Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
B-boy Dance
B-boy
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For other uses of this term, see B Boy
A b-boy performing in Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA.A b-boy or break-boy is a male dancer who practices breaking or b-boying, the original hip-hop dance style. Equal terms for this are b-girl, to refer to a female who practices breaking, and breaker which is gender neutral. The word b-boying is the proper term for what the media calls breakdancing.
Contents [hide]
1 Terminology
2 History of breaking
3 B-boy styles
4 References
5 External links
[edit] Terminology
The breaking documentary The Freshest Kids: A History of the B-Boy presents two reasons of why the ‘b’ stands for ‘break’. The first is that it's a reference to the musical ‘breaks’ on the record. Crazy Legs, the president of Rock Steady Crew explains the origin of the term - “the word b-boy originated from Kool Herc … b-boys and b-girls - break boys, break girls.”[1] His colleague Mr. Freeze of Rock Steady Crew states, “the break of the record… ‘b’… break, we are the b-boys.”[1] Mr. Wiggles of Rock Steady Crew and Electric Boogaloos says, “the DJs used to cut breaks, and the b-boys would break to what? The breaks. So you know, it’s just common sense.”[1]
An alternative theory is that it comes from the street slang terms 'break' and 'breaking' which at the time meant to fight or to lose control. Grand Mixer DXT says, “breaking boys - because people would be breaking at the party, starting trouble… when somebody would get mad - 'yo he’s breaking, stop breaking man,' and when Kool Herc says it, it’s official.”[1] DJ Kool Herc himself (billed as ‘The Father of Hip-Hop’ in the documentary) says, “b-boy – boys that break, it didn’t come from breaks on the record, it comes from… this man he ‘broke’, he went to a point, a breaking point… we just used the exaggeration of that term to the dancing – the b-boys, break boys.”[1]
[edit] History of breaking
Main article: b-boying
Breaking or b-boying, commonly called breakdancing, is a style of dance that evolved as part of hip-hop culture among Black and Latino American youths in the South Bronx during the 1970s.[2][3]:125, 141, 153 It is danced to both hip-hop and other genres of music that are often remixed to prolong the musical breaks.
There are four basic elements which form the foundation of breaking. The first is Toprock, a term referring to the upright dancing and shuffles. The second element is Downrock which refers to footwork dancing performed on the floor. The third element is the Freeze, the poses that breakers throw into their dance sets to add punctuation to certain beats and end their routines. The fourth element of b-boying is the Power moves. These are the most impressive acrobatic moves normally made up of circular motions where the dancer will spin on the floor or in the air.
Though widespread, the term "breakdancing" is looked down upon by those immersed in hip-hop culture. This is because the word "breakdance" is a term created by the media[1][4][5][6] to describe what was called breaking or b-boying in the street. The majority of the art form’s pioneers and most notable practitioners refer to it as breaking or b-boying.[1][4]
[edit] B-boy styles
B-boy Timon doing a baby freeze.There are many different individual styles used in breaking. Individual styles often stem from a dancer's region of origin and influences. Although there are some generalities in the styles that exist, many dancers combine elements of different styles with their own ideas and knowledge in order to create a unique style of their own.
Power: This style of breaking is what most members of the general public associate with the term "break-dancing". Power moves comprise full-body spins and rotations that give the illusion of defying gravity. Examples of power moves include headspins, backspins, windmills, flares, airtracks/airflares, 1990s, 2000s, jackhammers, crickets, turtles, hand glide, halos, and elbow spins. Those b-boys who use "power moves" almost exclusively in their sets are referred to as "powerheads".
Abstract: A very broad style of breaking which may include the incorporation of threading footwork, freestyle movement to hit beats, house dance, broken link styles, and "circus" styles (tricks, contortion, etc.)
Trick (Blowup): A style of breaking which focuses on the "wow factor" of certain power moves, freezes, and circus styles. Blowup-style consists of performing a sequence of as many difficult trick combinations in as quick succession as possible in order to "smack" or exceed the virtuosity of the other b-boy's performance. This is usually attempted only after becoming proficient in other styles due to the degree of control and practice required in this type of dancing. The names of some of the moves are: airbaby, airchair, hollow backs, solar eclipse, reverse airbaby, among others. The main goal in blowup-style is the rapid transition through a sequence power moves.
Well-rounded: A well rounded bboy who specializes in just about everything, power moves, freezes, footwork, etc all aspects of breakdancing. This type of bboy has the advantage in most cases if he/she battles a "powerhead", "stylehead", as the well-rounded bboy can perform same or better moves than the specifically specialized bboys like the powerhead. In most cases well-rounded bboys is the most preferred type of bboy
Flavor: A style that is based more on elaborate toprock, downrock, and/or freezes. This style is focused more on the beat of the song than having to rely on "power" moves only. B-boys who base their dance on "flavor" or style are known as "style heads".
Burns: A type of move intended to embarrass the opponent by creating obscene or comical moves (i.e crotch grabbing) during battles.
[edit] References
^ a b c d e f g Isreal (director). (2002). The Freshest Kids: A History of the B-Boy. [DVD]. USA: QD3 Entertainment.
^ Brown, Lauren (February 18, 2009). "Hip to the Game – Dance World vs. Music Industry, The Battle for Hip Hop’s Legacy". Movmnt Magazine. http://www.movmnt.com/monsters-of-hip-hop-2_003332.html. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
^ Schloss, Joseph (2009). Foundation: B-boys, B-girls, And Hip-Hop Culture In New York. Oxford University Press.
^ a b Adam Mansbach (24 May 2009). "The ascent of hip-hop: A historical, cultural, and aesthetic study of b-boying". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2009/05/24/the_ascent_of_hip_hop/. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
^ Klopman, Alan (January 1, 2007). Interview with Popin' Pete & Mr. Wiggles at Monsters of Hip Hop - July 7-9, 2006, Orlando, Fl. DancerUniverse.com (Dancer Publishing). Retrieved 2009-09-09
^ Jorge "Popmaster Fabel" Pabon (1999). "Physical Graffiti... The History of Hip Hop Dance". Davey D's Hip Hop Corner. eLine Productions. http://www.daveyd.com/historyphysicalgrafittifabel.html. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
[edit] External links
Hip hop portal
Hip-Hop at the Open Directory Project
[hide]v • d • eHip-Hop Dance
Main styles Breaking · Popping · Locking
Derivatives Krumping · Tecktonik · Jerkin' · Turfing · Lyrical Hip-Hop · Memphis Jookin' · Street Jazz
Movies Wild Style · Beat Street · Breakin · Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo · The Freshest Kids · Honey · You Got Served · Take the Lead · Step Up · Step Up 2: The Streets · How She Move · Planet B-Boy · Rize · Save the Last Dance · Feel the Noise
TV shows Soul Train · The Grind · Dance Fever · Dance 360 · The Wade Robson Project · America's Best Dance Crew
International
champions BOTY Top 9 - b-boy crew
UK B-Boy
Championships Top 9 - b-boy crew · Kosto - b-boy solo · Gucchon - popping solo · Lock and Lol - locking duo
Freestyle Session The Squadron - b-boy crew · Flomaster - locking solo · J Smooth - popping solo
World Hip Hop
Championships R.A.F. - hip-hop crew (adult) · Request - hip-hop crew (varsity) ·
Lil Phunk Boys - hip-hop crew (junior) · Firelock - locking solo
Juste Debout Dy & Steve - hip-hop duo · Kite & Fishboy - popping duo · Sorry and Taka - locking duo
Red Bull BC One Wing - b-boy solo
R-16 Korea Top 9 - b-boy crew
Related people Richard "Crazy Legs" Colon · Clive "Kool Herc" Campbell · Christopher "Lil' C" Toler · Kenneth "Swift" Gabbert · James Brown · Toni Basil · London Reyes · Dave Scott · Wayne "Frosty Freeze" Frost · Darrin Henson · Hong 10 · Steffan "Mr. Wiggles" Clemente · Michael Jackson · George Sampson · Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo · Mona-Jeanette Berntsen · Laurie Ann Gibson · Shane Sparks
Related topics Hip-Hop culture · House dance · Funk Styles · Street dance · Tricking · African American culture · Funk music · Vibe Dance Competition · Bounce Streetdance Company · Rock the Spot · So You Think You Can Dance
Earthquake
An earthquake (also known as a tremor or temblor) is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes are recorded with a seismometer, also known as a seismograph. The moment magnitude of an earthquake is conventionally reported, or the related and mostly obsolete Richter magnitude, with magnitude 3 or lower earthquakes being mostly imperceptible and magnitude 7 causing serious damage over large areas. Intensity of shaking is measured on the modified Mercalli scale.
At the Earth's surface, earthquakes manifest themselves by shaking and sometimes displacing the ground. When a large earthquake epicenter is located offshore, the seabed sometimes suffers sufficient displacement to cause a tsunami. The shaking in earthquakes can also trigger landslides and occasionally volcanic activity.
In its most generic sense, the word earthquake is used to describe any seismic event — whether a natural phenomenon or an event caused by humans — that generates seismic waves. Earthquakes are caused mostly by rupture of geological faults, but also by volcanic activity, landslides, mine blasts, and nuclear experiments. An earthquake's point of initial rupture is called its focus or hypocenter. The term epicenter refers to the point at ground level directly above the hypocenter.
Planet Mercury
Mercury is the innermost and smallest planet in the Solar System,[8] orbiting the Sun once every 87.969 days. The orbit of Mercury has the highest eccentricity of all the Solar System planets, and it has the smallest axial tilt. It completes three rotations about the axis for every two orbits. The perihelion of Mercury's orbit precesses around the Sun at an excess of 43 arcseconds per century; a phenomenon that was explained in the 20th century by Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.[9] Mercury is bright when viewed from Earth, ranging from −2.0 to 5.5 in apparent magnitude, but is not easily seen as its greatest angular separation from the Sun is only 28.3°. Since Mercury is normally lost in the glare of the Sun, unless there is a solar eclipse, Mercury can only be viewed in morning or evening twilight.
Comparatively little is known about Mercury; ground-based telescopes reveal only an illuminated crescent with limited detail. The first of two spacecraft to visit the planet was Mariner 10, which mapped only about 45% of the planet’s surface from 1974 to 1975. The second is the MESSENGER spacecraft, which mapped another 30% during its flyby of January 14, 2008. MESSENGER will make one more pass by Mercury in 2009, followed by orbital insertion in 2011, and will then survey and map the entire planet.
Mercury is similar in appearance to the Moon: it is heavily cratered with regions of smooth plains, has no natural satellites and no substantial atmosphere. However, unlike the moon, it has a large iron core, which generates a magnetic field about 1% as strong as that of the Earth.[10] It is an exceptionally dense planet due to the large relative size of its core. Surface temperatures range from about 90 to 700 K (−183 °C to 427 °C, −297 °F to 801 °F),[11] with the subsolar point being the hottest and the bottoms of craters near the poles being the coldest.
Recorded observations of Mercury date back to at least the first millennium BC. Before the 4th century BC, Greek astronomers believed the planet to be two separate objects: one visible only at sunrise, which they called Apollo; the other visible only at sunset, which they called Hermes.[12] The English name for the planet comes from the Romans, who named it after the Roman god Mercury, which they equated with the Greek Hermes. The astronomical symbol for Mercury is a stylized version of Hermes' caduceus.[13]
Global warming
Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. Global surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) during the last century.[1][A] The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that increasing greenhouse gas concentrations resulting from human activity such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation caused most of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century.[1] The IPCC also concludes that variations in natural phenomena such as solar radiation and volcanoes produced most of the warming from pre-industrial times to 1950 and had a small cooling effect afterward.[2][3] These basic conclusions have been endorsed by more than 40 scientific societies and academies of science,[B] including all of the national academies of science of the major industrialized countries.[4] A small number of scientists dispute the consensus view.
Climate model projections summarized in the latest IPCC report indicate that the global surface temperature will probably rise a further 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) during the twenty-first century.[1] The uncertainty in this estimate arises from the use of models with differing sensitivity to greenhouse gas concentrations and the use of differing estimates of future greenhouse gas emissions. Some other uncertainties include how warming and related changes will vary from region to region around the globe. Most studies focus on the period up to the year 2100. However, warming is expected to continue beyond 2100 even if emissions stop, because of the large heat capacity of the oceans and the long lifetime of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.[5][6]
An increase in global temperature will cause sea levels to rise and will change the amount and pattern of precipitation, probably including expansion of subtropical deserts.[7] The continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost and sea ice is expected, with warming being strongest in the Arctic. Other likely effects include increases in the intensity of extreme weather events, species extinctions, and changes in agricultural yields.
Political and public debate continues regarding climate change, and what actions (if any) to take in response. The available options are mitigation to reduce further emissions; adaptation to reduce the damage caused by warming; and, more speculatively, geoengineering to reverse global warming. Most national governments have signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Acid Rain
Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, i.e. elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). It has harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure. Acid rain is mostly caused by emissions of compounds of sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids. However, it can also be caused naturally by the splitting of nitrogen compounds by the energy produced by lightning strikes, or the release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere by phenomena of volcano eruptions.
Albert Einstein The Genius
Albert Einstein (pronounced /ˈælbərt ˈaɪnstaɪn/; German: [ˈalbɐt ˈaɪ̯nʃtaɪ̯n] ( listen); 14 March 1879 – 18 April 1955) was a theoretical physicist. His many contributions to physics include the special and general theories of relativity, the founding of relativistic cosmology, the first post-Newtonian expansion, explaining the perihelion advance of Mercury, prediction of the deflection of light by gravity and gravitational lensing, the first fluctuation dissipation theorem which explained the Brownian movement of molecules, the photon theory and wave-particle duality, the quantum theory of atomic motion in solids, the zero-point energy concept, the semiclassical version of the Schrödinger equation, and the quantum theory of a monatomic gas which predicted Bose-Einstein condensation.
Einstein is best known for his theories of special relativity and general relativity. He received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics "for his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect."[2]
Einstein published more than 300 scientific and over 150 non-scientific works.[3] He is often regarded as the father of modern physics.
Sun The Biggest Stars In System Solar
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. The Earth and other matter (including other planets, asteroids, meteoroids, comets, and dust) orbit the Sun, which by itself accounts for about 99.86% of the Solar System's mass.[10] The mean distance of the Sun from the Earth is approximately 149.6 million kilometers (1 AU), and its light travels this distance in 8 minutes and 19 seconds. This distance varies throughout the year from a minimum of 147.1 million kilometers (0.9833 AU) on the perihelion (around 3 January), to a maximum of 152.1 million kilometers (1.017 AU) on the aphelion (around 4 July).[11] Energy from the Sun, in the form of sunlight, supports almost all life on Earth via photosynthesis,[12] and drives the Earth's climate and weather. The Sun consists of hydrogen (about 74% of its mass, or 92% of its volume), helium (about 24% of mass, 7% of volume), and trace quantities of other elements, including iron, nickel, oxygen, silicon, sulfur, magnesium, carbon, neon, calcium, and chromium.[13]
The Sun has a spectral class of G2V. G2 means that it has a surface temperature of approximately 5,780 K (5,510 °C) giving it a white color, which often appears as yellow when seen from the surface of the Earth because of atmospheric scattering. It is this scattering of light at the blue end of the spectrum that gives the surrounding sky its color.[14] The Sun's spectrum contains lines of ionized and neutral metals as well as very weak hydrogen lines. The V (Roman five) in the spectral class indicates that the Sun, like most stars, is a main sequence star. This means that it generates its energy by nuclear fusion of hydrogen nuclei into helium. There are more than 100 million G2 class stars in our galaxy. Once regarded as a small and relatively insignificant star, the Sun is now presumed to be brighter than 85% of the stars in the galaxy, most of which are red dwarfs.[15][16]
The Sun's hot corona continuously expands in space creating the solar wind, a hypersonic stream of charged particles that extends to the heliopause at roughly 100 AU. The bubble in the interstellar medium formed by the solar wind, the heliosphere, is the largest continuous structure in the Solar System.[17][18]
The Sun is currently traveling through the Local Interstellar Cloud in the low-density Local Bubble zone of diffuse high-temperature gas, in the inner rim of the Orion Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy, between the larger Perseus and Sagittarius arms of the galaxy. Of the 50 nearest stellar systems within 17 light-years (1.6×1014 km) from the Earth, the Sun ranks 4th[19] in mass. Slightly different values for the magnitude have been published, for example 4.85[20] and 4.81.[21] The Sun orbits the center of the Milky Way galaxy at a distance of approximately 24,000–26,000 light years from the galactic center, moving generally in the direction of Cygnus and completing one revolution in about 225–250 million years (one Galactic year). Its orbital speed was thought to be 220 ± 20, km/s but a new estimate gives 251 km/s.[22][23] Since our galaxy is moving with respect to the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) in the direction of Hydra with a speed of 550 km/s, the Sun's resultant velocity with respect to the CMB is about 370 km/s in the direction of Crater or Leo.[24]
Apostle of Allah
Apostle of God (Arabic: Rasul-Allah or Rasulallah) is a title given to Muhammad by Muhammad himself and was widely used by Muhammad's contemporary Muslims. It is also used by Muslims today, for example in speeches and sermons.
Muhammad had a ring that stated he was "Rasul-Allah", and his seal that he used on letters also included the phrase[citation needed].
When read in Arabic (right to left) it literally says 'Allah Rasul Muhammad'. This is because Muhammad put Allah's name first and his last as a sign of respect to Allah.
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, AC, CH (February 8, 1903 – December 6, 1990) was known as "Tunku" (a princely title in Malaysia), and also called Bapa Kemerdekaan (Father of Independence) or Bapa Malaysia (Father of Malaysia), was Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya from 1955, and the country's first Prime Minister from independence in 1957. He remained as the Prime Minister after Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined the federation in 1963 to form Malaysia.
The Nazism
Nazism, known officially in German as National Socialism[1][2][3][4] (German: Nationalsozialismus), refers to the totalitarian ideology and practices of the Nazi Party or National Socialist German Workers’ Party under Adolf Hitler, and the policies adopted by the dictatorial government of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945.[5][6][7][8]
Nazism is often considered by scholars to be a form of fascism. While it incorporated elements from both left and right-wing politics, the Nazis formed most of their alliances on the right.[9] The Nazis were one of several historical groups that used the term National Socialism to describe themselves, and in the 1920s they became the largest such group. The Nazi Party presented its program in the 25 point National Socialist Program in 1920. Among the key elements of Nazism were anti-parliamentarism, Pan-Germanism, racism, collectivism,[10][11] eugenics, antisemitism, anti-communism, totalitarianism and opposition to economic liberalism and political liberalism.[11][12][13]
In the 1930s, Nazism was not a monolithic movement, but rather a (mainly German) combination of various ideologies and philosophies which centered around nationalism, anti-communism, traditionalism and the importance of the ethnostate. Groups such as Strasserism and Black Front were part of the early Nazi movement. Their motivations were triggered over anger about the Treaty of Versailles, and what they considered to have been a Jewish/communist conspiracy to humiliate Germany at the end of the World War I. Germany's post-war ills were critical to the formation of the ideology and its criticisms of the post-war Weimar Republic. The Nazi Party came to power in Germany in 1933.
In response to the instability created by the Great Depression, the Nazis sought a Third Way managed economy that was neither capitalism nor communism.[14][15] Nazi rule effectively ended on May 7, 1945, V-E Day, when the Nazis unconditionally surrendered to the Allied Powers, who took over Germany's administration until Germany could form its own democratic government.
Islam Is The Best Religion
Islam (Arabic: الإسلام al-’islām, pronounced [ʔislæːm] ( listen)[note 1]) is the religion articulated by the Qur’an, a book considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of the single incomparable God (Arabic: الله, Allāh), and by the Islamic prophet Muhammad's demonstrations and real-life examples (called the Sunnah, collected through narration of his companions in the volumes of Hadith). The word Islam is a homograph, having multiple meanings, and a triliteral of the word salaam, which directly translates as peace. Other meanings include submission, or the total surrender of oneself to God (see Islam (term)).[1] An adherent of Islam is a Muslim, meaning "one who submits (to God)".[2][3] The word Muslim is the participle of the same verb of which Islām is the infinitive. Muslims regard their religion as the completed and universal version of a monotheistic faith revealed to many times and places before, including, notably, to the prophets Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Islamic tradition holds that previous messages and revelations have been changed and distorted over time.[4]
Religious practices include the Five Pillars of Islam, which are five duties that unite Muslims into a community.[5] Islamic law (Arabic: شريعة Šarīʿah) touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, encompassing everything from dietary laws and banking to warfare and welfare.[6] The vast majority of Muslims belong to one of two major denominations, the Sunni (roughly 85%) and Shi'a (roughly 15%). Islam is the predominant religion in much of Africa, the Middle East and major parts of Asia.[7] Large communities are also found in China, Russia and the Carribean. About 15% of Muslims live in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country,[8] 30% in the Indian Subcontinent and 20% in Arab countries.[9] Converts and immigrant communities are found in almost every part of the world. With 1.3 billion to 1.8 billion Muslims (see Islam by country), Islam is the second-largest religion in the world and the fastest growing religion in the world.[10][11]
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Naruto Anime Jutsu
Creation and conception
The concept of jutsu was developed by Masashi Kishimoto in order to explain the superhuman feats that ninja performed in the series. Kishimoto's design for the ninja in Naruto was intended to dispel preconceived notions about ninja popularized by other manga and bring an original take to the presentation of ninja in manga. The use of hand seals was a substitute for the incantations for magic found in other sources, and was based on the motions of ninja in various role-playing games.[1] The hand seals are based upon the characters of the Chinese zodiac, which is a longstanding tradition in Japan, and Kishimoto used them specifically to draw upon that tradition.[6]
Although the concept of chakra is found in Indian mythology, Buddhism and other belief systems, in an interview, Kishimoto claimed that none of these influences were the basis for his use of chakra in Naruto. He further asserted that it was a term to apply a concrete definition to ninjas' ability to use jutsu in Naruto, and was comparable to the Force in Star Wars or magic points in role-playing games.[1]
[edit] Chakra
Simplified diagram of chakra generation mechanics
Chakra (チャクラ, chakura?) is the basic energy source necessary for ninja in Naruto to perform most jutsu. Ninja produce chakra through the combination of their two energies: the physical energy (身体エネルギー, shintai enerugī?), drawn from the trillions of cells that make up the human body, and the mental energy (精神エネルギー, seishin enerugī?), gained through experience and by training the body.[7] Once created, chakra moves throughout the body in a manner similar to the circulatory system and is delivered to one of 361 chakra release points.[8] By performing a sequence composed of any of twelve different hand seals, chakra can then be manipulated to create supernatural effects, such as walking on water.[7]
During Part II of the series the concept of nature manipulation (性質変化, seishitsu henka?), altering the quality of chakra, is introduced. Nature manipulation allows ninja, following certain training, to convert their chakra into one of five elements: earth, water, fire, wind, and lightning.[9] Each element is stronger and weaker than another element; for example, fire is weak against water, but can easily counter and even gets stronger when used against a wind-based jutsu.[10] All ninja have a natural affinity for one of the five elements, allowing them to use jutsu of that type with greater ease. Ninja with an affinity for fire, for instance, will be able to breathe fire much sooner than they will be able to manipulate water.[9]
Skilled ninja can learn how to use other elements; ninja of the Jonin rank typically are able to manipulate at least two elements. Kakashi Hatake has been shown using three different elements in the Naruto manga and a fourth in the anime adaptation. Although these ninja can use their different elements separately with little effort, combining the two elements is impossible for ninja who do not have a genetic predisposition for it. Ninja with one of these genetic abilities can mix two specific elements to create an entirely new one. Haku, an antagonist introduced at the start of the series, can mix water and wind to create ice. Mokuton, a combination of earth and water unique to the First Hokage and Yamato, allows the user to produce wood.[11]
[edit] Eight Gates
The Eight Gates (八門, Hachimon?, English anime: "The Eight Inner Gates") are eight specific points along the chakra circulatory system that limit the overall flow of chakra within a ninja's body. Although the gates make the ninja weaker in battle, they limit the body's functions to keep it from expiring too soon. Ninja that have learned to open these gates can surpass their own physical limits at the cost of various levels of damage to their own bodies. Each additional gate grants the user new levels of strength with additional injuries; by opening all eight gates the user will become invincible in battle, but their body will be so damaged in the process that they will die afterwards. Rock Lee is shown opening the first five gates during Part I of the series,[12] and his teacher, Might Guy, is seen activating the sixth during Part II.[13] In the Naruto Shippūden 2: Bonds movie, the villain Shinnou mentions opening the 8 gates when gaining the "perfect body" from his dark chakra transformation.
[edit] Jutsu types
Jutsu are divided into three categories: ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu. Ninjutsu also has two sub-categories: sealing jutsu and cursed seal jutsu, both of which are used to create seals for various purposes.[14] Senjutsu, a concept introduced in Part II of the series, uses three types of energy: the mental and physical energies of the shinobi and the energy of nature. By channeling the energy of nature, the senjutsu user can greatly increase the power of his or her other jutsu.[15] Kekkei genkai abilities are genetically inherited traits that allow the user to perform unique techniques.[14]
Jutsu are ranked in terms of how difficult they are to perform, an E-rank denoting basic techniques and an S-rank indicating jutsu that require years of practice to master. An S-rank jutsu is not necessarily more effective than an E-rank ability, as a jutsu's effectiveness is largely based on individual skill. In addition to the six letter ranks, jutsu can also receive one of two informal ranks. "Secret" (秘伝, hiden?) jutsu are passed down from generation to generation within a clan. These jutsu are not ranked because no one outside the clan knows how to perform them. "Forbidden techniques" (禁術, kinjutsu?), on the other hand, fall into one of the six main ranks, but are an exception because they are forbidden to learn or perform. A technique can be categorized as forbidden if it either causes great harm to the user, such as opening the Eight Gates, or if the techniques are dark or sinister in nature, such as those used by Orochimaru.[14]
[edit] Ninjutsu
Ninjutsu (忍術?, lit. "ninja techniques") is a vague term referring to almost any technique that uses chakra and allows the user to do something that they otherwise would be incapable of doing. Unlike genjutsu, which makes the opponent see illusions, the effects of ninjutsu are real. They vary greatly in purpose, with the simpler ninjutsu serving such tasks as transforming the user or allowing them to evade attacks. These techniques are often second-nature for experienced ninja, who can use them at will. More complex ninjutsu manipulate one's surroundings or utilize the elements, respectively serving such tasks as healing others or manipulating wind or water.[14]
[edit] Genjutsu
Genjutsu (幻術?, lit. "illusion techniques") are techniques that use the chakra in the victim's nervous system to create illusions. The most commonly seen genjutsu in the series is the simple creation of phantasms – causing the targeted person(s) to hear, see, smell, taste or feel sensations that are not actually there in order to manipulate them. Most genjutsu affects the five senses, though other applications of genjutsu exist. Those under the influence of genjutsu either freeze in place or lose consciousness, depending on how capable they are in recognizing and defending against it. A genjutsu can be broken in one of three ways. The first is "genjutsu cancel" (幻術解, genjutsu kai?), a disruption of the victim's chakra flow either by themselves or their allies.[16] Pain that is not a result of the genjutsu, such as stabbing oneself, is a second method of countering genjutsu. Finally, if the caster of the genjutsu loses focus for whatever reason, the jutsu will end and the victim is freed.[17]
[edit] Taijutsu
Taijutsu (体術?, lit. "body techniques" or "hand-to-hand combat") refers to any techniques involving the martial arts or the optimization of natural human abilities. Taijutsu is executed by directly accessing the user's physical and mental energies, relying on the stamina and strength gained through training. Because chakra does not need to be produced taijutsu can typically be performed much faster than ninjutsu or genjutsu techniques. Chakra can be used for taijutsu to serve secondary purposes, such as adding more force to physical attacks, but most taijutsu rarely use chakra.[14]
[edit] Kekkei genkai
Kekkei genkai (血継限界?, lit. "bloodline limit") are abilities passed down genetically in specific clans. Most of these clans have developed special techniques that rely on their genetic abilities, as it gives them an advantage in battle that cannot be taught to or copied by opponents. Kekkei genkai such as the Sharingan that work via the user's eyes are called "eye techniques" (瞳術, dōjutsu?).[14] Other kekkei genkai such as Mokuton revolve around a simultaneous combination of two separate chakra elements to create an entirely new one.[11]
[edit] Sealing jutsu
Sealing jutsu (封印術, Fūin jutsu?) are techniques that seal something inside objects or living beings. The most common application of this is sealing weapons or other objects within scrolls to efficiently carry a large number of items. Sealing jutsu are also utilized to restrict access to things, such as chakra or entry to a building. The sealing jutsu seen and mentioned most often in the series is the one sealing the nine-tailed demon fox within series protagonist Naruto Uzumaki.[14]
[edit] Senjutsu
Senjutsu (仙術?, lit. "sage techniques") is a form of jutsu introduced during Part II of the series. It is achieved by combining the user's chakra with "natural energy", a task that can only be completed by ninja with particularly large chakra reserves who learn to harmonize with nature—anyone else who tries is quickly overwhelmed by this natural energy, turning into a frog and petrifying. Once senjutsu has been mastered, the user can perform jutsu with much greater power and effectiveness. The user also has the ability to mold the natural energy around their opponents, allowing them to increase the range of physical attacks to the extent of not even having to touch the opponent directly to inflict damage. As a beneficial side effect, senjutsu makes the user stronger as time passes rather than tiring them. Senjutsu appears to be unique to the summoned toads in the series, as only they and their human students – Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki – have been seen using it.[15]
[edit] Recurring jutsu
[edit] Byakugan
Neji Hyuga using the Byakugan
The Byakugan (白眼?, lit. "White Eye", English manga: "All-Seeing Eye") is a genetic eye technique that naturally occurs in members of the Hyuga clan. Ninja with the Byakugan are characterized by their white, pupil-less eyes. When the Byakugan is activated, their pupils become more distinct and the veins near their temples bulge.[18] The Byakugan gives the user a near-360 degree field of vision; the only blind spot is a small hole at the back of the neck above the third cervical vertebra. They can see and focus in on anything within a certain distance from themselves, the range of which can be extended through training. During Part I of the series, Neji Hyuga is limited to fifty meters,[19] and by Part II, he can see objects at least eight-hundred meters away.[20]
The Byakugan can detect and see through anything within its range of sight. In battle, users of the Byakugan can see the flow of chakra within an opponent's body. This enables the user to forcibly release their own chakra through one of the opponent's 361 chakra release points, cutting off the flow of chakra or directly attacking the internal organs. Because this is accomplished through only the slightest amount of physical contact, this style of fighting is named "Gentle Fist" (柔拳, Jūken?).[8] Due to the manifold techniques using the Byakugan and the Gentle Fist style, the Hyuga impose an elaborate family hierarchy for security reasons. The Gentle Fist's secret techniques are only allowed to be learned by the clan's "main house", who are protected at all times by members of the "branch houses". Branch house members are also branded with a cursed seal that destroys their Byakugan when they die, preventing enemy ninja from studying their bodies to learn the Byakugan's secrets.[21] This method is shown to be imperfect in Part II when a Kirigakure ninja is revealed to have the Byakugan of a ninja he defeated transplanted into his right eye.
[edit] Chidori
Sasuke Uchiha using Chidori
The Chidori (千鳥?, lit. "One Thousand Birds") is a jutsu created by Kakashi Hatake during his childhood, and is formed by channeling lightning-based chakra in one's hand. This high concentration of electricity produces a sound reminiscent of chirping birds, hence its name. Once enough lightning-chakra has been collected, the user rushes at their target and thrusts the Chidori into it; the speed of the attack and the amount of chakra used enable the user to penetrate most defenses.[22] During Kakashi Gaiden, a short flashback to Kakashi's childhood that divides Part I and II of the series, the Chidori is revealed to cause a tunnel vision effect because of the speeds at which the user moves, leaving them vulnerable to a counterattack.[23] Because of this disability, only ninja with a Sharingan eye can use Chidori effectively, as the Sharingan's ability to notice even the slightest details counteracts the tunnel vision. As a result, Kakashi is able to teach the Chidori to Sasuke Uchiha during Part I.[24]
Due to the large amounts of concentration and chakra needed to collect and control the lightning-chakra, both Kakashi and Sasuke are initially limited to using Chidori only a few times a day.[24] They are shown to have increased their limits in Part II, but to what extent is unclear. As the creator of the Chidori, Kakashi has reached a level of control great enough that he can split a bolt of lightning, resulting in his version being called the "Lightning Blade" (雷切, Raikiri?).[25] Sasuke also reaches greater levels of control during Part II, which allows him to reshape the Chidori in his hand into more solid forms like swords or needles.[26]
[edit] Mokuton
Mokuton (木遁?, lit. "Wood Release", English anime: "Wood Style") is a genetic ability of the First Hokage. By combining earth and water-based chakra, the First could produce trees or wooden objects from any surface, which he used decades before the start of the series to create the foundation of the village of Konohagakure.[27] The objects created with Mokuton vary in detail, ranging from a simple wall to a functioning copy of the user.[28] During Part II, Yamato is revealed to have been injected with the First's DNA, making him the only known ninja capable of using Mokuton techniques. A possibly unrelated technique, but unique to the First and Yamato, is the ability to suppress a tailed beast. This is accomplished by producing wooden poles from the ground that attach to the beast and force its chakra to recede.[29]
[edit] Orochimaru's cursed seals
Orochimaru's cursed seal jutsu (呪印術, juin jutsu?, lit. "cursed seal techniques" or "technique of the accursed mark") is a special seal Orochimaru uses to increase the power of his subordinates and control them. It is introduced in the series when Orochimaru brands Sasuke Uchiha with one. After biting Sasuke's neck, Orochimaru leaves him unconscious while his body accepts or rejects the cursed seal.[30] Sasuke survives the process and is given access to its first level. In the first level, the seal spreads from its point of application across the user's body, increasing their chakra supply and their physical abilities in the process. When the seal is deactivated, the user is left exhausted, having expended all their energy during its use.[24] Orochimaru's reasons for giving Sasuke the cursed seal are because of its side effect: while the seal is active, the user's mind corrodes, making them more susceptible to manipulation by Orochimaru.[31]
Towards the end of Part I of the series, the Sound Four, Orochimaru's personal bodyguards, are introduced. Each is branded with a cursed seal of a different design, and each can access its second level. The second level is achieved by allowing the seal to engulf their entire body, radically changing their body's appearance and increasing their strength beyond that of level one. The Sound Four help Sasuke achieve level two by giving him a special drug.[32] After obtaining level two, Sasuke begins training to gain control over his cursed seal; in Part II, he can isolate the level two transformation to specific parts of his body.[33] Later in Part II, Sasuke meets Jugo, the origin of Orochimaru's cursed seals. Jugo's body naturally produces an enzyme that allows him to freely transform parts of his body. Once extracted from Jugo's body and refined, Orochimaru also could give the enzyme to whomever he wished, creating a group of strong and loyal followers for his personal use.[34]
[edit] Puppet Technique
The Puppet Technique (傀儡の術, Kugutsu no Jutsu?, English manga: "Art of the Puppet Master", English anime: "Puppet Master Jutsu") is a style of combat originating in the village of Sunagakure that utilizes strings of chakra to control objects, typically puppets. The puppeteer connects one of their fingers to part of a puppet's body with a chakra string, allowing them to remotely operate it in battle with the proper finger movements. Advanced puppeteers can control multiple puppets at once; for instance, the Sunagakure ninja Chiyo can control ten puppets at once by having each finger control a different puppet.[35] Because they rely almost exclusively on the secret weapons and features of their puppets during battle, puppeteers are the most vulnerable component of this style, and go to lengths to remove themselves from combat.[36] Puppets normally cannot use chakra; the Akatsuki member Sasori creates puppets from human bodies, preserving the chakra and unique abilities the body originally had.[37] Kankuro is the most commonly seen puppeteer in Naruto, and he adds additional puppets to his arsenal as the series progresses.[38]
[edit] Rasengan
Naruto Uzumaki using Rasengan
The Rasengan (螺旋丸?, lit. "Spiraling Sphere", English manga: "Spiral Chakra Sphere", Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles: "Power Strike") is a jutsu that Minato Namikaze created after three years of development. It is a spinning ball of chakra formed in the user's hand that grinds into whatever it comes into contact with.[39] The Rasengan is introduced in the series when Jiraiya, Minato's teacher, teaches it to Naruto Uzumaki, Minato's son, to enable him to counter Sasuke Uchiha's Chidori.[40] Because it is a difficult jutsu, Jiraiya teaches it to Naruto in three stages: spinning the chakra, giving it sufficient force, and forming the chakra into a spherical shape.[41] Naruto struggles with the final step, and creates an alternative method using a shadow clone to mold the shape of the attack while he provides the chakra.[42]
During Part II of the series, new variants of the Rasengan are seen. Both Naruto and Jiraiya are shown capable of forming a larger, "Great Ball" (大玉, Ōdama?) Rasengan that is stronger than the standard version.[43] Kakashi Hatake, Minato's student, and Konohamaru Sarutobi, Naruto's student, are also revealed to have been taught how to use the Rasengan. Kakashi reveals to Naruto that Minato intended to combine the Rasengan with his elemental chakra, and due to his failure, the technique is incomplete.[39] Naruto is able to complete his father's work through the use of shadow clones – by using two shadow clones, one to mold the shape of the attack and one to provide the elemental chakra, Naruto is able to add his wind element chakra to the Rasengan to create Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken (風遁・螺旋手裏剣, Fūton: Rasen Shuriken?). Although he can only maintain the form of the attack for a few seconds, it severely damages its target by separating into tiny needles that destroy all the chakra vessels in the target's body; using this attack, Naruto is able to defeat the Akatsuki member Kakuzu in a single attack.[44]
[edit] Fire Style Fireball jutsu
The Fire style Technique called Fire Style Fireball Jutsu is a Ninjutsu used by most members of the Uchiha clan. This jutsu is a attacking style jutsu that is spit from the users mouth as a stream of fire and explodes into a flaming ball of fire.
[edit] Shadow Clone Technique
The Shadow Clone Technique (影分身の術, Kage Bunshin no Jutsu?, English manga: "Art of the Shadow Doppelganger") is one of the first jutsu to be seen in Naruto, and is series protagonist Naruto Uzumaki's signature technique.[2] It is used to create any number of copies of the user capable of interacting with their surroundings, performing jutsu, and engaging in battle. They will disperse in a puff of smoke when sufficiently damaged or at the user's discretion.[45] When clones are created, the user's chakra is evenly distributed among them, making it easy for the user to quickly expend all their chakra. While most ninja limit themselves to only making a few clones because of this, Naruto can create thousands of clones due to his large amount of chakra.[9]
During Part II, Naruto discovers that any knowledge a clone gains during its existence is transferred to the user when it disperses. Despite using clones several times throughout the series, he did not notice this effect until he was told by Kakashi Hatake. Since then, Naruto has used this aspect to improve his training methods. When learning a new technique, he has his shadow clones train alongside him, allowing him to accomplish a year of training in only a day. He has also used clones as scouts, sending them into battle to learn how an opponent attacks or spreading them across a wide area to find something in only a fraction of the time. [9]
[edit] Sharingan
Sasuke Uchiha using the Sharingan
The Sharingan (写輪眼?, lit. "Copy Wheel Eye", English manga: "Mirror Wheel Eye") is a genetic eye technique that naturally occurs in members of the Uchiha clan. It is not immediately present from birth, and first activates in a stressful situation in battle; after this occurrence, the user may utilize the Sharingan freely.[46] When first acquired, the Sharingan has only one tomoe, and as its power increases, two additional tomoe will eventually appear. Kakashi Hatake possesses a single, transplanted Sharingan in his left eye that he received from his teammate, Obito Uchiha.[47] Because he is not a member of the Uchiha clan, Kakashi's Sharingan is always active and he expends chakra rapidly when using it, forcing him to cover it up when not in combat and needing extended rest after long battles.[48] Members of the Uchiha clan expend a negligible amount of chakra when using the Sharingan; Akatsuki member Itachi Uchiha keeps his Sharingan activated constantly. Danzo has also been shown to have a Sharingan in his right eye.
Over the course of its development, the Sharingan will grant the user three unique abilities. It is most famous in the Naruto world for its ability to memorize and replicate any movement it has seen, allowing the user to copy most opponent's jutsu and use it against them and later opponents.[49] The Sharingan's second ability grants the user increased clarity of perception, allowing them to track and predict the movements and actions of fast-moving objects. This also allows the user to easily recognize genjutsu and different forms of chakra.[47] Its final ability is a brand of hypnosis that suggests actions and thoughts to the opponent, acting as an effective way to produce genjutsu or implant memories in another person.[50]
[edit] Mangekyo Sharingan
The Mangekyo Sharingan (万華鏡写輪眼, Mangekyō Sharingan?, lit. "Kaleidoscope Copy Wheel Eye") is a heightened form of Sharingan introduced towards the end of Part I. At that time, the Mangekyo Sharingan is explained to be rare among the members of the Uchiha clan, present only in those who have killed their closest friends.[51] In Part II, this is revealed to be false; after Madara Uchiha became the first to awaken his Mangekyo Sharingan, it became common practice for Uchiha clan members to kill their friends to gain their own.[52] It is also revealed that the Mangekyo Sharingan does not need to be gained by killing a friend; instead, it can be activated after the death of anyone the user is close to. Sasuke Uchiha gains his own Mangekyo Sharingan when his brother, Itachi Uchiha dies.[53] Under which circumstances Kakashi Hatake gained his Mangekyo Sharingan has yet to be revealed.
Unlike the regular Sharingan, which appears identical from user to user, the Mangekyo Sharingan's tomoe seal differs between individuals. Similarly, each Mangekyo Sharingan grants the user different abilities. Itachi Uchiha can use his Mangekyo Sharingan to induce extremely potent illusions that can kill his targets, form black flames as hot as the sun and creates a spiritual being that gives ultimate offensive and defensive abilities to him. Kakashi Hatake has used none of Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan abilities, but is capable of warping objects into other dimensions.[54] One feature shared by all Mangekyo Sharingan, however, is the ability to control the nine-tailed demon fox. Once the Mangekyo Sharingan has been gained, the user suffers from ever-deteriorating eyesight, a process that is aggravated by repeated use and culminates in blindness.[55] One's eyesight can be permanently restored by taking the eyes of a sibling who has the Mangekyo Sharingan, a process that fuses their two Mangekyo Sharingan into one "eternal" form with increased power. Madara Uchiha is said to have this form.[52]
[edit] Summoning Technique
The Summoning Technique (口寄せの術, Kuchiyose no Jutsu?) allows a ninja to summon a creature to their side during battle. The creature can then use its own unique abilities or weapons however it sees fit. Before a summon can be performed, a ninja must first sign a contract with the creature in their own blood. After that they need only press their hand to the ground, offer an additional donation of blood, and provide an appropriate amount of chakra to bring the creature to their location.[56] The Summoning Technique has been used by a number of different characters during the series, each of whom summons a different type of creature. The toads summoned by series protagonist Naruto Uzumaki and the snakes summoned by recurring antagonist Orochimaru are the most commonly seen types of summons. During Part II, creatures are shown to be capable of summoning their own kind or even the summoner themselves, allowing them to move around the Naruto world much faster.[57]
[edit] Reception
Shonen Jump has featured several popularity polls for jutsu in the series. In every official poll, Rasengan has ranked first, and Chidori has ranked second.[58] These results were reversed in a similar poll in the first Naruto databook, in which Chidori was ranked first, and Rasengan second.[59] In a top ten list of jutsu compiled by IGN's Ramsey Isler, Rasengan was ranked first, and Chidori second.[60] Several pieces of merchandise have been released featuring Naruto characters performing jutsu, including action figures and clothing.[61][62][63][64][65]
Several publications for anime and manga have commented on the use of jutsu in the series. IGN called jutsu "one of the most entertaining parts of the Naruto franchise," and noted that "the complicated but impressive-looking hand gestures, the unique physical attributes, and the pure unadulterated destructive power of the ninjutsu are some of the things that make the series wildly popular".[66] T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews claimed that it was in "fight/action scenes that Naruto receives is highest accolades," and praised the "invigorating and unique fighting styles/techniques [that] manage to continuously infuse action sets with life".[2] However, it criticized the "overemployment of certain special techniques" such as Naruto Uzumaki's Shadow Clone Technique, noting that the fights became "bland and repetitive" over time.[2] Anime News Network (ANN) considered the structure of battles "repetitive to a fault — a series of competing power-ups followed by an elegiac coda", but mollified by the series' "winning formula: the villains are vile, the heroes sympathetic, and the stakes high".[3]
In a review of the eighth through tenth volumes of the manga, ANN lambasted the fact the fights were frequently "interrupted by long-winded (and sometimes redundant) explanations of strategies and special techniques", but praised the visual presentation of the fights, noting that "the fights are staged with a clear eye for geography, movement and the human form, and are bursting with so much visual energy that not even the flashbacks and tedious explanations can dampen them".[4] For the visuals in the anime, ANN made note of the fight between Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha in episodes 132–134, noting the "impressiveness of the Sasuke fight's visuals", in which "Naruto clones explode from a lake like ninja-shaped surface-to-air missiles and glowing energy limbs ambush enemies from underground and cling to rock faces like neon prehensile tails". Although ANN praised the animators who "put all the love they could into the fight", it criticized the slow plot pacing that led up to the fight, and the fight's tedious structure.[5]
Malaysia Our Nation
Malaysia as a unified state did not exist until 1963. Previously, the United Kingdom had established influence in colonies in the territory from the late-18th century. The western half of modern Malaysia was composed of several separate kingdoms. This group of colonies was known as British Malaya until its dissolution in 1946, when it was reorganized as the Malayan Union. Due to widespread opposition, it was reorganized again as the Federation of Malaya in 1948 and later gained independence on 31 August 1957.[11] Singapore, Sarawak, British North Borneo and the Federation of Malaya joined to form Malaysia on 16 September 1963.[12] Tensions in the early years of the new union sparked an armed conflict with Indonesia, and the expulsion of Singapore on 9 August 1965.[13][14]
During the late-20th century, the Southeast Asian nation experienced an economic boom and underwent rapid development. Economic growth during the 1980s and 1990s, averaging 8% from 1991 to 1997, has transformed Malaysia into a newly industrialised country.[15][16] Because Malaysia is one of three countries that control the Strait of Malacca, international trade is integral to its economy.[17] At one time, it was the largest producer of tin, rubber and palm oil in the world.[18] Manufacturing makes up a major sector of the country's economy.[19] Malaysia has a biodiverse range of flora and fauna, and is also considered one of the 18 megadiverse countries.[20]
Malays form the majority of the population of Malaysia. There are sizable ethnic Chinese and Indian communities as well.[21] The Malay language[22] and Islam are the official language and religion of the federation respectively.[6][23]
Malaysia is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and participates in many international organisations such as the United Nations.[24][25] As a former British colony, it is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.[26] It is a member of the Developing 8 Countries.[27]
Taka
Taka (鷹, Hawk?) is a group formed by Sasuke Uchiha that consists of Orochimaru's former subordinates. When first formed it goes by the name "Hebi" (蛇, Snake?), with its mission being to find and kill Sasuke's brother, Itachi Uchiha, to avenge the latter's slaughter of the Uchiha clan.[100] After Itachi's death and Sasuke's discovery that the Uchiha were wiped out under the orders of Konohagakure, Sasuke renames their group "Taka" and changes its mission to the destruction of Konoha. Prior to carrying out this intent, Sasuke has agreed to work with Akatsuki to help them capture the eight-tailed beast; the members of Taka are later seen wearing Akatsuki cloaks to signify this.[101]
Uchiha Madara
Madara Uchiha (うちは マダラ, Uchiha Madara?) is one of the founders of Akatsuki and its current leader. Long ago, Madara became the first possessor of the Mangekyo Sharingan, a rare form of the eye condition unique to the Uchiha which gave him the strength to take control of the Uchiha clan, though it rendered him blind from overuse until he took his own brother's eyes in order to regain his sight.[48] Madara eventually banded together with Hashirama Senju to create Konohagakure. The two founders disagreed on who should lead their new village, and after a momentous battle between the two it was believed that Madara had died.[90] In later years, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox attacked Konoha, an act Minato Namikaze and others said to have been Madara's doing, though Madara denies it. Once the fox was sealed by Minato, Madara infiltrated Konoha in secret, and subsequently assisted Itachi Uchiha in assassinating the Uchiha clan.[91] Kisame Hoshigaki, upon seeing his face, recognizes him as a former Mizukage.[92]
Much of Madara's role in the series has been under the guise of Tobi (トビ?), who replaces Sasori in Akatsuki after Sasori's death. While acting as Tobi he is carefree and goofy as opposed to Madara's usual serious self. Tobi's tendency to take credit for other's work and undermine his superiors annoys his partner, Deidara, who either blows up or strangles him in comical fashion as punishment.[93] After Deidara dies during a battle with Sasuke, the Tobi persona is discarded as Madara takes a special interest in Sasuke's development.[94] However, Madara has not completely outlived the use of his guise as he reassumes Tobi's personality on occasion, such as to delay a group of Konohagakure ninja.[95]
Though Madara's face as it appeared during Konoha's founding has been shown in full at various points in the series, he always wears a mask in the current Naruto storyline. The mask features a swirl pattern focused around his right eye. His black hair (cut back from his earlier years) is the only constantly visible part of his face. When asked how Madara could have survived since Konoha's founding generations ago, Itachi Uchiha states that Madara is immortal.[96] The specifics of his immortality have yet to be touched upon, though Madara implies the potency of his chakra has something to do with it.[97] In battle he has been shown capable of making his body intangible, leaving him visible but otherwise impervious to most forms of damage. He can also teleport over great distances at will.[98] In the Japanese anime, the seiyū for Tobi
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Uchiha Itachi
Set up as Sasuke's murdering older brother, Itachi remains a mystery for much of the series. Acting through Akatsuki, he appears to share ideals with the group. It's not until his eventual death that the true nature and beliefs the man held are revealed. Everything he did was for Konoha's benefit. The young Uchiha Itachi was a skilled prodigy of Leaf Village. He graduated the Ninja Academy at age 7 and passed the Chuunin Exam at age 10. By age 13 Itachi had become a captain in the special ANBU squad. During his youth Itachi looked out for his younger brother Sasuke and encouraged him to train and grow. Sasuke looked up to Itachi and saw his brother grow distant over time. During this time Itachi had come under the tutelage of Uchiha Madara, a legendary Uchiha clan member. Madara and his brother were the first to attain the Mangekyou Sharingan. Itachi learned that to obtain Mangekyou, clan members would kill their best friends. Because Mangekyou usage leads to blindness, to avoid the side effect the Mangekyou user could kill their sibling and take their Mangekyou eyes to obtain "Eternal" Mangekyou. This version of the Mangekyou would never lead to blindness. With this in mind, Itachi's view of his clan and their power began to change. Itachi began to express that his clan was not using their gifts to their fullest capacity. To test his potential he secretly killed his best friend Shisui, which granted him the Mangekyou. Detectives from the Uchiha Police Corps questioned Itachi about Shisui's death but Itachi pleaded innocent; however he did let the detectives and his father know of his distaste for the clan's methods. A short time later Itachi and Madara moved to kill the rest of the clan. How much of the plan was Madara's idea or Itachi's own is unclear. One night Madara and Itachi began to take out the Uchiha. While Itachi himself stood over the body of his slain parents, Sasuke arrived to see the horrible scene. Itachi let Sasuke know that he could also gain the Mangekyou. Itachi hoped the massacre would drive Sasuke to his absolute limits and obtain Mangekyou as well. Sasuke would thus be Itachi's spare, a vessel to eventually provide him with "Eternal" Mangekyou. Itachi then directed Sasuke to a secret scroll which explained the final power of the Sharingan. After wiping out his clan, Itachi fled Leaf and joined the Akatsuki Organization. Itachi was directed to help recruit a new potential member, Deidara. Together with Hoshigaki Kisame and Sasori, the trio tracked down Deidara and asked him to join the group. Deidara said he wanted nothing to do with them, so Itachi stated that if he defeated Deidara in battle, he would have to join. Deidara launched explosive animals to attack but quickly learned that he had made no such moves. The power of Itachi's Sharingan Genjutsu had overwhelmed Deidara so he relented. Deidara would carry his hatred for the Uchiha's Sharingan forever afterwards. Some time later, Orochimaru approached Itachi in the hopes of taking over his body for his own. Itachi's Sharingan proved too much for Orochimaru as well, binding him in place. Itachi then cut off Orochimaru's arm, causing the Leaf Sannin to flee and leave the group. Several years later, Itachi finally returned to Konoha with his partner Kisame. Akatsuki sought to obtain the Kyuubi demon from inside Naruto for their own ends. The two men began to do battle with Hidden Leaf ninja, including Sharingan wielder Hatake Kakashi. Seeking to prove his was the more skilled user, Itachi used his Tsukuyomi attack on Kakashi. Tsukuyomi, one of the three Mangekyou attacks, was the most powerful Genjutsu of the Mangekyou. This ability placed the victim in a world of the Mangekyou User's own choosing and control. The victim could be put through any hell for several days, while only seconds pass in reality. When more reinforcements began to arrive, Itachi and Kisame fled. A short time afterwards Sasuke learned that Itachi had returned to the village in search of Naruto. Seeing his chance for revenge finally come, Sasuke quickly ran to track down Naruto.Itachi and Kisame themselves had already found their target. While Naruto and Jiraiya had stopped to rest at a hotel, Itachi surprised and confronted Naruto. Before they could subdue Naruto, Sasuke arrived. Charging his Chidori, Sasuke bolted towards his brother. Itachi easily swatted the attack aside and kicked his brother into a nearby wall. Pinning Sasuke to the wall, he asked why his brother was still so weak. Wanting to further goad him into gaining more hatred, Itachi forced Sasuke to relive the moment of his parents murder over and over again with Tsukuyomi. Jiraiya arrived and Itachi let his partner know that if the three did battle, they would sure all die in the process. And since the need to capture Naruto was not immediate, the two then fled yet again. Jiraiya attempted to stop the duo, but Itachi used Amaterasu, another Mangekyou attack. This powerful black fire acted as the strongest of Mangekyou's physical attacks. Over the next few years the duo would continue to help Akatsuki accomplish their goals. When members Deidara and Sasori captured Gaara, Kisame and Itachi volunteered to help delay the ninja who had been trailing them. Itachi once again had the opportunity to fight both Kakashi and Naruto. Itachi revealed some new skills during this battle, including the ability to cast a Genjutsu just by having his target look at his ring finger. Naruto fell victim to the attack but was helped by Sakura and elder Sand ninja Chiyo. The combined skills of Kakashi and Naruto were enough to get the better of Itachi, with Naruto striking him with Odama Rasengan. It was quickly revealed to merely be a sacrificial host body. Itachi himself was miles away acting through the sacrifice in exchange for some small measure of his chakra. Their delay plan worked, and the group managed to extract Shukaku from Gaara before they could be stopped. Itachi and the group then took their leave. Some weeks later Itachi and Kisame were dispatched to capture the Four-Tailed Bijuu. This demon was contained in an elder ninja who was able to wield many elemental combination attacks. oKisame proved more than capable of taking him down. The two men then discussed the proper approach to sealing the Bijuu, figuring they would need to leave Naruto and the Kyuubi for last. The group then gathered and Itachi learned that Deidara had killed Sasuke in battle. After the battle, Akatsuki member Zetsu reported the outcome to the group. Seeing Sasuke disappear in Deidara's final explosion, Zetsu had assumed that Sasuke had died, while he had really transported himself away via summoning. Pain, the leader of the group said that Sasuke's death was a good thing, but Itachi remained silent on the matter. A short time later Pain met in secret with fellow Akatsuki member Tobi, who was actually Uchiha Madara. Madara explained that Sasuke had survived and that his Sharingan would surpass Itachi's as well. Itachi himself remained in the countryside, watching the rain fall. Kisame questioned whether the rain hid tears since Itachi was the last Uchiha. Itachi said it didn't and that he wasn't the last one anyway. Sasuke and his Team Snake continued their journey to track down Itachi, eventually arriving at an old Akatsuki base. Elsewhere Itachi moved to confront Naruto, who was searching for him with teams from Konoha. Naruto asked if Itachi planned to capture him, Itachi explained that he only wanted to talk. Before Naruto could learn more, Itachi dispersed into crows to handle matters elsewhere. Inside the Akatsuki base Sasuke found his brother. The two engaged in battle after some nostalgic small talk. Sasuke quickly gained the upper hand but Itachi dispersed into crows once again, telling his brother their fight would conclude on more familiar turf, another compound used by the Uchiha. Team Snake continued on and were confronted by Kisame. Sasuke had his team stay behind while he moved on towards his final confrontation with Itachi. Within the hilltop Uchiha compound Itachi watched his younger brother arrive. Reclining in a stone throne in front of a painting of nine tails, Itachi asked his brother what he saw with his Sharingan. Sasuke replied he saw his brother's death. In an instant Itachi stood beside Sasuke and stated he would see how good Sasuke's vision was. The brothers then began to engage in hand to hand combat. Sasuke moved to use his sword and Itachi used his kunai in defense. Sasuke formed Chidori and maneuvered Itachi into the air, where he pierced him with his sword. Sasuke pinned Itachi to the ground and offered than when the battle was through, he would ask a question. Itachi merely pointed to the figure reclining in the throne, Itachi himself. The Genjutsu disappeared and Itachi stated Sasuke could go ahead and ask now. Suddenly a blade pierced through the throne's back, revealing Sasuke had used a Genjutsu as well. Sasuke then asked who the third Mangekyou user was. Itachi revealed it was Uchiha Madara, but Sasuke did believe it. Itachi explained to his brother that people live their lives based on their definitions of reality, like the way Sasuke believed Itachi cared for his younger brother. Sasuke then yelled that his eyes are fully open now. Turning, he sent a Chidori sword towards yet another reclining Itachi. Itachi offered that Sasuke still didn't have the Mangekyou, but Sasuke responded that it did not matter. At this point Zetsu emerged to observe and commentate on the fight, revealing the two brothers had still not moved from the time of Sasuke's initial arrival. All their movements to that point had been carried out in Genjutsu. Itachi then explained the Mangekyou's side effects to Sasuke. Sasuke offered that he knew secrets about the Mangekyou as well, stating that blindness is the cost of being able to control the Kyuubi. Something revealed to him by the secret scroll in the Uchiha shrine. Itachi then began to explain the process of obtain "Eternal" Mangekyou. A joy sprang to Itachi's face as he finally revealed that Sasuke would be his spare. The two brothers would carry out the Uchiha legacy: the killing of friends to obtain Mangekyou, and the killing of siblings to make it eternal. Sasuke felt the manic drive within Itachi and brushed it off, stating the moment of his revenge had finally come. Itachi replied that since Sasuke had never attained Mangekyou, his revenge would never happen. Sasuke let his brother know he was wrong; the power of his hate would make it a reality. Sasuke then launched wave after wave of shuriken which Itachi reflected in turn with his own. The two brothers then drew blades and exchanged attacks. Sasuke followed by hurling a giant shuriken which cut through one of Itachi's clones. The clone dispersed into crows which blocked Itachi's quick movement to pin Sasuke to the wall. A helpless Sasuke then cried out as Itachi removed his eye. Sasuke then used his cursed seal to generate a wing and knock Itachi back. Itachi offered that their power difference was too great and then restrained Sasuke again and moved to take his other eye. Reality then broke down revealing Itachi had used Tsukuyomi. Sasuke collapsed but Itachi grabbed at his left eye, revealing it was Sasuke himself who broke the powerful Genjutsu, causing it to backfire against Itachi. Itachi said he would make that dream of taking Sasuke's eyes a reality, and he would do it with Amaterasu. Itachi focused his eye and Sasuke hurled another giant shuriken before he could begin. Itachi avoided the blade but then saw another in its shadow. He avoided it as well, but Sasuke was one step ahead, using wire to break apart one of the shuriken and bring one of its blades back into Itachi's calf. Itachi removed the blade and looked at Sasuke with dim vision. The brothers exchanged fireballs and took the fight to the roof. As they exchanged flames the tide began to turn against Itachi. He then closed his right eye and began to launch bursts of black Amaterasu fire. Sasuke moved to avoid the bursts but one connected with his hand wing. Sasuke collapsed to the roof and blood began to fall from Itachi's right eye. As he moved to take his brother's eyes, he saw that the body was a molten shell, with the real Sasuke in the room below. Sasuke had used Orochimaru's replacement technique to avoid the attack and get into position. Sasuke then went fully level two and began to unleash gigantic dragon fireballs upwards towards his brother. Many missed but one connected with Itachi's right arm. Both brothers went to their knees exhausted but Sasuke stated he had one final jutsu. Itachi told his brother to drop the act, as he knew he was out of chakra. Sasuke said that was true, but he came prepared. Lightning began to crackle in the heavens above and Sasuke raised a Chidori charged fist to call down his impossible to avoid attack. As rain began to fall it was revealed the dragon fireballs had been used to heat up the sky and help generate thunder clouds. This allowed Sasuke to control the generated lightning, which would be more powerful and quicker than any elemental lightning. Itachi was hit directly by the attack and the compound was obliterated. Sasuke fell to his knees in triumph but Itachi was not yet done. As he rose a skeletal form began taking shape around him. Itachi acknowledged Sasuke's strength and revealed that it would have been his end if not for his own last Mangekyou jutsu, Susanoo. Soon the skeleton grew muscle and armor took shape. Due to Sasuke's lack of chakra, the suppressed Orochimaru emerged out of his cursed seal. Soon a gigantic eight-headed snake stood before Susanoo. It quickly moved to strike and Susanoo in turn used its sword to decapitate the beast. From one of its heads emerged Orochimaru, who thanked Itachi for weakening Sasuke enough to release him. Before he could finish though Susanoo's sword had impaled Orochimaru, and began to seal him away forever, one of the swords special abilities. Itachi walked towards Sasuke but then suddenly stopped to grab his chest and cough up blood. Sasuke threw all his remaining weapons at Itachi but they were all blocked by Susanoo's shield. Sasuke quickly found himself pinned between rubble and Susanoo. He could only look on in shock as Itachi reached out to finally claim his prize. As the bloody fingers reached out Itachi whispered some inaudible final words to Sasuke. His fingers stopped however, as his body finally failed him. Bloody fingers poked Sasuke in the forehead and then trailed down across his face as Itachi collapsed to the ground. Sasuke could only continue to look on in shock as he had somehow outlasted his brother. Zetsu looked on in amazement and tried to fathom how Itachi had fallen; figuring he apparently came into the fight already injured in some fashion. The rain began to fall again causing the blood on Sasuke's forehead to run down his face and cheek. A weakened Sasuke smiled, closed his eyes and collapsed next to his brother.He had finally achieved his revenge.
