Naruto Theory: Why Each Mangekyo Is Different

The Mangekyo Sharingan is a very powerful Dojutsu granted after experiencing great trauma but what exactly determines the powers they bestow? Each set of eyes seems to give different abilities and today I will present my theory on how the Mangekyo’s abilities are determined.

I believe that each individuals abilities are symbolic of each individuals feelings and emotions surrounding the time of their awakening. Let me explain this with each character.

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Itachi’s Mangekyo allowed him to use Genjutsu that could alter time as well as Amateratsu to burn its target until it is gone. Itachi’s awaking occurred when his best friend, Shisui, committed suicide.

His abilities could be determined by Itachi wanting to change time or rewrite time so things like this wouldn’t need to happen, which would explain Tsukuyomi, which alters time with Genjutsu. The Amateratsu could be symbolic of Itachi’s anger at Shisui’s death which was evident by his loss of composure when confronted by his fellow clan members about Shisui’s death.

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Now to examine Sasuke. When he awakened his Mangekyo he gained Amateratsu as well as the ability to control the flames and extinguish them. Firstly, the Amateratsu could be explained by Sasuke’s anger towards those who forced Itachi into his situation.

They are symbolic of his hate and anger towards the village elders. His ability to control the black flames could be symbolic of Sasuke wanting to alter the events that happened prior to his awakening.

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Both Obito and Kakashi awakened their Mangekyo when Kakashi accidently killed Rin while Obito watched on. I will explain Obito first.

Obito gaining the ability to use Kamui to make himself intangible and teleport to another dimension can be explained by how numb he became after witnessing Rin die. His heart was shattered by this because his love was gone.

His intangibility is symbolic of his inability to feel anymore. The teleportation to another dimension can represent Obito’s loneliness he now felt. He lost the person he cared for the most and was lonelier than ever, as if he were in a world inhabited by himself and himself alone.

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However Kakashi’s Kamui is a long range use of the technique. This could be symbolic of Kakashi wishing to reach out to Obito to apologise for not fulfilling his promise.

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Madara’s Mangekyo mainly revolved around his use of Susanoo but he also demonstrated the ability to change time slightly. This could be symbolic of Madara’s regret about loosing his younger brother and gaining his eyes, wanting to change the events on the day it happened.

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With Shisui’s Mangekyo I believe his Kotomatsukami is a reflection of his desire to alter future events to make up for his own loss. Shisui awakened his Mangekyo when his friend nd rival was killed and I believe that his Kotomatsukami developed so he could use it to prevent anymore loss.

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Everyone who awoke Mangekyo in both their eyes also gained the ability to use Susanoo. Now Susanoo is meant to be an all powerful protector to shield the user from harm.

But only those who gained the Eternal Mangeyko Sharingan gained a full bodied Susanoo, except for Kakashi who I believe had a pseudo EMS. I believe that this evolution is due to the power of the siblings who died for their brothers. The Susanoo is replaced by a more powerful version who represents Sasuke and Madara’s brothers looking over them and granting them new power. Again, it is symbolic and reflecting of the characters.

I believe that Kishi gave all these characters different abilities to show their individuality and to symbolise the characters themselves. Kishimoto loves symbolism, as do many artists, and I think he took this opportunity to create more symbolism of these characters and link it to their own stories and reflect their users.