A Mangekyō Sharingan is distinguished from a normal Sharingan by its appearance, which changes the form of the tomoe seal. While the exact design differs for each user, they all resemble pinwheels. It is initially awakened by the trauma suffered from witnessing the loss of someone dear, usually their death.[3] Uchiha have historically misunderstood this criteria as the user needing to be responsible for the person's death, and for that reason they developed the practice of killing their closest loved ones in order to gain the Mangekyō Sharingan.[4]
The Mangekyō Sharingan retains all of the Sharingan's generic abilities, enhancing them all. In addition to that, the Mangekyō grants powerful abilities that differ between each eye, though abilities may be similar in nature; both Sasuke and Itachi have access to Amaterasu's flames, though the extent to which they can use them differ, Sasuke's control of Amaterasu being regarded as superior to Itachi's. The abilities of a Mangekyō Sharingan may not be the same for both of a single user's eyes, as Sasuke's left eye can unleash Amaterasu while the right eye can manipulate his flames with Kagutsuchi. Likewise, each eye may not even be limited to just one ability, as at least Itachi's right eye has Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi.
As each eye houses the particular dōjutsu, one can only access them if they currently house the said eye, even if they were the originator of the said technique. Once a user awakens the Mangekyō in both eyes,[5] they are able to perform Susanoo, even without either eyes. In even rarer occasions, it is possible for one to manifest the "straight tomoe" (直巴, choku tomoe) as in the case of both Madara and Sasuke,[6] granting them greater fluidity in their movements when fighting.[7] Madara was able to sense this form and later deduced that he and Sasuke must be connected by more than blood. The Mangekyō Sharingan also grants its user the ability to read and decode the Uchiha Clan's Stone Tablet to a greater degree than the standard Sharingan, but to a lesser one than the Rinnegan.
As with any dōjutsu, Mangekyō Sharingan can be transplanted into non-Uchiha, granting them all its abilities albeit with steeper chakra demands. Unlike the standard Sharingan, a transplanted Mangekyō Sharingan can be freely activated or deactivated by non-Uchiha at will. Abilities of a Mangekyō Sharingan can also be programmed to activate under certain circumstances, either within the user's own eyes or in a target of the user's choosing; this programming remains even after death.[8]
Using them comes with a certain sensation that sensors can feel, although it doesn't show which technique is being prepared.[9] Even for true wielders, usage of the Mangekyō Sharingan's abilities can cause a great strain on the user. It drains a considerable amount of chakra when simply activating and maintaining the advanced dōjutsu, and even more through each technique used. Even more, it can cause considerable damage to their being, leaving the body in agonising pain and causing deterioration to their vision until eventually over-usage leaves them blind.[10] Their vision can be restored by transplanting the eyes of an Uchiha with strong blood ties — ideally a sibling — thus awakening the so-called Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan (永遠の万華鏡写輪眼, Eien no Mangekyō Sharingan).[11][3] Unlike with other transplants, this second evolution will allow the user to retain their original techniques in addition to obtaining the techniques of the new eyes (Sasuke's Amaterasu resided in his left eye, but after transplanting Itachi's eyes, he could use it with his right eye as well, Itachi's right eye was the one he used Amaterasu through). Although these eyes merge the designs and capacities of the two Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan, they're still the eyes of the original owner and thus react to certain techniques that are aimed at the original owner's Mangekyō Sharingan. Also, they no longer suffer any negative side-effects from using them; bodily harm and charka-drain are reduced to an unnoticeably minimal level and the eyesight is no longer harmed at all. According to Madara, the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan is proof an Uchiha has continued to push forward despite experiencing great losses.[12]
VariationsItachi UchihaItachi Uchiha awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan after witnessing the suicide of his best friend, Shisui Uchiha, shortly before the Uchiha Clan Downfall.[9] With either Mangekyō, he could use Tsukuyomi, an extremely powerful genjutsu that distorts the victim's perception of time. With his right Mangekyō, he could use Amaterasu, creating inextinguishable black flames at the user's focal point. Since he awakened both his Mangekyō, he could use Susanoo. Because both Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu used vast amounts of chakra, combined with his terminal illness, multiple use of the Mangekyō's abilities in a short period of time was particularly debilitating for Itachi, such that after using it three times in one day, he was required to deactivate even his normal Sharingan to conserve energy.[13] Sometime after Itachi's death, Sasuke Uchiha, desiring the power to kill Naruto Uzumaki, had Itachi's eyes transplanted into him. Years later, the left eye was destroyed by Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki.
Obito UchihaObito Uchiha awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan after witnessing the death of Rin Nohara during the Third Shinobi World War; Obito only had his right eye at the time, but the event caused his Mangekyō to simultaneously awaken in Kakashi Hatake, who wielded Obito's left eye.[14] Obito's eyes contained Kamui, the power to teleport oneself and others to Kamui's Dimension. Kamui had two aspects, one contained within each eye. Obito's right eye used Kamui to seamlessly transport parts or all of his body, and those in contact with him into the dimension, giving the appearance of being able to pass through solid objects. Any part of Obito moves into the dimension was concurrently vulnerable to attack from there. Kakashi's left eye was able to use Kamui at long range by producing a small portal with an attractive force that pulled things into the other dimension whole or in part.[15] The left eye could also target the user themselves for complete teleporting.[16] During the Fourth Shinobi World War, it was discovered that each eye was impervious to the others' Kamui.
Madara Uchiha stole Kakashi's eye in order to pursue Obito to Kamui's Dimension. There, he exchanged the eye for Obito's Rinnegan, returning both eyes to their original owner, who was currently controlled by Black Zetsu. During this brief period, Black Zetsu also gained access to both Sharingan powers. After Obito was freed from Black Zetsu's control, he used them in combination effectively thereafter to retrieve Sasuke from Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's distant dimension. But soon afterwards, both of his eyes are destroyed when he was killed by Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's All-Killing Ash Bones. Using his small amount of Six Paths Chakra, Obito's spirit briefly returned to the living plane and inhabited Kakashi, manifesting both Mangekyō with their respective abilities through Kakashi and, by extension, Susanoo.
Madara UchihaMadara Uchiha was the first Uchiha to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.[17] It's not known what the individual abilities of each of his eyes were, but he was able to use Susanoo. The straight tomoe of his Mangekyō Sharingan granted him fluidity in his movements when fighting. When Madara's over-usage of his Mangekyō during the Warring States Period left him blind, this prompted his brother, Izuna, to bequeath Madara his eyes on his deathbed for the sake of preserving the Uchiha, thus granting Madara the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.[18] Many however came to believe that Madara forcibly stole the eyes from his brother.[17]
Towards the end of his life, Madara was able to evolve his eyes into Rinnegan, which he transplanted to Nagato when Nagato was a child without anybody ever knowing. For the Fourth Shinobi World War, Obito wielded Madara's left Rinnegan as wielding both would have been too strenuous. Eventually both eyes found their way back to Madara after he was revived.
Izuna UchihaIzuna Uchiha awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan shortly after Madara did.[17] It's not known what the individual abilities of each of his eyes were. Before he died, Izuna entrusted his eyes to Madara in order to restore his vision and thus protect the Uchiha from extinction.[18] Despite Izuna giving the eyes willingly, Madara is popularly believed to have taken the eyes by force.[17]
Sasuke UchihaSasuke Uchiha awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan after witnessing his older brother, Itachi, die in battle with him and learning the truth behind his actions. With either eye,[19][20] Sasuke can cast Amaterasu, as well as shape and extinguish them. Because he awakened both of his Mangekyō, he can use Susanoo. The straight tomoe of his Mangekyō Sharingan grant him fluidity in his movements when fighting. Sasuke is initially reluctant to transplant Itachi's eyes and gain the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, claiming that his views were different from Itachi's. Later, he decided he needs the increase of strength in order to kill Naruto Uzumaki, along with the severe deterioration of his eyesight from overuse, Sasuke accepted Itachi's eyes transplant.
After acquiring the half of Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki's chakra, Sasuke's left eye evolved further, into a Rinnegan. While Sasuke is evidently unable to deactivate the Rinnegan, it still retains access to all the left Mangekyō's abilities. This eye was destroyed by Boruto Uzumaki while being controlled by Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki.
Shisui UchihaShisui Uchiha awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan after the guilt of "allowing his friend and rival to die". With each of his eyes he could use Kotoamatsukami, a powerful genjutsu that manipulates a target's thoughts so perfectly and absolutely that no one, including the target themselves, would have the slightest idea that they were being controlled. However, this technique couldn't be used with the same eye again until after a period of time.[9] In the anime, awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan in both eyes allowed him to use Susanoo.
When Shisui attempted to use Kotoamatsukami in order to avert the Uchiha Clan Downfall, his right eye was stolen by Danzō Shimura, who felt Shisui's plan was futile and wished to protect the village in his own manner. Fearful that Danzō would take his other eye too, Shisui entrusted it to his best friend, Itachi, and begged him to use it to save Konoha.[21] Danzō transplants the eye he took into himself and uses it over the years to manipulate others to his way of thinking, using the chakra of Hashirama Senju to reduce its recharge time. Danzō destroyed the eye before his death so that nobody else could have it.[22] Itachi transplanted the eye he was given into a crow that he planned to use to re-ally his brother, Sasuke, with Konoha.[23] He used it on himself instead when he was reincarnated in order to break free of Kabuto Yakushi's control. Itachi incinerates the crow afterwards so that nobody else could have the eye.
Indra ŌtsutsukiIn the manga, Indra Ōtsutsuki was the first user of the Mangekyō Sharingan. The individual abilities of each of his eyes were unknown, except that he was able to use Susanoo.[24] In the anime, he awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan after killing his two followers. With his left eye, he was able to use Hinokagutsuchi to produce black flames.[25] In Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections, Indra also has the ability to use Amaterasu.
Shin UchihaThis Mangekyō Sharingan form was uniquely shared between multiple (yet connected) individuals. With his right eye, Shin Uchiha was able to telekinetically manipulate any objects after first branding them with a special mark that he placed by direct contact with his hand.[26] Shin's clones, being genetically identical to him, possess the same Mangekyō Sharingan design and with it the same telekinetic powers.[26] A creature also shares the same Mangekyō Sharingan design with Shin.[27] Despite having multiple Mangekyō Sharingan, neither Shin nor his clones displayed the ability to use Susanoo.
Fugaku UchihaIn the anime, Fugaku Uchiha had awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan after witnessing a sacrifice of his dear friend during the Third Shinobi World War. Although not much is known about his Mangekyō, Fugaku was confident it was strong enough to control the Nine-Tails.[28]
Hagoromo ŌtsutsukiIn the anime, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki awakened this power after risking his brother Hamura's life to save him from their mother Kaguya's control; however, the design of his Mangekyō Sharingan is unknown because his eyes evolved into the Rinnegan at the same time. This unique simultaneous evolution apparently gave Hagoromo the same stability from using his Mangekyō techniques that would normally only come from an Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. While the individual techniques his eyes had are unknown, he was able to create an exceptionally massive Complete Body — Susanoo, which was roughly the size of the Ten-Tails.[29]
Sarada UchihaSarada Uchiha awakened her Mangekyō Sharingan when Boruto Uzumaki was framed for killing the Seventh Hokage due to Kawaki's wish, crying in fear for Boruto's safety.[30]
Hikari UchihaIn Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections' original and alternative story, Hikari Uchiha awakened her Mangekyō Sharingan at some point during the Warring States Period. Much like Itachi, Nanashi was able to use both Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu, as well as control the shape of the black flames produce by the latter. In addition, she could also use two powerful genjutsu: the Engraved Tsukuyomi, a technique similar to the Infinite Tsukuyomi in which she reflected the light of her Mangekyō Sharingan off of the Moon to brand all those caught within it with a marking resembling her Mangekyō Sharingan, and Yachihoko, which allowed her to control the minds and chakra of everyone branded by the marking of the Engraved Tsukuyomi all the while erasing their memories. Merz, who had a pair of artificial Sharingan that could take on a Mangekyō state resembling Nanashi's, could also use the aforementioned techniques in addition to being able to use a Susanoo much larger than Sasuke's own and Naruto's Tailed Beast Mode.