Kurama, also known as the Nine-Tailed Fox, is one of the most powerful tailed beasts in the Naruto universe. As a tailed beast made entirely of chakra, Kurama possesses immense strength and abilities, but he does not naturally have a Sharingan.
The Sharingan is a special Dojutsu or visual ability that can only be possessed by members of the Uchiha clan in Naruto. It allows users to perceive and copy movements and techniques, among other powers. Kurama, as a tailed beast, has no inherent connection to the Uchiha and thus cannot manifest or use the Sharingan on his own.
What is the Sharingan?
The Sharingan is a powerful ocular jutsu or eye technique that develops in some members of the Uchiha clan in Naruto. There are three main abilities of the Sharingan:
- The “Eye of Insight” allows the user to see chakra, predict movements, and mimic techniques using visual information.
- The “Eye of Hypnotism” can cast powerful genjutsu through eye contact.
- The “Eye of Analysis” gives the user the ability to copy almost any technique they see (with some exceptions).
In addition to these main powers, the Sharingan also grants incredible clarity of perception and the ability to track fast-moving objects. The potency of the Sharingan increases as users gain more tomoe seals in their eyes, with three tomoe being the maximum in most cases.
Why Doesn’t Kurama Have the Sharingan?
Kurama does not and cannot naturally awaken the Sharingan because he is not a member of the Uchiha clan. Only those born with Uchiha lineage and chakra can activate the Sharingan through intense emotion and training. As a tailed beast composed entirely of chakra, Kurama has no genetic relationship to the Uchiha clan or lineage.
Tailed beasts like Kurama are ancient, primordial entities of living chakra created by the Sage of Six Paths long ago in the Naruto world. They have their own immense powers and abilities, but do not inherently possess any visual prowess like the Sharingan. Kurama is not born from flesh and blood, so he cannot genetically inherit or awaken a Dojutsu ability that stems from human clans.
Can a Tailed Beast Use or Gain the Sharingan?
Based on the lore and canon of the Naruto series, it is likely not possible for a tailed beast like Kurama to naturally develop or use the Sharingan. However, there are some limited scenarios where a tailed beast could gain access to the Sharingan:
- If the tailed beast is sealed inside an Uchiha Jinchuriki who can use the Sharingan, they may be able to see through the Jinchuriki’s eyes while manifested.
- A Rinnegan wielder may be able to bestow Sharingan powers to a tailed beast through special techniques.
- Medical ninja implants are theorized to potentially give a tailed beast Sharingan eyes, but with no canonical evidence.
So in extremely rare and specific circumstances, it could be possible for a tailed beast to utilize Sharingan powers while manifested. But Kurama himself does not innately have or awaken the Sharingan through natural means. He lacks the Uchiha lineage to manifest this visual prowess on his own.
Does Kurama Use the Sharingan in the Story?
At no point in the Naruto manga or anime does Kurama himself use or possess the powers of the Sharingan. However, some key moments in the story relate to Kurama’s Jinchuriki using the Sharingan to impact him:
- When Kurama was sealed inside Naruto Uzumaki as a newborn, Naruto’s mother Kushina Uzumaki (an Uchiha descendant) used her Sharingan powers to restrain Kurama with chains and allow the sealing by the Fourth Hokage.
- Sasuke Uchiha can use his Sharingan to suppress and control Kurama’s chakra when manifested by Naruto during their confrontations.
- Madara Uchiha is able to summon Kurama with his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and control him through genjutsu during the Fourth Great Ninja War.
So while Kurama does not use the Sharingan himself directly, he is vulnerable to its powers when used against him by Uchiha clan members and his Jinchuriki throughout the story.
Kurama’s Abilities and Powers
Instead of the Sharingan, Kurama possesses his own natural tailed beast abilities and powers. These include:
- Massive Chakra Reserves – As the strongest tailed beast, Kurama boasts incredibly dense and potent chakra exceeding most shinobi.
- Tailed Beast Ball – Kurama can create giant orbs of destructive chakra to decimate opponents.
- Chakra Arms and Hands – Kurama exhibits great shape transformation with his chakra.
- Chakra Transfer – He can share his chakra with others, such as his Jinchuriki.
- Negative Emotion Sensing – Kurama can sense negative emotions and hatred in people’s hearts.
- Rapid Regeneration – He can quickly heal and regenerate from injuries due to his immense chakra.
With such immense natural tailed beast powers, Kurama does not need to rely on obtaining the Sharingan for additional visual prowess in battle. His vast chakra and raw strength make him an incredibly formidable opponent against most foes. When partnered with his Jinchuriki Naruto Uzumaki, their combined abilities can overcome even the Sharingan’s ocular powers in combat.
Conclusion
In summary, Kurama the Nine-Tailed Fox does not innately possess or use the Sharingan in the Naruto series. As a tailed beast, he lacks the Uchiha lineage required to awaken this visual jutsu naturally. Kurama relies on his own vast chakra and abilities without need for the Sharingan. While he is vulnerable to the powers of the Sharingan when used against him, Kurama does not and cannot obtain the Sharingan himself through any natural means currently known in the Naruto lore.