Shadow Clone Jutsu

Shadow Clone Jutsu (Kage Bunshin no Jutsu) is a forbidden technique that lets the user create copies of themselves. The clones created by the Shadow Clone Jutsu are so realistic that it not only creates an illusion of a clone, but an actual solid clone that duplicates everything, including their clothing.

This Jutsu equally splits the chakra between the clones, which means that using this at a larger scale could mean that the person’s life could be at risk due to rapid depletion of chakra. This is the reason why the use of Shadow Clone Jutsu is forbidden.

One of the most iconic Shadow Clone Jutsu users is Naruto Uzumaki, the protagonist of the show. He learnt it at an extremely young age and can use the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, which lets him create a lot more clones.

Table of Content

All about Shadow Clone Jutsu
Creation and History of Shadow Clone Jutsu
Shadow Clone Jutsu Variations
Top Shadow Clone Uses
FAQs about Shadow Clone Jutsu

All about Shadow Clone Jutsu

Name	Shadow Clone Jutsu
Classification	Ninjutsu
Nature	Not Applicable
Rank	B Rank
Users	Darui, Deidara, Ebisu, Fugaku Uchiha, Hayate Gekko, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Itachi Uchiha, Jiraiya, Kakashi Hatake, Kiba Inuzuka, Konohamaru Sarutobi, Madara Uchiha, Mahiru, Minato Namikaze, Naruto Uzumaki, Orochimaru, Sai Yamanaka, Sasuke Uchiha, Tobirama Senju

Creation and History of Shadow Clone Jutsu

Shadow Clone Jutsu is a technique that was developed by the second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Tobirama was a Ninja who had a huge amount of Jutsu and as the younger brother of Hashirama Senju, he was often the voice of reason the kind Hashirama needed.

Shadow Clone Jutsu is a technique that is not regularly used by Genin due to its complexity. It makes it so that the chakra is divided equally between clones, which means that the user could die of chakra depletion. Hiruzen Sarutobi, at his old age, could only handle a small amount of shadow clones due to his limited Chakra control.

One of the most prominent users of the Shadow Clone Jutsu is Naruto Uzumaki. This was one of the first Jutsu that he mastered. He was manipulated into stealing the scroll which contained the Jutsu. He then mastered the first technique there, which was the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. Naruto is said to be able to create thousands of Shadow Clones at once, and even uses them to perform duties as Hokage.

While training to create the Rasenshuriken Jutsu, Naruto used Shadow Clones to make the learning process even faster under Kakashi Hatake’s instructions. Since the information that the Shadow Clones learn is retained in the users’ head, this helped speed up the learning process.

Shadow Clone Jutsu Variations

Shadow Clone Jutsu is a Jutsu that is incredibly strong. Due to it creating clones, a lot of Jutsu have been derived from it. These are some of the best variations:

1. Uzumaki Barrage

A taijutsu technique that is heavily inspired from Sasuke’s version of the Primary Lotus. This Jutsu makes use of Naruto’s clones to kick the enemy upward and then strike them from above.

2. Harem/Reverse Harem Jutsu

Harem combines Naruto’s signature Sexy Jutsu with the Shadow Clone Jutsu, covering the opponent in attractive women. Reverse Harem Jutsu does the opposite, by covering the opponent in attractive men. While these Jutsu don't seem effective, the Reverse Harem Jutsu almost saved the world while Naruto was fighting Kaguya Otsutsuki.

3. Five Release Great Combo Technique

A Jutsu that is seen used by the Third Hokage. Since he has a mastery over all five elements, Hiruzen creates four shadow clones of himself. Each Shadow Clone performs one elemental attack, combining to make the Five Release Great Combo Technique.

4. Sage Art: Super Tailed Beast Rasenshuriken

These are different Rasenshuriken which contain the different chakra of the tailed beasts. There are nine different kinds, and each one is carried by a different Shadow Clone.

5. Earth Release and Lightning Release Shadow Clones

Earth Release Shadow Clone infuses a Shadow Clone with the Earth Element, allowing it to reform after destruction. The Lightning Release Shadow Clone Zaps anyone that destroys the Shadow Clone.

Top Shadow Clone Uses

1. Naruto vs Mizuki

Naruto uses the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu for the first time on camera. Naruto defends Iruka from Mizuki, despite him being a Genin.

2. Naruto vs Gaara: Thousand Years of Death

Gaara slowly loses control over himself and threatens Naruto’s friends’ lives. Naruto has a plan to defeat him, with an explosive Jutsu he learnt from Kakashi Hatake.

3. Naruto trains to learn Rasenshuriken

While some people hate training arcs, the others appreciate it to death. Naruto’s Rasenshuriken training arc made the viewers connect with the Jutsu. He masters this technique by relying on Shadow Clones, accelerating his progress by a lot.

FAQs about Shadow Clone Jutsu

Q. What nature is Shadow Clone Jutsu?

A. The original Shadow Clone Jutsu does not have any nature. However, Nature can be added to the Jutsu to make it have different properties. Examples of this are the Earth Infused and Lightning Infused Shadow Clones, which have different properties from a normal Shadow Clone.

Q. When does a Shadow Clone despawn?

A. A Shadow Clone despawns when it takes damage or when the user or the Shadow Clone decides to reverse the Jutsu. It also despawns when the user dies or is completely out of Chakra.

Q. Who invented the Shadow Clone Jutsu?

A. The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju invented the Shadow Clone Jutsu. This is referenced in war, when he sees Naruto using the Jutsu. He says he knows the Jutsu because he was the one who created it.