Narutopedia
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{{Infobox/Jutsu
 
{{Infobox/Jutsu
|ref=<ref name="Databook1">First Databook, page 171</ref>
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|ref=<ref name="Databook1">''[[Rin no Sho]]'', page 171</ref>
 
|image=Shadow Imitation Technique.png
 
|image=Shadow Imitation Technique.png
 
|kanji=影真似の術
 
|kanji=影真似の術
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|romaji=Kagemane no Jutsu
 
|romaji=Kagemane no Jutsu
 
|literal english=Shadow Imitation Technique
 
|literal english=Shadow Imitation Technique
|english tv=Ninja Art: Shadow Possession Jutsu, Shadow Paralysis Jutsu
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|english tv=Shadow Paralysis Jutsu
 
|viz manga=The Art of Me-And-My-Shadow
 
|viz manga=The Art of Me-And-My-Shadow
|other names={{translation|Shadow Bind Technique|影縛りの術|Kageshibari no Jutsu|eng tv=Shadow Paralysis Jutsu}}, {{translation|Leaf Secret: Shadow Bind Technique|木ノ葉秘伝・影縛りの術|Konoha Hiden: Kageshibari no Jutsu|lit meaning=Tree Leaf Secret: Shadow Bind Technique}}, {{translation|Ninja Art: Shadow Imitation Technique|忍法・影真似の術|Ninpō: Kagemane no Jutsu}}
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|other names={{translation|Shadow Bind Technique|影縛りの術|Kageshibari no Jutsu|eng tv=Shadow Paralysis Jutsu}}, {{translation|Leaf Secret: Shadow Bind Technique|木ノ葉秘伝・影縛りの術|Konoha Hiden: Kageshibari no Jutsu|lit meaning=Tree Leaf Secret: Shadow Bind Technique}}, {{translation|Ninja Art: Shadow Imitation Technique|忍法・影真似の術|Ninpō: Kagemane no Jutsu|engtv=Ninja Art: Shadow Possession Jutsu}}
 
|jutsu classification=Hiden~Nara Clan, Ninjutsu
 
|jutsu classification=Hiden~Nara Clan, Ninjutsu
 
|jutsu type=Yin Release
 
|jutsu type=Yin Release
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|jutsu media=Anime, Manga, Novel, Game, Movie
 
|jutsu media=Anime, Manga, Novel, Game, Movie
 
}}
 
}}
The '''Shadow Imitation Technique''' is a signature technique of the Nara Clan.
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The '''Shadow Imitation Technique''' is the signature technique of the [[Nara clan]].
   
== Usage ==
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== Overview ==
The user extends their shadow on any surface (even water)<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 535, page 6</ref> to merge with a target's shadow, thereby forcing them to imitate the user's movements. A tactic used to make this technique more lethal is to carry their [[shuriken]] holster on the side that shinobi normally don't wear it, this way when the user reaches to throw a [[shuriken]] at them, the target will be reaching for nothing. If the target is out of range, the user can produce a [[Flash Bomb|better light source]] to increase their shadow's size or rely on pre-existing shadows for their shadow to freely travel through.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 207, pages 17-18</ref> It's also possible to split one's shadow, either to trap more opponents at once, or to create a distraction.
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The user manipulates their shadow across a surface to merge it with a target or targets' shadow. The user can stretch their shadow however they wish in order to accomplish this goal, but they are limited by their shadow's surface area; if a target can move far enough away from the Shadow Imitation's user, they are theoretically safe from it. But there are ways around this: the user's shadow can freely move within other shadows, extending its range;<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 107, page 12</ref> [[Shikamaru Nara]] frequently uses [[flash bomb]]s, either to briefly extend his own shadow or to extend his targets'.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 207, pages 17-18</ref> ''[[Shikamaru Hiden]]'' clarifies that a user must have a shadow to manipulate, and so the Shadow Imitation cannot be used in utter darkness.
   
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Once a user merges their shadow with a target's, the target cannot move on their own other than to talk. The only movements they are able to make are those that the user makes: if the user walks forward, the target walks forward; if the user raises their right hand, the target raises their right hand.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 108, pages 16-19</ref> Nara tend to wear their [[shuriken]] holsters in atypical locations so that, when they reach for and throw shuriken, their targets will reach for and throw nothing.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 119, pages 2-4</ref> Although most often used against opponents, the Shadow Imitation Technique can be used to save allies, freezing them in physically impossible positions so that they won't trigger booby traps<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 185, page 16</ref> or causing them to cling to sheer surfaces with no means of support.<ref>''[[Boruto: Naruto the Movie]]''</ref> At times, the Shadow Imitation's mimicry is two-way, as if a third-party forces the target to make a move, the user will be forced to make the same move.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 96, page 16</ref>
== Drawbacks ==
 
The major downside of the Shadow Imitation is that it is tiring to use repeatedly; [[Hidan]] notes that the ability is subject to some form of diminishing return and decreases in potency after repeated use ([[Shikamaru Nara]] can only maintain it for 5 minutes per use).<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 336, page 7</ref> If the user is low on chakra, the performance rate of the technique also deteriorates. Insufficient lighting will make the technique less effective. A particularly strong opponent can also resist the shadow's forced imitation. The technique also forces the user to move the same as the victim so if the victim was hit with enough blunt force to move them, the user has the movements forced on them.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 96, page 16</ref>
 
   
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Keeping a target restrained requires a great deal of [[chakra]], making it difficult to maintain the Shadow Imitation for long periods of time; in Part II, Shikamaru can only maintain it for five minute intervals.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 336, page 7</ref> With repeated use or against multiple targets, the duration of the binding becomes shorter.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 337, page 13</ref> If a target is strong enough or if the user is weakened enough, targets can resist and even overpower the Shadow Imitation's control. When that happens, Nara will inevitably use one of their other techniques, such as the [[Shadow–Neck Binding Technique]] or [[Shadow Sewing Technique]].<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 208, pages 13-14</ref><ref>''Naruto'' chapter 325, pages 9-10</ref>
== Trivia ==
 
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* It was originally created somewhere in Konoha's region as a way to capture deer for their antlers. From there, it was treated as a secret technique, and transmitted to the following generations.<ref name="Databook1"/>
 
* Shikaku calls this technique by its old name: the {{translation|Shadow Bind Technique|影縛りの術|Kageshibari no Jutsu|engtv=Shadow Paralysis Jutsu}} (exactly {{translation|"Leaf Secret: Shadow Bind Technique"|木ノ葉秘伝・影縛りの術|Konoha Hiden: Kageshibari no Jutsu|lit meaning=Tree Leaf Secret: Shadow Bind Technique}}. Shikamaru also uses this name in ''[[Naruto Shippūden the Movie: Bonds]]''. The old version simply paralysed the target. The imitation aspect was apparently added sometime between [[Orochimaru]]'s defection from [[Konoha]] and his later invasion of the village.
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The Shadow Imitation Technique was previously known as the {{translation|"Leaf Secret: Shadow Bind Technique"|木ノ葉秘伝・影縛りの術|Konoha Hiden: Kageshibari no Jutsu|lit meaning=Tree Leaf Secret: Shadow Bind Technique}}, which was only capable of restricting targets' movements.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 137, page 10</ref> The imitation aspect was apparently not added until after [[Orochimaru]] defected from [[Konohagakure]], as his [[Otogakure]] invaders did not know about it prior to the [[Konoha Crush]].<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 119, page 1</ref> [[Shikaku Nara]] still uses the old name sometimes. In the novelization of ''[[Boruto: Naruto the Movie]]'', it is the Shadow Bind Technique that is used by [[Shikadai Nara]] and that is usable through the [[Shinobi Gauntlet]], differentiating them from the Shadow Imitation Technique used by Shikamaru.
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* It does not appear to affect the opponent's face, allowing them freedom of speech, thus this technique can be used for interrogation purposes.
 
 
== Trivia ==
* In the English dub anime, [[Sakon]] states that he had mastered this technique.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 112</ref>
 
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* The Shadow Imitation Technique was originally created as a way to capture deer for their antlers.<ref name="Databook1"/>
* In the ''[[Naruto: Clash of Ninja (series)|Naruto: Clash of Ninja]]'' series, Kakashi can perform this technique by copying it with his Sharingan.
 
 
* In the English dub of the anime, [[Sakon]] states that he mastered this technique.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 112</ref>
* In ''[[Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2]]'', using this technique on multiple opponents at once gives it the name Eight Way Shadow Imitation Technique.
 
* The user of the technique has been shown to move the same way as the target if they are moved.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 96, page 19</ref>
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* In the anime, [[Inojin Yamanaka]] tricked [[Metal Lee]] into believing that his [[Super Beast Imitating Drawing|ink snake]]s were this technique.<ref>''Boruto'' episode 3</ref>
* In ''[[The Last: Naruto the Movie]]'', Shikamaru was able to use this technique to manipulate the movements of several [[puppet]]s, despite remaining stationary.
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* In the ''[[Naruto: Clash of Ninja (series)|Naruto: Clash of Ninja]]'' series, Kakashi can perform this technique by copying it with his [[Sharingan]].
* [[Konohamaru Sarutobi]] was able to use this technique through his [[Shinobi Gauntlet]], after Shikamaru sealed the technique into the device.
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* In ''[[Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2]]'', using this technique on multiple opponents at once gives it the name "Eight Way Shadow Imitation Technique".
* [[Inojin Yamanaka]] has tricked [[Metal Lee]] into believing that his ink snakes was this technique.<ref>''Boruto'' episode 3</ref>
 
   
 
== References ==
 
== References ==

Revision as of 01:18, 2 August 2018

The Shadow Imitation Technique is the signature technique of the Nara clan.

Overview

The user manipulates their shadow across a surface to merge it with a target or targets' shadow. The user can stretch their shadow however they wish in order to accomplish this goal, but they are limited by their shadow's surface area; if a target can move far enough away from the Shadow Imitation's user, they are theoretically safe from it. But there are ways around this: the user's shadow can freely move within other shadows, extending its range;[2] Shikamaru Nara frequently uses flash bombs, either to briefly extend his own shadow or to extend his targets'.[3] Shikamaru Hiden clarifies that a user must have a shadow to manipulate, and so the Shadow Imitation cannot be used in utter darkness.

Once a user merges their shadow with a target's, the target cannot move on their own other than to talk. The only movements they are able to make are those that the user makes: if the user walks forward, the target walks forward; if the user raises their right hand, the target raises their right hand.[4] Nara tend to wear their shuriken holsters in atypical locations so that, when they reach for and throw shuriken, their targets will reach for and throw nothing.[5] Although most often used against opponents, the Shadow Imitation Technique can be used to save allies, freezing them in physically impossible positions so that they won't trigger booby traps[6] or causing them to cling to sheer surfaces with no means of support.[7] At times, the Shadow Imitation's mimicry is two-way, as if a third-party forces the target to make a move, the user will be forced to make the same move.[8]

Keeping a target restrained requires a great deal of chakra, making it difficult to maintain the Shadow Imitation for long periods of time; in Part II, Shikamaru can only maintain it for five minute intervals.[9] With repeated use or against multiple targets, the duration of the binding becomes shorter.[10] If a target is strong enough or if the user is weakened enough, targets can resist and even overpower the Shadow Imitation's control. When that happens, Nara will inevitably use one of their other techniques, such as the Shadow–Neck Binding Technique or Shadow Sewing Technique.[11][12]

The Shadow Imitation Technique was previously known as the "Leaf Secret: Shadow Bind Technique" (木ノ葉秘伝・影縛りの術, Konoha Hiden: Kageshibari no Jutsu, literally meaning: Tree Leaf Secret: Shadow Bind Technique), which was only capable of restricting targets' movements.[13] The imitation aspect was apparently not added until after Orochimaru defected from Konohagakure, as his Otogakure invaders did not know about it prior to the Konoha Crush.[14] Shikaku Nara still uses the old name sometimes. In the novelization of Boruto: Naruto the Movie, it is the Shadow Bind Technique that is used by Shikadai Nara and that is usable through the Shinobi Gauntlet, differentiating them from the Shadow Imitation Technique used by Shikamaru.

Trivia

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Rin no Sho, page 171
  2. Naruto chapter 107, page 12
  3. Naruto chapter 207, pages 17-18
  4. Naruto chapter 108, pages 16-19
  5. Naruto chapter 119, pages 2-4
  6. Naruto chapter 185, page 16
  7. Boruto: Naruto the Movie
  8. Naruto chapter 96, page 16
  9. Naruto chapter 336, page 7
  10. Naruto chapter 337, page 13
  11. Naruto chapter 208, pages 13-14
  12. Naruto chapter 325, pages 9-10
  13. Naruto chapter 137, page 10
  14. Naruto chapter 119, page 1
  15. Naruto episode 112
  16. Boruto episode 3