Scariest Transformations In Naruto

Summary

• Naruto series features terrifying transformations from both villains and heroes, invoking horror.
• Gaara’s half-Shukaku, Kakashi’s Perfect Susanoo, and Hidan’s Cursed form are among the scariest.
• Design and power play crucial roles in creating unnerving transformations in Naruto.

Naruto as a series isn’t inherently a horror show, though when certain characters decide to show off their devastating powers through a flashy new transformation, things can get scary pretty quickly. While a terrifying transformation might be expected from villains like the Akatsuki, it’s surprisingly often the heroes who look the scariest when they’re able to go all-out against a tough opponent.

While a show of power can definitely allow a transformation to invoke horror in the reader, it also needs to have a creepy design, and it’s fair to say author Masashi Kishimoto has flexed his horror muscles more than a few times throughout the series. When push comes to shove though, across Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, these transformation forms below have stood the test of time as some of the scariest to look at, instantly sending a chill down the spine whenever they show up.

8

Gaara Half Shukaku

Gaara Tries To Cling Onto His Body As He Succumbs To The Shukaku

• First Appearance: Episode 77

After the Chunin Exams are interrupted by a surprise attack, Naruto and Gaara find themselves coming face to face in the nearby forest. Though the two had locked eyes and interacted a few times before this, they had no idea they were two sides of the same coin, both being Jinchuriki who needed to learn how to safely harness the power of the Tailed Beasts that lay within them. At this point though, Gaara’s heart was so full of hatred for the world that he couldn’t control his Shukaku, resulting in this terrifying form he morphs into during his confrontation with Naruto.

Seeing Gaara’s maniacal grin as the Shukaku’s bulky hide creeps up his arm is an eerie visual that sticks in the mind long after the episode ends. While the full form of the Shukaku is still a scary sight, the sight of Gaara still clinging onto his regular form, alongside his wicked facial expressions, makes this a particularly creepy version of the Shukaku transformation.

7

Kakashi Perfect Susanoo

Kakashi’s Ultimate Transformation Is A Terrifying Sight To Behold

• First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 473

Admittedly, every version of the Susanoo, whether it’s from Sasuke, Itachi, or even Madara, has a pretty scary design, but this specific one is extra eerie thanks to a few of its features. This is Kakashi’s Perfect Susanoo that he unleashes as a final resort against Kaguya, and while the giant wings already give it a stern and intimidating presence, the dim eyes and Kamui Shuriken make it all the more sinister to look at.

Of course, everyone who has faced Kakashi knows all too well how strong he is, so seeing him replicate an ability that is designed to be reserved for the Uchiha Clan makes it extra spooky since there’s no telling how the Copy Ninja will decide to use this absurdly powerful form.

6

Hidan Cursed Form

Hidan Sports An Occult-Like Appearance When Entering His Cursed Form

• First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 86

Hidan is a pretty unique character in the series who has been the focus of more than a few online conversations, primarily because of how strange and unexpected his form is. Hidan worships Jashin, a god who seemingly grants Hidan the gift of immortality, allowing him to enter his “Cursed” form where he essentially becomes a living voodoo doll.

The occult-like markings splashed across his body, paired with his half-torn Akatsuki robe and artifact hanging from his neck present Hidan as a genuinely terrifying opponent for Shikamaru and Asuma to face, proving a transformation doesn’t need to go too far to look unnerving.

5

Kakuzu True Form

Kakauzu’s Original Form Is A Truly Effective Piece Of Body Horror That Effortlessly Makes The Skin Crawl

• First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 88

Kakuzu is the silent and stoic contrast to Hidan’s brashness, but underneath the cold exterior is a merciless killer who tries his best to hide his identity. However, when the Akatsuki robe comes off, Kakuzu can focus his chakra to unleash his true form, with his tentacles turning him into a sort of octopus-like monster that can easily snap his enemies in two without breaking a sweat.

It’s also an effective show of body horror from Kishimoto, showing Kakuzu’s limbs being stretched out while his legs and head hover at the center, along with the two eerie masks resting on the surface. Kakuzu often prefers to hold back if he can help it, but when he shows what he’s truly made of, it ignites a spark of fear within anyone unfortunate enough to lay eyes on him.

4

Killer Bee Eight-Tail Ox

The Sheer Size Of Killer Bee’s Ox, Paired With The Lifeless Eyes Results In A Chilling Overall Design

• First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 143

Killer Bee’s Eight-Tailed Ox may be a little less powerful than Naruto’s Kurama, but by the time Bee was introduced to the series, he had formed a close bond with his inner beast, allowing him to effortlessly wield its power. However, while Bee can summon the ox’s tentacles whenever he likes, this is the full form that appears when he decides to let loose, and it’s fair to say that it’s pretty horrifying.

What ramps up the scare factor for this particular form is the range of damage it can cause with its spin attacks, and of course, the Tailed Beast Bomb, which almost wipes out the entire Taka team in one blast. The size, strength, and mobility make the Eight-Tails a creature that can easily rattle the nerves of its opponents, especially with those giant soulless eyes.

3

Kisame Samehada Form

Kisame Becomes A Bloodthirsty Predator With Incredible Mobility Upon Fusing With Samehada

• First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 207

In terms of strength, Kisame is arguably one of the strongest beings in the entire series, given the fact he can absorb infinite amounts of chakra, while also possessing a bunch himself. If he decides to hone his physical and chakra abilities into one, he will fuse with his sword to enter his shark form, making him look even more similar to the aquatic predator than he already did beforehand.

Kisame explodes in size when entering this form, while also growing a giant tail to assist him in swimming toward his unlucky prey. Though this form is barely used in the series, Kisame’s transformation is undoubtedly still a scary sight whenever it pops up during an intense battle.

2

Kaguya Tailed Beast Transformation

Kaguya Turned Into This Grotesque Form After Absorbing Too Much Of The Tailed Beasts’ Chakra

• First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 473

After Kaguya attempted to absorb the Tailed Beasts, it resulted in a bizarre and horrifying transformation that almost looks like a sick and twisted science experiment gone horribly wrong. Despite technically still being Kaguya, the dangerous Otsutsuki is virtually nowhere to be seen. Instead, this form looks like each one of the Tailed Beasts trying to break out of a bubble that is spouting tentacles from every direction, along with a giant demonic-looking bunny appearing on the side.

This transformation is essentially a potential appearance of the mighty Ten Tails, though it can also be seen as Kaguya simply losing control of the beasts’ immense power for a few moments too. Either way, it’s a transformation that makes the skin crawl with how odd and bizarre it is.

1

Orochimaru Power Of The White Snake

Just In Case Orochimaru’s Normal Form Wasn’t Horrifying Enough, He Also Has This Serving Of Nightmare Fuel Too

• First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 113

Orochimaru has always been a very mysterious and sinister villain in the series of Naruto, and while his regular form looks creepy enough, this transformation, which sees him morphing into a giant snake, is by far the most chilling of all. Though Orochimaru’s long black hair remains intact, that’s where the similarities end, as the rest of his hideous creature is entirely unrecognizable and terrifying to look at.

This form only makes a brief appearance in the story in a sequence where it talks to Sasuke, but the fact it came out of nowhere made it even more jarring to look at. Some fans theorize that this could in fact be the true form of Orochimaru, though it seems more likely that it’s a transformation used for healing his wounds, though there’s never been a concrete answer given by Kishimoto.