Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja, is one of the most beloved characters in the Naruto universe. His stoic demeanor, exceptional skills, and tragic backstory have captivated fans worldwide. A significant part of his allure stems from his possession of the Sharingan, a powerful visual jutsu typically exclusive to members of the Uchiha clan. However, Kakashi is not an Uchiha. What’s even more extraordinary is that he awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, an advanced form of the Sharingan, under unique and heartbreaking circumstances. This article delves deep into the details surrounding how Kakashi obtained his Mangekyou Sharingan, exploring the emotional turmoil and pivotal events that led to this transformation.
The Gift and the Sacrifice: Obito’s Legacy
To understand how Kakashi acquired his Mangekyou Sharingan, we must first revisit his relationship with Obito Uchiha. During the Third Shinobi World War, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara were a team under the leadership of Minato Namikaze. Obito, initially portrayed as a somewhat clumsy and idealistic ninja, harbored deep feelings for Rin.
During a mission, the team was ambushed, and Rin was kidnapped. Obito was adamant about rescuing her, but Kakashi, prioritizing the mission’s success, initially hesitated. Obito’s impassioned plea, emphasizing the importance of protecting their comrades, resonated deeply with Kakashi, who had been burdened by his father’s choice to prioritize comrades over the mission years prior.
They eventually found Rin, but were once again ambushed. In a desperate attempt to save Kakashi from a falling boulder, Obito was crushed. Believing he was about to die, Obito asked Rin to transplant his left Sharingan into Kakashi, seeing it as a gift to replace Kakashi’s lost left eye from an earlier encounter. This selfless act marked a turning point in Kakashi’s life and cemented Obito’s legacy.
The transplantation was performed by Rin, and Kakashi, now wielding the Sharingan, was able to defeat the remaining enemies and escape with Rin. Kakashi was deeply affected by Obito’s sacrifice, vowing to protect Rin in his stead.
The Catalyst of Awakening: Rin’s Death
The circumstances surrounding the awakening of Kakashi’s Mangekyou Sharingan are arguably the most tragic in the entire series. Following Obito’s supposed death, Kakashi remained true to his promise and dedicated himself to protecting Rin. However, their lives took another devastating turn.
Rin was kidnapped by Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village) ninja, who planned to turn her into a weapon against Konoha. They sealed the Three-Tails (Isobu) within her, intending for the beast to be released and rampage through Konoha upon her return. Rin, realizing the danger she posed to her village and loved ones, made a heart-wrenching decision.
As Kakashi attempted to rescue her, Rin deliberately positioned herself between Kakashi and a Chidori (Lightning Blade) attack he was launching at the Kirigakure ninja. The Chidori, a high-speed, piercing jutsu, fatally struck Rin, ending her life.
The simultaneous witnessing of Rin’s death by both Kakashi and Obito (who was revealed to be alive and watching through the Kamui dimension) triggered the awakening of the Mangekyou Sharingan in both of their eyes. The sheer trauma and grief associated with the loss of someone so deeply cherished activated this advanced form of the Sharingan.
It’s crucial to note that the Sharingan evolves in response to powerful emotional experiences, particularly loss. The intensity of the grief experienced by Kakashi and Obito at that moment was sufficient to unlock the Mangekyou Sharingan.
The Power Unleashed: Kamui’s Unique Ability
Kakashi’s Mangekyou Sharingan granted him the unique ability called Kamui. This space-time ninjutsu allows him to teleport targets to a different dimension. This dimension is a barren, desolate landscape, effectively trapping anything sent there.
Kamui’s mechanics involve warping space around the target, creating a vortex that sucks them into the Kamui dimension. The range and precision of Kamui improved significantly as Kakashi gained more experience with the Mangekyou Sharingan.
Initially, Kakashi’s control over Kamui was limited. He experienced significant chakra drain and physical exhaustion after using it, especially in rapid succession. Over time, he learned to refine his technique and mitigate these drawbacks. His version of Kamui, derived from Obito’s left eye, had a limited range in that it required physical focus on the target to activate the ability.
The Mangekyou Sharingan, while powerful, is not without its consequences. Frequent use leads to progressive blindness, a fate Kakashi narrowly avoided due to his status as a non-Uchiha.
The Reunion and the Resolution: A Temporary Gift
During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Kakashi faced numerous challenges and losses. Obito, having been manipulated by Madara Uchiha, became one of the war’s primary antagonists. The conflict brought Kakashi and Obito face-to-face, forcing them to confront their shared past and the diverging paths they had taken.
In a pivotal moment during the war, Obito, redeemed from his darkness, sacrificed himself to protect Naruto and the Allied Shinobi Forces from Kaguya Otsutsuki. Before his death, Obito temporarily transferred his chakra and both of his Mangekyou Sharingan eyes to Kakashi.
With both Mangekyou Sharingan active, Kakashi gained access to Obito’s Susanoo, a powerful, ethereal warrior composed of chakra. He used this overwhelming power to fight alongside Team 7 and ultimately contribute to the defeat of Kaguya.
This temporary power-up was a significant boost for Kakashi, allowing him to demonstrate the full potential of the Mangekyou Sharingan and prove himself as a formidable shinobi. However, after Obito’s chakra dissipated, the Mangekyou Sharingan vanished from Kakashi’s eyes, and he reverted to his original Sharingan eye. In the end, after the war, he permanently lost the Sharingan.
Why Kakashi’s Mangekyou Sharingan is Unique
Several factors contribute to the uniqueness of Kakashi’s Mangekyou Sharingan story:
- Non-Uchiha Wielder: Kakashi is one of the few known characters who has used the Sharingan without being an Uchiha. His proficiency with the Sharingan, despite not being a member of the clan, is a testament to his exceptional talent and adaptability.
- Tragic Awakening: The circumstances surrounding the awakening of his Mangekyou Sharingan are deeply rooted in loss and trauma, making it one of the most emotionally charged moments in the series.
- Kamui’s Versatility: The Kamui ability is exceptionally versatile and powerful, making Kakashi a formidable opponent. His strategic use of Kamui has saved countless lives and played a crucial role in several battles.
- Obito’s Influence: Kakashi’s entire experience with the Sharingan is inextricably linked to Obito. Obito’s gift and subsequent actions shaped Kakashi’s life and abilities in profound ways.
- Temporary Dual Mangekyou: The brief period when Kakashi wielded both of Obito’s Mangekyou Sharingan eyes and manifested Susanoo was a unique and awe-inspiring display of power, showcasing the peak of Kakashi’s abilities.
The Lasting Impact: From Copy Ninja to Hokage
Kakashi’s journey with the Sharingan, particularly the Mangekyou Sharingan, has significantly shaped his character and his role in the Naruto world. The loss of Obito and Rin instilled in him a deep sense of responsibility and a commitment to protecting his comrades.
His mastery of Kamui made him an invaluable asset to Konoha and the Allied Shinobi Forces. He used his abilities to defend against threats, rescue allies, and turn the tide of battle in numerous instances.
Ultimately, Kakashi’s experiences, both with and without the Sharingan, led him to become the Sixth Hokage. His leadership, strategic thinking, and unwavering dedication to the village made him a worthy successor to Tsunade.
While he eventually lost the Sharingan, the lessons he learned and the bonds he forged during his time with the powerful eye continued to guide him as Hokage. Kakashi’s story is a testament to the power of friendship, sacrifice, and the enduring impact of loss.
How did Kakashi initially awaken his Mangekyou Sharingan?
Kakashi did not awaken his Mangekyou Sharingan in the traditional way, which involves witnessing the death of someone close to them. Instead, it was believed he awakened it simultaneously with Obito Uchiha, after Obito’s apparent death during the Kannabi Bridge mission. The emotional trauma of witnessing Rin Nohara’s death directly impacted both Obito and Kakashi, triggering the dormant potential within their Sharingan and unlocking the Mangekyou Sharingan abilities.
This simultaneous awakening is a unique circumstance, suggesting a deeper connection between the two shinobi due to Obito’s Sharingan being transplanted into Kakashi’s eye socket. The shared trauma and the interconnected nature of their Sharingan likely contributed to this unusual activation, diverging from the typically required experience of witnessing a loved one’s death firsthand in Kakashi’s immediate presence.
What unique ability does Kakashi’s Mangekyou Sharingan possess?
Kakashi’s Mangekyou Sharingan grants him the ability to use Kamui, a powerful space-time ninjutsu. This technique allows him to warp targets to a different dimension. Initially, Kakashi could only use Kamui on targets within his line of sight, creating a vortex that would pull the chosen object or person into another dimension.
Later, with the increased chakra reserves and the use of both Obito’s eyes, Kakashi was able to utilize Kamui with even greater precision and range. He could even teleport himself and others across vast distances, making him an incredibly versatile and dangerous opponent in combat. This evolution of Kamui transformed Kakashi into a formidable fighter capable of both offense and defense through manipulation of space-time.
Why is Kakashi’s Mangekyou Sharingan so draining to use?
The primary reason Kakashi finds his Mangekyou Sharingan so draining is due to his lack of Uchiha blood. Unlike those born with the Sharingan, Kakashi wasn’t naturally suited to wielding its power. He constantly strains his chakra reserves to maintain and utilize the Sharingan, especially the Mangekyou Sharingan’s advanced abilities.
The constant chakra drain is exacerbated by his use of Kamui, a highly complex and demanding jutsu. The strain is so significant that it leaves Kakashi physically exhausted and weakens his overall combat effectiveness after only a few uses. This limitation made him strategically deploy Kamui rather than relying on it constantly, carefully managing his limited chakra.
How did Kakashi overcome the drawbacks of his Mangekyou Sharingan?
Kakashi initially never fully overcame the intrinsic drawbacks of his Mangekyou Sharingan, namely the immense chakra strain. He simply learned to manage its use effectively, understanding his limits and employing it strategically. He supplemented his fighting style with other techniques to conserve chakra and avoid over-reliance on Kamui.
However, during the Fourth Shinobi World War, Kakashi briefly received chakra from Obito and the Six Paths Sage Mode power from Naruto, which temporarily alleviated the chakra drain. While empowered, he could use Kamui much more freely. This boost allowed him to unlock the Susanoo, a manifestation that requires significant chakra reserves typically beyond Kakashi’s normal capacity. This enhancement was temporary, lasting only for a short period during the war’s climax.
What is the connection between Kakashi’s Sharingan and Obito Uchiha?
The connection between Kakashi and Obito is the origin of Kakashi’s Sharingan. Obito gifted his left Sharingan eye to Kakashi before his supposed death during the Kannabi Bridge mission. This gift was intended to be a symbol of friendship and a promise that Kakashi would protect Rin.
This transplanted Sharingan became Kakashi’s signature trait. It not only granted him enhanced visual perception and the ability to copy ninjutsu but also ultimately led to the awakening of the Mangekyou Sharingan. The shared trauma and potential connection between the eyes allowed for the simultaneous awakening of the Mangekyou, linking Kakashi and Obito’s fates inextricably.
What role did Rin Nohara play in the awakening of Kakashi’s Mangekyou Sharingan?
Rin Nohara’s death was the catalyst for the awakening of Kakashi’s Mangekyou Sharingan. Witnessing her death, orchestrated by Madara Uchiha, triggered intense emotional pain and trauma in both Kakashi and Obito. This shared sorrow unlocked the dormant potential of the Mangekyou Sharingan in both of them.
Rin’s sacrifice, intended to prevent her from becoming a tool to destroy Konoha, had unintended consequences. The emotional impact of her death transformed Kakashi and Obito. It spurred Kakashi to become a more hardened and skilled ninja, while driving Obito down a path of darkness and revenge, shaping the course of the entire Shinobi world.
Did Kakashi ever lose his Sharingan?
Yes, Kakashi did lose his Sharingan permanently after the conclusion of the Fourth Shinobi World War. After Obito used Izanagi to save Kakashi’s life from Madara’s attack and transferred his remaining chakra to Kakashi to use the complete Susanoo, Obito’s spirit bid farewell to Kakashi.
After Obito’s spirit departed, the Sharingan faded from Kakashi’s eye socket, as it was never naturally his. Without Obito’s chakra sustaining the Sharingan, it returned to its original owner. Kakashi, while no longer possessing the Sharingan, retained his exceptional skills and knowledge, continuing to serve as Hokage and a valuable asset to Konoha.