Naruto: Why Is Sasuke's Rinnegan Perpetually Active?

Key Takeaways

Sasuke’s Rinnegan is unique with six tomoe, making it superior to others in Naruto.
His Rinnegan is always active due to being a borrowed power from the Sage of Six Paths.
Unlike other implanted dojutsu, Sasuke’s Rinnegan does not drain chakra, allowing him to keep it visible.

As a long-time Naruto fan who’s spent countless hours poring over every detail of this epic saga, I must say that Sasuke’s Rinnegan is one of the series’ most intriguing enigmas. And while we may never get a definitive answer from Kishimoto-san himself, let’s dive into some theories to explain why Sasuke can’t deactivate his Rinnegan like Madara could.

In the world of Naruto, the power system is incredibly intricate and full of subtle complexities. However, one aspect that stands out as particularly unusual is dojutsu, which represents the highest level of power in the series. Dojutsu, or ocular techniques, are a fascinating part of the storyline, each one functioning uniquely. For instance, Sasuke’s Rinnegan exemplifies this peculiarity, as its operation principles are quite innovative.

As a devoted fan, I find myself consistently captivated by the unique nature of Sasuke’s Rinnegan. Unlike other users of Dojutsu, who possess the ability to voluntarily switch on or off their eye techniques, Sasuke’s Rinnegan operates in a perpetual active state. This isn’t your typical transplanted eye situation, where users are often unable to turn off their dojutsu. However, there are several compelling theories that could shed light on why Sasuke’s Rinnegan never shuts down.

How Did Sasuke Acquire His Rinnegan?

Sasuke’s Rinnegan Is a Result of Hagoromo’s Chakra

Naruto: Why Is Sasuke's Rinnegan Perpetually Active?

Episode	Naruto Shippuden, Episode 424 “To Rise Up”
Air Date	August 13, 2015

Reaching the peak of power, the Rinnegan, is considered the ultimate achievement within the Naruto universe. This pinnacle can be reached through various paths, some less conventional than others. The principal way to unlock the Rinnegan is by securing Asura and Indra’s chakra, a feat that becomes possible only when the chakra of both their reincarnations combines. So far, only two characters – Madara and Sasuke – have managed to awaken the Rinnegan through this method in Naruto.

Even so, these two characters, Madara and Sasuke, got their Rinnegan in distinct ways. While Madara obtained his Sharingan through a violent fusion of Hashirama’s cells within him, creating a blend of Asura and Indra’s chakras – which eventually led to Hagoromo’s chakra – Sasuke received his Rinnegan as a gift from the Sage of Six Paths, bypassing the process Madara had to endure.

Why Sasuke’s Rinnegan Is Different

Sasuke’s Rinnegan Is the Most Unique Dojutsu in Naruto

Sasuke acquired the Rinnegan from Hagoromo, making his eye technique distinct compared to other users of this power seen in Naruto. Unlike most Rinnegan users, Sasuke’s version has six whorls (tomoe) embedded within its design. The number of tomoe indicates a dojutsu’s potency, so Sasuke’s six-whorled Rinnegan is significantly stronger than other instances.

As a dedicated Naruto fan, I’ve got to say, Sasuke’s Rinnegan is unlike any other. Unlike Madara’s version, his Rinnegan doesn’t switch off. Even when he can deactivate his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan on command, the Rinnegan stays lit up. It’s one of those enigmas that Naruto’s universe is known for, and while we can’t be sure about the answers yet, there are some theories out there trying to shed light on this peculiarity.

Sasuke’s Rinnegan Is a Borrowed Power

The Rinnegan Cannot Be Deactivated Due to Its Status as a Borrowed Power

Characters like Nagato, Obito, Ao, and even Sasuke possess dojutsus that can’t be turned off because they acquired these powers through borrowing or receiving them from others, not by awakening them themselves. For example, Nagato and Obito have the Rinnegan, while Ao has the Byakugan. These aren’t their naturally-awakened abilities. In Sasuke’s case, his Rinnegan is a kind of borrowed power as he received it as an enhancement from the Sage of Six Paths directly, not by awakening it himself like Madara did.

Over time, Madara’s body gradually combined Hashirama cells with his own genetic material, leading to the natural development of his Rinnegan. This gradual process allowed him to turn off his Rinnegan whenever he wanted. Conversely, Sasuke received his Rinnegan suddenly from the Sage of Six Paths, making it an external power that cannot be deactivated.

Why Doesn’t Sasuke Cover His Perpetually Active Rinnegan?

This explanation begs the question as to why Sasuke isn’t forced to cover his perpetually active Rinnegan, since implanted dojutsu are a source of continuous chakra drainage. Kakashi is a prime example, a character who has been plagued by his borrowed Sharingan’s incessant chakra drainage. To combat these effects, Kakashi was forced to cover up his perpetually active Sharingan with his mask. Fans often deem Sasuke’s Rinnegan to be truly his due to the fact that he can keep his dojutsu active without chakra drainage.

Regardless of whether the Rinnegan is naturally born or implanted, it appears that those who possess it can sustain the eye without significant chakra loss, suggesting that the Rinnegan doesn’t require a large amount of chakra in its basic state. This means Sasuke can keep his base Rinnegan active continually without covering it. Some assume that Sasuke might be intentionally keeping his Rinnegan always on. However, this theory is weakened by the observation that Sasuke has deactivated his Eternal Mangeko Sharingan in Boruto multiple times, yet his Rinnegan remains active under all circumstances, even involuntarily.

Naruto is available to stream on Prime Video.

2024-10-23 21:33

Naruto: Why Is Sasuke’s Rinnegan Perpetually Active?