Genjutsu

is one of the main jutsu categories. Like ninjutsu, genjutsu requires chakra and hand seals to be performed. Unlike ninjutsu, the effects of genjutsu are not real, being only illusions experienced by those who fall victim to it. According to the Second Mizukage, genjutsu falls under the broad category of Yin Release.

Overview
A genjutsu is created when a ninja controls the chakra flow of a target's cerebral nervous system, thereby affecting their five senses. This is frequently used to create false images and/or trick the body into believing its has experienced physical pain. Genjutsu can also be used to manipulate others - similar to brainwashing - by feeding the victim illusive suggestions. Most genjutsu is performed visually, requiring the target make eye contact with the caster. Other methods include integration with nature transformation, and, in the anime, ingesting special pills that activate when the target sleeps. Audible genjutsu is deemed the most dangerous because the user can trap victims from long distances.

Despite its usefulness, genjutsu is rarely employed, most shinobi preferring the real, tangible effects of ninjutsu and taijutsu over the imagined effects of genjutsu. The difficulty of performing genjutsu in the first place presents an additional barrier to its use: genjutsu require precise chakra control in order to manipulate the target's senses and advanced intelligence to make the illusion convincing, prerequisites that even someone as skilled as Jiraiya lacks. Also, due to the limitations of genjutsu, primarily that they are illusions and not real, they cannot cause permanent damage to the target or kill them on their own, and so far there's only been one exception to this, which wasn't a normal occurrence. Some, however, are able to specialize in genjutsu, with Kurenai Yūhi being regarded as one of Konoha's experts in the field and members of the Uchiha clan being particularly feared because of their Sharingan's generic genjutsu.

Those under the influence of genjutsu will either appear to be unconscious or continue to move around under the pretence of the genjutsu. The latter is very effective in battle as a genjutsu user can make themselves appear to be somewhere else and attack the victim from behind or change the environment to make the victim see a flat plain where there is a steep cliff.

Countering
There are several options to combat genjutsu:
 * A victim's chakra flow, if disrupted enough, can break the caster's influence. This can be done by the victim themselves, (assuming they realize they're under a genjutsu's influence) or an ally who emits chakra into them; jinchūriki who have formed a good relationship with their tailed beast enjoy the latter method whenever they need it.
 * Pain that is not caused by the genjutsu can bring victims back to their senses.
 * If a caster's vision is obstructed, such as by the Hiding in Mist Technique, that at least prevents the use of ocular genjutsu.
 * Possessing a Sharingan renders one largely invulnerable to genjutsu as their acute vision allows them to recognize its flaws and influence. They can also free others from genjutsu by inserting themselves into the opponent's illusion and release it.
 * Deidara is somehow able to condition his left eye to break genjutsu.
 * In the anime, kikaichū are impervious to genjutsu because their brain structures aren't sophisticated enough, allowing members of the Aburame clan a method to identify and counter genjutsu.
 * In the anime, strong smells, such as those from Chilli Pepper Bombs, can counteract genjutsu.

Trivia

 * Izanagi has the opposite effects to normal genjutsu, changing reality to illusion and vice versa.
 * In the anime, genjutsu even works on Mecha-Naruto, corrupting its internal system.