Why Naruto Characters Stopped Using Hand Signs

Hand signs are an iconic piece of the Naruto world. Characters weaved hand signs to mold chakra and use jutsus. However, and towards the end of Naruto Shippuden, in the War Arc, characters stopped using hand signs. Why is that? Did jutsus really change or is this mostly a misunderstading of the fans?
We will analyze the hand sign usage in different jutsus such as the Chidori and we will talk about different characters like Haku, Kakashi, Sasuke, Naruto, Madara to see what happened with the hand signs in the Naruto anime.
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[@DygoKnight]

What's your favorite hand sign use in the series?

[@thelegendarymarioman8461]

Fire style: fire ball jutsu

[@desmos5]

Chidori

[@r4nd0m1zer2]

When Madara was standing there menacingly and then made 1 hand sign to blast the shinobi alliance with a Majestic Destroyer Flame / Great Fire Annihilation

[@XENOX__69]

Kage bunshin no jutsu

[@prentisscovington8676]

Shadow clone jutsu

[@Synthia17]

One of the reasons I like the early arcs so much, it was about ninjas, clever tactics and strategy, not about being a demigod wizard with fancy eyes. They were still people back then and the series was pretty grounded even though you had people magically mastering elements.

[@asianpersuasion4901]

endgame naruto was kaiju battles. look at shukaku vs gamabunta/kurama :/

[@water5951]

They had fancy eyes but they were simple. When you think about it the sole ability of a 1 tomoe sharingan to copy jutsu is crazy and so much can be done with it. Don't get me wrong I love all the rinnegans and stuff but og Naruto you saw people taking what they had and abusing it, best example is shikamaru.

[@Synthia17]

@@water5951 I hate all the stupid demigod stuff, for me it would be better in a different ip or if everyone had some kind of access to similar stuff. Otherwise anyone without it is just a background fodder, whole chunin arc was a great example of what you said, everyone doing their best with what they had and still doing decent work, more or less.

[@Synthia17]

@@asianpersuasion4901 That battle was unique and still involved strategy and cooperation, later on in shippuuden it gets way worse.

[@water5951]

@@Synthia17 for me I think it comes back to the war arc, the whole series just goes wack there. Don't get me wrong I still absolutely love the war arc and I'm glad it existed but it wasn't really done well and wayyyyy over stayed it's welcome. I think removing around 80 episodes from it and putting it towards better fights would be great. Sense while I do love og Naruto fights Shippuden did have great ones like hidan vs shikamaru, Sasuke vs deidara, sasori vs chio. I think instead of having all the filler in the war arc they should've done some light novel stories like Itachi's and the Akatsuki ones. Along with some filler that's actually entertaining.

[@steveloge8119]

Sasuke and Minato, as well as Haku, have used single hand seals (Edo Minato while missing an arm, post-war Sasuke while also missing an arm)

[@no.1spidey-fan182]

Even Naruto did it in one of the Novels begore he got his arm replacement. One Armed Shadow Clone Jutsu

[@quentinjones6877]

@@no.1spidey-fan182 I feel like Naruto should've been using one handed signs if he's only going to make one shadow clone and both hands to make more throughout shippuden

[@SpeakHerMusic]

Was coming to say this

[@LuoSon312_G8]

Orochimaru and Jiraiya did as when when they locked and released the Kyuubi's seal during the Chunin exams.

[@divinefox4306]

@@quentinjones6877 didn't he like just cross his fingers for shadow clone during the final fight or is that anime only.

[@reluttr2]

They actually tried to make a in-universe explanation for the signless jutsu during the indra and asura arc. Basically the signless form of chakra manipulation was the original way to do it, but it was difficult to do and used a ton of chakra, so the sign system was made to help channel chakra the correct way to do what they were wanting to do. The reality is that production time and cost justified off screening the symbol weaving, then when you transition between manga and anime they interpreted it as "oh we dont have to pretend they use signs anymore", and it just became canon after a point.

[@blacksabbath5300]

I guess it could kind of make sense. A lot of anime and manga do this with things that require a similar kind of set up, nerf it in some way to do it the easy way to cut out all the extra whatever. In this case it’s difficult so requires mastery and drains more chakra. Another example is in bleach just cut out the incantation and you can lob out your kido, it’s just weaker and smaller scale for being faster and easier.

[@MRworldEtIkA]

I mean, if I'm being honest, it's a kind of fair explanation. They became more powerful each episode that it requires them fewer hand signs to cast some jutsus. hand signs look cool and all, and I think it draws the line between common ninjas and master ninjas.

[@zeri_rin]

​@@MRworldEtIkAexactly.

[@tiacool7978]

@@blacksabbath5300Not just Kido, their actual zanpakuto abilities used less incantations after a while if I remember correctly. I recall bankais originally requiring a longer incantation.

[@jeremygeorgia4943]

That's a bit like Harry Potter. At school, they taught how to do spells using wands & uttering a magic word. In reality one could learn to cast a spell without those tools, but it's easier to use a wand to focus & enhance one's power, and using the magic word, to make it easier to visualize the spell with their mind. The movies didn't do a good job of making it clear what was happening, but there was a point where they were actually taught to cast spells inaudibly. It was considered an advanced technique.

[@JukiCombo]

I always saw hand seals as the code of the jutsu. Stronger jutsu required more seals because the ninja had to "write" longer code for the more complex thing.

[@iLoveino]

Tobirama be like: "I will ignore that."

[@ancogbernard]

@@iLoveino yeah. most of tobirama tecnique have less handsign just like the multi shadow clone. its only have one handsign.

[@fg009letyrds8]

Only if they're not top tier Ninjas with top tier talent for controlling Chakra.

[@SecretMarsupial]

@@ancogbernard because OPs thought is nonsense. Hand signs were always about making it easier to mold chakra and bot about a “code”

[@sasukeuchiha998]

it was the konami code of ninjas.

[@azaluna2136]

Hands signs disappearing just shows the main problem with Naruto. It became less about ninjas and strategy and more about who has the better bloodline cheat power, aliens, and who can blow up the most mountains.

[@chalbramwell5353]

Hand signs never disappeared tho they were used throughout the entire series and still used in boruto

[@daelanbro]

1. They never disappeared especially in boruto they’re there an insane amount 2. You just point out naruto for the power creep issue because it’s popular to call out a series everyone feels like they get a free pass to pick on because they grew up with it.that criticism you mentioned about naruto applies to almost every single shonen anime known to man☠️ excluding FMAB and MAYBE HXH. Do you think one piece is actually about pirates? Like come on dude naruto is about a blonde ninja in a orange jumpsuit who does nothing like an actual ninja stop it.

[@Igneeka]

@@daelanbro I mean about you second point it's still an issue, an issue that's present in most long-running shonen mangas yeah but an issue nonetheless so there's no reason people shouldn't address it or talk about it

[@TKT-95]

@@Igneeka But ppl only talk about issue in Naruto that the real problem

[@KelltheTitan]

@@daelanbro What you just did is called whataboutism. No one was talking about One Piece, and you are making a wild assumption by assuming that since he wasn't talking about it he must not have a problem with it. I think One Piece is garbage too, and the power creep is one of many issues I have with that show. Even if I didn't though, One Piece isn't part of the discussion and you are a cunt for even bringing it up. Just because the issue is present in many shows, that doesn't mean it isn't an issue. Should we just ignore all the problems that come with other writing errors like Mary Sues if enough stories do it?

[@jonathangutierrez6432]

Kakashi saying, "There are ninjas younger than you [Naruto] who are stronger than me" + Haku using one hand signs, made me super hyped for that to be established. But then... They just never did...

[@vegetablackpotato4700]

Well I mean if a character who's like 10 being stonger then Kakashi would be ridiculous

[@freedustin]

@@vegetablackpotato4700 Back when he said that he was significantly less strong and hadn't even mastered his Kamui yet.

[@vegetablackpotato4700]

@@freedustin fair but that'd still be stupid stong for og naruto

[@jaysonthomas8493]

@@vegetablackpotato4700 Itachi

[@vegetablackpotato4700]

@@jaysonthomas8493 itachi at 10 still wasn't stonger then SOS Kakashi

[@GWo14]

To me - the part with Madara represented what a shinobi would/should look if/when they became godlike as a shinobi. It was absolutely respectable to see Madara only using ONE sign, but still having to use a sign. To me it was like a symbol of practicing/enough experience where you can master the jutsu down MUCH more efficiently. Very few characters should have ever been able to use jutsus without handsigns/low number of handsigns.

[@shadyenigmar]

I agree. It's been stated over and over again that Madara and Hashirama are basically the peak of shinobi training, even being considered the Gods of Ninja. So if Madara can achieve something like weaving a single hand sign for a jutsu, there should only be a handful of other shinobi in the world capable of doing so

[@claudewillis234]

Exactly this, even kage were shown using handsigns for jutsu they have known for years but others who are far less experienced are throwing out crazy strong jutsu with no handsign like I love the show but that makes no sense

[@deathslayer2854]

Sasuke uses one handed signs now

[@onyekachiedeh181]

He doesnt have a choice 😂

[@brandondl1995]

@@onyekachiedeh181he’s better than the majority of shinobi. In the original Naruto they straight up told us that ninja used less and less hand signs the better they got, Sasuke already had learned how to partially use on hand during his fight with Naruto when he literally borrowed Naruto’s hand to create the signs for fireball jutsu. And actually he does hve a choice. He chose not to take the hashira cell arm he was offered as a self punishment.

[@ajye8935]

@@brandondl1995Sasuke having a left arm through Susanoo armor cloak would’ve been cool.

[@alexandern.9666]

he lost his arm

[@RomanGonzalez-vw3wl]

@@brandondl1995 bro, Sasuke using Naruto's hand was the must mother fucker amazing thing, I can't believe, I rewatch that like infinite times

[@Yonkage-ik5qb]

To contrast this, consider Transmutation Circles in FullMetal Alchemist. Except for extremely rare exceptions, in order to use alchemy the characters have to draw out a circle. The way a lot of characters get around this is by pre-drawing the circles for transmutations they perform a lot, like Roy Mustang and his gloves, since flame alchemy is basically all he does. This is also sometimes plot-related because it means one can set alchemy traps. Other characters still have to do it on the fly, but if they're talented they can draw one out in a second or two so it really doesn't affect the pacing of a battle. But there are still times when it really does matter. Like when Edward, who can usually bypass the requirement entirely just by clapping his hands and imagining the circle sorta, if he loses one arm then he has to go back to drawing a circle out. So yes: powerful characters can get around the requirements of drawing a circle, but they never suddenly don't need to use them at all anymore.

[@calmv_]

Yeah and also those who don’t need transmutation circles had to sacrifice part of their body as well, so it’s fair

[@sorchanolan3006]

@@calmv_ you could even say, it was an equal exchange

[@mattehyew9110]

@@sorchanolan3006 get out

[@wakkaseta8351]

Not to mention that the circles themselves and/or the materials the transmutation will use can be destroyed or tampered with, so Mustang's useless in the rain while Father and 2003 Lust carved the circles right into the ground so that they couldn't just be erased, and Al/Barry/The Slicer Brothers all have a glaring weak point that has to be protected at all costs.

[@osadolazuardi3356]

@@mattehyew9110 yeah that was equal. Why do you command him/her to get out? It is explained in the anime.

[@secretly_ur_dad8702]

Hand signs are a large part of what makes Naruto’s world and power system unique. They draw you into the story and establishes that something is different.

[@Unity-hk1bf]

I mean tbf hand signs are in like every fiction that uses magic, with the earliest one I know of being 1st edition dnd with somantic requirements in spells. They also really aren't that big of a deal lmao

[@juniorii8277]

I got you OP. When i First watched Naruto It looked something Very deep in the lore. It showed a different kind of ninja that i were used. It showed some balance in relation tô body Power (chackra) and the way to Focus It. In the end of Naruto It looked like everybody could Kamehameha out of their Hands out of nothing.

[@whathell6t]

@@juniorii8277 Well! If you see three Naruto characters combining their Kamehameha, they’re making the Athena Exclamation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ3LYYSbicZ8l5Y

[@carterstockfleth757]

That's why zabuza was such a good arch

[@Nax_Snax]

Meh for me it was the cool powers, believe it or not a lot of kids don’t give a fuck about weird hand motions they’ll never get down. After trying the first 3 I decided it was no dbz and stopped mimicking and spaced over EVERY hand sign. It’s been 10 years and I don’t remember 1

[@Toothache42]

One of the most interesting use of hand signs is actually in the final battle of Naruto Vs Sasuke, where Sasuke actually uses Naruto's hand with his own to form seals, Naruto wasn't expecting this given his reaction

[@SeviathTheHumanDrago]

It was already shown that was possible to do in the Obito Vs. Kakashi fight in their Kamui dimension. Obito says: "I'm going to borrow this." While making the tiger hand sign with Kakashis hand. It'd be cool if you also siphoned off some of their Chakra and made the jutsu with their Chakra lol.

[@Yonkage-ik5qb]

I assumed he'd learned that from Orochimaru, since Anko did the same thing. But most likely, it just happened because it was cool.

[@ExelArts]

Just like what happened to kekashi against his battle with his friend

[@mateusfccp]

Naruto didn't even remember hand seals existed. This is why he was taken by surprise.

[@SeviathTheHumanDrago]

@@mateusfccp Wrong because he uses them for shadow clone jutsu multiple times. Why was Kakashi surprised when obito did the same thing then? Kakashi forget hand signs exist too?

[@differentman1878]

Spoiler: he doesn't explain why there are less hands signs

[@joseramirez-hh2sw]

I'ma take your spoiler at face value and quit the video

[@aeroga2383]

King

[@RmB9104]

He does offer a few reasons, 4 to be precise

[@chiyogaming]

​@@RmB9104enumerate

[@clololown]

thanks, saved me 10 min

[@Ookamisieshin]

I always saw many of the early jutsus that don't require hand signs as simply an advanced form of chakra control. You don't need hand signs to focus chakra to your feet in order to walk on water or run up vertical surfaces. Rasengan is basically just spinning a bunch of chakra out of your hand, so that follows, eight gates involve opening your chakra gates, eye jutsus are just kind of on as long as you have chakra, Gaara just kind of controls the sand by putting his chakra in it, etc. I always imagined that in order to turn your chakra into other things or imbue it with certain properties you would need to weave hand signs that 'molded' the chakra into the right thing.

[@Boltclick]

Canonically, hand signs were invented by Indra to make it easier to wield chakra. You could still do those same jutsus without handsigns, however the would be *much more difficult* and *significantly weaker.* The problem, at least I think, is some high-level jutsus that you'd expect to have a handsign do not. Either that, or the characters are sacrificing like 30% of the jutsu's power to save half a second.

[@n3squ1k666]

Back in the days we hadn't so much op characters in Naruto, nowadays every second character is a Mary Sue which is not also boring, this makes impossible to identify with the characters and empathize with them

[@cookieelement3467]

Imma shoot a fireball: *sign sign sign sign sign firball* Imma erase your existence on a molecular level: *puts hands together, fires beam instantly* There is no sense of balance or trade off They just kinda stop doing it

[@jacktheripper7735]

I mean, when Kakashi is teaching Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke (really minus Sakura since she picked it up immediately since she's really good at Chakra control) they HAD to use a hand sign to learn to mold the Chakra to their feet. It's the same hand sign that the giant statue in the Chunin Exam holds. It's used to focus Chakra that's its main thing, but just like in real life hand signs are/were used to focus. Once you learn to focus without them, you don't really need them.

[@whathell6t]

@@n3squ1k666 Even then, those overpowered Naruto characters are still no match against Saint Seiya characters, including Kiki the weakest knight. Kiki was able to go toe-to-toe with the Norse Gods despite his inexperience and no blessing from the Greek Gods or the deities of his birthplace, the Hindu Gods.

[@enkiimuto1041]

As an artist, I think it is less that kishimoto wanted to save panels for the story, and more that hands are hard. You might be good at them, hell, kishimoto doesn't even sketch his characters by the end, but hands take time, and he was just tired. There is also an argument of having to use a seal when the character wouldn't be able to, like kakashi against pain. My biggest problem is there is never a good justification for that. Like, would a jutsu with seals, that you don't need seals, be stronger? Would it just be easier on your body? So on. Never mentioned.

[@justinarzola4584]

I could see it getting harder to draw and time consuming.

[@DrakusLuthos]

Well, when Kishimoto made a character name a jutsu, he could have simply drawn the final hand sign, and included a list of kanji for the jutsu’s hand signs in the side of the panel. Not much extra work, and no extra panels. Gives the anime something to work with.

[@quentinjones6877]

@@DrakusLuthos I like that idea

[@ludwigvangogh4218]

I feel like that's the reason he made Pain. He probably was like "Damn. Drawing many hands are such a pain." And then drew thousand hand jutsu during hashirama vs madara fight to compensate for the lack of hands. Got stressed again because of too much hands so he took both Naruto and Sasuke's hands at the end.

[@rasmusdrongesen2721]

@@DrakusLuthos Or simple he shouldnt have had hand signs in the beginning.

[@coira117]

Minato is shown using one-handed hand signs and Itachi uses them as well in that very scene vs Kakashi, it's why it caught him off guard. The shuriken on the other hand were a distraction to draw the attention of Kakashi's Sharingan. Also the substitution jutsu does require hand signs they're just always prepped and weaved off screen/page to build suspense.

[@mat_max]

Convenience, basically

[@gokeep4756]

He did the hand signs inside his shirt

[@samgomes9775]

in the final saskue v naruto isnt saskue essentiallyt using 1 handed hand signs when he uses narutos own hand to mold chakra

[@gokeep4756]

@@samgomes9775 that's just a fancy way of using two hands

[@DiamonDust]

I think Sasuke uses 1 handed hand signs near beginning of Boruto anime in Sarada arc, too

[@triskelionchi3747]

Hand signs seem to be a way of folding chakra to be released as a specific formula or shape. It stands to reason that one with enough practice focus and skill could fold chakra internally. Some jutsus are easier than others, and some involve a different form of activation.

[@theking8347]

The original reason Orochimaru wanted the Sharingan was to speed up his progress in his goal of learning every jutsu with the Sharigan's jutsu copying ability. Then once the Mangekyo Sharingan was introduced, the Sharingan became a plot device; rather than create a new jutsu, Kishimoto just makes it an ability of the Sharingan.

[@justinarzola4584]

It would have been cool if the mangyeko was it's own ability rather than a sharingan power up.

[@allancesar6718]

actually he was obsessed with the uchiha body, he had access to the Sharingan

[@theking8347]

@@allancesar6718 He wanted an Uchiha body for the Sharingan.

[@TyandOnGoing]

Kishimoto really should've focused on the other clans to move the plot as the Uchiha just had way too many powers/buffs.

[@r.a.panimefan2109]

Ya. I hate m.s.

[@D3x5t4r]

Kishimoto once stated that at first he created the hand signs system but then got tired when he had to draw so many times do he reduced the amount of work

[@dokgo7822]

I don't understand this because you could essentially draw each character doing each handsign once, then greenscreen them to a different background whenever they needed to use it. Maybe this isn't the standard method that was used, but if repeated drawing was the problem, this definitely would've solved the issue.

[@D3x5t4r]

@@dokgo7822 you clearly don't understand how drawing works because you said "greenscreen". Each pose, each character, each scene has different angle, movement, effects etc. If he had copied/ paste the same things over and over again, his art wouldn't have been this good. I'm talking about the manga, the animation can be reused but overall it's based on the manga. Plus the details he had to draw each hand, every time someone used a jutsu must have been tedious. He also once said drawing multiple shadow cloned Naruto is tiresome enough, sacrificing panel structures, layouts, efforts etc. For hand signs may be unnecessary for him

[@dokgo7822]

@@D3x5t4r I am not talking about the manga, but specifically the animated show. You are correct, I'm not an artist nor do I know anything about the industry & production. However, I am familiar with IT & this seems like something that Adobe Photoshop should be able to help with, cropping characters & putting them on different backgrounds. Multiple shadow cloned Naruto IMO shouldn't have been too difficult because they could have applied the technique that video games use & 'procedurally generate' a new dungeon (which has the layout of every other dungeon) just with multiple different textures applied so it looks different; ie... it could have been multiple copies. Also, I would imagine that less detail needs to be applied to say 1,000 clones because there are so many & the focal point is on whatever clone is in the center or speaking.

[@D3x5t4r]

@@dokgo7822 i already said the anime is based on the manga so any technique, movement, angle, fight, strategy, etc they would rely on source material. If Kishi didn't draw hand signs, the anime wouldn't bother animate 30 hand signs. Unless they make fillers and animate 300 fast handsigns in a few seconds to impress viewers to show how powerful that jutsu is, or to stretch out the timing.

[@math001]

@@dokgo7822 wut?

[@Joe___R]

In most magic type power systems, the more powerful you are, the less you have to rely on tools and basic techniques to use it. Like having to use a wand or saying a spell out loud. Hand signs seem to work in a somewhat similar way in Naruto. Some of it could also be just lazy animators not wanting to draw it every time.

[@cookieelement3467]

Normally when you have a system like this, powerful characters would forgo handsigns for the simple stuff, then use them again for their more powerful abilities But Naruto seems to do the opposite? Even Madara used handsigns when casting his massive fireball jutsu But all mangyekyo abilities? Fire regular fire ball? Always needs handsigns Fire black flames of instant death? No handsigns needed My favorite is the suchikage Manipulate the weight of an object or shoot boulders? Hand signs every time Erase people from existence on a molecular level? Clap and it's ready to go instantly

[@termittv8011]

Right, it does work this way. When watching the 2nd Hokage fight an Anbu member comments on how he’s able to make the water dragon jutsu with way fewer hand signs than what’s required by other shinobi.

[@lunarbat6009]

​@@cookieelement3467 Majestic Destroyer Flame is a very powerful jutsu so if course it makes sense it would use hand signs also amaterasu is an ocular/visual technique so it doesn't require hand signs

[@cookieelement3467]

@@lunarbat6009 Ocular/visual techniques not requiring hand signs despite neji and sasuke needing them to initially activate their abilities in the chunin exams. It being a visual jutsu does not change the fact handsigns shape chakra for use in any jutsu. The jutsu being eye based doesn't suddenly change the need to shape the chakra. And this argument doesn't address particle style also being a jutsu that requires no signs aside from just putting both hands together, but creating a mud wall does. Naruto establishes hand signs shape chakra, so the harder the jutsu, the more signs. But the more powerful the shinobi, the less hand signs they need. Then backflips with basic fireballs and water waves always having hand signs used, but particle style, rasengans, chidori, Rikage's lighting cloak, and mitotic regeneration are all activated with either one or no hand signs. Visual jutsus are by far the most egregious. Summoning jutsu always has hand signs but shinra tensei is instant cast?

[@aliammar5031]

@@cookieelement3467 Its pretty clear that once you have mastery over your eye, you dont need to use hand signs. Its also clear that when using a kekkai genkai (like particle style) you also dont need hand signs esp when you already have mastery over it, youre talking about the literal oldest character in the show with the most experience and youre saying its odd his literal birth ability is his easiest to use... J a difference of opinions bro clearly when they have mastery especially when its a jutsu that are special or signature to them they dont have to use the hand signs for it, every example u gave of them not having to use handsigns are from people who r extraordinarily op and also their signature jutsus

[@roberttran1114]

you just brought up an old memory of mine. i remember memorising jutsu hand signs with my firends in primary school. 😥😥

[@AzureRoxe]

Funny enough, handsigns are so important that many fights boil down to preventing them. The iconic final fight between Naruto and Sasuke has a lot of moments where a good chunk of Sasuke's early offense is done SPECIFICALLY to prevent Naruto from using handsigns to use Jutsus like his Shadow Clones, while Naruto keeps actively trying to push back Sasuke long enough to use said Jutsu. There's even the scene where Sasuke uses Naruto's own hands to finish the handsigns, which takes Naruto by surprise.

[@DygoKnight]

That's all anime filler, but it's good

[@meekuchiha8439]

@@DygoKnight are you saying the final fight is filler ?

[@DygoKnight]

@@meekuchiha8439 Not the whole fight, but the entire first Taijutsu exchange until they use Susano and Kurama is aniem filler. And that's the part when Sasuke uses the joint hand seal

[@meekuchiha8439]

@@DygoKnight okay had to get a understanding on what was being said

[@venosaur121212]

@@DygoKnight So the part that I consider the coolest part of it is only anime? Good to know.

[@shawnfrost7848]

Minato also did One hand signs.

[@loganstaark9411]

And Sasuke also did it in Boruto

[@loganfalvo7349]

Sasuke also uses his opponent's hand in conjunction with his own. He did it in the valley of the end fight.

[@Yueymosthated]

@@loganstaark9411 he does it because he only has one arm so it’s not like he has a choice

[@JukiCombo]

@@loganfalvo7349 Obito did too against kakashi in the kamui dimension.

[@NatVirgo]

@@JukiCombo technically it was both hands, he just used someone else’s hand and chakra to do it.

[@louisrobitaille5810]

1:39 It's also stated during Hagoromo's backstory arc (when Indra comes up with the hand signs) that you can optimize hand signs. A jutsu requires a lot of hand signs if you use it for the first time. You can use less hand signs if you've mastered it but the output might be dimisnished. That's the reason Kakashi can use Chidori with 1 hand sign with a quick attack or the full 3 signs for a much greater piercing power. Sasuke can even use Chidori without any hand signs simply by channelling chakra into his hand and out of his body (e.g. Chidori Stream). Another example: Bushin no jutsu. Some people use it with 3 hand signs (like Obito at the academy) or with a single hand sign like most Clone jutsu users.

[@deetrixreed8961]

This is what I remember as well. It's akin to a novice learning a trick, needing to cast the signs to remember the steps their body needs to take to focus their chakra and cast. Once you've done it 1000 times or w.e your body has learned the trick and no longer requires the mental space needed to focus so you can just cast it.

[@ismetkabir2901]

Minato also weaved hand signs with one hand in the war arc

[@seismic6435]

Which also works with the recent revelation of Shinjutsu

[@ZeratronXellos]

Yes but sasuke’s Chidori has way less penetration and is more about destructive power. Kakashi’s raikiri is like a chakra blade. Same technique but used differently.

[@grantpflum6844]

Hell, it was even established that you could master a jutsu to the point of using it without hand signs. Kakashi has shown the ability to use a weaker Chidori without hand signs and Naruto can cast shadow clones without them. Which makes sense as hand signs were explained as an external means of helping a shinobi shape their chakra, similar to using a pen and paper to do math. It makes sense that the most most elite shinobi who spend a lot of time trying to perfect specific techniques would get to the point where they no longer need that extra aide. Like a mechanic who has spent years fixing cars can diagnose what's wrong with it by the way the engine sounds without needing to hook it up to a machine. It would probably still help but when you get to a certain point you can brute force it if you have to.

[@zkila]

hand seals being the grounding element in all of naruto really would have been the best thing going for it, imagine jubito needing to weave impossible hand seals using the truth seeking orb first to control it, to summon a shield, or summon the nunuboko sword, that really would have been a cool display of power that the audience can feel since its grounded with the hand seals, but the work around of the hand seals (needing to use the truth seeking orbs to create impossibly shaped hand seals) would strenghten the feeling of power that jubito posesses, instead what we got is no clipping, boring, black mass

[@nebulous9280]

This would've been cool. Imagine if Jubito instead molded the Truth Seeking Orbs into additional hands for those impossible seals, like having his hands clipping into each other, his fingers bending in unnatural ways, having the extra hands performing duplicate signs, etc.

[@Nax_Snax]

@@nebulous9280true but it also would have devalued his “god” status in having to play to mortal rules when the origin of chakra is literally chilling in him.

[@onesmart229]

5:59 There are hand signs involved with the substitution jutsu. It’s a major part of the fight between Sakura and the sound ninja.

[@lapplandkun9273]

Yeah, a major part of Sakura having no skills of her own pre timeskip and the fight where it was only seen again in part 1

[@TubemastaC]

@@lapplandkun9273 ?????

[@lapplandkun9273]

@@TubemastaC that was the only and last time subsitution jutsu was of any use in the series and sakura never even used it again

[@nahuel3433]

@@lapplandkun9273 Unnecesary Sakura shade. The biggest mark for someone that isn't worth hearing.

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

@@nahuel3433 hahaha

[@LoDaFTA]

The problem lies with Bloodline Limits and Eye Abilities. I consider Jinchuuriki the same as Bloodline limits, because they function essentially the same way. The purpose of hand signs is to channel the chakra and to change it's natural element, and mold it into the structure of the jutsu. Kinda like a programming language. Bloodline limits break the whole logic and the structure of jutsus. They are abilities that are innate, so there is no need to use hand signs, because each individual has the 'natural pathways' to channel their chakra in the exact manner necessary to use the abilities. However there are some special jutsu that require hand signs and having a bloodline ability. They are usually related to special elemental affinities, such as Ice, Wood, etc. Eye abilities however, became completely stupid cheat codes, when Kishimoto decided that they would be all related to the fucking God of the ninjas. Before that, Sharingan and Byakugan were just special advantages that made the ninjas more capable than others at doing the same thing all ninja did. Sharingan users were capable of copying all jutsus, because they would be able to memorise all hand signs their opponent were using. They were also capable of predicting which jutsu were being used because they would be able to 'see' the hand signs better. Whereas byakugan gave their users near perfect 360 degrees vision, and the ability to detect all concealment and imunity to genjutsu, because their users were capable of seeing the flow of chakra. After the introduction of sharingan's godly powers, shit went crazy.

[@letsomethingshine]

yeah, I remember them saying early on that hand signs "helped" you cast jutsu, not "were the only way to cast particular jutsu" and also that blood line abilities like Neji's were just "very hard to even begin to attempt" unless you were born with the power to access that ability much more easily. But the idea was that if you trained really hard using jutsu as properly as possible you might be able to block chakra points and spin in really good circles making chakra shields.

[@Voron_Aggrav]

mean as the show evolved so did the eyes, and for most of it we've seen the Two and Three Tomoe which are the garden variety Sharingan, and it requires a lot of Trauma and even transplantation to go beyond that, all the way up to the Rinnegan which required Woodstyle bloodline, not sure Shiphuuden did much with the Byakugan (Haven't watched much from Boruto haven't had the time for it), but in so far I Remember all their abilities are a logical progression as familiarity and combat experience allows them to make better use of their innate abilities,

[@Entertainment-uj7lp]

@@Voron_Aggrav byakugan have extra abilities like the Magekyo sharingan when they're not diluted. Otsutski have them

[@Voron_Aggrav]

@@Entertainment-uj7lp yeah that's Boruto lore, as I said I haven't seen much of it,

[@ayhamahmad2277]

Shirngan power was introduced in part one before Shippuden even started

[@wesleydamen2018]

I really like the hand sign usage in the way sasuke uses it during the last fight with naruto The moment im referring to is that he uses naruto's hand to complete his hand signs always find that moment kinda neat. Its a shame we never got to see more of it especially with all the hand to hand combat

[@ethanespo96]

I always had head canon that this was only possible because of rinnegan + sharingan, using the rinne ability to drain chakra while using the shari dexterity to control naruto's hands, same with the time obito did it against kakashi

[@dadian803]

​@@ethanespo96 A cool head canon that should be canon lol! I'm back though pretty late after they reused it when Kawaki vs Boruto

[@theorigin8537]

DygoKnight: He could have given the one handed hand signs to a powerful character 4th Hokage: What am I? A roach?

[@matus19971]

Gotta say that the Zabuza vs Kakashi fight is to this day one of the best and most iconic. The whole sign sequence gives em chills. Granted I am a bit biased as Land of Waves is my fav arc

[@kingMT514]

No doubt! When Kakashi LITERALLY became the Copy Ninja and copied Zabuza, I was in awe (and still am) with how intricate, fast, and detailed the hand signs were.

[@matus19971]

@@kingMT514 yup, it set the bar high and it never managed to replicate it. Not to mention, as you said "became the copy ninja". It's the only real example we get of why he's known by that name. It's literally the same status like when you hear of the Yellow Flash or the White Fang. It used to mean something and ot was shown. After that it was like Kishi decided "why bother"

[@Kmn483]

It amazes me that Naruto had such a strong start and then just progressively fell off. While others talk about Boruto as being the when naruto went bad, I feel shipuden was where it really fell off. But even before then the filler making up the 2nd half of original Naruto was really sad.

[@purified103]

That was the dumbest thing ever. And also the weakest Kakashi has ever looked.

[@James-vc1kc]

@@Kmn483 I have to completely agree honestly. Having seen all of Naruto and Shippuden canon, my favorite arc is probably still the Land of Waves. By the time Shippuden rolled around it felt like it undermined most of what was established throughout the first show. As an example, the Anbu note their amazement in the power of the hokage’s jutsu when Hiruzen fights Tobirama and Hashirama. After watching Shippuden though, I’m left with two painful questions: how did Hiruzen win against Tobirama and Hashirama when Shippuden shows Hiruzen as a complete and utterly weak ninja by comparison? Additionally, why is it that no-name ninjas were able to conjure up ninjutsu far exceeding the power levels displayed between the first Hokage fight? Too much inconsistency with Shippuden for me. I just realized I didn’t mention all the problems I see with Itachi as well. Disregarding all the flaws of his philosophy, did he really think he was protecting Sasuke by enabling him to live with so much hatred? What is Sasuke couldn’t live with this burden any more and killed himself? I can’t see Itachi rationalizing his best course of action to protect Sasuke was what’s shown in Shippuden. It would’ve made way more sense if he were always a villain and Sasuke genuinely figured out a way to overpower him through some forbidden jutsu created by Orochumaru.

[@SimplyStapha]

You’ve been absolutely killing it with these almost daily uploads. Please keep it up, you’re making sick content.

[@sdservin]

Fax 🔥

[@PureCurebyFaith]

He's getting better and better

[@frogfarmer3551]

So much better than clickbaiters like nchammer

[@REIN-l6z]

Replacement Jutus does require hand signs you can see sakura doing it during the chunin exam in the forest of death when protecting Sasuke and Naruto when they were unconscious, but I guess they don't use the hand sign to use it as a deus ex machina to say the person saw through or predicted someone's attack.

[@ShinKyuubi]

I think the thing with jutsu like that is that, in universe, it's such a useful and basic technique that you eventually get it down so well you don't need the seals and can mold the chakra for it on instinct. I think the in universe idea would be with certain jutsu a person uses often they get to where they only need one sign or none at all like with Chidori and Raikiri...that's just my thoughts on it though and my head canon.

[@iljun3089]

Naruto has the most wasted anime potential. From the characters, to the world, to the lore and history. Really a shame.

[@kanishkamandloi389]

Naruto is a show which was capable of having more than 5,000 episodes and every episode will be op and even fillers will be better than whole boruto trash. I mean not lying but even motivation given by naruto was that much impactful on me that in my 12th class when i watched naruto I got 90% and become topper in my class while in 11th I got only 65% and passed 2 subjects by boundary.

[@Pot_steam99]

That's a good take

[@Ahahahahoopp]

Its still better than one piece tho, just in my opinion

[@loafofbread9400]

​@@Ahahahahooppcomparing anything to one piece is such a low bar, that manga has awful writing, 0 character development, comically evil villains, people like it cause theyve grown attached to it

[@Pasty_Savant]

Damn bro just cus it didn't go the way u like doesn't mean it was wasted anime potential. Bro so many things like this happen in so many shone anime especially those who took a logn whole to finish but no one ever complains about it apart from naruto. Like one piece for example. Shit divulged from pirate stuff in the highest order moving into sun gods and the gods of the world being rain earth sun and forest yet no one says shi.

[@dr.popping8560]

I always figured that since hand signs were to help manipulate your chakra to get the desired effect, with enough inherent chakra control you wouldn't need them. It would stand to reason that using handsigns anyway allows you to put more oomph into it but at the cost of speed. But as opponents get faster you can't really sacrifice speed for power as getting hit even with a weak version of a jutsu would be bad news.

[@empty_melodies]

I really like this explanation

[@AddinRoyale]

Why did i read this with Kisuke Uruhara's Voice lol

[@lastbeatmp4]

This is exactly how Kido works in Bleach, with characters commentating on how powerful their Kido was without the chant.

[@samuellaakso7012]

I think the reason for handsigns dropping off from the series is simply a practical one. They take time to draw and room from a page away from other things. Toward the end of the series Kishimoto probably just thought that "there's so much stuff and scenes I want to draw, must use pages effectively as possible".

[@ayhamahmad2277]

He was being rushed by shonan to end at chapter 700 during the war arc and people complain about hand signs is stupid that won't work remember kishimoto was working in the weekly manga its already too difficult

[@TheChiog]

You don't even have to look at Madara in the war arc as an example of fewer hand signs. Already happened in Part I: In the Kakashi/Zabuza fight, Kakashi copies one Jutsu from Zabuza (not the water dragon, the other one) and it takes, like 20 hand signs. Later, in the Konoha crush arc, Edo Tensei Tobirama uses the same (or at least very similar) Jutsu, and he only needs 1.

[@hasseo195]

Other example: Water dragon = 44 signs by Zabusa. Mizukage only used one to five signs for the same jutsu and shoot it out her mouth,

[@pkj2148]

The more accustomed you are to a jutsu, the less hand signs you need to weave. Towards the end, Sasuke doesn't even need to weave signs to peform a Chidori.

[@hankhill2154]

You cant compare Zabuza and Tobirama

[@SeviathTheHumanDrago]

@@hankhill2154 Yes we can. They are 2 Kage level combatants and they're the only direct comparisons for the Jutsu and amount of hand signs used. We can assume Zabuza was at high jonin-low kage level based on his confidence of being able to take on Yagura who is supposed to be the mizukage around this time. Even though Zabuza did fail his first attempt he wasn't dissuaded at all and wanted to try again so he assumedly wasn't that far away from Yagura in terms of strength.

[@stylesheetra9411]

It's stated that the better the ninja the less seals he need (only the last is required)

[@Goldie_Roger]

0:34 Not only is he trying to CHEAT with ninjutsu vs. taijutsu, but he's trying to SUMMON some help

[@DetectivePlays0]

Minato used one handed signs too Also the hand signs were a way to focus chakra and get it to do certain things. The later generations got good at focusing it to do certain things without doing hand signs. Which is why jutsu that are used regularly don't need them. That's also why Minato still needed to do hand signs when he was brought back. The only ones he didn't needs signs for was rasengan and flying raijin because he used them more than any other jutsu. That's also why no one ever uses them in Boruto. I choose to believe that this is what they meant when they said that newer generations surpass the old ones. Not necessarily in power, but in mastery of chakra.

[@virusj216]

I don't think rasengan has hand signs in the first place

[@daylightluccas]

⁠​⁠@@virusj216 it wasn’t just rasengans, just watch the anime

[@niunia19991]

I have many proofs that Boruto uses hand sings. If you just look closer into most fights, you'll clearly see. But they got a little shorter, I think, one two or three seals at max for a jutsu. Sasuke often uses them. And other than that we have a stunning amount of taijutsu in this part, really, they prefer simply beating each other up, the futher the plot the more. Now we have karmas, ninja tech and aliens, so not much pure ninjutsu anymore...

[@guernica5413]

Idea for the rewriting: insert some jutsu in the final arc that requires the ten tails Jinchuuriki to use nine hand signs, each one making reference to the 9 Bijuu

[@Scalesthelizardwizard]

that's so cool

[@pafoneto1275]

That is stup1d, better idea would be you get rid of all the hand signs.

[@SeviathTheHumanDrago]

How to perform the infinite Tsyukuomi.

[@anialator1000000]

Generally though it was always established that Hand signs are about helping/forcing the chakra into the flow pattern/element, etc, needed to actually use the Jutsu. Some of the seals are fire seals or earth seals because they help the user convert the chakra into the element. Thus it makes sense that as a highly skilled user gets really good at using the jutsu, they can instead do those same chakra motions/conversions internally without the help of the hand signs, or with fewer of them. This also explains the one handed or like when Sasuke uses Narutos hands to weave signs, they are simply alternative hand positions that perform the same function but in a slightly different way. Like how we say the chakra needs to go in a loop like a roller coaster and is "made" of a metal rod that does not bend, and so you can either weave a sign that only allows it to flow through your hands in a circle like shape, use a one handed equivalent that does half the circle and then you finish it internally, or you have to do the whole thing internally. In all of the 3 cases the end result is the same, but it gets progressively more difficult as the amount of paths the chakra could take increase significantly as well as the amount of effort you have to put into bending it. But of course doing it manually gives you more freedom. Likewise though, things like the Sharingan and other Eye techniques are done without hand signs because the eye itself is the hand sign weaver. It does all the weaving, transformation, and such for the user automatically as the chakra is sent through it, so any hand signs or equivalent you do weave are not to cast the jutsu but to control it. But of course, it is a big problem in Boruto because the kids should not be so highly skilled as to be able to skip most to all of the hand signs yet.

[@bradwalker7822]

Yes

[@Walond-pac]

2:25, Minato also uses it. We see it when he loses an arm against Obito.

[@Anfernydotcom]

The way I've been imagining it is that through continued use, your body would become accustomed to the flow of Chakra you need for that specific jutsu making it to require less and less as you go on. But it's still sad to see them slowly fade away. It's the only way I've made proper sense on them disappearing and found satisfactory,

[@mlh1367]

Y’all didn’t watch Naruto and it shows. All you have to do is literally WATCH it and this dumb narrative will disappear.

[@HITSONERR]

Not only is it about the speed a character can use hand signs, its about the proficiency a character can use a jutsu. Tobirama did the Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu with only one hand sign when it normally takes 44. Eventually, I would assume all characters would reach a point like this, eliminating the use of complex hand signs.

[@illuviium]

This is probably the most underrated comment. I’ve read like 78 comments and a bunch of people get close to a real viable theory but many miss. This is what I think it’s about to. Because throughout the show you see some people using similar Justus with some using no hand signs, some using 1 or 2 and others using up to 8 hand signs for the same jutsu. I think it has to do with the characters level of mastery in regards to said jutsu.

[@archaicrapture]

Kakashi explained in the first arc that the more you put in your craft the less hand signs you'd weave - referring to Haku using one hand sign or using one hand [LOL] Haku is a such a cool character.

[@MA-go7ee]

1. Why would you assume all characters would eventually reach the level of literally one of the most powerful ninjas ever? 2. Even granting that explanation, part of the point of the video is that hand signs make fights more grounded, tactical and realistic, something end stage Naruto was sorely lacking

[@HITSONERR]

@@MA-go7ee@ M A I assume that as time goes on, people will be able to mold their chakra better and better through repeated use. It's like doing a trick on a skateboard; the first few times you do it, it takes a lot of concentration. After a while you can hit it with ease then, you reach a point where it becomes basic to you. It hits a point where the hand signs are just done because they've become so accustomed to doing them. Like when Sasuke used one of Naruto's hands to do a hand sign, how does that work? Is it the sign doing the molding, or is it the person after a while? I am a big fan of hand signs. I didn't like the direction the show went toward the end, especially regarding the elimination of hand signs. I always thought they were really cool.

[@rachelciel3330]

I was just about to bring this up. Honestly, I won't be bothered if the older ninjas used less handsigns. However, in Boruto, despite them being literal children same as pre-timeskip Naruto, they only used so little handsigns. This is absurd. There's a bit too wide of a gap between a genius inventor like Tobirama and brats and average crooks

[@Zenith8896]

I also thought one of the coolest manga pages was when Madara was making his Incomplete Susanoo' cast hand signs to summon that meteor. Very epic.🔥

[@cleophusrobinson5910]

Most of the jutsus that don't require hand signs are kekkei genkai. Some of the other ones are just pure chakra + technique. e.g. rasengan + chakra molding. Edit: I think you can use less hand signs if you're advanced or its a tradeoff between hand signs and efficiency (you just reminded me in the video).

[@GeteMachine]

Haku was the first ninja shown with a kekkei genkai and he still needed a handsign for it though. It used to only mean it was a skill they didnt need to be taught or couldn't be copied, but inheirited.

[@anvos658]

@@GeteMachine Keep in mind Haku was trained by one guy, who was more a kenjutsu specialist with some water style, who not being a Yuki, or academy instructor, would have no real idea how to help somebody learn to use their elemental Kekke Genkai properly.

[@saikaje]

When I was a kid in school and watched Naruto for the 1st time (only 1st season existed at that time) One of my favorite episode become Kakashi vs Zabuza (1st encounter) MOSTLY because there are was the most baddas not only jutsu, but a hand sign fight. Water dragon jutsu from both of them and even pronouncing the names of the signs.

[@capttainunicorn288]

Hand signs were just about focusing the jutstu in ones mind and molding the chakra properly. The history of hand signs were specifically to focus and meditate on a single task. Hand signs in Naruto were effectively the same up to and including people that just don't need to use them at all for their main jutsu. Similar to mages not having to chant their main spell after mastering it in other anime and stories.

[@Acedia80]

Yea i agree as the ninjas evolve it makes sense that hand signs to an extent woud become obsolete

[@aniaschambers9118]

I agree

[@manporo5865]

Except that's how Hado works in Bleach. In Naruto, certain jutsus, and more specifically chakra elements, were sealed behind handsigns. This was mentioned multiple times across the manga and anime

[@patrichpatterson5016]

@manporo5865 Actually....no. Theoretically speaking, there is zero need for hand signs. Unlike let's say the caligraphy characters of sealing techniques, the SOLE purpose of hand signs is to effectively program your chakra to act a certain via a series of inputs. If you already memorized how your chakra is supposed to warp and mold to do a certain task, then there's no need to use hand signs. It's effectively like using a calculator versus doing the math in your head. The reason it seems different in the show/Manga is because of how ridiculously complex some of the higher class techniques are. It ends up just being simpler to use the easy route

[@JMScibra]

Kind of like how Raven only has to chant "Azerath Metrion Zinthos" for extreme uses of her power.

[@michaeldaniels642]

0:03 there's a full map of the Naruto world!?

[@d-won1once959]

It's a fan made design

[@lucii14]

we’ve seen one handed hand sign only once Minato:am i a joke to you?

[@Tryk0n3x]

My biggest pet peeve with it is that almost everyone stops using them at all, one sign, one, and I'd be happy. Fights would be more engaging. Some abilities like rinnegan abilities or sharing an abilities can go potentially as that "abilities" rather than jutsu, so I'm happy for those to be without signs, but why standard elemental jutsus stopped using them? No clue.

[@daelanbro]

I mean this just isn’t true. There are many reasons to watch boruto but if you were to watch it you’d notice the focus on going back to the roots of what naruto was in terms of more hand to hand combat, more elemental jutsu, and hand signs. The boruto anime uses hand signs A LOT

[@gensteps923]

Didn't third hokage also try reaper death sealing orochimarus arms because he said it was to stop him from using his hand signs and ever using Ninjitsu again? Idk remember exactly what he said but I remember that was one of his plans

[@DygoKnight]

Yes

[@gensteps923]

@@DygoKnight third hokage was such a beast. I love that era of Naruto. Definitely see how hand signs were an integral part of the early series, so much so that it was an important point in that parts climax. And it set the stage for continuing the story with Orochimaru trying to get the use of his hands back. Clever writing by kishimoto

[@kevinbell5674]

They never disappeared. Just imagine how much time Kishimoto saved by not drawing hand weaves everytime someone did a jutsu. If you look, most of the time people are shown forming the final sign in a sequence when using a jutsu.

[@mrb0703]

@fwmordekai78 ong

[@litzypoli1206]

Rims

[@TheBeefMonger]

Not to mention now in the boruto manga they have shinjutsu which is otsutsuki jutsu that doesn't need handsigns

[@izrealtruefelicis3309]

@@brien6645 nah y’all just fanboys who can’t look at trash critically and recognize it’s shit

[@Chris-jm2gx]

It's not just about showing it, it's about what the hand signs can add to tactics. If your jutsu requires 100+ hand signs then your comrades must cover your back. Or on face to face combat only jutsus with small number of hand signs can be used for obvious reasons. Obviously hand signs were removed because people are casually throwing jutsus without any tactics whatsoever.

[@thewave-qz9lt]

the one-handed handsigns was one of the coolest things in OG naruto for me,and they only used it ONCE in the whole show.

[@emypetcu]

for me the Jutsus in Naruto universe work without hand signs but if the ninja is using hand signs the jutsu is more powerful and uses less chakra making it more efficient

[@justinarzola4584]

That kind of makes the hand signs completely pointless then.

[@AtobeTanhausser01]

I thought hand signs were to make molding chakra easier, but the better chakra control you have meant the less signs/hands you needed to do the same

[@ViltrumiteIsRite99]

@@justinarzola4584 the explanation given just highlighted why it makes sense. With hand signs, you get more power, less chakra usage. Without, the jutsu is quicker/ on the fly, but less effective, and more expensive.

[@bluntslt8023]

@@justinarzola4584 do you know how to read.

[@Just_B0red]

Quickcast vs Hold to Charge spell

[@goodlyrics2462]

I can’t remember where but someone made a comment about Tobirama being able to cast the Water Dragon Jutsu with only 1 sign and without water. Certain techniques didn’t require hand signs but for the ones that did I bet they’re WAY longer BUT an experienced shinobi is utilizing the technique so it’s done in 1-5 signs.

[@milegyen1111]

I read somewhere the water dragon jutsu is over 40 hand signs, however the Second could use it after 3

[@JA-hk9rz]

I kinda love that the awesome single handed ability of haku died early on in the series. Shows a state of where the jutsus/chhakra was at in the period of where we were watching. Naruto stealing the scroll originally had a little more weight.

[@hometab4250]

"you can't show motion in the manga..." , vagabond: hold my beer

[@MegaShinobi2011]

One of the biggest issues is that the show made such a HUGE deal of how the number of hand signs correlated to the strength of the jutsu to the point where tobirama, simply by minimizing (not eliminating) the number of signs used for the water dragon jutsu was legendary...now we have Kisame materializing water with ease, kakashi doing raikiri with 0 hand signs, and so on. I mean Haku and itachi doing one handed jutsu had everyone who witnessed it standing in awe even mid-combat.

[@ayhamahmad2277]

It will affect the manga pacing anf the anime has already pacing problems and it well makes the fight boring and the real reason is that kishimoto wanted to save page

[@richmyjz]

I’ve always appreciated hand signs, but as Shippuden essentially ended hand signs, I was under the impression they were just a form of chakra control training wheels. As a ninja’s power level and ability to control chakra increase above Sanin level they no longer need to use hand signs to manipulate chakra and can just use their mind. Once a skilled enough ninja has that ability they will only need to use hand signs to manipulate their chakra for exceedingly powerful ninjutsu or rarely used ones. It’s like showing your work in math class. I know the video covered it but he kinda went back on the idea…but characters notice it in the show so it is supposed to reinforce how strong the characters have become. Boruto is not an anime I consider apart of my reality. It’s merely another anomaly I blame on the Mandela effect.

[@Luxury_LifeYT]

This is how I look at it. It's kinda like the Harry Potter universe once you become a strong enough witch/wizard you don't have to say spells out loud you can just cast them.

[@akayazay]

a smart person finally

[@pandaslayerxx102]

Except Boruto completely debunks this theory as the only individual who can use jutsu without hand signs is the God of the Ototsuki but we don’t care about Boruto

[@brycegriffin9271]

Nah this doesn't make sense imo otherwise you wouldn't see kage level people still using hand signs at all, which they did. It's just because drawing a bunch of hand signs is hard and annoying to do over and over so they cut it out, not that deep really lol.

[@GinkosUA]

A bit late, In that case Orochimaru could have used them anyway or it was his chakra sealed in hands and that's a deal? What do you think, i would like to know

[@HiJakOG]

My Theory was that after mastering a Jutsu you can assign the set of Hand signs to a single hand sign and hold to activate like hot keys. It may not activate as quickly compared to the skilled execution but helps when you are lazy or forget. I came up with this cause Naruto always just does the twin 2 finger cross to deploy and spam clones.

[@eghoseisiramen1892]

I think this is the most accurate considering what jutsu’s like chidori

[@iosiasaemilius2795]

nah dude its just poor writing

[@lunarhinata8889]

This is likely true, you can see characters using different amounts of hsnd signs for the same jutsu, the more sdapted they are into using the jutsu, the lesser signs they use...

[@jaythekid4728]

I think it was explained that Naruto became so proficient with the Clone Jutsu that after seriously practicing and training it he was able to eventually reduce the 64¿ signs down to 2 then to 1 by the end.

[@letsomethingshine]

@@jaythekid4728 If you are talking about the "Forbidden" multi-shadow-clone jutsu, it was explained that it was "hard" for him to perform the "legal" single shadow-clone jutsu because he couldn't control his chakra enough to reduce it to the correct level, but for a jutsu that required a lot of chakra it was easier for him to do since the Nine-Tails was always pushing his human chakra out while it was trying to leak.

[@ChinkyChickenxx]

Itachi used one handed hand signs. He used them in the panel where he pulled out shurikens as a distraction, weaving with his other hand. Itachi and Saskue have also been shown weaving handsigns with one hand while using their opponents hand to meld them together as well

[@shafinkhan2472]

2:24 , correction: One handed hand sign was actually demonstrated 2 times, first was haku and second time was when minato was about to transfer his remaining nine tails chakra to nine tails extracted (almost dead) naruto.

[@monke812]

Glad someone noticed

[@alfredomaletti8346]

Also Deidara can esplode his bombs with one handed hand sign

[@Zynxy1234]

Sasuke uses them too, against Naruto in Shippuden and in Boruto (Though Ik alot of people dont watch Boruto LOL)

[@ebubeezeanyaeche9926]

Sasuke user them when ge want to add ligth8ng to his blade

[@TheHonestSage]

See, I always loved hand signs, and I was very sad when I realized their phasing out of the series was even happening. I always figured that the hand signs were like connecting dots; the more elaborate and powerful the jutsu, the more signs needed to form the "image" but if you were wildly strong and could already draw most of the image yourself you wouldnt need as many signs. Always thought it was neat :c

[@kindra11111]

Naruto is about ninjas... boruto is about aliens. This is the sad truth 😔

[@alexandern.9666]

naruto: humans boruto: otsusuki. and otsusuki is alien…

[@dartdeity7919]

Naruto stopped being about ninjas around the 5 kage summit though. Most common complaints about boruto started towards the middle of the great ninja war

[@alucarderipmavtube]

Hand signs in Naruto was inspired by Kuji-in, otherwise known as the Nine Hand Seals, which when read is actually a prayer to protect the person from harm, and was used by Ninja prior to undertaking a dangerous task. Rin Pyo To Sha Kai Jin Retsu Zai Zen.

[@hoifzf]

I'd say Pain's only big jutsu that requires handsigns was the rain sensory jutsu which is broken as well and made him look just as God like as his eyes

[@ShadowDancer1000]

I always had an idea that woulda fixed this problem and it’s that if you train a jutsu enough you can use a slightly weaker variant but with no hand signs which is why it would make sense that if Naruto uses shadow clones often he can just kinda summon them but if he wants more than like 5 he needs to do the hand sign

[@featherskaijay3060]

The water dragon jutsu is one of my favorite handsign formulas. With it being so powerful it took Zabuza and Kikashi around a minute to cast the jutsu. That felt awesome.

[@madfangkills]

What a well discussed point! I felt like I noticed moments like you said where Chidori would just appear and it always felt like some weird continuity error. Or if someone didn't use it, like Pain, it was a quirk, whether clan based or specializations. All and all, thank you for this!!

[@otuskigaming6764]

Chidori is essentially a rasengan but a failed attempt to add lightening. So the lack of hand signs makes sense, especially for shinobi as advanced as Sasuke and Kakashi

[@GintokyoGaming]

I like to think the one hand seals to be Haku's quirk (I know Minato did it too), the only one having true mastery about it, it makes it cooler like this rather than every skilled ninja. Concerning the substitution jutsu, when Sakura is fighting against the sound trio she weaves hand signs in order to perform it (at least in the manga).

[@godsaver_8]

Hey dygo, you break down both the technical narrative and the emotional narrative of the story pretty well, good job. One thing i would like to know do you plan on making videos other shonens as well or are you only a Naruto channel. If yes i think pretty good content can be made on young shonens like hell's paradise, jujutsu kaisen, dandadan,samurai 8 etc, they all have that expansive world of Naruto aspect. Anyway great video!!

[@tameruzun]

Hey man, I just noticed that you used a Ragnarok Online Theme, that just brought me some memories right there.. Great video and pick for a background music!

[@Mortred99]

1:54 Correction: Kakashi did see him, that's why he reacted the way he did and actually avoided Itachi's two step attack. The same can't be said for most other characters. Kurenai and Asuma are Jonins, but they would get stopmed without Kakashi and later Gai's presence.

[@TheCrazyCapMaster]

(Putting in this comment while I’m still at 8:56) The whole deal with handsigns hasn’t actually bothered me… handsigns themselves struck me as training wheels of sorts; as characters got more skilled at manipulating chakra, they reached a point where for a given jutsu, they could mold the chakra without needing handsigns, as a natural progression of skill and experience. Much like how Naruto went from needing a shadow clone to help form the Rasengan to only needing one hand by the end of Shippuden, Sasuke went from needing handsigns for Chidori to being able to mold the chakra effortlessly as he gained experience with it. That said, I like to think that this mastery can only be gained for one jutsu at a time; while Madara only had to use one handsign for his Fire-style jutsu, he needed to do all the handsigns for releasing himself from the Reanimation caster’s control as he wasn’t experienced in molding his chakra that way yet. (Also, Boruto himself actually used a bunch of handsigns at various points in the show- once he mixed lightning style and wind style to accelerate himself to insane speeds. Then he got distracted by the Rasengan and didn’t bring it back. A lot of the other kids from his generation also used handsigns pretty often during events like the Chunin exam fights.)

[@KevOSkeez]

I just like to think of it as the characters having mastered the jutsu and require less concentration to activate a jutsu. I believe the hand signs in the beginning were supposed to help the ninja focus their chakra in order to execute the jutsu. Think of it like spell casting, and that they've mastered it to the point where they're doing chantless spell casting. For more complex jutsus or ones that require more focus/chakra, they'll do a couple hand signs even at their advanced lvl of ninjutsu.

[@jacky61006]

It's weird to see fighters engaged in combat just stop and weave hand signs while the opponent either casually waits or also weaves hand signs. Incorporating hand signs into a fight requires the writer/ animators to constantly avoid this situation. In the manga it could be assumed that the hand signs are happening in a fraction of a second. But in anime sometimes it's just so stupid to see hand signs. It's just as silly as dbz powerups.

[@uscbrooks]

“Never shows hand signs again” he says while Minato over here doing them

[@yeager1957]

The substitution jutsu isn’t reactive, it’s something you have to set up beforehand. Basically you anime speed away, grab a log, anime speed back, replace your body with a log disguised as use using a jutsu, and anime speed away again. Kinda stupid but you can’t just use the jutsu and have a free get away card. Also I think it kinda just stops working on the high end when people can see the super speed teleportation jutsu thing you use

[@TheDawsonFoster]

If people can teleport so fast what’s the point on training like rock lee when there’s just a jutsu that allows you to do that I never understood that

[@SCComega]

@Dboy 670o there's a lot that is unexplained and don't make a lot of sense. Substitution was finally shown in more detail at the beginning of boruto with Sasuke substituting with Kinshiki, with what appeared to be a Chakra thread between them if I remember right. Which has been explored in a bunch of fanfics with it swapping the position of two objects with a Chakra signature, but the technique being harder and costing more Chakra with the greater amount of target the target object has (hence the logs, since wood has Chakra in naruto) and some fanfics suggesting logs are randomly placed about for ninjas to substitute with. But yeah, basically anything making it make sense are conjecture, guesses, and fanon.

[@TheDawsonFoster]

@@SCComega so they’re log places that place logs about the forest

[@SCComega]

@@TheDawsonFoster I mean yes, I think?

[@TheDawsonFoster]

@@SCComega so can people still summon objects from a scroll and use them as a substitute

[@TheNevendero]

Very good argument. Casting jutsus by performing the seals was one of the best parts about 1st part. Also, I'm glad I wasn't in a drinking game having to take a shot every time this guy says "hand signs" or else I'd be a dead man.

[@ToastlsHere]

i think the author was trying to take the apporach jjk does where before the world was weaker people were still strong ofc but once the newer much stronger sorcerers began to be born the whole jjk world was forced to change requiring those new generations to adapt to what was before Master class techniques get turned into basic abilities. I think its the same here before ninja found really cool jutsu that didnt require hand signs and over the long time period the newer generations would catch on and eventually stop using them entirely. its like seeing someone riding a horse down the main road like homie we dont do that anymore... Its a shame cause they are really cool and seemingly a staple in the naruto universe.

[@adamwestervelt730]

You hit the nail on the head. Hand signs were the proof that they were human ninjas using jutsu and not magic. I actually STOPPED watching Naruto because the hand signs stopped being a thing and I felt like I was just watching another adaptation of Dragon Ball Z. It is what made the series unique and interesting to watch.

[@nerubianleaver4036]

thats a weak argument to stop watching naruto lol. its like saying you wont read any batman anymore because he stopped using batarangs. the story is still there lol, I mean there a re ninjas who never use hand signs, case in point: Gai and Lee

[@Smex3h]

@@nerubianleaver4036 no it isnt. When they stopped using hand signs and instead just threw shit out like in boruto? Thats a great reason to stop. Plus gai and lee are masters of taijutsu which stems from physical training and body conditioning. Their abilities are from the fruits of their labors( when sasuke tried to copy lees technique but it was weak because sasuke didnt have Lee's physicality). There was always a drawback/conditions for the jutsus to work in og naruto and shippuden. Use less handsigns and you get a faster jutsu but less power/speed, use more and you get more. Also the technique could be stopped if you interrupted the caster. Now it's just hehe throw out magic and robots and aliens. Hell boruto even had a device that threw out jutsus at the literal press of a button.

[@justinjamon6253]

Aliens killed it for me. I mean it was interesting before, because they were humans with weaknesses and emotions. I finished the anime but felt like a drag. Just want to finish it for the sake of finishing it.

[@danielestevao5]

Dumb comment by an even dumber person if you said you stopped watching because aliens were introduced okay but that ois just dumb

[@joel2749]

at least Naruto was tolerable. It was Boruto that got super wack

[@theholy1191]

Honestly a lot of these topics are interesting enough to make me wonder if you ever plan on making a Discord server or something, I think discussions among fans of your channel that way might be interesting (For example, I think it was possible to salvage Konohomaru tbh, it just felt like Kishimoto didn't know what to do with him)

[@wakkaseta8351]

Rasengan not needing hand signs at least made sense since it was just an extension of the Chakra control training the main characters got during the Land of Waves arc. Instead of molding the Jutsu with hand signs, the user has to form it themselves the same way they'd need to channel chakra to their feet to walk on walls/water, and that's why Naruto needed a clone's assistance since he wasn't very good at Chakra control compared to Sasuke and especially Sakura.

[@Goblin_Hands]

4:20 "Based on the provided search results, there is a consensus among fans and enthusiasts that the Boruto anime is considered canon to the manga." I guess technically...

[@virtualblackface3009]

Haku was a special case. That's why he was able to use one handed signs. I actually really like that he kept that unique to one of the first "strongest villains" we see.

[@osadolazuardi3356]

Beaten by Naruto nerdy/geeky/weirdo mode.

[@ShadowHunter24681]

2:14 are we going to pretend minato never existed in the war arc?

[@seikojin]

It is interesting that a simple thing is always mislooked. My favorite handsign is horse. However, the signs disappearing is a step up in the chakra higherarchy. If you look at the universe all told, Earthbound Nature energy users (animals like frogs, snakes, slugs) don't always use handsigns for their natural abilities (water bullets, splitting to many healing slugs, whatever a snake does). And the highest order of the Otsutsuki clan, they don't either for their natural abilities. Their children may have to in some cases. The more altered the ability from the natural form, the more need for a handsign. A generation further, more need for handsigns.

[@LesterCofeyt]

If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you'll never enjoy the sunshine.

[@mikeskrotamich3797]

3:55 whoa

[@kee9294]

Just once after shippuden started, it would've been really cool to see naruto against a shinobi who knows a variety of jutsu, and see him actually recognise hand signs and use it to predict and interrupt their next move. It would've been a great way to show progression so that it didn't look like he was doing nothing when training with Jiraiya. I felt like the naruto and sakura vs kakashi bell fight basically only showed sakura was really strong and that naruto could make shadow clones a bit faster and then they cheesed him using spoilers for the book. Which was a real missed opportunity imo to show the characters had become more competent shinobi, not just being more powerful.

[@LeoBeastmode]

There's a lot of ways they could have used hand signs and a lot of other mechanics to bring more checks into the power levels. It could have been every jutsu required hand signs, it's just you could "prep" jutsu in advance kind of like DnD meditation. The jutsu can be cast near instantly but once used, they'll have to weave hand-signs to cast it mid fight. Could have jutsu prepared purely to distract to buy time to set up more jutsu. There's a lot of plot elements and strategy that could be invoked with that. Heck, using special tools and weapons could be another method of prepping jutsu outside of mere chakra levels and pure power.

[@martinosvald6711]

this video was surprisingly entertaining to watch!

[@raiseasato]

13:15 Boruto has a lot of handsigns weaved throughout the whole series; it's something it does well tbh. Even against Isshiki Kawaki did some, if you wanna use the Ootsutsuki as the main example since they primarily absorb chakra.

[@josvakureolsen]

Exactly, just shows he haven’t watched the show at all 😂 embarrassing to then talk about the series.

[@n3squ1k666]

r u sure ure not mispronounced ootsutsuki?

[@chisome1777]

@@josvakureolsen The dude hates on boruto every community post, obvious hes blinded by hate

[@josvakureolsen]

@@chisome1777 well first, I’m not stalking him to know. Secondly yea he is.

[@joshuavaldivieso55]

yeah i was enjoying the video until the boruto slander lol

[@Aldgri]

Hand signs could’ve made Naruto so much better as a show, imagine all the strategies you could make from it

[@ayhamahmad2277]

Kishimoto can't draw all that he had to save time and page and it well became a little repetitive seeing a these long hands signs as well

[@lonemotheo1964]

2:30 one handed handsigns were by alot more characters not just Haku Sasuke, Obito, Minato, and Itachi all used one handed handsigns

[@Ilanuil]

DUDE the RO OST in the background gave me CRAZY flashbacks.. Oof I almost teared up a little bit. T.,T

[@seneca983]

0:12 The (main) seals are actually named after the animals in the Chinese zodiac. While they are mostly real life animals there's one that isn't, namely dragon (though I've sometimes seen it represented by a seahorse, such as in Fruits Basket).

[@ahmedsachwani2868]

I think the jutus that didn’t require handsigns in the first part were specials because those jutsus were mostly either kekkai genkai or used after the curse mark seal cause it modifys the users own body, like the guy with liquid skin. Out of those 2 there were Justus without hand signs but were insalely OP like gates and rasengan so even in part 1 handsigns still held importance cause they were only achievable by using some insane OP jutsu. Boruto has such OP GODS coming in so yeah you’d need OP jutsu that don’t need handsigns which signifies they are strong but the problem is with boruto you can see how the character worked hard to be able to be that strong if they had hand signs but you don’t see anyone using them so you’re like everyone too OP. Sorry I am super high so this got longer than it was meant to be

[@Genuinely_Vague]

We see Minato use one handed signs after he loses his arm in the war arch. I remember in Naruto’s and Boruto’s sparring match. I thought it was pretty cool that Naruto weaved signs for the mud wall.

[@theorigin8537]

As said by Hagaromo and Indra, the hand signs were only used to assist in directing the chakra to the parts of the body it needs to be at, in-order for a jutsu to be used with precise amounts of chakra, and not needing to use more chakra to garuntee a jutsu. Hand signs are used for people who are saving chakra, or who don’t have good chakra control with that jutsu. Because everyone in Shippuden had lots of chakra, and good chakra control, and didn’t really wanna save their chakra, they didn’t use hand signs. If their jutsu without hand signs pulls off, it will be much stronger because of the excess chakra used as an attempt to make sure the jutsu works.