 |
This Article Contains Spoilers -
WARNING: This article contains major spoilers. If you do not wish to know vital information on plot / character elements in a story, you may not wish to read beyond this warning: We hold no responsibility for any negative effects these facts may have on your enjoyment of said media should you continue. That is all. |
|
| “ | I suppose I can't kill you, can I? After all, you die, I die. Your courage is impressive, little boy... Very well, as a reward for making it this far, I will loan you my chakra! | „ |
| ~ Kurama to Naruto Uzumaki. |
Kurama (also known as Kyūbi) is a major character in the manga/anime series Naruto and its sequel series, Boruto. He is the Nine-Tails Beast of the Tailed Beasts, that was sealed inside Naruto Uzumaki, the titular main protagonist of the series.
Often regarded with fear and hate because of its power, Kurama endured centuries of being sought after and as used as a weapon with many regarding it as a being that had no emotions or feelings. This in turn caused Kurama to develop a strong, undying grudge against humanity and often fight his hosts for control of their bodies.
After being sealed into Naruto following its release from its previous host, Naruto's mother, Kushina Uzumaki, Kurama again sought control of its host, occasionally succeeding in situations where Naruto was driven to the point of anger or rage. This allowed Kurama to manifest itself and gave Naruto the ability to cause incredible damage while under Kurama's influence.
However, in recent times, with Naruto having learnt to control Kurama while treating it with respect, Kurama overcame its hatred and resolved to help Naruto in regard to the two of them fighting together in the Fourth Shinobi World War.
After the death of Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, Kurama seemingly faded away after Naruto used the Baryon mode. Until three years later, he was revived inside the body of Naruto's daughter, Himawari Uzumaki as the next Jinchuuiki.
It was voiced by Tesshō Genda in the Japanese version of the anime, and Paul St. Peter (who also voiced Xemnas in the Kingdom Hearts series) in the English dubbed version.
Personality[]
Kurama shedding tears for the Sage.
Kurama is cynical, proud, foxy, cunning and manipulative. His belief that he is the most powerful Tailed Beast caused him and the Tailed Beasts to go their separate ways after their creator died. Kurama hates and distrusts humans, a trait shared by the other Tailed Beasts save Gyuki as they were captured and considered nothing more than tools for the humans' fight among themselves.
Despite his malice towards humans, Kurama made two exceptions, with the first being the Sage of the Six Paths, whose final words to him and the other Tailed Beasts brought him to tears. The second exception was Naruto, whom he had an extremely hostile relationship with due to his boy's role as his prison and taking advantage of his need to get strong in the hopes of breaking free. But seeing Naruto's compassion for the Tailed Beasts being abused by Tobi convinced Kuruma to aid Naruto while discarding most of his rage and malice.
Due to foxes and tanukis naturally being enemies, Kurama developed a rivalry with Shukaku. Kurama viewed Shukaku to be the weakest tailed beast. After Shukaku couldn't defeat Urashiki Ōtsutsuki, Kurama mocked Shukaku over being sealed into a seal tea kettle.
He also has some dislike for Gyuki. He is annoyed by Gyuki when he talktoo much. Kurama viewed Gyuki to be the second strongest tailed beast after himself.
Conversely, after being knocked unconscious by Himawari, he became terrified of her.
Biography[]
Past[]
Kurama with the other young, tailed beasts and the Sage.
Kurama was born towards the end of the Sage of the Six Paths, who used his power to take the Ten-Tails' chakra from its body and divide it into the nine tailed beasts to ensure that when he was gone, none would ever possess it. Some time afterwards, the Sage told Kurama and the others that they would always be together, even apart. He also said they would one day become one again with new names and forms, when they understood true power. As the centuries passed, Kurama would come to be considered an ancient force of nature, suddenly appearing in places where the darkest aspects of humanity festered and wipe them out.
Kurama devouring the Gold and Silver Brothers.
On one occasion, the Gold and Silver Brothers of Kumogakure were commanded to capture Kurama, only to be swallowed alive. However, they survived for two weeks, even taking in some of the fox beast’s power by feeding on its stomach flesh, before Kurama expelled them.
Kurama under Madara's control, fighting Hashirama.
At another point, Madara Uchiha, upon his turning against Konoha, used his Sharingan to enlist Kurama in helping him kill the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. The battle was titanic, creating a gigantic crater known as the Valley of the End, but Madara was defeated while Kurama was sealed within the body of Hashirama's wife Mito Uzumaki. It would be learned later that the seal keeping Kurama at bay could be weakened while his female Jinchuriki was in child labor.
Kurama sealed inside Kushina.
Eventually, when Mito's life was almost spent, Kurama was transferred into Kushina Uzumaki. Shortly after, he tried to take control of Kushina, but Minato managed to strengthen the seal and defeat him with the newly created Rasengan. Later, Kushina married Minato and became pregnant. Taking advantage of her birthing Naruto, Tobi (Obito Uchiha in disguise) made sure Kurama would break free and took control of the Nine-Tails to have him destroy the Hidden Leaf.
Kurama destroying Konoha.
Though Minato was able to break Tobi's hold over him, Kurama continued attacking Konoha due to his rage at the village responsible for sealing him away in the first place. Managing to teleport himself and Kurama back his wife's location, Minato resolved to seal the Nine-Tails within the newborn Naruto. However, due to the immense power Kurama had, Minato used the Reaper Death Seal to extract the Yin side of Kurama's being at the cost of his soul.
Kurama killing Minato and Kushina.
By then, Kurama realized Minato's intentions and attempted to kill Naruto before the process was complete. However, Minato and Kushina gave their lives to protect him, the parts of their souls absorbed in the process, and Kurama cursed the two as he was trapped in Naruto's body by the time the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived. Kurama's appearance in the Hidden Leaf had adverse effects that included Itachi Uchiha murdering his family when they plotted to take over after being accused of setting the Nine Tails on the village, his younger brother Sasuke Uchiha eventually becoming an enemy of Konoha upon learning the truth, and Kazuma gathering remains of Kurama's chakra to infuse into his son Sora.
First Encounters with Naruto[]
Naruto first meeting Kurama.
Naruto was originally unaware of being Kurama's Jinchuriki, treated as a outcast before learning the reason for it.
Naruto using Kurama's power.
It was also while thinking his team mate, Sasuke, was killed by Haku that Naruto subconsciously accessed Kurama's power and used it to defeat the Kirigakure ninja. After Orochimaru used the Five Elements Seal to cut off Naruto’s access to Kurama’s power, Naruto learned of his ability from Jiraiya who taught him to access it on command by placing him a near-death experience in order to summon Gamabunta, the Boss Toad. Seeing Naruto before him, Kurama stated his desire to eat him before giving the defiant Naruto the power he needed to ensure their mutual survival. Since then, Naruto would use Kurama's chakra during his fights with Neji, Gaara, Itachi, and Kisame Hoshigaki.
Naruto's one-tailed form.
During Naruto’s battle with Sasuke, Kurama healed the boy's injuries and deemed him weak, before giving him a full ninth of his chakra to assume his one-tailed Stage 1 Jinchuriki state through Naruto still lost to Sasuke when he used his Curse Mark. As revealed when training under Jiraiya, Naruto managed to reach to three tails before Kurama took over his mind and converted him into a four-tailed Jinchuriki form with Jiraiya nearly getting himself killed to snap Naruto out of it.
Struggles for Control[]
Giving Naruto back to Kakashi, Jiraiya informed him of Kurama's influence and gave him a special seal tag which he used when Naruto's rage over Gaara's death caused him to assume a two-tailed form to fight Deidara. With Kakashi hospitalized, Yamato was assigned to lead Team Kakashi to find out Orochimaru' location. But the reason for Yamato was due to his Wood Style resonating with the First Hokage's necklace and keep Naruto from being consumed by the Nine Tails. In the fight that followed, triggered by Naruto's anger at Orochimaru, Naruto assumed his Three-Tailed form with his mind nearly consumed by the Nine Tails chakra.
Fighting Orochimaru, Naruto's desire to defeat him enabled Kurama to take control have Naruto assume his Four-Tailed form.
In this state, Naruto became a mindless monster as he attacked everything, even his teammate, Sakura Haruno. When Yamato managed to suppress Kurama and Naruto realized he’d hurt Sakura, he swore to never use Kurama's power.
Even after nearly getting him killed by Sasuke, Naruto refused to accept Kurama's help before Sasuke appeared in his subconscious to the shock of Jinchuriki and Tailed Beast. Kurama was impressed by how strong Sasuke had become, noting how similar his chakra was to Madara before being easily suppressed as he warned Sasuke not to kill Naruto or he would regret it. Despite Naruto's refusal for his help, Kurama continued to pester Naruto and even sabotage his training sometimes.
During the invasion of Pain, Kurama took advantage of Naruto's rage over the assumed death of Hinata Hyuga to take control of his Jinchuriki and crush the First Hokage’s necklace as Naruto assumed his six-tailed state which overwhelmed Pain.
As his Jinchuriki began to use eight ninths of his power Kurama continued to influence Naruto into completely breaking the seal so he can free again. However, Minato stopped his son and restored the seal.
When Naruto returned to Mount Myoboku, he received Gerotora and the key to his seal so he could finally tame the Nine Tails in preparation for his battle with Sasuke. With the help of Killer Bee as his mentor, Naruto defeated his dark side and was brought to a room in a secret temple at the Falls of Truth, where he entered his subconscious to fight Kurama. Once Naruto released the seal, Kurama proceeded to battle him and Killer Bee as the former was attempting to siphon the Nine Tails chakra from him. Though Kurama almost took control of Naruto, he was stopped by Kushina who gave her son time to drain the Nine Tails dry of his chakra and trap him in a new seal.
Fourth Great Ninja War[]
Kurama in his new seal.
Though Naruto could assume Nine Tails Chakra Mode, Kuruma could use the duration to drain Naruto of his own chakra to the point of killing him if he remained in his form for too long. As Naruto and Killer Bee make their way to the Fourth Great Ninja War, Kurama dragged Naruto into his subconscious where he once more tempted the boy to release him. But seeing Naruto was not for it, Kurama instead scolded him for being naïve for thinking he could end the war and put an end to Sasuke's hated. Taking offense to the latter remark, Naruto pinned the Nine Tails down and told him he already planned out out to solve both issues while shocking the Tailed Beast with the promise to someday help him with his own malice. As a result, Kurama became a bit more compliant from helping Naruto fight Madara to allowing the Jichuriki to use his Nine Tails Chakra Mode for longer periods of time.
Kurama aiding Naruto.
Eventually, during the fight with Tobi and his Jinchuriki paths as he reflected on his history, Kurama began to see Naruto was not like the other humans he interacted with and stood back as his Jinchuriki managed to defeat Son Goku, who revealed his name to Naruto. Once Naruto convinced Son Goku that he would save him and the other Tailed Beasts from Tobi, Kurama offered to unite their separate chakras into one. Accepting the offer, having seen that Kurama has changed, Naruto removed the seal completely and acknowledged the Nine Tails as his teammate.
As a result of their new relationship, Kurama regained much of his potency while allowing Naruto to assume Tailed Beast Mode as they battled the other Tailed Beasts. Soon taking Naruto deep within the Tailed Beasts' personal space were Tobi couldn't follow, Kuruma talked with his kin, asking that if they also believed that Naruto was the one that the Sage of the Six Paths had told them about. Eventually, as Tobi resolved to begin Ten Tails's revial by feeding the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path Gyuki's tentacle and the prisons of the reanimated Gold and Silver Brothers, Kurama momentarily took over Naruto's body to explain the resulting doomsday while telling Tobi that Minato sealed him in Naruto to give the boy the power to defeat him.
While Kurama witnessed Neji Hyūga's death, he reflected on how Naruto's parents acted during the Nine Tails Attack. As Naruto and the rest of the shinobi were fighting against Obito and Madara, Naruto was recovering from his injuries while the rest of the shinobi were trying to deflect the Tailed Beast Bomb away. Much to Kurama's surprise, Minato appeared and sent the Tailed Beast Bomb away. Minato also has Kurama's other half of his Chakra.
After Naruto and the rest defeated Obito, they proceeded to battle Madara and destroying the Divine Tree. Sooner, Madara summoned the Gedo Statue, which began taking all of the Tailed Beast into it, leaving Naruto on the verge of dying. As Minato was trying to store his Kurama's chakra into Naruto, Black Zetsu got into the front of the action and stole all of his Chakra. As Obito appeared to grab Madara's hand, He punched his chest, absorbing the fragments of the Shukaku and Gyūki from Madara. As soon as Obito made it to the Kamui Dimension, he sent some tailed beast Chakra into Naruto. While Naruto was having a conversation with Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, all of the tailed beast, including Kurama, met up with its creator.
While Naruto and the others fought Kaguya, Naruto used his tailed beast Rasenshuriken to attack Kaguya. As Kaguya got attacked, all of the tailed beast within her began resonating. The Ten-Tailed Beast changed forms. As Kaguya was sealed, Kurama and all of the tailed beasts were freed. As Naruto was trying to get Sasuke to free everyone from the Infinite Tsukuyomi, Sasuke putted every tailed beast in a genjutsu and sealed them via Chibaku Tensei. As the fight between Naruto and Sasuke prolonged, Sasuke absorbed most of the tailed beast's Chakra, giving him Indra's form of Susano'o. As the fight was coming to an end, Kurama gave Naruto the last of his Chakra for Naruto to make his final move. As soon as Naruto and Sasuke reconciled, the two released the tailed beast from Genjutsu and the shinobi world from Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Boruto[]
Template:Spoiler Before the Hokage's speech, Himawari Uzumaki attacked Boruto for ripping her toy, leading for Naruto to jump in the front of the attack. As Naruto got struck by her Gentle Fist, Kurama felt the impact, leaving him feared of Himawari.
After the fight against Shin Uchiha and the clones, one of the clones attempted to stab Naruto, only for Kurama to block it at ease and intimidate him before Naruto relaxed him.
While Kawaki was wandering around the house looking for the last piece of the broken vase, Kurama comes out of Naruto to watch over him. Kurama explained to Kawaki on how Naruto lived and that he could relate Kawaki to him.
As Naruto, Sasuke, Boruto, and Kawaki were fighting against Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, Naruto was pushed to the point where Kurama decided to allow Naruto to activate Baryon Mode, leaving Naruto to think it would only take his own life. As Isshiki was killed, Kurama stated that it would only kill him and that he lied knowing that Naruto wouldn't have made that decision if he told the truth, leaving Naruto distraught. As Kurama was dying, he warned Naruto to be careful now that he no longer possessed him as with Kurama's death, Naruto would immedimately lost access to Kurama's chakra and abilities and then vanished for good, its life having come to an end.
Three years later, after Kawaki sealed Naruto and Hinata in a time pocket dimension against their will and took everything from Boruto using Ada’s Omnipotence, Kurama was revived in a small version of itself and became part of Himawari’s body as the new Jinchuriki.
Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals[]
Kurama as he appears in Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals.
Kurama made a minor appearance in the spin-off Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals. Due to that the series features Rock Lee as the main protagonist instead of Naruto, who appeared as a supporting deuteragonist, he had a smaller role. He made his only known appearance in the Episode 23, after Lee and Naruto accidentally swapped bodies. While having problems in facing Takigakure shinobi, Kurama used this to take over "Naruto" into accepting his power but was surprised to see Lee instead. Lee referred him to with a honorific "kun" and offered a green bodysuit as a present, to which Kurama instantly rejected it, saying it had no use for it. When Lee brought out a bone for Kurama as a replacement, the fox felt insulted and started to yell at him.
Seeing this, Lee came up with a parody of Nankyoko Monogatari, portraying Kurama as Taro, as his last attempt to try to befriend Kurama, but the irritated fox just simply scoffed it off. Noticing that Naruto and Lee's switched body situation had weakened the seal, Kurama made "Naruto" transform into his two-tailed chakra shroud, but chakra manifested themselves on his eyebrows instead of as tails shocking everyone. Kurama's chakra was soon suppressed by Kakashi with a Sealing Tag.
Powers and Abilities[]
Kurama firing a Tailed Beast Ball.
Kurama is the most powerful of the nine tailed beasts, possessing massive amounts of chakra to unleash mass destruction with his roars and Tailed Beast Balls, powerful energy spheres. Kurama can also sense negative emotions and in the anime, is able to create tornadoes and breath fire. It was first said that a swipe of one of his nine tails can raise tsunamis and flatten mountains. Though he lost the darker side of his being, Kurama was still an authoritative and formidable foe, having incredible strength, speed, and durability. Kurama can be weakened by attacks if caught off guard and can temporarily die if killed while sealed in its host. Because he is sealed in Naruto, Kurama can infuse the boy with his power and allow Naruto to use his chakra reserves.
Trivia[]
- Kurama's name translates to "nine lama" and may also come from Mount Kurama, a sacred mountain said to be home of the Tengu, Sojobo, who taught people ninjutsu and other martial arts.
- Kurama was inspired by the character of the same name from the manga, Yu Yu Hakusho. Like his namesake, Kurama is the based on the nine tailed fox spirit Kitsune from Japanese folklore.
- Kurama shares his English voice actor, Paul St. Peter with other antagonists: Xemnas, Yammy Llargo, Kiwimon, Apocalymon, Diaboromon, Kokomon, Antylamon, Cherubimon, SaberLeomon and Kouya.
- Kurama shares his Japanese voice actor, Tessho Genda, with other antagonists such as Toguro (Younger), Pierrot, and Kratos.
- Despite his death from both his and Naruto's usage of Baryon Mode (the usage of such jutsu was supposedly led to permanent death of Tailed Beast involved), fans expected Kurama to return to Naruto one way or another as Tail Beasts can reincarnate — a phenomenon which previously seen in his fellow Tailed Beast Isobu the Three Tails, who perished when his unwilling Jinchūriki Rin committed suicide only to reappear years later by the time Deidara and Tobi found him and there was no indication Isobu either escaped or extracted from Rin's body during such incident.
External Links[]
- Kurama on the Heroes Wiki
