Susanoo

Susanoo is the third ability granted by the Mangekyou Sharingan after awakening the abilities in both eyes. It creates a gigantic, humanoid being that surrounds the user. As the strongest technique granted to those that have acquired the Mangekyou Sharingan, it is the user’s guardian deity, but at the same time, it consumes the user’s life.

Overview

According to Tobi, for a Sharingan user to activate the Susanoo is a rarity. Like the other techniques granted by the Mangekyou Sharingan, the user’s eyes and body are strained while using Susanoo because it consumes a large amount of their chakra. Sasuke described it as feeling pain in every cell in his body which only grew from prolonged use. Susanoo is formed through the materialisation of the user’s chakra and as such differs in appearance as well as colour between users.

Despite Susanoo’s impressive defensive capabilities, the protection it grants its user is not absolute. Even though it envelopes and anchors the user, the user can be thrown out of the upper half of Susanoo by manipulating the substance under their feet. This was seen when Gaara used sand to pull Madara out of his Susanoo. Also, a sufficiently strong blow will still result in damage, especially during the technique’s developmental stages. The only known ways to attack the user while Susanoo is active, is either to draw the wielder out of the technique and then attack, bind and restrict its movements, or to break the defence with overwhelming force.

Development

Each Susanoo goes through several developmental stages as the user advances their control over it, with these various stages being best demonstrated while Sasuke is learning how to use the technique. In its earliest form, users can only manifest some of Susanoo’s skeleton. A ribcage is generally produced first which, while providing a good defence, can still be fractured, or even melted. An arm is sometimes connected to this ribcage, which can then be used to interact with the surroundings. When first forming it manifests around the user like an aura.

As users gain additional control, musculature and skin begins to appear atop of these bones, which progressively complete the full skeletal structure. It is only when Susanoo’s growth is fully matured and thus, the user is completely surrounded, are the vulnerabilities of the skeletal form finally eliminated. However, it should be noted that Susanoo can also appear behind the user, instead of just surrounding them. The user can also change the size of it to fit the current situation. Eventually, Susanoo develops into a complete warrior-like form, where its skin, armour and final arsenal of weapons are manifested in their entirety. At this stage, it can anchor the user to the ground, preventing opponents from forcibly moving them unless they can get through Susanoo’s various layers. In its final form, this fully humanoid shape is further surrounded by a secondary layer of armour that causes Susanoo to resemble a yamabushi.

Filed Under: Jutsu