Naruto: Is the Rinnegan Immune to Genjutsu? (2024)

The Rinnegan has long been cemented as the pinnacle of power within the Naruto universe, and as a dojutsu capable of absorbing ninjutsu, the god-like eye has precedence over all other techniques. This begs the question whether the Rinnegan is immune to genjutsu, an argument that certainly has merit considering the dojutsu is revered as the all-seeing eye.

The Sharingan makes its users largely immune to the effects of genjutsu, as the technique can detect changes in chakra flow and dispel any imposing illusions. Since the Rinnegan is the evolution of the former, it would naturally make sense for it to be immune to the effects of mere illusionary techniques. While Sasuke’s Rinnegan has proven this speculation, other instances point towards the contrary, presenting a valid argument that the pinnacle of all ninjutsu might have one weakness — genjutsu.

The Rinnegan’s Evolution

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TsukuyomiItachi Uchiha

The basis for the argument of the Rinnegan being immune to genjutsu stems from the evolution of the dojutsu. Awakening the Rinnegan requires specific prerequisites, as this power can only be attained by intermixing Senju and Uchiha DNA. However, merely merging the genetic makeup of these two clans isn’t enough, as bearing the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan is another necessity witnessed in Madara’s case.

Being the direct evolutionary product of the Sharingan, it's only natural for the Rinnegan to exhibit powers that are beyond its predecessor. A few instances do point towards the Rinnegan negating genjutsu altogether, such as Sasuke’s immunity to the Infinite Tsukuyomi, though this could be attributed to his Tomoe Rinnegan, which is superior to the base variant of the dojutsu. Obito and Kakashi’s fight in the Kamui dimension also saw the use of genjutsu, and while Obito was under the effect of the genjutsu while bearing a Rinnegan, he could immediately see right through it and negate it.

Not All Genjutsu Are Equal

Fans often equate the term ‘genjutsu’ to the likes of the Sharingan and its ocular illusory techniques. However, these deceptive techniques come in all shapes and forms, as each of the five human senses is vulnerable to falling prey to an illusion. Ocular genjutsu are merely one form of this ninja art, as these deceptive techniques can target any of the five basic human senses.

While the Rinnegan might be resistant to ocular genjutsu, other variants of this class of jutsu can still target Rinnegan users and deceive their senses. Auditory genjutsu are the most common type after ocular ones, and several instances prove the effectiveness of sound-based genjutsu against the Rinnegan. While other forms of genjutsu are rare, it's likely that their effects will also be similar.

The Effect of Sound-Based Genjutsu

Auditory genjutsu are effective not only against the Rinnegan but also the Sharingan, as these illusory jutsu bypass ocular senses entirely. The foremost example of the Rinnegan being entirely vulnerable to sound-based genjutsu is during Jiraiya’s battle against the Six Paths of Pain. Jiraiya was able to successfully place three of the paths under an auditory genjutsu through Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Singing, otherwise known as Frogsong.

The technique left the paths caught in the illusion at Jiraiya’s mercy, and Nagato could not dispel the genjutsu despite bearing a direct chakra connection through his rods. Dojutsu are naturally weak against sound-based genjutsu, as Kabuto was able to trap both Itachi and Sasuke under his auditory genjutsu during the Fourth Great Ninja War. Being in a similar class, the Rinnegan is also vulnerable to sound-based illusions, and genjutsu that target other senses would have a similar effect.

Is the Rinnegan Entirely Immune to Genjutsu?

The long-debated question of the Rinnegan’s invulnerability to genjutsu doesn’t quite have a clear answer, as the conclusion to this pressing matter is a multifaceted one. From the instances witnessed in the Naruto series, the Rinnegan is largely resistant to most forms of ocular genjutsu, as these illusions directly target one’s visual senses, which the Rinnegan can immediately counter.

On the other hand, genjutsu that target the victim’s other senses are still effective against the Rinnegan. Auditory genjutsu are the most common type after ocular ones, and they have been extremely effective against users of both the Rinnegan and the Sharingan. This proves that all genjutsu that target senses other than visual perception can easily debilitate Rinnegan users.

However, a genjutsu’s effectiveness boils down to the caster’s prowess, and even the Rinnegan can potentially fall victim to an illusion laid out by a stronger opponent. While the Rinnegan may be resistant to ocular genjutsu, it isn’t entirely immune to it, and an opponent with high genjutsu prowess could potentially entrap a Rinnegan user. Suffice to say, the Rinnegan is not immune to genjutsu of any sort, yet it bears a high resistance against ocular genjutsu.

Naruto is available to stream on Prime Video.

Naruto

A popular shonen anime based on Masashi Kishimoto's manga, Naruto follows its eponymous shinobi's journey as he goes from his town's outsider to its hero.

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