The Shocking Truth Behind Minato’s Incomplete Rasengan

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This article contains spoilers from the Naruto series.

Summary

  • Minato created the Rasengan to protect Kushina, inspired by Tailed Beast Balls.
  • Minato never completed the Rasengan due to nature transformation requirements.
  • Had Minato lived longer, he could have surpassed the First Hokage in perfecting the technique.

In the world of Naruto, few signature moves carry as much weight and history as the Rasengan. This unique jutsu has a rich legacy that surpasses any other technique in the series. As followers are well aware, Minato Namikaze is credited with its creation, but even he acknowledged its numerous shortcomings.

Minato was planning to master the Rasengan, yet he never managed to do so, leaving numerous readers puzzled, particularly since Naruto ultimately succeeded in performing the technique. Although Kishimoto hasn’t explained it directly within the manga, there undoubtedly is a valid explanation behind this inconsistency.

How Minato Created The Rasengan

  • A Technique Crested to Protect Kushina
  • Based on The Tailed Beast Ball

The backstory of the Rasengan is truly captivating within the Naruto universe. This intriguing detail was unveiled in the Minato One-shot comic released approximately a year ago. In this comic, author Masashi Kishimoto illustrates Minato Namikaze witnessing the Tailed Beast Balls while engaged in combat with two Bijuus. The Rasengan technique intrigued him and led him to anticipate that during the war, Kushina, the host of the Nine-Tails, might be deployed. As such, Minato developed the Rasengan as a means to safeguard Kushina.

I will create it to keep Kushina safe! — Minato on creating the Rasengan

Initially, it was intended that Minato would construct something for her personal use. But instead, he developed the technique himself and utilized it to protect her from the Nine Tails. Remarkably, Minato’s ability allowed him to generate a smaller-scale Tailed Beast Ball by focusing his chakra and using its spin as a weapon. Although he was unable to compete with the Nine-Tails in terms of power, it was made clear that he was a ninja of equal stature to the First Hokage, as observed in the Minato One-shot.

Why Minato Couldn’t Complete The Rasengan

The Rasengan Required Nature Transformation

Despite the Rasengan being incredibly potent, Minato understood it could become even more powerful. Therefore, his ambition was to perfect the Rasengan, yet he didn’t get the chance to do so. Remarkably, Naruto Uzumaki achieved this feat and developed the Rasenshuriken. Later on, Konohamaru Sarutobi also mastered the Wind Release: Rasengan, and Boruto followed suit with their own adaptations of the technique.

Naruto, my message to you is the same as your nagging mother. I love you. — Minato Namikaze

Despite being universally recognized as the greatest genius among them, Minato was unable to fully master the Rasengan technique, even though he possessed three nature transformations. The reasons for this remain unclear, except that it’s believed his untimely death prevented him from perfecting it. It took Minato three years to develop the Rasengan, a period in his life when he was already well into adulthood. He was preoccupied with fighting wars and serving as the Village’s Hokage, leaving little time for refining the Rasengan. Tragically, on one fateful day, Minato met his end.

Could Minato Have Perfected The Rasegan?

Minato, undoubtedly, is among the most gifted ninjas in history. If he had lived longer, it’s safe to assume that he would have developed his own exceptional variation of the Rasengan and mastered it so profoundly that he may have even surpassed the First Hokage. His intelligence is unparalleled, and fans are convinced that with more time, Minato would have been capable of learning virtually anything. Remember, this is the same ninja who quickly controlled Kurama shortly after its return during the war, demonstrating his versatility in mastering techniques like the Rasengan in diverse ways.

You can find Naruto available for reading on both MangaPlus and the Shonen Jump app. By choosing to read it there, you’re not only enjoying the official version but also showing your support for the author.

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2025-04-12 00:24