with simultaneously. In the anime, Boruto devises a way of [[Compression Rasengan|compressing]] the Rasengan, thus increasing its penetrative strength.
While Naruto has found new ways to use this technique, he still uses clones to make his Rasengan and its variants.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 519, page 13</ref>
 
   
  +
Minato created the Rasengan with the intention of combining it with his own [[nature]], a task that proved too difficult for him to complete prior to his death. [[Kakashi Hatake]] also failed to combine the Rasengan with his own [[lightning]]-nature, causing him to invent the Chidori instead.<ref name="c321"/> Naruto encounters similar struggles to combine the Rasengan with his [[wind]]-nature, which he describes as needing to look left and right at the same time.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 329</ref> He is eventually able to overcome this obstacle by using a shadow clone to provide the nature transformation while he and another shadow clone form the Rasengan.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 330</ref> This ultimately leads to the creation of the [[Wind Release: Rasenshuriken]], which is most notable for its ability to be thrown.<ref name="c432">''Naruto'' chapter 432</ref> Years later, Boruto unknowingly adds his own lightning-nature to his Rasengan, which causes it to turn [[Vanishing Rasengan|invisible]] if thrown, potentially lowering an opponent's guard before it strikes them.<ref>''Boruto'' chapter 9</ref>
During his training with Jiraiya, Naruto improved the Rasengan with the [[Big Ball Rasengan]]. An anime exclusive flashback explained that the Big Ball Rasengan's invention resulted from Jiraiya's remark that it would be easier to hit an opponent with a larger Rasengan.<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 188</ref> Later, Naruto mixed his wind-natured chakra to start developing the [[Wind Release: Rasengan]], as it was originally intended. Naruto took the Rasengan even further than his father by creating the [[Wind Release: Rasenshuriken]], a variant of the Wind Release: Rasengan. However, this new technique not only damaged the opponent's [[chakra circulatory system]], but also inflicted the same type of damage to Naruto's arm, making it a double-edged sword. Even so, Naruto overcame this obstacle as shown during his fight with [[Pain]] when, in [[Sage Mode]], he threw the Rasenshuriken, preventing any damage done to his own body, and increasing its power, causing disintegration on contact.
 
   
 
=== Senjutsu Influence ===
[[File:Odama rasengan.jpg|thumb|left|Naruto using Sage Art: Big Ball Rasengan.]]
+
[[File:Sage Technique Rasengan.png|thumb|Naruto using Sage Technique: Rasengan.]]
Naruto can also wield a Rasengan in both of his hands while in Sage Mode. [[Sage Art: Big Ball Rasengan]] uses two Big Ball Rasengan, each the size of his own body, while [[Sage Technique: Spiralling Serial Spheres]] uses two regular Rasengan. Jiraiya is suggested to have been capable of doing something similar. When teaching Naruto the Rasengan, he held the Rasengan in one hand and does the water balloon exercise in his other hand. Both Jiraiya and Naruto can create even larger Rasengan, the [[Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan]] and [[Sage Art: Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan]] respectively. Naruto can even mass a large group of Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan and launch them at one target as the [[Sage Art: Many Ultra-Big Ball Spiralling Serial Spheres]], which could even stun [[Kurama]].
 
  +
When in [[Sage Mode]], the user can use a [[senjutsu]]-enhanced version known as {{translation|'''Sage Technique: Rasengan'''|仙術・螺旋丸|Senjutsu: Rasengan|lit meaning=Sage Technique: Spiralling Sphere|engtv=Sage Art: Rasengan}}.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 665</ref> It is fundamentally the same as the normal version, except stronger. For Naruto, it is while using Sage Mode that he is first able to throw the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken,<ref name="c432"/> which previously would sporadically lose its shape if he didn't hold on to it.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 340</ref>
   
  +
=== Tailed Beast Influence ===
Naruto is now using his [[Tailed Beast Chakra Arms|chakra arms]] in his [[Nine-Tails Chakra Mode]] to create a new Rasengan, the [[Tailed Beast Rasengan]], which is even more similar to the [[Tailed Beast Ball]] than the Rasengan originally was. While in it, he can use the basic Rasengan with just one hand. It appears that he can now do so in Sage Mode, as well.<ref>"Naruto" chapter 642, page 13</ref>
 
 
[[File:Vermillion Rasengan.png|thumb|left|Naruto in his one-tailed form, preparing the Rasengan.]]
  +
Naruto, as a [[jinchūriki]], can use the [[Nine-Tails]]' chakra to assist in using the Rasengan. While using a [[version 1]] cloak in Part I, he makes a Rasengan without the aid of a shadow clone, using the cloak itself to contain it.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 232, pages 11-12</ref> Due to the Nine-Tails' influence, this Rasengan is darker in colour and much stronger. Different video games have called it {{translation|"Demon Fox Rasengan"|妖狐螺旋丸|Yōko Rasengan|lit meaning=Demon Fox Spiralling Sphere}}, {{translation|"Vermilion Rasengan"|朱い螺旋丸|Shui Rasengan|lit meaning=Vermilion Spiralling Sphere}}, {{translation|"Nine-Tails Rasengan"|九尾螺旋丸|Kyūbi Rasengan|lit meaning=Nine-Tails Spiralling Sphere}}, and {{translation|"Crimson Rasengan"|紅蓮螺旋丸|Guren Rasengan|lit meaning=Crimson Spiralling Sphere}}. After learning to use the [[Nine-Tails Chakra Mode]] in Part II, Naruto uses [[chakra arms]] in place of a shadow clone to help him create the Rasengan.<ref name="c519"/> Because he can manifest multiple chakra arms at once, this in turn means he can use multiple Rasengan simultaneously, such as for the [[Spiralling Strife Spheres]].
   
  +
The Nine-Tails is uncooperative when Naruto first starts using the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, preventing him from using the [[Tailed Beast Ball]]. He tries to create an alternative in the [[Tailed Beast Rasengan]], but he's unable to do so. The Nine-Tails does eventually agree to work with him, allowing him to use Tailed Beast Ball and thus making the Tailed Beast Rasengan unnecessary. Naruto is later given access to the other [[tailed beast]]s' chakra, whose natures he can apply to the Rasengan and its variants, such as the [[Sage Art: Magnet Release Rasengan]].
== Nine-Tails Influence ==
 
[[File:Vermillion Rasengan.png|thumb|Naruto in his one-tailed form, preparing the Rasengan.]]
 
Naruto had shown that when he was under the influence of the Nine-Tails' chakra, he could improve his use of the standard Rasengan and simultaneously make up for his shortcomings in performing the technique. The chakra shroud surrounding him in his [[Version 1|one-tailed form]] served as the shell to stabilise the Rasengan's chakra, thus he did not need a clone to help as usual. Due to the influence exhibited by the Nine-Tails' chakra, this Rasengan changed from its yellow or blue colour to a purple, orange, or red colour, made stronger than its standard version.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 232, pages 11-12</ref><ref>''Naruto'' episode 134</ref> Despite the fact that some video games give it its own name, {{translation|'''Demon Fox Rasengan'''|妖狐螺旋丸|Yōko Rasengan|lit meaning=Demon Fox Spiralling Sphere}} and {{translation|'''Vermilion Rasengan'''|朱い螺旋丸|Shui Rasengan|lit meaning=Vermilion Spiralling Sphere}}, it is fundamentally the same technique.
 
   
 
== Trivia ==
[[File:Rasenrangan Anime 1.png|thumb|left|Naruto forming the Spiralling Strife Spheres while in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.]]
 
  +
[[File:YellowRasengan.png|thumb|The Rasengan's colour in ''[[Naruto: Colour Edition]]''.]]
During his training with [[Killer B]], Naruto was informed that the Rasengan follows the same properties as the [[Tailed Beast Ball]], in that it's a technique that compresses chakra into a ball. The main difference between the two is the rotation used to stabilise the Rasengan. Because the Tailed Beast Ball is unusable unless Naruto can completely transform into the Nine-Tails, Naruto must instead learn how to form a Rasengan by mixing a balance of black "positive" and white "negative" chakra at an 8:2 ratio. He can form the [[Tailed Beast Rasengan]], which he completed with the introduction of the [[Tailed Beast Ball]] and [[Super Mini-Tailed Beast Ball]] into his arsenal. Naruto has also created new variants of the Rasengan with [[chakra arms]] while in [[Nine-Tails Chakra Mode]] such as the [[Spiralling Strife Spheres]], the [[Spiralling Absorption Sphere]], and the [[Planetary Rasengan]]. Using the chakra arms, he is also able to create a [[Mini-Rasenshuriken|miniature version of the Rasenshuriken]] with just his index finger and two small chakra arms.
 
  +
* The colouring of the standard Rasengan varies throughout the manga. For example, it's yellow on the cover of [[Everyone of Team 7!! (volume)|volume 52]], blue on the cover of [[volume 67]], and orange on the cover of ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' #35 (2005).
  +
** The anime is more consistent about depicting the Rasengan as blue, with the exception of ''[[The Last: Naruto the Movie]]'', which depicts it as orange.
  +
* While Minato intended to pass this technique on to Kushina,<ref>''Naruto Gaiden: Whirlwind in the Vortex'', pages 25, 51</ref> it is unknown if he succeeded.
  +
* In the anime, if used underwater, the rotation force of the Rasengan is capable of creating a whirlpool.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 104</ref>
  +
* The anime shows Naruto being able to throw the Rasengan,<ref>''Naruto'' episode 194</ref> something that is later established to require special training.<ref name="c432"/>
  +
* [[Katasuke]] uses this technique through his [[Shinobi Gauntlet]].
  +
* In ''[[Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3]]'', Jiraiya spews [[fire]] onto his Rasengan, creating the [[Fire Release: Great Flame Rasengan]].
  +
* ''[[Jump Super Stars]]'' is one of the few video games where Part I Naruto is able to access his non-clone-refined version of his Rasengan, dubbed as {{translation|"Rasengan: In Training"|螺旋丸・修行中|Rasengan: Shugyōchū|lit meaning=Spiralling Sphere: In Training}}.
   
 
== See Also ==
[[File:Minato and Naruto TBM.png|thumb|Minato using the Rasengan in Tailed Beast Mode.]]
 
  +
* [[Amenomihashira]]
During the battle with [[Obito Uchiha]], who had become the [[Ten-Tails]]' jinchūriki, the [[Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation|reincarnated]] [[Minato]] was able to assume the [[Tailed Beast Mode|form]] of the Nine-Tails, due to having its Yin half sealed within him. He was then able to use the Nine-Tails replica to produce a giant Rasengan, proportionate in size to the replica itself.<ref name="ch645">''Naruto'' chapter 645, page 10</ref>
 
{{-}}
 
 
== Trivia ==
 
* In [[Naruto Shippūden 2: Bonds|the second ''Naruto: Shippūden'' movie]], Naruto performed a Rasengan on [[Shinnō]] without the aid of [[shadow clones]].
 
* Jiraya is also able to form the [[Fire Release: Great Flame Rasengan]] in ''[[Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3]]''.
 
* In the anime episode, [[The Mysterious Curse of the Haunted Castle]], Naruto was able to throw the Rasengan, though a normal Rasengan cannot be thrown in the manga.
 
* In many of the Naruto movies, Naruto is able to make a variation of the technique that is more powerful such as in [[Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow]] when Naruto made the [[Rainbow Rasengan]], in [[Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom]] naruto made the [[Crescent Moon Rasengan]], and in [[Naruto Movie The Bonds]], Naruto and [[Shion]] made the [[Naruto and Shion's Super Chakra Rasengan|Super Chakra Rasengan]].
 
   
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
<references />
 
<references />
   
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[[de:Rasengan]]
 
[[he:ראסנגאן]]
 
[[he:ראסנגאן]]
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[[id:Rasengan]]
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[[ka:რასენგანი]]
 
[[ru:Расэнган]]
 
[[ru:Расэнган]]
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[[pt-br:Rasengan]]
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[[fr:Orbe Tourbillonnant]]
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[[pl:Rasengan]]

Latest revision as of 19:42, 13 January 2024

The Rasengan is a jutsu that takes form as a spinning ball of chakra, invented by Minato Namikaze.

Overview

Minato came up with the idea for this technique after seeing a Tailed Beast Ball being used.[2] Because his lover, Kushina Uzumaki, was a jinchūriki, she would inevitably be deployed to fight opponents who would use Tailed Beast Balls against her. Minato therefore wanted to develop a technique that Kushina could use to match against those opponents, which also worked with her chakra volume as a jinchūriki. Minato struggled with the original concepts for the technique, as they were either too weak or too unstable for use. It was only from a conversation with Jiraiya that Minato thought of a way to make the technique usable. Because of Jiraiya's inspiration, Minato wanted to call the technique "Halo Frozen Dessert Hair Whorl Jiraiya Twin Formula Sphere" (光輪冷菓発起旋毛自来也双式ノ丸, Kōrin Reika Hakki Tsumuji Jiraiya Sōshiki no Gan), but both Jiraiya and Kushina felt it was too long and lame. Kushina suggested "Rasengan" instead, which Minato agreed was a better name.[3] Minato would continue refining the Rasengan, ultimately taking three years of development time to perfect it.[4]

To perform the Rasengan, users gather chakra in the palm of their hand, which they spin rapidly in multiple directions in order to contain the chakra into a spherical shape.[5] No hand seals are involved, in theory making it easy to learn and use,[4] nor does it require additional chakra to maintain once it's properly formed.[citation needed] The Rasengan grinds into whatever it comes into contact with, doing extensive damage until the spinning chakra dissipates;[5] Jiraiya describes it as more powerful than the Chidori,[6] an assessment that Sasuke Uchiha agrees with after comparing the two.[7] If users thrust the Rasengan into targets, they can be propelled away from the user until they eventually collide with some obstacle.[8] The Rasengan's various attributes have earned it recognition as the pinnacle of shape transformation.[9]

Rasengan Balloon

Naruto using a water balloon for the first step.

The Rasengan requires a great deal of chakra control to perform, making it incredibly difficult to learn. For this reason, Jiraiya breaks up the process into three steps when he teaches it to Naruto Uzumaki.[5] Naruto subsequently uses these same three steps when he teaches it to Konohamaru Sarutobi,[10] who in turn later uses them when he teaches it to Boruto Uzumaki:[11]

  1. Rotation - the user learns to spin their chakra in multiple directions at the same time. Users may be given a water balloon while they practice, to help them mark their progress by the churning water. The step is completed when users are able to burst the water balloon with their chakra.[12] In theory this should be done with one hand, but Naruto initially uses chakra from both of his hands to increase the agitation, thus saving time.[13] It can be useful to know in which direction one's chakra naturally spins, in order to avoid impeding oneself.[4]
  2. Power - the user increases the volume and density of chakra they output. To help in this regard, users may be given a rubber ball: there is no water inside to help them burst the exterior and the rubber shell is thicker than a balloon's. It's important that users are able to actually destroy the rubber ball, not merely rupture it,[13] as only by destroying the ball will users know that their chakra is sufficiently concentrated. This step can be painful for users, as they may not be accustomed to emitting so much chakra from their hands at once,[14] and in fact they may end up injuring themselves in the process of destroying the ball.[15]
  3. Containment - the user must combine the first two steps into a contained sphere. To help in this regard, users may be given a balloon to help them visualise the intended shape; if the balloon is popped or otherwise moves, mastery is not yet achieved. This is by far the most difficult of the three steps because of how refined the user's chakra control must be.[5] Naruto and Konohamaru end up using shadow clones as a shortcut, the clone's hands helping them keep the chakra contained.[16][10] Both do eventually learn to perform the Rasengan without the need for shadow clones, Naruto during the Fourth Shinobi World War,[17] Konohamaru by the time he begins leading Team 7.[18]

Once learned, the Rasengan appears largely identical from one user to the next. The only potential difference is its size: when Boruto first learns to use the Rasengan, it's noted to be quite small. With greater proficiency, the size of a user's Rasengan grows to be about the size of their hand.[11]

Improvement

Senpō Chōōdama Rasen Tarengan

Multiple, bigger Rasengan.

Because of how useful the Rasengan is once it's been learned, many users end up inventing variants or additional applications based upon it. Creating larger versions of the Rasengan is one of the more straightforward methods, as seen with its Big, Ultra-Big, and Super-Ultra-Big versions. Another option is to increase the number of Rasengan that the user creates: most users are limited to two (one in each hand), but Naruto also develops a practice of having his shadow clones perform their own Rasengan, giving him dozens of Rasengan to attack with simultaneously. In the anime, Boruto devises a way of compressing the Rasengan, thus increasing its penetrative strength.

Minato created the Rasengan with the intention of combining it with his own nature, a task that proved too difficult for him to complete prior to his death. Kakashi Hatake also failed to combine the Rasengan with his own lightning-nature, causing him to invent the Chidori instead.[9] Naruto encounters similar struggles to combine the Rasengan with his wind-nature, which he describes as needing to look left and right at the same time.[19] He is eventually able to overcome this obstacle by using a shadow clone to provide the nature transformation while he and another shadow clone form the Rasengan.[20] This ultimately leads to the creation of the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, which is most notable for its ability to be thrown.[21] Years later, Boruto unknowingly adds his own lightning-nature to his Rasengan, which causes it to turn invisible if thrown, potentially lowering an opponent's guard before it strikes them.[22]

Senjutsu Influence

Sage Technique Rasengan

Naruto using Sage Technique: Rasengan.

When in Sage Mode, the user can use a senjutsu-enhanced version known as Sage Technique: Rasengan (仙術・螺旋丸, Senjutsu: Rasengan, English TV: Sage Art: Rasengan, literally meaning: Sage Technique: Spiralling Sphere).[23] It is fundamentally the same as the normal version, except stronger. For Naruto, it is while using Sage Mode that he is first able to throw the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken,[21] which previously would sporadically lose its shape if he didn't hold on to it.[24]

Tailed Beast Influence

Vermillion Rasengan

Naruto in his one-tailed form, preparing the Rasengan.

Naruto, as a jinchūriki, can use the Nine-Tails' chakra to assist in using the Rasengan. While using a version 1 cloak in Part I, he makes a Rasengan without the aid of a shadow clone, using the cloak itself to contain it.[25] Due to the Nine-Tails' influence, this Rasengan is darker in colour and much stronger. Different video games have called it "Demon Fox Rasengan" (妖狐螺旋丸, Yōko Rasengan, literally meaning: Demon Fox Spiralling Sphere), "Vermilion Rasengan" (朱い螺旋丸, Shui Rasengan, literally meaning: Vermilion Spiralling Sphere), "Nine-Tails Rasengan" (九尾螺旋丸, Kyūbi Rasengan, literally meaning: Nine-Tails Spiralling Sphere), and "Crimson Rasengan" (紅蓮螺旋丸, Guren Rasengan, literally meaning: Crimson Spiralling Sphere). After learning to use the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode in Part II, Naruto uses chakra arms in place of a shadow clone to help him create the Rasengan.[2] Because he can manifest multiple chakra arms at once, this in turn means he can use multiple Rasengan simultaneously, such as for the Spiralling Strife Spheres.

The Nine-Tails is uncooperative when Naruto first starts using the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, preventing him from using the Tailed Beast Ball. He tries to create an alternative in the Tailed Beast Rasengan, but he's unable to do so. The Nine-Tails does eventually agree to work with him, allowing him to use Tailed Beast Ball and thus making the Tailed Beast Rasengan unnecessary. Naruto is later given access to the other tailed beasts' chakra, whose natures he can apply to the Rasengan and its variants, such as the Sage Art: Magnet Release Rasengan.

Trivia

YellowRasengan

The Rasengan's colour in Naruto: Colour Edition.

  • The colouring of the standard Rasengan varies throughout the manga. For example, it's yellow on the cover of volume 52, blue on the cover of volume 67, and orange on the cover of Weekly Shōnen Jump #35 (2005).
    • The anime is more consistent about depicting the Rasengan as blue, with the exception of The Last: Naruto the Movie, which depicts it as orange.
  • While Minato intended to pass this technique on to Kushina,[26] it is unknown if he succeeded.
  • In the anime, if used underwater, the rotation force of the Rasengan is capable of creating a whirlpool.[27]
  • The anime shows Naruto being able to throw the Rasengan,[28] something that is later established to require special training.[21]
  • Katasuke uses this technique through his Shinobi Gauntlet.
  • In Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3, Jiraiya spews fire onto his Rasengan, creating the Fire Release: Great Flame Rasengan.
  • Jump Super Stars is one of the few video games where Part I Naruto is able to access his non-clone-refined version of his Rasengan, dubbed as "Rasengan: In Training" (螺旋丸・修行中, Rasengan: Shugyōchū, literally meaning: Spiralling Sphere: In Training).

See Also

References

  1. Tō no Sho, pages 282-283
  2. 2.0 2.1 Naruto chapter 519
  3. "Naruto Gaiden: Whirlwind in the Vortex"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Naruto chapter 151
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Naruto chapter 155
  6. Naruto chapter 143
  7. Naruto chapter 176, pages 10-12
  8. Naruto chapter 168
  9. 9.0 9.1 Naruto chapter 321, pages 9-10
  10. 10.0 10.1 Naruto chapter 428
  11. 11.0 11.1 Boruto chapter 2
  12. Naruto chapter 150
  13. 13.0 13.1 Naruto chapter 152
  14. Naruto chapter 153
  15. Naruto chapter 154
  16. Naruto chapter 167
  17. Naruto chapter 642, page 13
  18. Boruto chapter 1
  19. Naruto chapter 329
  20. Naruto chapter 330
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 Naruto chapter 432
  22. Boruto chapter 9
  23. Naruto chapter 665
  24. Naruto chapter 340
  25. Naruto chapter 232, pages 11-12
  26. Naruto Gaiden: Whirlwind in the Vortex, pages 25, 51
  27. Naruto episode 104
  28. Naruto episode 194