The Mangekyo Sharingan (万華鏡写輪眼, literally meaning: Kaleidoscope Copy Wheel Eye) is an advanced form of the Sharingan that has only been activated by a handful of Uchiha. They are noted to be the "heavenly eyes that see the truth of all of creation without obstruction" (天壌の理を掌握せし瞳, tenjō no kotowari o shōakuseshi hitomi)
Overview[]
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 Pinwheel . It is initially awakened by the trauma suffered from witnessing the loss of someone dear, usually their death. 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.
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. 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, 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, granting them greater fluidity in their movements when fighting. Madara was able to sense this form and later deduced that he and Sasuke must be Indra Ōtsutsuki|connected by Reincarnation|more than blood. The Mangekyō Sharingan also grants its user the ability to read and decode the Stone Tablet|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.
Using them comes with a certain sensation that Sensing Technique|sensors can feel, although it doesn't show which technique is being prepared. 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. 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). 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 Kotoamatsukami|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.
Variations[]
Ichijo Uchiha[]
Ichijo Uchiha unlocked his Mangekyo after witnessing his entire families death during the Warring States Period
Mirai Uchiha[]
Mirai Uchiha unlocked her Mangekyo through unknown means. While she has only revealed it's appearance to Tenbo, it's abilities seemed to absorb chakra and energy around it, hinting that at least one of the eyes may have an absorption ability.
Mujin Uchiha[]
Mujin Uchiha unlocked his Mangekyo after sensing the death of his brother, Mugen Uchiha.
Tenbo Uchiha[]
Tenbo Uchiha unlocked his Mangekyo after learning of the death of his brother, Mugen Uchiha