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|ref=<ref name="d1">''[[Rin no Sho]]'', page 218</ref>
 
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<section begin=summary />The {{translation|'''Byakugan'''|白眼|lit meaning=White Eye|viz meaning=All Seeing White Eye}} is the kekkei genkai that originated from the [[Ōtsutsuki Clan]],<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 671, page 6</ref> and later inherited by their distant descendants, the [[Hyūga Clan]]. It is regarded as one of the "Three Great Dōjutsu", the others being the [[Sharingan]] and the [[Rinnegan]].<ref>Third Databook, page 313</ref><section end=summary />
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<section begin=summary />The {{translation|'''Byakugan'''|白眼|lit meaning=White Eye|viz meaning=All Seeing White Eye}} is a [[kekkei genkai]] [[dōjutsu]] that originated from the [[Ōtsutsuki clan]]. After the Ōtsutsuki settled on [[geography|Earth]],<ref name="c671">''Naruto'' chapter 671, page 9</ref> the Byakugan became more commonly associated with the [[Hyūga clan]],<ref name="c78">''Naruto'' chapter 78</ref> descendants of the Ōtsutsuki. It is regarded as one of the "Three Great Dōjutsu", the others being the [[Sharingan]] and the [[Rinnegan]].<ref>''[[Sha no Sho]]'', page 313</ref><section end=summary />
   
 
== Overview ==
 
== Overview ==
 
[[File:Byakugan.png|thumb|left|The Byakugan activated.]]
 
[[File:Byakugan.png|thumb|left|The Byakugan activated.]]
This dōjutsu usually is manifested as very distinctive eyes, characterised by their enlarged and featureless white irides<!--Yes that is how you spell it. For eyes: plural is irides, for plants, irises--> (though the anime tends to portray them as a light shade of lavender) with no visible pupils. While active, the pupils become more distinct and the veins near their temples bulge. In the manga and anime, after [[Chakra Edible Creation|absorbing]] [[Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki]]'s power, [[Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki]]'s Byakugan takes on a golden colour.<ref>''Boruto'' chapter 8</ref><ref>''Boruto'' episode 64</ref>
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Unlike dōjutsu such as the [[Sharingan]], which do not manifest until users meet certain conditions,<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 619</ref> the Byakugan is present from the time of birth. Individuals with the Byakugan are typically identifiable by their unique eyes: the [[wikipedia:irides|irides]] are enlarged and white (a light shade of lavender in the anime), and there are no distinguishable pupils. When users activate their Byakugan, the pupils become more distinct and the increased blood flow to their eyes causes the veins near their temples to bulge.<ref name="d1"/> Some users' Byakugan take on atypical characteristics:
  +
*[[Himawari Uzumaki]] is a descendant of the Hyūga clan through her [[Hinata|mother]], but ordinarily has the same blue eyes as her [[Naruto|father]]. Her eyes becomes featureless white only while her Byakugan are in use.<ref>"[[The Day Naruto Became Hokage]]"</ref>
  +
*In ''[[Itachi Shinden]]'', [[Mukai Kohinata]]'s family split off from the Hyūga clan several generations before his birth, leading most to assume his bloodline was too diluted to possess the Byakugan. Mukai does in fact have a Byakugan, but only in his left eye and which only resembles a Byakugan when in use.
  +
*[[Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki]]'s Byakugan usually appear identical to any other Byakugan, but take on a golden colour after he absorbs [[Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki]]'s power.<ref>''Boruto'' chapter 8</ref>
   
  +
The Byakugan's array of abilities have rendered it highly coveted. [[Kumogakure]] has made various attempts to acquire and study the Byakugan over the years, notably during the [[Hyūga Affair]].<ref name="c102">''Naruto'' chapter 102</ref> [[Ao]] of [[Kirigakure]] was able to acquire a single Byakugan from a Hyūga he defeated,<ref name="c459">''Naruto'' chapter 459</ref> which he goes to [[Barrier Talisman: Armoured Eye|great length]]s to protect;<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 471</ref> unlike other dōjutsu that have been transplanted, Ao can activate and deactivate his Byakugan at will.<ref name="c459"/> When [[Danzō Shimura]] of [[Konohagakure]] learns of Ao's Byakugan, he makes immediate plans to either destroy it or take it for himself.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 469, page 3</ref> In order to prevent the Byakugan from being acquired by enemies, the Hyūga clan developed a practice of applying [[Hyūga Main Family's Juinjutsu|cursed seals]] to most of its members; when those branded with the cursed seal die, their Byakugan are destroyed.<ref name="c102"/>
The Byakugan is normally available from birth, however, on rarer occasions the dōjutsu can be awakened. [[Himawari Uzumaki]], a descendant of the Hyūga clan through her mother, generally has blue eyes. When her Byakugan is activated, she gains the normal features of her ancestors' eye. In the novels, it was shown that a Hyūga descendant of a [[Mukai Kohinata|more diluted bloodline]] may end up only awakening this dōjutsu in a single eye. Also unlike other dōjutsu, transplanted Byakugan can be activated and deactivated at will.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 459, page 3</ref> It is also shown than a wielder of the Byakugan can transmit it to another person, as Momoshiki, while controlling Boruto briefly, was able to manifest his Byakugan in Boruto's right eye.<ref>''Boruto'' chapter 43, page 25</ref>
 
   
  +
The anime implies that simply possessing a Byakugan is not enough to be able to use its powers, and that one must undergo intense training before the Byakugan can be activated, something not all users can achieve.<ref name="B8">''Boruto'' episode 8</ref> The anime likewise shows the Byakugan activating on its own if the user is under stressful circumstances, even if they haven't learned how to activate it on their own.<ref>''Boruto'' episode 9</ref> Once a user does become able to use the Byakugan, they must avoid using it excessively, otherwise they will be rendered unable to keep it active until they've taken time to rest.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 540, page 4</ref>
The Byakugan's powers are highly coveted, as evidenced by other villages' attempts to steal it; [[Kumogakure]] made various attempts to obtain this dōjutsu. [[Ao]] of [[Kirigakure]] is the only foreigner known to have obtained a Byakugan from a Hyūga he defeated<ref name="c459p15">''Naruto'' chapter 459, page 15</ref> and went to great lengths to [[Barrier Talisman: Armoured Eye|protect it]]; when [[Danzō Shimura]], a loyal extremist of Konoha, found out about this, he went to similar lengths to retrieve or destroy the eye.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 469, page 3</ref> In order to reduce the probability of their eyes falling into enemy hands, the main house of the Hyūga place [[Hyūga Main Family's Juinjutsu|cursed seals]] onto the foreheads of branch house members which, amongst other things, seals away the Byakugan upon the wearer's death.
 
   
 
== Abilities ==
 
== Abilities ==
 
{{ImgRight|Byakugan's Blind Spot.png|The Byakugan's blind spot.}}
 
{{ImgRight|Byakugan's Blind Spot.png|The Byakugan's blind spot.}}
The Byakugan gives a near 360º diameter field of vision, with one blind spot at the back of the neck above the first [[Wikipedia:thoracic vertebrae|thoracic vertebra]].<ref name="chpt196">''Naruto'' chapter 196, page 8</ref> It has a powerful range of vision, able to magnify up to cellular level on its targets or view great distances. The distance varies between users and can be improved with training:<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 195, page 9</ref> for example, [[Hinata Hyūga]] as a genin could see targets 50 metres away; by age 18, she can see targets 20 kilometres away.<ref name="TheLast">''[[The Last: Naruto the Movie]]''</ref> Its vision can penetrate through any solid objects or obstructions,<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 188, pages 7-8</ref> and likewise remains unaffected by blinding interferences,<ref name="BE9" /> though certain [[Four Black Fogs Formation|barriers]] may distort the Byakugan's perception to a degree.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 186, page 5</ref>
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Individuals with a Byakugan have a near-360º field of vision around themselves, save for a small blindspot at the back of the neck above the first [[Wikipedia:thoracic vertebrae|thoracic vertebra]].<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 196, page 8</ref> The Byakugan's vision can penetrate almost any object, allowing users to see through walls,<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 188, pages 7-8</ref> peer underground,<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 516</ref> or even examine the contents of a person's body;<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 70</ref> only certain [[barrier]]s have been shown to block a Byakugan's sight.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 186, page 5</ref> Users can focus their vision on anything and everything within the Byakugan's range, allowing them to monitor individuals from afar<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 490</ref> or to quickly survey a vast area and pinpoint specific locations within that area.<ref name="c263">''Naruto'' chapter 263</ref> The exact range of the Byakugan varies between users, but can be improved with training: in Part I, Neji's Byakugan has a range of fifty meters,<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 195, page 9</ref> but by Part II can see as far as 800 meters.<ref name="c263"/>
 
It also grants incredible clarity and insight, able to clearly see and analyse all minute details, even at high-speeds, granting a highly accurate sense of prediction to anticipate the flow of events and actions of others.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 85, page 18</ref> In the [[Bikōchū Search Mission|anime]], the Byakugan is shown able to use [[Wikipedia:Infrared|infrared]] to detect a target through their body heat.<ref name="ep149">''Naruto'' episode 149</ref> It can determine the development of one's chakra, even tell if one can mould chakra at all.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 198</ref> It can even see the elemental affinity of others.<ref>[[Naruto Shippūden the Movie]]</ref> Also, a powerful enough user can see into a target's mind to determine their thoughts and feelings, even look through their memories, which Kaguya could perform to such a level that even Hamura proved incapable of repelling her with his Byakugan. It can also emit powerful chakra pulses to subdue an opponent.<ref name="ep461">''Naruto'' episode 461</ref>
 
   
 
[[File:Chakra Circulatory System.PNG|thumb|left|The chakra pathway system.]]
 
[[File:Chakra Circulatory System.PNG|thumb|left|The chakra pathway system.]]
The Byakugan can see [[chakra]] to a higher degree than the [[Sharingan]],<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 78, page 13</ref> such as identifying where a person's chakra signature originates from.<ref name="c459p14">''Naruto'' chapter 459, page 14</ref> It can see the very flow of it to track targets and, in the novel, even locate the focus point of an enemy's launched attack to counter and dispel it.<ref>''Itachi Shinden: Book of Bright Light''</ref> It can discern certain types of [[clone]]s from the real person. Its ability to see chakra is acute enough to see the [[chakra pathway system]] and the 361 [[tenketsu]] that run along it. The Hyūga have devised a [[fighting style]] known as the [[Gentle Fist]] to take advantage of this ability, wherein they strike an opponent's tenketsu to either seal or forcibly open them, thus giving the user complete control over their opponent's chakra.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 79, page 5</ref>
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The Byakugan can see [[chakra]] to a greater degree than the Sharingan.<ref name="c78"/> This enables users to distinguish certain types of [[clone]]s from their original<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 100</ref> and even identify specific individuals' chakra signatures.<ref name="c459"/> Its ability to see chakra is acute enough to see the [[chakra pathway system]] within a target's body and the 361 [[tenketsu]] that run along it. The Hyūga have devised the [[Gentle Fist]] style of combat to specifically take advantage of this ability, wherein they strike an opponent's tenketsu to either seal or forcibly open them, thus giving the user complete control over their opponent's chakra.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 79</ref>
   
The Byakugan can also decipher whether or not [[genjutsu]] is being used on either the wielder or others.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 394, page 15</ref><ref>''Naruto'' chapter 459, pages 3, 14-15</ref><ref>''Naruto'' chapter 461, page 10</ref> However, despite its resistance and penetrative gaze to most targets, [[Rinne Sharingan|certain]] [[Ranmaru's Kekkei Genkai|kekkei genkai]] can produce powerful enough genjutsu to overpower a Byakugan. According to Hagoromo, the Byakugan can extend the range of genjutsu; Kaguya indeed used her Byakugan in tandem with the Rinne Sharingan to cast the [[Infinite Tsukuyomi]] on nations.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 671, page 9</ref> In the manga, Momoshiki could use his Byakugan to read the fate of other people, though, as he lamented, it didn't allow him to see his own fate.<ref>''Boruto'' chapter 10, pages 8-17</ref>
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As a result of the Byakugan's ability to see chakra, users are able to determine if an opponent is currently performing a [[genjutsu]].<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 394, page 15</ref> Similarly, Ao credits his Byakugan for being able to expose that the [[Fourth Mizukage]] was under the influence of a genjutsu.<ref name="c459"/> But unlike the Sharingan, the Byakugan does not seem to give its users any particular defense against an opponent's genjutsu; in ''[[Book of Dark Night]]'', genjutsu is deemed a viable method of capturing Mukai Kohinata, even with his Byakugan. The Byakugan can at least increase the effectiveness of the user's genjutsu, as [[Kaguya Ōtsutsuki]] combined her Byakugan's vast range with the [[Infinite Tsukuyomi]] in order to subjugate entire nations.<ref name="c671"/> Momoshiki claims his Byakugan can read the fate of others, though he lamented it didn't allow him to see his own.<ref>''Boruto'' chapter 10, pages 8-17</ref>
   
  +
Episodes of the anime have depicted the Byakugan as having a variety of miscellaneous abilities not seen elsewhere in the series:
Prolonged use of the Byakugan causes severe but temporary eye-strain, leaving wielders unable to properly perceive targets.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 540, page 4</ref> In the anime, it was shown that once manifested, the Byakugan will automatically activate if the user is stressed enough from confrontation even without proper control of it.<ref name="BE9">''Boruto'' episode 9</ref>
 
  +
*It can use [[Wikipedia:Infrared|infrared]] to detect a target through their body heat.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 149</ref>
  +
*It can determine the development of one's chakra, and even tell if one can mould chakra at all.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 198</ref>
  +
*Kaguya's Byakugan allowed her to see into a target's mind to determine their thoughts and feelings, even to look through their memories. Her ability to do so was so great that [[Hamura Ōtsutsuki]], using his own Byakugan, was unable to repel her.<ref name="NS461">''Naruto'' episode 461</ref>
  +
**Kaguya could likewise emit pulses of chakra to subdue targets.<ref name="NS461"/>
  +
*It enables its users to analyse an opponent's tactics during a fight, granting them a certain amount of predictive ability.<ref name="B8"/>
   
 
== Evolution ==
 
== Evolution ==
 
[[File:Toneri's Tenseigan.png|thumb|Toneri's Tenseigan.]]
 
[[File:Toneri's Tenseigan.png|thumb|Toneri's Tenseigan.]]
When the Byakugan of a Hyūga clan member is combined with the chakra of an Ōtsutsuki clan member descended from [[Hamura Ōtsutsuki]], over a certain period of time it evolves into the [[Tenseigan]]. When [[Toneri Ōtsutsuki]] gains the Tenseigan by taking the eyes of [[Hanabi Hyūga]], he can access the [[Tenseigan Chakra Mode]], granting him [[Truth-Seeking Ball]]s and physical enhancements similar to the [[Nine-Tails Chakra Mode]]. The Tenseigan also provides the ability to control gravitational forces and other telekinetic-like abilities. The Tenseigan can lose its power and revert to the Byakugan if weakened enough in battle.<ref name="TheLast"/>
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When an Ōtsutsuki is implanted with the Byakugan of a Hyūga, this combination of the two clans' chakra transforms the Byakugan into [[Tenseigan]]. This transformation takes several days to complete, but once achieved the wielder gains several new skills, such as [[Tenseigan Chakra Mode]] and [[Truth-Seeking Ball]]s. The Tenseigan can lose its power and revert back to Byakugan if the user is weakened enough in battle.<ref>''[[The Last: Naruto the Movie]]''</ref>
   
In the anime, [[Urashiki Ōtsutsuki]] is shown to be able to activate the Rinnegan in the same pair of eyes as his Byakugan, and can switch between the two dōjutsu at will.<ref>''Boruto'' episode 62</ref>
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In the anime, [[Urashiki Ōtsutsuki]] can switch his eyes back and forth between Byakugan and [[Rinnegan]].<ref>''Boruto'' episode 62</ref>
   
 
== Forms ==
 
== Forms ==
 
<gallery widths="127" position="center" orientation="square" bordercolor="transparent" columns="4" hideaddbutton="true">
 
<gallery widths="127" position="center" orientation="square" bordercolor="transparent" columns="4" hideaddbutton="true">
Byakugan.svg|The general appearance of the Byakugan.
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Byakugan.svg|The standard appearance of the Byakugan.
 
Byakugan Momoshiki.svg|[[Momoshiki]] and [[Urashiki]]'s golden Byakugan.
 
Byakugan Momoshiki.svg|[[Momoshiki]] and [[Urashiki]]'s golden Byakugan.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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== Trivia ==
 
== Trivia ==
 
* The kanji for {{Translation|Byakugan|白眼}} can also be read as "shirome" or "hakugan". When the latter two readings are used, "白眼" is used to refer to the [[wikipedia:sclerae|sclerae]].
 
* The kanji for {{Translation|Byakugan|白眼}} can also be read as "shirome" or "hakugan". When the latter two readings are used, "白眼" is used to refer to the [[wikipedia:sclerae|sclerae]].
* In the anime, the Byakugan's sight is normally illustrated in an inverted black and white colour scheme, however, instances in the manga show no such changes in their sight.
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* In the anime, the Byakugan's sight is normally illustrated in an inverted black and white colour scheme.
* In the anime, [[Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki]]'s natural eyes appeared identical to the Byakugan, implying to have had this dōjutsu as well.<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 461</ref>
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* In the anime, [[Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki]]'s natural eyes are the same featureless white as Byakugan,<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 461</ref> though he displays none of the Byakugan's abilities.
* When first introduced, Hinata's children: [[Himawari]] and [[Boruto Uzumaki]] did not have the characteristic white eyes inherited by all Hyūga descendants. According to [[Masashi Kishimoto]], he intended to give it to them but simply forgot to.<ref> [http://www.cinemacafe.net/article/2014/12/06/27884.html Article on cinemacafe (Japanese)]</ref>
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* [[Masashi Kishimoto]] intended to give Himawari and [[Boruto Uzumaki]] Byakugan when they were introduced in [[Naruto Uzumaki!! (chapter 700)|''Naruto'' chapter 700]], but forgot.<ref> [http://www.cinemacafe.net/article/2014/12/06/27884.html Article on cinemacafe (Japanese)]</ref> Himawari is later depicted with Byakugan in "[[The Day Naruto Became Hokage]]".
 
* Users are sometimes shown performing [[hand seal]]s to activate their Byakugan. The used seals are: Horse, Tiger with just index fingers, Boar with nearly straightened fingers, Hare, Rat, Dog, Horse, Dog, Hare, Rat, Boar with nearly straightened fingers, and Snake with the right index finger lifted. Sometimes, only the last seal is used.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 40</ref>
** Kishimoto later essentially corrected his mistake for Himawari by giving her the Byakugan in the [[Zai no Sho]]'s special chapter ''[[The Day Naruto Became Hokage]]''.
 
 
* Kishimoto stated in the ''[[Sha no Sho]]'' that if a Sharingan user and a Byakugan user were to mate, their offspring would have one Byakugan and one Sharingan.
** Boruto later manifests the [[Jōgan]] and only in his right eye.
 
  +
*In ''[[Naruto Shippūden the Movie]]'', the Byakugan is able to see the [[nature]] affinity of others.
* The wielder sometimes use [[hand seal]]s to activate the Byakugan. This is probably due to limited mastery of the dōjutsu for the user. The used seals are: Horse, Tiger with just index fingers, Boar with nearly straightened fingers, Hare, Rat, Dog, Horse, Dog, Hare, Rat, Boar with nearly straightened fingers, and Snake with the right index finger lifted. Sometimes, only the last seal is used.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 40</ref>
 
* Kishimoto stated in the [[ no Sho|third databook]] that if a Sharingan user and a Byakugan user were to mate, their offspring would have one Byakugan and one Sharingan.
 
* In the anime it is alluded that while all Hyūga inherit the Byakugan and constantly show its generic physical traits, they must also go through intense training to manifest the dōjutsu's actual powers and that not all actually accomplish.<ref>''Boruto'' episode 8</ref>
 
   
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
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[[de:Byakugan]]
 
[[de:Byakugan]]
 
[[es:Byakugan]]
 
[[es:Byakugan]]

Revision as of 19:04, 7 April 2020

Byakugan [1]
Byakugan
Name
Kanji 白眼
Rōmaji Byakugan
Literal English White Eye
Viz manga All Seeing White Eye
Debut
Manga Naruto Chapter #41
Anime Naruto Episode #24
Novel The Last: Naruto the Movie
Movie Naruto Shippūden the Movie
Game Naruto: Ultimate Ninja
OVA Finally a clash! Jōnin vs. Genin!! Indiscriminate Grand Melee Tournament Meeting!!
Appears in Anime, Manga, Novel, Game, Movie
Data
Clan
Classification Kekkei Genkai, Dōjutsu
Known Wielders
Jutsu

The Byakugan (白眼, literally meaning: White Eye, meaning (Viz): All Seeing White Eye) is a kekkei genkai dōjutsu that originated from the Ōtsutsuki clan. After the Ōtsutsuki settled on Earth,[2] the Byakugan became more commonly associated with the Hyūga clan,[3] descendants of the Ōtsutsuki. It is regarded as one of the "Three Great Dōjutsu", the others being the Sharingan and the Rinnegan.[4]

Overview

Byakugan

The Byakugan activated.

Unlike dōjutsu such as the Sharingan, which do not manifest until users meet certain conditions,[5] the Byakugan is present from the time of birth. Individuals with the Byakugan are typically identifiable by their unique eyes: the irides are enlarged and white (a light shade of lavender in the anime), and there are no distinguishable pupils. When users activate their Byakugan, the pupils become more distinct and the increased blood flow to their eyes causes the veins near their temples to bulge.[1] Some users' Byakugan take on atypical characteristics:

  • Himawari Uzumaki is a descendant of the Hyūga clan through her mother, but ordinarily has the same blue eyes as her father. Her eyes becomes featureless white only while her Byakugan are in use.[6]
  • In Itachi Shinden, Mukai Kohinata's family split off from the Hyūga clan several generations before his birth, leading most to assume his bloodline was too diluted to possess the Byakugan. Mukai does in fact have a Byakugan, but only in his left eye and which only resembles a Byakugan when in use.
  • Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki's Byakugan usually appear identical to any other Byakugan, but take on a golden colour after he absorbs Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki's power.[7]

The Byakugan's array of abilities have rendered it highly coveted. Kumogakure has made various attempts to acquire and study the Byakugan over the years, notably during the Hyūga Affair.[8] Ao of Kirigakure was able to acquire a single Byakugan from a Hyūga he defeated,[9] which he goes to great lengths to protect;[10] unlike other dōjutsu that have been transplanted, Ao can activate and deactivate his Byakugan at will.[9] When Danzō Shimura of Konohagakure learns of Ao's Byakugan, he makes immediate plans to either destroy it or take it for himself.[11] In order to prevent the Byakugan from being acquired by enemies, the Hyūga clan developed a practice of applying cursed seals to most of its members; when those branded with the cursed seal die, their Byakugan are destroyed.[8]

The anime implies that simply possessing a Byakugan is not enough to be able to use its powers, and that one must undergo intense training before the Byakugan can be activated, something not all users can achieve.[12] The anime likewise shows the Byakugan activating on its own if the user is under stressful circumstances, even if they haven't learned how to activate it on their own.[13] Once a user does become able to use the Byakugan, they must avoid using it excessively, otherwise they will be rendered unable to keep it active until they've taken time to rest.[14]

Abilities

Byakugan's Blind Spot

The Byakugan's blind spot.

Individuals with a Byakugan have a near-360º field of vision around themselves, save for a small blindspot at the back of the neck above the first thoracic vertebra.[15] The Byakugan's vision can penetrate almost any object, allowing users to see through walls,[16] peer underground,[17] or even examine the contents of a person's body;[18] only certain barriers have been shown to block a Byakugan's sight.[19] Users can focus their vision on anything and everything within the Byakugan's range, allowing them to monitor individuals from afar[20] or to quickly survey a vast area and pinpoint specific locations within that area.[21] The exact range of the Byakugan varies between users, but can be improved with training: in Part I, Neji's Byakugan has a range of fifty meters,[22] but by Part II can see as far as 800 meters.[21]

Chakra Circulatory System

The chakra pathway system.

The Byakugan can see chakra to a greater degree than the Sharingan.[3] This enables users to distinguish certain types of clones from their original[23] and even identify specific individuals' chakra signatures.[9] Its ability to see chakra is acute enough to see the chakra pathway system within a target's body and the 361 tenketsu that run along it. The Hyūga have devised the Gentle Fist style of combat to specifically take advantage of this ability, wherein they strike an opponent's tenketsu to either seal or forcibly open them, thus giving the user complete control over their opponent's chakra.[24]

As a result of the Byakugan's ability to see chakra, users are able to determine if an opponent is currently performing a genjutsu.[25] Similarly, Ao credits his Byakugan for being able to expose that the Fourth Mizukage was under the influence of a genjutsu.[9] But unlike the Sharingan, the Byakugan does not seem to give its users any particular defense against an opponent's genjutsu; in Book of Dark Night, genjutsu is deemed a viable method of capturing Mukai Kohinata, even with his Byakugan. The Byakugan can at least increase the effectiveness of the user's genjutsu, as Kaguya Ōtsutsuki combined her Byakugan's vast range with the Infinite Tsukuyomi in order to subjugate entire nations.[2] Momoshiki claims his Byakugan can read the fate of others, though he lamented it didn't allow him to see his own.[26]

Episodes of the anime have depicted the Byakugan as having a variety of miscellaneous abilities not seen elsewhere in the series:

  • It can use infrared to detect a target through their body heat.[27]
  • It can determine the development of one's chakra, and even tell if one can mould chakra at all.[28]
  • Kaguya's Byakugan allowed her to see into a target's mind to determine their thoughts and feelings, even to look through their memories. Her ability to do so was so great that Hamura Ōtsutsuki, using his own Byakugan, was unable to repel her.[29]
    • Kaguya could likewise emit pulses of chakra to subdue targets.[29]
  • It enables its users to analyse an opponent's tactics during a fight, granting them a certain amount of predictive ability.[12]

Evolution

Toneri's Tenseigan

Toneri's Tenseigan.

When an Ōtsutsuki is implanted with the Byakugan of a Hyūga, this combination of the two clans' chakra transforms the Byakugan into Tenseigan. This transformation takes several days to complete, but once achieved the wielder gains several new skills, such as Tenseigan Chakra Mode and Truth-Seeking Balls. The Tenseigan can lose its power and revert back to Byakugan if the user is weakened enough in battle.[30]

In the anime, Urashiki Ōtsutsuki can switch his eyes back and forth between Byakugan and Rinnegan.[31]

Forms

Trivia

  • The kanji for Byakugan (白眼) can also be read as "shirome" or "hakugan". When the latter two readings are used, "白眼" is used to refer to the sclerae.
  • In the anime, the Byakugan's sight is normally illustrated in an inverted black and white colour scheme.
  • In the anime, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki's natural eyes are the same featureless white as Byakugan,[32] though he displays none of the Byakugan's abilities.
  • Masashi Kishimoto intended to give Himawari and Boruto Uzumaki Byakugan when they were introduced in Naruto chapter 700, but forgot.[33] Himawari is later depicted with Byakugan in "The Day Naruto Became Hokage".
  • Users are sometimes shown performing hand seals to activate their Byakugan. The used seals are: Horse, Tiger with just index fingers, Boar with nearly straightened fingers, Hare, Rat, Dog, Horse, Dog, Hare, Rat, Boar with nearly straightened fingers, and Snake with the right index finger lifted. Sometimes, only the last seal is used.[34]
  • Kishimoto stated in the Sha no Sho that if a Sharingan user and a Byakugan user were to mate, their offspring would have one Byakugan and one Sharingan.
  • In Naruto Shippūden the Movie, the Byakugan is able to see the nature affinity of others.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Rin no Sho, page 218
  2. 2.0 2.1 Naruto chapter 671, page 9
  3. 3.0 3.1 Naruto chapter 78
  4. Sha no Sho, page 313
  5. Naruto chapter 619
  6. "The Day Naruto Became Hokage"
  7. Boruto chapter 8
  8. 8.0 8.1 Naruto chapter 102
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Naruto chapter 459
  10. Naruto chapter 471
  11. Naruto chapter 469, page 3
  12. 12.0 12.1 Boruto episode 8
  13. Boruto episode 9
  14. Naruto chapter 540, page 4
  15. Naruto chapter 196, page 8
  16. Naruto chapter 188, pages 7-8
  17. Naruto chapter 516
  18. Naruto chapter 70
  19. Naruto chapter 186, page 5
  20. Naruto chapter 490
  21. 21.0 21.1 Naruto chapter 263
  22. Naruto chapter 195, page 9
  23. Naruto chapter 100
  24. Naruto chapter 79
  25. Naruto chapter 394, page 15
  26. Boruto chapter 10, pages 8-17
  27. Naruto episode 149
  28. Naruto episode 198
  29. 29.0 29.1 Naruto episode 461
  30. The Last: Naruto the Movie
  31. Boruto episode 62
  32. Naruto: Shippūden episode 461
  33. Article on cinemacafe (Japanese)
  34. Naruto episode 40