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[Guide] Genjutsu
Genjutsu Overview✎
Genjutsu (幻術, Literally meaning: Illusionary Techniques) is one of the main jutsu categories which uses chakra. Unlike ninjutsu, the effects of genjutsu are not real, being only sensory illusions experienced by those who fall victim to it. According to the Second Mizukage, genjutsu falls under the broad category of Yin Release.
A genjutsu is created when a ninja controls the chakra flow of a target's cerebral nervous system, thereby affecting their five senses; this is frequently used to create false images and/or trick the body into believing its has experienced physical pain. It is further explained in the anime that, because genjutsu affects activity throughout the prosencephalon structure of the brain, humans, dogs and other species of mammal are therefore all affected by genjutsu; however, the kikaichū, like all insects, lack such a structure to their brains, and so do not even notice it: as Shino Aburame put it, insects are ruled almost solely by their senses alone, which makes them immune to genjutsu and gives the Aburame clan an ability to detect it, even when heightened senses become susceptible.
Genjutsu can also be used to manipulate others - similar to brainwashing - by feeding the victim illusive suggestions. Methods include integration with nature transformation, as shown with Water and Lightning Release, and in the anime, ingesting special pills that activate when the target sleeps. Audible genjutsu is deemed the most dangerous because the user can trap victims from long distances. Those under the influence of genjutsu will either appear to be unconscious or continue to move around under the pretence of the genjutsu. The latter is very effective in battle as a genjutsu user can make themselves appear to be somewhere else and attack the victim from behind or change the environment to make the victim see a flat plain where there is a steep cliff.
Genjutsu Guide✎
There are three ways genjutsu can be employed, the most common way is an illusion that affects the mind by causing hallucinations that seem real, the user is able to pull this off by creating a trigger that plays on one, or all of the senses. After the trigger has been set, your chakra will infiltrate their chakra network, overriding it, thus giving you control over their perceptions. The second method are illusions that can be made out of thin air with yin chakra, but this type of genjutsu can only use two sensory triggers which are sight and sound. Another word for this kind of genjutsu can be called figments, or external genjutsu. Finally, due to how the manga and anime portray some genjutsu, such as Hashirama's Bringer of Darkness technique; It can be difficult to tell what the actual application is.
Due to how this technique of illusion is performed, it is harder to explain and some what inconsistent, but some genjutsu do not rely on perception for its medium. As long as you perform hand signs the jutsu will rush out at the opponent. In other words, it's just one of those cast and go type of deals.
- Figments:
- Figment Perception creates a false sensation. When a Figment Technique is perceived everyone feels the same thing, there is no alter, or different versions of a technique from person to person. This means that if a user performs a Figment Perception on a group, everyone feels the exact same Perception. With a Figment Perception, if a user wishes to create an affect such as speech, the user must pick the speech first in order for it to speak or else no audible speech will be heard. If intelligible speech is possible, it must be in a language the user can speak. This goes the same with images, a user cannot create an image unless the user knows the image. The user can only create figments out of two sensory, sight and sound. Figments cannot cause damage to objects or creatures, support weight, provide nutrition, or provide protection from the elements. Figments are pure illusions, used for distractions, confounding, or delaying enemies. This is not a mind affecting perception. These illusions are basically created from thin air, and seem to really need no medium, they are usually easy to comprehend from aware individuals and can be broken with the release jutsu.
Sensory Ranks✎
Based on the rank in which your genjutsu is performed, it will only affect a number of your opponents senses.
External Genjutsu
D-Rank - Sight Only
C&S-Rank - Sight and Sound
Internal Genjutsu
D-Rank -Affects only 2 senses
C-Rank-Affects 3 of the 5 senses
B-Rank-Affects 4 of the 5 senses
A&S-Rank-Affects all 5 senses
Genjutsu Counters✎
■ A victim's chakra flow, if disrupted enough, can break the caster's influence. This "Genjutsu Dissipation" (幻術解, Genjutsu Kai, Literally meaning: Illusion Technique Dissipation) or "Genjutsu Reversal" (幻術返し, Genjutsu Gaeshi, Literally meaning: Illusion Technique Reversal) can be done by the victim themselves, (assuming they realise they're under a genjutsu's influence) or an ally who emits chakra into them; jinchūriki who have formed a good relationship with their tailed beast prefer the latter method whenever they need it.
■ Pain that is not caused by the genjutsu can bring victims back to their senses.
■ If a caster's vision is obstructed, such as by the Hiding in Mist Technique, that at least prevents the use of ocular genjutsu.
■ Possessing a Sharingan renders one largely invulnerable to genjutsu as their acute vision allows them to recognize its flaws and influence. They can also free others from genjutsu by inserting themselves into the opponent's illusion and release it.
■ In the anime, kikaichū are impervious to genjutsu because their brain structures aren't sophisticated enough, allowing members of the Aburame clan a method to identify and counter genjutsu.
■ In the anime, strong smells, such as those from Chilli Pepper Bombs, can counteract genjutsu.
■ In the anime, Kabuto Yakushi attempted to use his own genjutsu on himself in order to override the one Itachi Uchiha placed on him, though due to the complex nature, it failed.
Rules✎
■ I ask that everyone be extremely wary about the type of genjutsu they create because in many cases it can be considered as an auto-hit, as well as puppeteering; do your best to stay clear of these things.
■ If you happen to use genjutsu, do not make use of vague word-play to the point that the terms and sentences you use have no real correlation. The best role-play is always crystal clear.