Sensational

How reincarnation works in the Narutoverse? Like, it's the soul/spirit that reincarnates into a new body or is just the chakra that is passed down to a new person?

Reincarnation and Souls in Naruto

Hey Anon! This is gonna be a bit of a longer one. I have seen many people getting reincarnation in Naruto wrong. Term definitions, mistranslation allegations, and misconceptions about the involvement of souls in the reincarnation process. For some of these (particularly the mistranslation allegation), I had to look up Japanese raws.

Let me explain some vocabulary first.

Reincarnation in Japanese

In Japanese, there are different ways to say "reincarnation". Similarly, in Naruto, we encounter multiple different expressions and uses for "reincarnation" and even a few terms that are a little misleading. The two best translations for "reincarnation" are, however, "Umarekawari" (生まれ変わり) and "Tensei" (転生).

"Umarekawari" seems to refer to both rebirth and reincarnation. Meanwhile, "Tensei" appears to be more specific to reincarnation and the transmigration of souls. My friend who knows Japanese explained that "Tensei" is also commonly used in Buddhist contexts.

Fun fact! "Tensei" is also very commonly used in Isekai titles like "Mushoku Tensei" (Jobless Reincarnation) and "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime" (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken).

Tensei and Umarekawari in Naruto

In Naruto, "Tensei" appears, for example, in the context of "Edo Tensei" (穢土転生). "Rinne Tensei" (輪廻天生) uses a similar spelling, composed of the characters for "Heaven" and "Life", translating to "Heavenly Life", according to the Naruto wiki.

"Shinra Tensei" (神羅天征) and "Chibaku Tensei" (地爆天星) use the same pronunciation for the "tensei" part but not the same spelling. Hence, those terms do not translate to reincarnation. Instead, "Shinra Tensei" translates to "Heavenly subjugation" and "Chibaku Tensei" translates to "Heavenly Star" or "Heavenly Body Bursting".

As previously explained, "Tensei" translates to "Reincarnation". Now add "Sha" (者) and you get "Tenseisha" (転生者) which translates to "Reincarnated Person". "Tenseisha" is what Hagoromo uses to describe Naruto and Sasuke as reincarnates of Ashura and Indra. There are English translations of the manga that instead say "successor" but those are incorrect as you can see here.

How Reincarnation Works In The Narutoverse? Like, It's The Soul/spirit That Reincarnates Into A New Body

Obito uses a similar expression when referring to Nagato, but combines it with "Umarekawari". Interestingly, Obito doesn't refer to Nagato as an actual reincarnation but as the "reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths' wish for peace" - so it is not an actual reincarnation.

Jiraiya also refers to Nagato as "Umarekawari" when suggesting he might be the rebirth of the Sage of Six Paths.

Reincarnation Lore in Naruto

Since Nagato wasn't actually a reincarnation of any particular person, the only in-the-sense-of-the-word reincarnates we know of are Ashura's and Indra's reincarnates.

In their case, it is an endless cycle initiated by Indra and then always followed by Ashura. We know that the cycle takes its origin with Indra thanks to an elderly Madara, who had to die of old age first, years after Hashirama's own passing, before new reincarnates could be born. And even then, Sasuke (the Indra reincarnate) is born first ahead of Naruto (the Ashura reincarnate), who is born second.

Hagoromo describes the situation as "reincarnation", but that is not all he says. Specifically, he explains that Ashura's chakra is clinging to Naruto and that Naruto can feel his presence. Hagoromo doesn't explicitly state, however, whether that presence belongs to Ashura's soul or chakra.

Hagoromo makes it sound as though Indra's and Ashura's chakra are merely tagging along with Sasuke and Naruto, rather than being the same person. That makes the chakras of reincarnates still distinct from one another. It might be a similar situation as with Jinchuriki, basically, in which one soul uses another body as a host.

A reincarnate may retain access to Ashura's or Indra's chakra even in and after death, as seen in the case of Madara. This is what allows Hagoromo to return to the mortal world during the war arc. It is unknown, however, whether this chakra (Indra's) is naturally part of Madara's own reserves or whether it is exclusively stored in Madara's Rinnegan and his borrowed Hashirama Cells.

Regardless of which, a person will lose their status as "reincarnate" upon death. This means that chakra alone doesn't make a reincarnate, implying the existence of yet another component, such as the quantity of chakra or the existence of a soul.

And in spite of seemingly popular belief, Indra's and Ashura's souls (魂 "Tamashi") do indeed reincarnate alongside their chakra. This is confirmed in the fourth databook. This makes sense considering the use of the term "Tensei" - because why would you refer to a transmigration of souls specifically if no souls are involved?

Souls and Chakra

Ashura's and Indra's reincarnation cycles bring up an interesting question: What is the connection between chakra and souls in Naruto? While the manga doesn't make any explicit statements, we are shown time and time again just how closely related and deeply intertwined these two concepts are.

Chakra, in general, is not just an energy source. It often transports core aspects of a person. We are being told in multiple instances that chakra contains, is mixed, or clings to a person's will, consciousness, or memories. The most notable example is probably the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Same thing with Minato and Kushina. While, supposedly, Minato only sealed his and his wife's chakra within Naruto, the chakra in question appears to possess a certain consciousness. Alternatively, it may be capable of summoning Minato's and Kushina's souls for a short amount of time (similarly to how Hagoromo's soul gains access to the mortal world if there is chakra for his soul to cling to). Either way, the manifestations of his parents that Naruto meets inside his mind have personalities, thoughts, feelings, and memories.

This chakra is not able to self-sustain, however, possibly due to chakra's nature of being the product of physical and mental/spiritual energy that requires a physical body (please refer back to chapter #17). Although, it could also be argued that, if a physical, working body is not available, a soul might suffice as well (as is likely the case with Kurama).

While it could just be a coincidence, the appearances of Obito's soul in Kakashi's mind and Kushina's chakra in Naruto's mind follow a similar pattern. Both Obito and Kushina appear in a white void, share their special abilities with a loved one for a short amount of time, and then dissolve into something flame-like before fading away.

A potential connection between soul and chakra becomes even more likely when looking at two Jutsus: The Edo Tensei and the Shiki Fujin.

The goal of the Edo Tensei, as Kabuto describes it, is to bring back a target's soul from the Purelands (ninja heaven, basically). This requires a piece of the person's DNA and, in the end, their body's specific chakra is fully restored or replicated. Hence Madara is capable of recognizing Hashirama's chakra on the battlefield. Looking at Hagoromo's appearance during the war (see the screenshot from chapter 686), chakra seems to be a necessary component for a soul to return to the world of the living.

In the case of Shiki Fujin, the jutsu is supposed to seal a target's soul. But it is not debatable that the jutsu seals the target's chakra in equal measure, as seen in the case of Kurama.

Compiling all of this information together, and assuming that souls and chakra are not synonymous, it appears as though souls in the world of Naruto cannot exist without chakra. Perhaps even vice versa. The presence of chakra within the mortal realm immediately allows for if not causes the retrieval of a person's soul from the Purelands, as is the case with Hagoromo and likely Minato and Kushina as well.

It only makes sense that reincarnates, who inherit the majority if not all of Indra's and Ashura's chakra would become hosts to their souls as well.

Difference to Real World Reincarnation

Quite obviously, reincarnation in Naruto doesn't operate like it does in real-world religious beliefs. While in Buddhist/Hindu traditions, a reincarnate is the reborn person themselves, in Naruto, the reincarnate is more of a host to a soul.

But does that mean that the definition of "reincarnation" no longer applies to Naruto's and Sasuke's connection to Indra and Ashura? The answer is no.

Fiction does not always follow the standard definitions laid out by religion or mythology. It always takes its liberties. Take chakra for example, which, in Hindu beliefs, describes energy centers inside the human body. In Naruto, chakra is a mana-like resource that reflects a character's stamina. It is so unsimilar, the 8 gates are actually a much better parallel to real-world chakra.

Kishimoto often bends religion and mythology to suit his story's needs and make them his own. Had Kishimoto made a different choice, Madara's and Hashirama's revival during the war would have either been impossible or made no sense.

More Posts from Helene-ev and Others

helene-ev

2 years ago

I wish I wrote the way I thought Obsessively Incessantly With maddening hunger I’d write to the point of suffocation I’d write myself into nervous breakdowns Manuscripts spiralling out like tentacles into abysmal nothing And I’d write about you A lot more Than I should

- I Wish I Wrote the Way I Thought, Benedict Smith

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helene-ev

1 year ago

Really intrigued by Goodbye Cleveland! (even tho i don't watch naruto lol)

"When his father, for the first time in twenty years, sincerely asked if he “would like to become equal to his older brother,” Ashura understood - he has to get out of here, now.

It's not that he didn't want to do it sooner. Tbh - who needs him here? Father's followers, striving to chop off more from the "naive unfortunate boy"? To the father himself? Not even funny. To grown up peers who do not hesitate to recall past beatings and bullying? Indra, whom to reach is like to reach the moon by legs only?

Nii-san at least did not try to pretend being interested.

Ashura, although he was considered a "worthless renegade" - thanks, dad - was not an idiot, and he fully understood that something bad was coming. First, the father's strange behavior, now whispers in the back and sidelong glances... The simpleton's mask usually helped to avoid many problems, but now it only got in the way: the people around smiled condescendingly - "it's too hard for you."

For days and nights, Indra has being disappeared in the library (probably, he also sensed something was going wrong), Ashura - at the training grounds. Even if he never manages to become at least equal - to give up - is to not respect himself.

Well, okay, when nii-san finally comes into the inheritance, it will be possible with a clear conscience to take the share, tearfully say goodbye and dump into the sunset (to other worthless renegades).

But the kami had other plans."

***

Or the story in which Ashura Ootsutsuki, like a real youngest child, who had been oppressed all his childhood, is very tricky, very smartass and very vindictive xd

But being vindictive is not the same as being evil.

OR a story in which they try to force the entire inheritance on the youngest son for some political reasons - and in which Ashura Ootsutsuki simply says "no".

A story in which Indra Ootsutsuki tries to get his younger brother back, because being the only ruler was not as pleasant as he expected, while the younger brother resists intensely xd

A story that turned around 180°.

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helene-ev

2 years ago

TV TROPES

Amnesia.

Accidentally end up in a place and finds something. (A object?)

A rescue gone wrong.

A mysterious city of the past.

The truth about a mysterious tragedy. (The massacre of a family? Fall of a city?)

A dispute between founders of a place/organization.

A dispute between lines descendants of siblings.

Parallels of generations.

A legend about star crossed lovers. (Isabour and Etienne because I love them)

A place/kingdom/village under the control of a tyrant.

Someone someone thoughted to be dead is actually on the other side, unwilling or not. (Obito, Winter Soldier, Sawada Chiyohime).

Usurpation of Throne.

Rebel Student/Sucessor/Son

Discorvery of a Hidden Family Secret

Put more exemples in the tags if you want.

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helene-ev

7 months ago

You missed the mark! (Time Travel)

Extra: Otsutsuki

(they learn Kurama is willingly there)

anndd more sketches to give

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helene-ev

7 years ago

Fanart of Jam and Elizabeth from @moringmark’s ship war au٩( ᐛ )و I love these cinnamon rolls(≧∀≦)

Writing References: World-Building

20 Questions

Basics: World-building ⚜ Places ⚜ Imagery ⚜ Setting

Exploring your Setting ⚜ Kinds of Fantasy Worlds

Editing

Setting & Pacing Issues

Writing Notes

Animal Culture ⚜ Autopsy

Alchemy ⚜ Creating a Magic System

Art: Elements ⚜ Principles ⚜ Photographs ⚜ Watercolour

Creating Fictional Items ⚜ Fictional Poisons

Cruise Ships ⚜ Dystopian World

Culture ⚜ Culture Shock ⚜ Ethnocentrism & Cultural Relativism

Food: How to Describe ⚜ Word Lists: Part 1 2 3 4 5

Food: Cooking Basics ⚜ Herbs & Spices ⚜ Sauces ⚜ Wine-tasting

Food: Aphrodisiacs ⚜ List of Aphrodisiacs

Food: Uncommon Fruits & Vegetables

Greek Vases ⚜ Sapphire ⚜ Relics

Hate ⚜ Love ⚜ Kinds of Love

Medieval Art & Architecture: Part 1 ⚜ Part 2 ⚜ Some Vocabulary

Mystical Items & Objects ⚜ Talisman

Moon: Part 1 ⚜ Part 2

Seasons: Spring ⚜ Summer

Shapes of Symbols ⚜ Symbolism

Slang: 1930s

Symbolism: Of Colors Part 1 2 ⚜ Of Food ⚜ Of Storms

Topics List ⚜ Write Room Syndrome

Vocabulary

Agrostology ⚜ Architecture ⚜ Art Part 1 2 ⚜ European Renaissance Art ⚜ Fashion ⚜ Gemology ⚜ Geology Part 1 2 ⚜ Greek Art ⚜ Law ⚜ Literature Part 1 2 ⚜ Poetry ⚜ Science

Writing References: Plot ⚜ Character Development

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helene-ev

1 month ago

Is there a process for writing a novel, or does everyone just figure out what works for them? I feel like I’m making it up as I go and wondering if that’s normal.

This is a question that writers, especially new writers, ask across the board. Is there a process, a right way of creating the story, and am I doing it the best way possible?

If you’re interested in efficiency, you might hate the idea of moving full steam ahead on a project without knowing whether you’re using the best process for writing. So many writers provide “helpful” tips like “write every day.” When you think about it, that’s rather a worthless bit of advice, isn’t it? So what if I write every day? Am I writing in the right order? Will it all flow together in the end? What if I write every day, but none of it makes sense?

Well……

I’ve read a lot of books about writing and tried a lot of different processes. I’ve come to the conclusion, based on both research and practice, that there is no specific process for writing a novel. The number of workable processes is as abundant as the number of novels that exist.

But this is no reason to get discouraged!

We can still glean some wisdom from other writers who have finished novels and use their knowledge to help us finish our own. I love reviewing the details, however great or small, that other writers give to offer glimpses into their personal writing processes. These are some of the quotes that have helped me create my own personal process. I tend to operate in a more intuitive style than a direct, organised approach, feeling personally that a story must unfold naturally in order to flow in a way that makes sense to me. And I personally love the sandbox imagery! It makes the idea of a process seem more playful and far less serious and rigid.

What we can learn from other writers

The beauty of writing is that every author’s journey is unique, yet we can all learn from each other’s experiences. Some of the most insightful wisdom about the writing process comes from those who have walked this path before us. These writers don’t just tell us what to do, they share their personal relationships with the process, their struggles, and their moments of revelation.

What’s particularly striking about these perspectives is how they embrace the messiness and uncertainty of the creative process. Rather than prescribing rigid rules, they offer metaphors and frameworks that can help us understand our own approach to writing. Here are some particularly illuminating quotes that capture different ways of thinking about the writing process:

“I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.” —Shannon Hale

“I long ago abandoned myself to a blind lust for the written word. Literature is my sandbox. In it I play, build my forts and castles, spend glorious time.” —Rabih Alameddine

“I write just about everything piecemeal…It’s effective because it works; I’m never held up stewing about What Comes Next— I don’t care what comes next, I just care about something I can see happening. The order of the happening has a logic to it (often, more than one), and that will become clear to me as I work.” —Diana Gabaldon

“I think there are two types of writers, the architects and the gardeners. The architects plan everything ahead of time, like an architect building a house. They know how many rooms are going to be in the house, what kind of roof they’re going to have, where the wires are going to run, what kind of plumbing there’s going to be. They have the whole thing designed and blueprinted out before they even nail the first board up. The gardeners dig a hole, drop in a seed and water it. They kind of know what seed it is, they know if planted a fantasy seed or mystery seed or whatever. But as the plant comes up and they water it, they don’t know how many branches it’s going to have, they find out as it grows. And I’m much more a gardener than an architect.” —George R. R. Martin

Common writing processes

While there’s no “right” way to write a novel, there are several common approaches that writers tend to gravitate toward. Understanding these can help you find or develop a process that works for you:

The Plotter

Creates detailed plot outlines before writing.

Develops character profiles and backstories.

Maps out story beats and major plot points.

Researches extensively before drafting.

Works from a structured chapter plan.

The Pantser

Starts with a basic premise or character.

Lets the story unfold organically.

Discovers the plot through writing.

Makes notes about story elements as they emerge.

Revises extensively after the first draft.

The Plantser

Combines planning and discovery writing.

Creates loose outlines that allow for flexibility.

Plans major plot points but discovers the connections as they write.

Develops some characters fully while letting others evolve organically.

Adjusts the outline as the story develops.

Finding your process

The key to developing your own writing process is experimentation. Try different approaches and take note of what works best for you:

Start small

Test different methods on short stories.

Try writing scenes both with and without outlines.

Experiment with different planning tools and software.

Practice different prewriting techniques.

Observe your natural tendencies

Notice when you feel most productive.

Pay attention to what blocks your progress.

Identify your preferred writing environment.

Recognise your natural storytelling style.

Adapt and combine methods

Take elements from different approaches.

Modify existing processes to suit your needs.

Be flexible and willing to change methods.

Create hybrid systems that work for you.

Remember, your writing process can and should evolve as you grow as a writer. What works for one project might not work for another, and that’s perfectly fine. The goal is to find methods that help you tell your stories effectively and enjoyably.

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helene-ev

7 months ago

Writing References: Character Development

50 Questions ⚜ "Well-Rounded Character" Worksheet

Basics: How to Write a Character ⚜ A Story-Worthy Hero

Basics: Character-Building ⚜ Character Creation

Key Characters ⚜ Literary Characters ⚜ Morally Grey Characters

Personality Traits

5 Personality Traits (OCEAN) ⚜ 16 Personality Traits (16PF)

600+ Personality Traits

East vs. West Personalities ⚜ Trait Theories

Tips/Editing

Character Issues

Character Tropes for Inspiration

Tips from Rick Riordan

Writing Notes

Allegorical Characters

Binge ED

Childhood Bilingualism ⚜ Children's Dialogue ⚜ On Children

Culture ⚜ Culture: Two Views ⚜ Culture Shock

Emotional Intelligence ⚜ Genius (Giftedness)

Emotions ⚜ Anger ⚜ Fear ⚜ Happiness ⚜ Sadness

Facial Expressions

Fantasy Creatures

Happy/Excited Body Language ⚜ Laughter & Humor

Hate ⚜ Love

Health ⚜ Frameworks of Health

Identifying Character Descriptions

Jargon ⚜ Logical Fallacies ⚜ Memory

Mutism ⚜ Shyness

Parenting Styles

Psychological Reactions to Unfair Behavior

Rhetoric ⚜ The Rhetorical Triangle

Swearing & Taboo Expressions

Thinking ⚜ Thinking Styles ⚜ Thought Distortions

Uncommon Words: Body ⚜ Emotions

Voice & Accent

Writing References: Plot

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helene-ev

1 year ago

I've just realised that all this Indra/Madara/Sasuke VS Ashura/Hashirama/Naruto has nothing to do with who's right or wrong. Both projects were flawed. It's not about logic, reason or making concession. It's not even about good or bad, not at all. It's about power struggle. One side has a policy of imposing without consulting anyone, bluntly, straight to your face. The other one is imposing a project by using steps, like a soft power getting harder the more you resist their will. First I'm talking to you, if you're not convinced, I harass you for years, if you're still not convinced, I'll beat you and force you to accept with or without your consent (because you can't ignore me anymore now that I control you). And if you ever had the silly idea of changing your mind I'll kill you and all your family.

I quote the founders but there is millions of situations where I could have quote Naruto himself but you already know my attention span for him is super low so...

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