The Mystery of the Sharingan’s Copying Ability in Naruto
The Sharingan's ability to copy jutsu was once seen as its most formidable power, but it didn't maintain that status for long. Let's take a closer look at what transpired.
Naruto Sharingan’s Jutsu Copying Ability What Happened?

Right from the beginning of Naruto, the Sharingan has been revered as a Dojutsu (eye technique) capable of extraordinary feats. One of its most renowned powers was its ability to copy any jutsu witnessed by its users. However, this ability seemed to fade into the background as the series progressed, leaving many fans puzzled. In this article, we’ll delve into the reasons behind the disappearing act of the Sharingan’s copying ability, providing valuable insights into this intriguing topic.
What Was the Sharingan’s Jutsu Copying Ability?
The Sharingan’s copying ability was one of its initial powers, gaining significant attention and earning the Dojutsu the nickname, “Copy Eye.” This ability allowed users to copy any taijutsu, ninjutsu, or genjutsu with flawless precision. It achieved this by utilizing the Sharingan’s exceptional tracking skills, chakra sensing capabilities, and its ability to observe how chakra is molded during techniques.
Hand seals are vital in executing most ninjutsu, and the Sharingan can almost instantaneously track these intricate movements, granting the user knowledge of the technique. With its comprehensive skill set, the Sharingan gifted its wielder the power to replicate their opponents’ jutsu. Even genjutsu, which primarily relies on chakra manipulation, could be copied through the Sharingan’s insightful observations.
Where Did the Copying Ability Go?
Despite establishing itself as a crucial aspect of the Sharingan’s arsenal early on in Naruto, the copying ability drastically dwindled in significance as the series progressed. The only notable instances of its usage were Kakashi’s fight with Zabuza and Sasuke’s emulation of Rock Lee’s Front Lotus to create his Lion Combo. Beyond these occurrences, the copying ability seemed to vanish entirely.
In the sequel series, Naruto: Shippuden, the base Sharingan became obsolete due to the emergence of the Mangekyo Sharingan, which possessed far more potent abilities. As the Mangekyo abilities took center stage, the copying ability was overshadowed and ultimately discarded from the Sharingan’s repertoire. While this succession of stronger ocular abilities can explain its disappearance to some extent, there are additional in-universe reasons for the decline of the copying ability.
- Ranking the Best Protagonists in Resident Evil
- 🎮 The Bizarre Tale of the Text-to-Speech Tree: Prince of Persia’s U...
- Best Honkai Star Rail Argenti Build Skills & Team Comps
The Copying Ability Has Plenty of Limitations
Despite its initial appearance of being overpowered, the Sharingan’s copying ability is relatively balanced and has inherent limitations. To copy a jutsu, the user must possess the necessary nature transformations and sufficient chakra to execute the technique. Since most shinobi possess only a limited number of nature transformations, many jutsu automatically become ineligible for copying. Only Kakashi, who has access to all five nature transformations, could replicate over a thousand jutsu.
Furthermore, the Sharingan is unable to copy Kekkei Genkai (Bloodline Limit) or Hiden techniques, which are secret techniques passed down within specific bloodlines. Additionally, Kekkei Tota, advanced nature transformations that combine three nature types, are immune to the Sharingan’s copying ability. These limitations significantly reduce the pool of jutsu that can be mimicked, leaving only a handful that can be copied.
The Decrease in Usage of Non-Kekkei Genkai Jutsu
In the first part of Naruto, basic ninjutsu techniques were prevalent, requiring minimal chakra usage. This simplicity made it easier for the Sharingan’s copying ability to be utilized, as evidenced by Kakashi and Sasuke’s limited displays of utilizing the power. However, Naruto: Shippuden presented a shift in the power system, with formidable Kekkei Genkai and Dojutsu dominating the narrative.
As the series progressed, a power creep occurred, aided by the introduction of potent abilities like the Rinnegan and Mangekyo Sharingan. Consequently, regular jutsu became obsolete, and a select few Kekkei Genkai techniques remained as the counter to these god-like powers. With Tailed Beasts and wide-scale destruction becoming the norm, the Sharingan’s copying ability faded into irrelevance.
Moreover, the Sharingan itself underwent multiple upgrades, culminating in the introduction of the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, which bestowed new powers upon this Dojutsu. With such unparalleled abilities at their disposal, the need for a jutsu copying ability became superfluous. This explanation aligns with the unfolding events in Naruto: Shippuden, solidifying the fading position of the once-hyped copying ability.
Naruto is available to stream on Prime Video.
MORE: Naruto: Strongest Sharingan Users, Ranked
Reader Questions and Answers
Q: Is the Sharingan’s copying ability really that powerful? A: While the Sharingan’s copying ability appears formidable, it has its limitations. Users must possess the required nature transformations and sufficient chakra, and it cannot copy Kekkei Genkai or Hiden techniques.
Q: Why did the copying ability become irrelevant in Naruto: Shippuden? A: The emergence of stronger ocular abilities, such as the Mangekyo Sharingan, diminished the need for the copying ability. Additionally, as the power system evolved, regular jutsu became less prevalent, making the copying ability less relevant.
Q: Were there any other Sharingan users in the series besides Kakashi and Sasuke? A: Yes, there were several other Sharingan users, such as Itachi Uchiha, Obito Uchiha, and Madara Uchiha. However, the copying ability was not prominently featured for these characters.
Reference List:
- The Game Spot – Pokémon Streamer Dubbed the “Greatest Nuzlocker in the World” after Beating the Series without Losing a Single Pokémon
- The Games – Naruto: Gaara’s Friendship and Why It’s So Important
- The Games – Naruto: Strongest Sharingan Users, Ranked
- 3Health – Men Taking Bodybuilding Supplements: What You Should Know About Their Harm to Fertility
- The Games – Hells Paradise: Ninjutsu and Its Intricacies Explained
- Qurz – Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 Receives New Update
- The Games – 12 Best Party Games for Nintendo Switch
- The Games – PlayStation Error Makes Wild Claim About Doom Eternal Players’ Playtime
Now that we’ve unraveled the mystery behind the Sharingan’s copying ability, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you miss this power, or do you believe the series evolved in the right direction? Share your opinions in the comments below and don’t forget to spread the knowledge by sharing this article on your favorite social media platforms! 💬🔗💻





