<em>Naruto</em> is centered around a significant attack by its most iconic Tailed Beast, which has been crucial to the franchise since its inception. Drawing inspiration from Japanese and Chinese folklore, the Tailed Beasts, or Bijuu, are essential to the power dynamics within the Naruto universe.

While this has evolved even in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, before the Ten-Tails’ terrifying offshoot appeared in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, the importance of Tailed Beasts remains undeniable in the Naruto franchise, beyond its catchy educational song from Naruto: Shippuden.

What Are The Tailed Beasts, and What is the Purpose of the Jinchuriki?

The Nine Bijuu, or Tailed Beasts, either roam freely as wild demons or are utilized as weapons of war by various ninja villages, maintaining a balance of power among nations. To harness their immense power, these beasts are often sealed within a human host known as a Jinchuriki.

Although Naruto and the Nine-Tails are the most well-known Bijuu and Jinchuriki, Kishimoto eventually introduces all of them, who become increasingly significant later in the narrative. As Naruto‘s lore surrounding Tailed Beasts grew more intricate, the anime released a catchy “Bijuu Counting Song” to help fans remember their basics, which is worth checking out for its comedic value.

Shukaku – The Sandy One-Tailed Tanuki Beast

Most Recent Jinchūriki: Gaara, The Fifth Kazekage of the Sand Village

Shukaku is primarily associated with the Hidden Sand village, and his first known Jinchuriki was the priest Bunpuku. Following him was another host who remains unnamed until Shukaku was sealed within an unborn Gaara, still in his mother’s womb.

Shukaku’s design is inspired by a tanuki, a Japanese raccoon dog. He is also an immensely proud Bijuu who constantly tries to compensate for being single-tailed and considers Kurama his fiercest rival. Influenced by Naruto and Kurama’s relationship, Gaara began treating Shukaku as an equal rather than merely a weapon.

Matatabi – The Fiery Two-Tailed Cat Beast

Most Recent Jinchūriki: Yugito Nii of The Cloud Village

Matatabi exemplifies how ninjas exploited Tailed Beasts in earlier eras. Captured by Konoha’s First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, Matatabi was sold to the Hidden Cloud to promote peace among the five major villages. Like many Tailed Beasts, Matatabi resembles two mythological Japanese creatures – the Bakeneko and the Kasha.

Yugito Nii, Matatabi’s Jinchuriki, became a Jonin in her village and learned to control her Bijuu—a process made easier by Matatabi being one of the less aggressive Tailed Beasts. As indicated by its design, Matatabi employs fire-based techniques, arguably making it a better fit for Konoha than for the Hidden Cloud.

Isobu – The Three-Tailed Armored Sea Beast

Most Recent Jinchūriki: Yagura Karatachi, The Fourth Mizukage of the Mist Village

Like Matatabi, Isobu was sold by Hashirama to the Hidden Mist village. When conflict arose, Isobu was forcibly sealed within Rin Nohara, a member of Kakashi Hatake’s team alongside Obito, intending to unleash her upon an unsuspecting Leaf Village. Aware of this plan, Rin sacrificed herself to avoid harming those she loved.

When a Jinchuriki dies, their beast gradually restores itself, and Isobu is eventually sealed within Yagura Karatachi, the Fourth Mizukage of the Hidden Mist. Isobu is free when introduced in Naruto, indicating that Yagura must have died and Isobu was restored again. Isobu primarily uses water techniques, explaining its long-standing connection with the Hidden Mist.

Son Gokū – The Four-Tailed Monkey King Beast

Most Recent Jinchūriki: Rōshi of the Rock Village

Son Goku was sealed within Roshi after being sold to the Hidden Rock village. Unlike many Bijuu/Jinchuriki pairings, Roshi and Son Goku shared a respectful relationship. However, Roshi regretted never learning his beast’s true name. Son Goku draws inspiration from the Monkey King character from the legendary Chinese tale Journey to the West.

Son Goku is incredibly agile and is consideredthe most skilled taijutsu user among tailed beasts, with signature techniques based on lava. By the conclusion of Naruto, each tailed beast’s chakra resides within Naruto, enabling him to combine Rasengan with Son Goku’s lava technique. This attack nearly defeated a wounded Madara while cutting down the colossal Divine Tree.

Kokuō – The Majestic Five-Tailed Beast

Most Recent Jinchūriki: Han of the Hidden Rock Village

Kokuo joined Son Goku in the Hidden Rock village and was ultimately passed to a powerful Jinchuriki named Han. Although Kokuo is one of the less prominent Bijuu in Naruto, it utilizes steam-based ninjutsu to raise its chakra’s boiling point and enhance its physical strength. However, it prefers living peacefully in forests.

The majority of Naruto’s beasts are inspired by mythical legends. However, Masashi Kishimoto revealed that Kokuo is actually a hybrid between a horse and dolphin. In Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, it is shown thatKokuo, Matatabi, and Chomei distanced themselves from humanity after Naruto freed them, which is understandable given their history of harsh treatment from every ninja village.

Saiken – The Slimy Six-Tailed Slug Beast

Most Recent Jinchūriki: Missing-Nin of the Hidden Mist, Utakata

Together with Isobu, Saiken belonged to the Hidden Mist village with each village’s beasts totaling roughly nine tails (excluding Sand). Saiken was sealed within Utakata who initially belonged to Hidden Mist but later left during their dark “Bloody Mist” period.

Like many other Jinchuriki, Utakata was killed by Akatsuki for their Bijuu. He starred in one of Naruto’s best filler arcs that elaborated on his story. Saiken possesses water-based abilities along with a slug-like appearance and can attack using sticky corrosive substances.

Chōmei – The Seven-Tailed Flying Beetle Beast

Most Recent Jinchūriki: Fū of the Waterfall Village

Chomei resembles a Japanese rhinoceros beetle and stands out among its Bijuu kin for being remarkably placid and laid-back—this likely explains why Chomei does not fit typical demon portrayals found in anime. The Seven-Tails was previously sealed within Fu from Hidden Waterfall after being sold there by Hashirama.

Chomei can also unleash tailed beast bombs, but its ability to fly makes this attack even more formidable. Additionally noteworthy are flashbacks showing each tailed beast as infants alongside Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki—while most appear as cuter versions of their adult selves, Chomei took on a larval form reflecting its insect-like design as an adult.

Gyūki – The Eight-Tailed Octo-Ox Beast

Most Recent Jinchūriki: Killer B of the Cloud Village

Gyuki was sold to Hidden Cloud village alongside Matatabi but struggled to find a suitable Jinchuriki who could control it. One candidate was Blue B—the nephew of Third Raikage—but after Gyuki rampaged out of control, he had to be sealed away at great cost. Ultimately Gyuki was sealed within Killer B.

Killer B formed an exceptional bond with his Bijuu allowing him to harness Gyuki’s power at will.This bond persisted even after Gyuki was forcibly extracted during Fourth Great Shinobi War when he was later re-sealed into B. Gyuki resembles an ox-like yokai with sheep horns and tentacle tails and is regarded as one of the strongest Bijuu.

Kurama – The Ravenous Nine-Tailed Beast

Most Recent Jinchūriki: Naruto Uzumaki

The only Bijuu not captured by First Hokage Hashirama was Kurama who roamed free until Madara found him and forced him into battle against Hashirama. After being defeated Kurama was sealed within Mito Uzumaki before being transferred to Kushina. Later Obito forced his release causing chaos in Konoha before he was sealed into both Naruto and Minato.

Kurama resembles kitsune—a mythical Japanese nine-tailed fox—and is considered one of Bijuu’s most powerful entities.

Initially Kurama only aided Naruto when he faced danger but over time they developed friendship which allowed them to unlock their full potential as partners—transforming their bond into one that made Kurama a close ally not just for Naruto but also for other members of Uzumaki family.