Who is Kurama (Kyubi), the nine-tailed demon fox?

Kurama is a character from the Naruto manga, created by Masashi Kishimoto . He is also known as Kyubi, which means 'nine-tailed fox demon' in Japanese folklore. This term refers to his true mythological nature among the nine bijū, powerful creatures with an immense amount of chakra. From birth, Kurama is sealed in Naruto Uzumaki and over the course of the chapters, he goes from enemy to ally, developing a deep friendship with the young ninja. Discover his whole story in this article!

The different forms of Kurama

Kyubi Chakra Mode

The Nine-Tails Chakra Mode is an advanced form that Naruto can activate using the power of the demon sealed within him. When he uses it, his eyes turn orange but his pupils remain normal. This transformation allows him to sense negative emotions , regardless of distance or obstacles. It also allows him to emit a life force that accelerates the growth of plants and influences living beings such as the White Zetsu.

But this transformation carries risks related to the non-cooperation of the demon, who can consume Naruto's chakra without his knowledge. For example, when he uses the Kyubi's chakra to create clones, it consumes a lot of his energy. And if he does not cooperate, Naruto puts himself in danger because the risk of complete exhaustion of his chakra increases.

Kurama Chakra Mode

Kurama's Chakra Mode is the demon's full form, fully cooperating with Naruto. This grants the young ninja maximum power without the previous risks.

Using this enhanced form drastically changes Naruto's body, causing his eyes to appear slitted and his facial markings to appear more distinct. The ninja can even make certain parts of Kurama appear, such as his head and tails. This mode is more powerful than the traditional Kyubi Chakra Mode as it allows Naruto to give some of Kurama's chakra to his allies to boost their powers.

Biju Mode

Since Naruto has full control over the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, he can activate Bijuu Mode , which increases his strength and speed by taking the form of the Kyubi. In this mode, Naruto can use his tails as extremely powerful chakra arms and launch Bijuu bombs of incredible force.

He wears a large cloak similar to the Hokage's cape and black lines appear on his body, reminiscent of those on Kurama's body. Much like Minato, he can create a replica of Kurama to float above and protect others, while using his jutsus. The duration of this mode has been gradually extended with practice.

Kurama's Powers

Immense Chakra : Kurama possesses a gigantic amount of chakra, surpassing that of all other Tailed Beasts except the Ten-Tails.
Chakra Manipulation : He can manipulate his chakra to create energy orbs, protective barriers, and increase the power of his attacks.
Bijū Transformation : Kurama can transform into a gigantic chakra creature, greatly increasing his physical strength and defensive capabilities.
Biju Dama (Tailed Demon Orb) : A powerful technique that involves mixing positive and negative chakra in one's mouth to create a ball of destructive energy.
Keen Senses : Kurama has extremely heightened senses, including the ability to sense chakra from great distances.
Regeneration : An accelerated healing ability, allowing his Jinchuriki to recover from injuries that would be fatal to others.
Physical Strength : In addition to his gigantic size, Kurama possesses immense brute strength, capable of destroying mountains or creating tsunamis with a simple swing of his tail.
Aura Projection : Kurama can project a menacing aura that can immobilize his opponents with fear.
Telepathic Communication : He can communicate telepathically with his Jinchuriki and other people nearby.
Chakra Clone Creation : Like Naruto, Kurama can use his chakra to create clones of himself or Naruto, increasing their numbers in battle.

Naruto and Kurama's Relationship

How do they meet?

Naruto Uzumaki grew up isolated and misunderstood in Konoha, unaware of his status as Kurama's Jinchūriki. Orphaned and treated as an outcast, he discovers the true cause of his loneliness: he carries the Kyubi within him . Their first encounter occurs the day that Sasuke , his teammate, is seemingly killed by Haku. Overcome with grief and anger, Naruto unconsciously accesses Kurama's chakra, using it to defeat Haku .

Later, after Orochimaru limits his access to Kurama's chakra with a seal, Jiraiya , his mentor, helps him better control this power through a risky experiment that summons Gamabunta .

The rivalry between Kyubi and Naruto

Originally, Kyubi is malicious , cunning , and full of hatred towards Naruto. The nine-tailed fox uses every moment of rage or fear from its host to gain the upper hand. For example, during his fight with Neji Hyuga during the Chunin Exams , Naruto unintentionally activates Kyubi's chakra. Although he suddenly becomes very strong, he shows signs of weakness as he struggles to handle Kyubi's energy , which overwhelms him.

In Konoha , everyone is afraid of Naruto and initially distrusts him. Despite his initial desire to kill Naruto , the fox demon believes that they must start cooperating for their survival.

Kyubi and Naruto's Cooperation

During training with Killer Bee , Naruto seeks to once again master Kyubi's chakra, which had been hostile to him until then. Over the course of the chapters, Naruto therefore understands that Kyubi is not just a source of power but a conscious entity with its own pains and emotions. During training, Naruto enters his mind to confront him .

As he progresses, he discovers that the key to mastering his chakra is not strength, but the determination to overcome hatred through understanding . Naruto begins to see Kyubi as a being capable of change and even worthy of compassion.

When Naruto finally masters Kyubi

Kyubi and Naruto begin to cooperate during the Fourth Ninja World War . During his fight against Tobi and the reincarnated Jinchūriki , Kyubi lends him his chakra and begins to help Naruto, seeing him in difficulty. But it is during the fight against Obito and Madara Uchiha that they coordinate perfectly, allowing Naruto to finally master Kyubi and even win the fight.

Now that they have become friends, Naruto calls the fox demon by his real name: Kurama . They become friends in Naruto Shippuden episode 329, " Two-Man Team " .

Naruto's transformation into Kyubi

Naruto transforms into the Kyubi and typically uses its chakra when he has strong emotions or needs to protect his friends . At first, these transformations are involuntary and triggered by anger or danger. But over time and training under Jiraiya, Naruto learns to control the Kyubi's chakra.

Here are some moments when Naruto transforms into Kyubi:

Battle against Haku : The first time Naruto uses the Kyubi's chakra in combat. Against Haku, in the Land of Waves , Naruto involuntarily accesses the Kyubi's chakra, under the effect of anger and fear of losing Sasuke . This sudden power, greatly increasing his strength and speed, surprises him as much as his opponent.
Sasuke's Rescue at the Valley of the End : During the fight against Sasuke, Naruto is overcome with emotion and determination to save his friend. He manages to use the Kyubi's chakra, which will increase his strength and speed tremendously.
Battle against Pain : Wanting to protect Konoha against the leader of the Akatsuki , Naruto releases up to six tails of Kyubi chakra. A powerful but dangerous transformation that threatens to kill him.

Who else has Kyubi's chakra?

Minato Namikaze: The Fourth Hokage

Minato Namikaze , the Fourth Hokage , played a crucial role in the history of Kurama and Konoha. During Kurama's attack on the village, he managed to seal the Yin half of the beast's chakra inside his body. A decision that sacrificed his life but saved the village from destruction. In addition to showing himself to be a resourceful ninja, Minato especially revealed his nature as a sage , setting the stage for his son, Naruto.

Kushina Uzumaki: Naruto's mother

Kushina Uzumaki , Naruto's mother, held Kurama's power before him. Thanks to her heritage , she had mastered Kurama's chakra perfectly. Indeed, the Uzumaki are a family renowned for their ability to form strong bonds with the Bijuu and especially for their great longevity. Kushina used her chakra to help seal Kurama into Naruto , an act that ultimately bound her family to the tailed beast for generations to come.

Sora: The Pseudo-jinchûriki

Although Sora is only present in the Naruto Shippuden anime, he is a pseudo-jinchūriki who artificially received some of Kurama's chakra. Unlike Naruto and Kushina, his bond with Kurama is the result of experimentation rather than a traditional sealing. The reason for his presence in the anime is mainly to show that a human can be bonded to a Tailed Beast, even in an unconventional way.

Kurama's Death

In Boruto: Naruto Next Generations , Kurama , the nine-tailed fox, appears to die when he sacrifices his energy to activate Baryon Mode . This technique consumes Kurama's chakra at an alarming rate, resulting in Kurama "disappearing" once his chakra is completely depleted . In the final season of Boruto , Himawari Uzumaki appears to be related to Kurama, formerly sealed within her father, Naruto. Following Kurama's death, it is suggested that Himawari may have inherited or absorbed some of Kurama's chakra.

But it is crucial to understand that in Naruto, the Biju, including Kurama, do not die . Being concentrations of chakra, they do not experience death in the same way as living beings. They can be extracted from their Jinchuriki, reincarnated or their chakra can be transferred. Kurama's "death" is therefore a sacrifice of his current existence, but not an absolute end.