Summary
The legendary dōjutsu of theNarutouniverse have long fascinated fans with their incredible abilities and the air of mystery surrounding their origins. Two of the most renowned ocular techniquesare the Rinnegan andRinne Sharingan, though very few characters throughout the series have demonstrated the ability to wield either dojutsu.
While both are depicted as immensely powerful rare dōjutsu, there are obvious distinctions between how each manifests and the extent of their abilities. The Rinnegan, in particular, is shown to grant access to a unique set of techniques. Meanwhile, legends speak of the Rinne Sharingan possessing a harrowing power all its own. So, with such a famous yet enigmatic dōjutsu in theNarutostory, one question remains: what exactly separates these two fabled eyes, and which possesses the greater potential?
Origins of the Peerless Eyes
Both the Rinnegan and Rinne Sharingan are dōjutsu kekkei genkai/mōra abilities associatedwith the Ōtsutsuki clan’slineage. However, their origins differ.
The Rinne Sharingan was firstmanifested by Kaguya Ōtsutsukiafter consuming the chakra fruit, granting her a third eye with its powers. It was later possessed by both the Ten-Tails and Madara Uchiha when he became the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki.
The Rinnegan originated with Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, who obtained its powers naturally at the same time as his Mangekyō Sharingan. He was the first to wield the Rinnegan on Earth. It is possible for a Sharingan user to awaken a new Rinnegan through obtaining both Hagoromo’s and Indra/Asura’s chakra, such as what Madara and Sasuke achieved.
While the Rinne-Sharingan was exclusively tied to Kaguya’s Ōtsutsuki lineage due to being her unique dōjutsu manifestation, the Rinnegan can awaken in a select few with sufficient chakra inheritance from Hagoromo. Nagato and Obito gained the Rinnegan artificially from transplanted eyes rather than inheriting its natural abilities.
Rinnegan Techniques Surpass the Rinne-Sharingan
The Rinne-Sharingan’s knownpowers are dwarfed by the Rinnegan’s versatile suite of techniques. Kaguya’s eye granted space-time ninjutsu and access to other dimensions. However, her sole definitive ability was casting the Infinite Tsukuyomi genjutsu through the light of the full moon.
Conversely, the Rinnegan wields six formidable paths, tapping into the nature of existence itself. Through these, users command attraction and repulsion, mechanization, soul extraction, summoning, chakra absorption, and kingship over the afterlife realms. The pinnacle of the Outer Path even revives the dead. These transcendent techniques afforded Madara unprecedented hegemony duringthe Fourth Great Ninja War.
Later, Rinnegan users innovated further: Sasuke employs dimensional portals, and Momoshiki manipulates matter through absorption or redistribution. No similar expansions occurred for Rinne-Sharingan’s shadowy techniques. Ultimately, the Rinnegan grants dominion over life and death to a degree unparalleled in the Shinobi world, cementing its primacy among ocular powers.
Exclusive Wielders Throughout History
Another contrast lies in who could access these powers. The Rinne-Sharingan was confined to three singular entities: Kaguya Ōtsutsuki,the Ten-Tails beast formedfrom her essence, and Madara Uchiha in his resurrected Ten-Tails jinchūriki form.
Meanwhile, several prominent Shinobi activated the Rinnegan through various means. These included Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki,Madara Uchiha naturally through Senju DNA infusion, Nagato due to receiving Madara’s transplanted Rinnegan, Obito Uchiha after taking one of Nagato’s Rinnegan, and Sasuke Uchiha via receiving chakra directly from Hagoromo. Additionally, Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki and Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki, extraterrestrial clan members, showcased Rinnegan abilities unique to their bloodline. Urashiki Ōtsutsuki of the same clan was also able to manifest a Rinnegan.
This exclusivity of the Rinne-Sharingan highlights its status as a primordial asset of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki alone. By comparison, later incarnations innovated the Rinnegan through experimentation and destiny, proliferating its presence in the world, albeit through artificial means such as transplantation at times rather than pure inheritance.
Appearance: Distinguishing Marks of Legend
The Rinnegan and Rinne-Sharingan are two legendary dōjutsu that appear quite similar, with their concentric ripple patterns spreading across the eyeball. However, a closer examination reveals key optical distinctions between the two abilities. The standardRinnegan wielders like Nagatoand Madara Uchiha display is characterized by a single purple iris or sclera marked by multiple concentric circles but devoid of any tomoe markings. Sasuke Uchiha’s variant of the Rinnegan stands out slightly with its inclusion of three tomoe interwoven within the innermost circles.
By contrast, the rare Rinne-Sharingan is distinguished first by its blazing red sclera and irides. Its ripple pattern also bears nine prominent tomoe markings instead of the standard Rinnegan’s circular design. Most notable is its manifestation as a third central eye dominating the forehead of its wielders. Both Kaguya and Madara demonstrated this ability after approaching immense power. While some Rinnegan users, like Momoshiki and Urashiki, displayed their unique color variations of golden yellow and blue, respectively, the standard Rinnegan color is described as a cool purple in all accounts.
These subtle optical characteristics serve to properly distinguish these legendary dōjutsu. The Rinne-Sharingan’s position as a third central eye and nine-tomoe composition differentiate it from the typical single-eyed Rinnegan variants wielded by figureslike Nagato, Madara, and Sasuke Uchiha.
Shaping Destiny through Generations
While both eyes represented pinnacles of ocular might, the Rinnegan had a more profound and enduring impact on shaping theNarutoworld’s destiny. Through Hagoromo’s influence and the legacy carried by hisreincarnates, Indra and Ashura, its techniques rippled across generations. Individuals like Madara, Nagato, and Sasuke drastically altered the world’s power structure by utilizing unique Rinnegan abilities.
Conversely, the Rinne-Sharingan existed solely to serve Kaguya’s plan of placing all humanity under an infinite Tsukuyomi. Unlike the Rinne-Sharingan, the Rinnegan continued fostering new developments even after the Fourth Great Ninja Warthrough users like Sasuke, whose Rinnegan granted unique abilities. The Rinnegan demonstrated far deeper roots in mythology and a wider-reaching influence on Shinobi history through generations of users than the Rinne-Sharingan’s singular focus of serving Kaguya’s will.
The Rinnegan and Rinne-Sharingan are linked by superficial similarities but differ in true nature and role. While both represented the pinnacles of ocular might, the Rinnegan emerged as more integral and adaptable to new users. In contrast, the Rinne-Sharingan’s purpose was singularly tied to advancing Kaguya’s genjutsu. Such contrasts illustrate how even the most coveted powers evolve and diverge along distinct courses according to their origins and purposes.
