Naruto is home to some of the most incredible abilities in the anime world. Kekkei Genkai or Bloodline Limit is a special ability that is found within the members of a specific clan. Due to its rarity, sometimes entire clans have been hounded for their kekkei genkai.
Orochimaru experimented on several individuals just to get his hands on these unique bloodline abilities. There are numerous kekkei genkai in Naruto, but not all of them are impressive. Some are undoubtedly more powerful than others and grant their users unimaginable powers. With that in mind, here's what fans should know about the strongest kekkei genkai in Naruto.
Updated on January 10, 2023, by Suzail Ahmad: Through the story, Kishimoto revealed many new kekkei genkai. They can prove extremely valuable in battle, as they give their users an edge over their targets. Time and time again, they have helped their users to overcome many difficult situations. What makes kekkei genkai different from regular natures is that it cannot be copied by the opponent. So, the user can keep on using them without the risk of being used against them. Like with any ability, if used properly, kekkei genkai can potentially make their wielder nearly invincible. In Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the writers have taken things up a notch and created several overpowered kekkei genkai. So, with that in mind, the list has been updated with some of the strongest kekkei genkai in Naruto.
19 Ice Release
Ice Release was introduced very early on in the series. This kekkei genkai was unique to the Yuki Clan of the Land of Water. Sadly, most of them were killed because others began to fear their power. To escape this gruesome fate, the people who survived hid their powers.
In the manga, there have only been two confirmed users of this kekkei genkai: Haku and his mother. After being taken in by Zabuza, Haku was able to train with his Ice Release. He used this ability against Naruto and Sasuke to pin them down. Unfortunately for Haku, Naruto's power was too much for Haku and his Ice Release.
18 Typhoon Release
Typhoon Release is a fairly strong kekkei genkai that was used by Nowaki, a character from Sasuke Shinden. Due to the lack of information, much about this kekkei genkai remains a mystery. However, it is confirmed to have at least Wind Release as one of its elements.
Typhoon Release is a lethal ability as it allows the user to create huge typhoons that can dwarf a full-body Susanoo. If given enough time, the user can increase the size of the typhoon to that of an island. The high-speed winds of the typhoon can overwhelm multiple people at the same time, making it a very useful ability.
17 Jugo Clan's Kekkei Genkai
As the name implies, this kekkei genkai belongs to the members of Jugo's clan. It grants them the power to harness natural energy without having to learn senjutsu. While it may not seem special on first impressions, the kekkei genkai has drawn interest from powerful characters.
The ability does come with drawbacks. As the user's body constantly takes in natural energy, they run the risk of having a mental breakdown. In severe cases, it could lead to an urge to kill people. The kekkei genkai caused so many problems for Jugo that he decided to isolate himself from the rest of the world.
16 Senrigan
The Senrigan is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, kekkei genkai in the Naruto universe. The first person to ever possess this dojutsu was Shibai Otsutsuki. Long after his time, Amado found the remains of the Otsutsuki and took a few DNA samples. Amado would go on to use these samples in the creation of Ada, causing her to awaken the Senrigan as well. This dojutsu allows its user to see and hear the happenings at a specific place. This effectively rules out any chance of launching a surprise attack on the user.
Furthermore, the Senrigan allows the person to see anything that happened in the past. Despite being so strong, the ability does have a few downsides. Firstly, it cannot be used to see or hear the events taking place in another space. Secondly, the user cannot see the events before the time of their birth, and finally, they cannot see the future.
15 Storm Release
Storm Release is a combination of Water Release and Lightning Release. The kekkei genkai is not as rare as the other kekkei genkai that are present in the series. It has been used by several ninjas from Kumogakure. Storm Release was also used by Madara Uchiha when he became the jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails.
Storm Release allows its user to create beams of electricity. One of the Storm Release techniques that Madara used was able to cut clean through a Truth-Seeking Ball.
14 Boil Release
Boil Release is another kekkei genkai, which is made up of Fire Release and Water Release. Mei Terumi, the Mizukage of the Hidden Mist, used Boil Release in many of her fights.
She could create corrosive vapors, which make it extremely lethal in closed areas. Another form of Boil Release was used by Han, the jinchuriki of the Five-Tails. He was able to heat chakra to its boiling point, which resulted in the creation of steam. This steam was potent enough to melt the surroundings.
13 Lava Release
Used by many ninjas such as Naruto, Mei Terumi, and Roshi, Lava Release is a powerful kekkei genkai. It is a combination of Fire and Earth Release. Like Boil Release, it is used in a variety of ways.
Roshi used Lava Release to launch molten rocks at his opponents, Mei Terumi was able to use Lava Release to partially melt away the ribcage of Madara's Susanoo.
12 Explosion Release
Explosion Release is a kekkei genkai, which is common to the ninjas of Iwagakure. This kekkei genkai was mainly used by Deidara, who was a part of Akatsuki. Deidara used to combine his explosive chakra with clay, which could be molded into different shapes. This allowed Deidara to fight enemies from a distance and it kept him out of harm's way.
11 Isshiki's Dojutsu
It is an unnamed Dojutsu that belongs to Isshiki Otsutsuki, who is arguably the strongest Otsutsuki that has been introduced in the series so far. The kekkei genkai allowed Isshiki to shrink himself and other objects around him. Another technique that is unique to this kekkei genkai is Daikokuten, with which Isshiki could store anything that he had shrunk.
Furthermore, Isshiki could also summon black cubes, which could make a sensory-type ninja useless.
10 Magnet Release
Magnet Release is a bloodline limit technique commonly found in people from the Hidden Sand Village. Over the years, this ability has been used in different ways, but generally, it is used to generate some kind of magnetic force.
Rasa used this ability with Gold Sand, the Third Kazekage used it with Iron Sand, and Naruto was able to use Shukaku's Magnet Release to seal Madara's limbo. With its sealing properties, it becomes a very handy ability to possess.
9 Scorch Release
Scorch Release is the combination of Wind and Fire Release. Pakura is the only known user of Scorch Release, and she was able to use it to evaporate all the water inside the body of her opponents. This left the bodies of her opponents without any moisture, which is without a doubt a very painful way to die.
Sasuke and Naruto have also combined their Wind and Fire Release attacks, and the combination of the two gave rise to a Scorch Release attack.
8 Ketsuryugan
The Ketsuryugan is the ocular kekkei genkai of the Chinoike Clan. It has the ability to cast genjutsu on the target in two ways: by touching a person, or making eye contact.
Ketsuryugan can manipulate liquids that are rich in iron, and since human blood is filled with iron, the user of Ketsuryugan can even manipulate their own blood or their target's. This kekkei genkai also allows its user to extract information from or even hypnotize their target.
7 Shikotsumyaku
Shikotsumyaku is the kekkei genkai of the Kaguya Clan. It allows the user to change their skeletal structure depending on the demand of the battle. The users of this ability can harden their bones and use them as tools for fighting.
The uniqueness of this ability makes it an extremely useful tool to have in one's arsenal, as the anime has shown. Kaguya Otsutsuki also had Shikotsunyaku, but her ability is more powerful, and it is a kekkei mora.
6 Byakugan
The Byakugan is the famed dojutsu of Konoha's Hyuuga Clan. It is a part of the Three Great Dojutsu, and arguably the weakest — though still incredibly useful. Like the other two dojutsu, Byakugan has its unique abilities; namely, it allows the user to see the chakra pathway system. The Hyuuga created the Gentle Fist Technique to complement this dojutsu, as it works well with the power of the Byakugan.
The Byakugan offers a clearer look at the chakra signatures of an individual than the Sharingan. It also grants its user near 360° vision, so it is nigh impossible to catch the wielder off-guard. In addition to these abilities, the eye also allows the user to see through walls.
5 Jogan
The Jōgan is the rarest Kekkei Genkai known to the fans of the series, with only Boruto Uzumaki as the only known user. This dojutsu has several uses, making it highly adaptable.
Like the Byakugan, the Jogan can see the chakra pathway system of an individual. However, it has an additional feature as it points out the most crucial point in the chakra pathway system, which gives the user a huge advantage in a fight. The Jōgan can also see through the obscure barriers that join different dimensions.
4 Wood Release
Wood Release is one of the most powerful abilities in the series. It is a Kekkei Genkai that is a combination of Water and Earth Release. Despite there being multiple users in the series, the Wood Release is mostly associated with Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage of the Hidden Leaf.
Hashirama Senju was able to use Wood Release on an unparalleled level. He created the Hidden Leaf with his Wood Release, but it was in fights that Hashirama showed his aptitude with this Kekkei Genkai. He was able to fight and win against the duo of Nine-tails and Madara Uchiha. Hashirama further enhanced the power of his Wood Release by combining it with his sage mode.
3 Mangekyou Sharingan
The Sharingan is the dojutsu of the Uchiha Clan. In Naruto, there are several users of the Sharingan, who have shown how the dojutsu can be utilized in diverse ways. The Sharingan, however, is just the base form and it can be evolved into its superior form.
After witnessing immense trauma, the Sharingan can be evolved into the Mangekyou Sharingan. Each Mangekyou Sharingan has unique abilities. Itachi had Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, while Sasuke has Amaterasu and the power to control the black flames. Furthermore, awakening the Mangekyou Sharingan grants its user access to use the Susanoo.
2 Tenseigan
Tenseigan was first revealed in the movie Naruto: The Last. It is not a part of the Three Great Dojutsu, but it is still very strong. The Tenseigan can only be awakened by the descendants of Hamura Otsutsuki. There are only two known users of Tenseigan: Hamura and Toneri Otsutsuki.
The user of the Tenseigan is able to enter the Tenseigan Chakra Mode. Whilst in this mode, the user is shrouded in cyan-colored chakra and gains several Truth-Seeking Balls. With the power of the Tenseigan, Toneri was able to split the moon in half.
1 Rinnegan
The Rinnegan is one of the Three Great Dojutsu and without a doubt the strongest among the three. It grants its user various types of powers, and it is said that whoever wields the Rinnegan will either destroy the world or save it. Awakening the Rinnegan is incredibly difficult. There are only a handful of characters who possess the dojutsu, and even fewer can handle its incredible strain on the body.
The dojutsu allows its user to drain and absorb the chakra of anyone including a tailed beast. Furthermore, its forbidden jutsu allows the wielder to bring the dead back to life. Along with the basic abilities, the Rinnegan grants its users other unique skills. For example, Sasuke's Rinnegan granted him the ability to create portals and swap places with any object or person in a specific range.