Highlights

  • Genjutsu uses illusions to manipulate the mind and senses, providing a tactical advantage in battle.
  • Genjutsu comes in multiple forms, like visual and sound-based, showcasing the versatility and power of this ninja technique.
  • Methods to counter genjutsu include disrupting chakra flow, inducing physical pain, and obstructing the caster’s vision.



Within the world of Naruto, there are three main categories of jutsu that ninjas utilize in battle: ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu. While ninjutsu involves harnessing one’s chakra to manipulate the elements and create various effects on the physical world, taijutsu focuses on enhancing speed, strength, and reflexes to gain the upper hand in direct hand-to-hand combat.

However, genjutsu is a more cerebral type of jutsu that manipulates the flow of chakra in an opponent’s mind and nervous system to generate false sensations and illusions. Rather than directly attacking the body, genjutsu tricks the five senses to ensnare its victims within a psychedelic trap from which they must break free. While ninjutsu and taijutsu tend to directly impact the physical world through elemental techniques and hand-to-hand combat, respectively, genjutsu is a more unconventional and subtle type of jutsu. It provides its users with an alternative approach to battle through deception and illusion rather than outright force.


What is Genjutsu?

Genjutsu is a unique ninja technique that utilizes spiritual energy and the manipulation of the target’s imagination and senses. Rather than employing real, tangible effects like ninjutsu, genjutsu produces sensory illusions that only the targeted individual can perceive. It is considered a form of Yin Release, that exists outside the five basic elemental natures and allows the user to utilize spiritual energy to manipulate a target’s imagination and perception of reality.



To perform genjutsu, the user precisely controls their chakra flow to impact the target’s cerebral nervous system and the chakra pathways leading to it. This allows them to affect all five senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Common illusions include fake images designed to misdirect or misinform, as well as tricking the body into believing it feels pain or other sensations. Genjutsu can be placed on most mammals, like humans and ninja dogs that possess a prosencephalon brain structure, and even tailed beasts can fall prey.

There are two main effects of genjutsu – the target may lose consciousness and be left vulnerable physically, or they can remain active but only move in accordance with the illusion. In either case, the user holds tactical advantages. Illusions can trick victims into attacks that aren’t real or walk them off cliffs. They can also be used to extract subtle information from reactions without harm.



Mastering genjutsu requires immense chakra control and high intelligence to craft convincing scenarios. Members of the Uchiha clan, with their sharingan dōjutsu, are especially feared for their proficiency with genjutsu. Individuals like Itachi Uchiha and Kurenai Yuhi are also regarded as genjutsu experts. When performed skillfully, genjutsu proves to be a powerful tool in combat and espionage.

Genjutsu Forms

Genjutsu comes in several effective forms that ninjas can use to their advantage in battle. One of the most common types is visual genjutsu, which involves creating illusions through eye contact. Powerful visual genjutsus allows the user to take control of another’s mind and actions. For example, Obito Uchiha placed the Nine-Tails under genjutsu and commanded them to attack Konoha. Tsukuyomi is a formidable visual genjutsu that alters the target’s perception of time, allowing them to endure hours of torture within seconds.


Another feared visual genjutsu is Kotoamatsukami. This genjutsu can completely sway a target’s will, making them believe their every action is out of free choice. With its overwhelming power, Kotoamatsukami can influence the Five Kage or even entire clans. On an immense scale, the Infinite Tsukuyomi can trap all of humanity in an illusion simultaneously.

Sound-based genjutsus is another branch that proves effective over long distances. Tayuya of the Sound Four could cast genjutsus through her demonic flute. Even Pain of the Akatsuki fell victim to a powerful sound genjutsu that sealed his movements and mind behind a water barrier. In the anime, Orochimaru developed a “genjutsu pill” that would paralyze anyone who ingested it as they slept, allowing manipulation without their recall. These varying forms show that genjutsu is a versatile yet dangerous ninja tool, depending on the user’s imagination and skill.


Countering Genjutsu’s Effects

There are several effective methods that ninjas can use to counter and break genjutsu techniques. One of the most common methods is to disrupt the chakra flow within one’s body. When a victim realizes they are under the influence of a genjutsu, they can disrupt their chakra flow through a technique called “Genjutsu Dissipation” or “Genjutsu Reversal.” This allows them to break the caster’s hold over their mind. Alternatively, an ally can emit their chakra into the victim’s body to disrupt the flow and break the genjutsu. Jinchuriki often find this method helpful, as their tailed beasts can provide chakra to break the technique if they agree to help.


Another way to break genjutsu is through physical pain, not caused by the illusion itself. Experiencing real pain from an outside source can snap the victim’s mind back to reality. Obstructing the caster’s vision through means like the Hidden Mist Technique is also an effective counter. This prevents the use of ocular genjutsu which requires eye contact. Those with dojutsu like the Sharingan also have natural defenses against genjutsu due to their enhanced vision, which allows them to perceive discrepancies in illusions. Sharingan users can even insert themselves into another’s genjutsu and release the victim.



Some shinobi like Deidara of the Akatsuki are even able to condition their eyes to dispel genjutsu. Members of the Aburame clan and their insect companions are also naturally resistant due to brain structures not conducive to illusion. In rare cases, strong stimulations like smells from Chilli Pepper Bombs can shock the target’s senses enough to disrupt the genjutsu. While attempting to counter one genjutsu with another is theoretically possible, the complexity of the original technique often makes this difficult to achieve in practice.

Naruto is available to stream on Crunchyroll.