In the world of Naruto, Genjutsu is less common than ninjutsu or taijutsu, but it’s no less useful. Genjutsu allows users to create illusions that range from mere images to painful, world-enveloping nightmares.
Who are the best genjutsu users in Naruto? The ultimate attack in Naruto Shippuden, Infinite Tsukuyomi, is the work of one of the strongest genjutsu users, Madara Uchiha. However, there are plenty of others beyond Madara.
Most members of the Uchiha clan are adept at this ability, and lesser-known users like Yakumo Kurama, who can create illusions powerful enough to impact the real world, are worth noting too.
1. Itachi Uchiha
As a mangekyo sharingan user, Itachi Uchiha has incredible genjutsu prowess. His special technique is Tsukuyomi, which traps his targets’ minds in a false world filled with illusions of his choosing.
Itachi can use this for any purpose, from conveying information to mental torture.He used Tsukuyomi on Sasuke after slaughtering the whole clan, forcing the eight-year-old to relive what his brother had done thousands of times.
This deranged act cements Sasuke’s desire for revenge.
2. Shisui Uchiha
Though he only appears in flashbacks, Shisui Uchiha has one of the most formidable genjutsu abilities in Naruto history.
Shisui’s mangekyo sharingan allows him to control other people’s thoughts in such a subtle manner his targets don’t even know it’s happening.
Originally, Shisui was supposed to use this ability to quell the Uchiha uprising, but that plan was scrapped in favor of the massacre on the grounds it was only a temporary solution.
3. Madara Uchiha
Madara Uchiha uses ninjutsu more than genjutsu, but he’s also one of the most powerful ninja in history, no matter the technique. He’s able use the sharingan to its fullest extent, and he can cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
When the Infinite Tsukuyomi reflects off the moon, it creates a permanent illusion that traps the entire world in a dreamlike state, allowing Madara to do whatever he wants with their helpless bodies.
4. Gengetsu Hōzuki
Gengetsu Hōzuki is the second Mizukage. Though long dead by the time the series begins, he and many other characters are brought back during the Fourth Shinobi World War.
By combining genjutsu with summoning techniques, Gengetsu can bring forth a giant clam that spews a thick mist. The haze creates wide-scale illusions that can’t be broken unless the clam is killed.
5. Sasuke Uchiha
Sasuke Uchiha is a multi-talented ninja with a wide variety of abilities, but one of his most noteworthy skills involves genjutsu.
Although Sasuke doesn’t have many specialized genjutsu skills, he can utilize the chakra technique in a startling variety of ways, depending on the situation.
Using his sharingan, Sasuke can erase memories, convey information to allies, break an enemy’s genjutsu, create illusions, and control a target’s behavior. Once he awakens his rinnegan, Sasuke can even control tailed beasts.
6. Kaguya Ōtsutsuki
The alien princess Kaguya Ōtsutsuki is the final villain in Naruto Shippuden, so it stands to reason she’d be exceptionally powerful.
Among other skills, Kaguya excels in is genjutsu. Like Madara, she’s able to cast Infinite Tsukuyomi, which permanently traps the population of Earth in an illusory world.
After casting this powerful genjutsu, Kaguya turns many of her targets into White Zetsu who serve and obey her.
7. Obito Uchiha
Obito Uchiha isn’t as skilled at genjutsu as some of the other members of his family – largely due to having given one of his sharingan to Kakashi – but his skills are still noteworthy.
Despite his sacrifice, Obito is able to use all of the abilities inherent in the sharingan, like creating illusions, controlling people’s actions, wrangling tailed beasts, and dispelling other genjutsu.
On top of this, Obito also performs Izanagi, a banned genjutsu technique that makes lasting changes to physical reality; arguably a step up from casting illusions.
8. The Two Great Sage Toads
The Great Sage Toads Fukusaku and Shima are a husband-and-wife team from Mt. Myōboku. They may be small, but their genjutsu technique is anything but.
Together, the two of them use sound-based genjutsu – basically, extremely loud bursts of sound – to confuse, annoy, and otherwise distract opponents.
9. Tobirama & Hashirama Senjuu
If you’re more familiar with the Naruto manga, you might associate the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique with Hashirama Senjuu, but if you’re an anime-only Naruto fan, you’ve seen Tobirama wreak havoc with it.
As such, both get credit for being incredible genjutsu users. This technique does what the name implies—it bathes the target in darkness, taking away their vision and allowing the user to attack more easily.