Origin
Tobirama Senju is a member of the famous Senju Clan during the Second Shinobi World War. He felt that adults stoking this war were fools, and during it Tobirama and Hashirama lost their younger brother, Itama Senju, to the Uchiha Clan. After their father’s death, Hashirama took on leadership of the Senju. He tried to end the fighting, but Madara Uchiha refused to relent no matter how many chances Hashirama offered. After Tobirama fatally wounded Madara’s brother, Izuna, the fighting would eventually end. They created the village known as Konohagakure, which consisted of various ninja clans. When Hashirama wanted to appoint Madara as the leader, Tobirama rejected the idea and told him they would use a vote of the people.
While a member of the Leaf Ninja, Tobirama took on three pupils as part of their new system of mentoring. His first students were Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado. He also surrounded himself with ninja who could look beyond clan loyalties and focused on the village. After Hashirama died, Tobirama was appointed the Hokage of the village. One of his main actions while leader was to put the Uchiha clan in charge of the Konoha Military Police, but the motivations behind that action was to keep them contained. He saw them as the biggest threat to the village.
While returning from a mission, Tobirama’s squad was followed by a large threat. The plan required a decoy that would surely die. Though Hiruzen volunteered, Tobirama took on that task and appointed Hiruzen to become the Third Hokage. He would die in the act of decoy to save his squad.
Creation
Tobirama Senju (千手扉間, Senju Tobirama) is a supporting character of the Naruto series that was created by Masashi Kishimoto, It first began serialization in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in November 1999. He was later introduced during the Invasion of Konoha Arc that began in Volume 13.
He first appeared in Naruto Volume 14, CH. 118 “Detainment…!!”.
Character Evolution
Major Story Arcs
Invasion of Konoha
Many years later, Orochimaru discovered how to use Tobirama’s Edo Tensei jutsu and brought back both Hashirama and himself to battle Hiruzen. They had no control of their own bodies, but they could use all of their techniques. At the end, Hiruzen used Reaper of Death Seal jutsu to capture and seal away their souls.
Ten-Tails Revival Arc
Once again, Tobirama found himself revived by Orochimaru after he undid the Reaper of Death Seal Hiruzen had created. He was brought back with Hashirama, Hiruzen, and Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage. They were there to answer the questions of Sasuke Uchiha. After telling him the story of the founding of Konohagakure, they were released to join the Fourth Shinobi War to stop Madara Uchiah’s plot to revive himself and erase the world of shinobi forever. During the chaos, the Ten-Tailed Beast was sealed into Obito Uchiha as a Jinchūriki. The undead Hokage fought with Obito to try and analyze his powers.
Powers & Abilities
Tobirama was renowned as one of the most powerful shinobi in history.
Ninjutsu
Tobirama was a master of Water Style, even able to use water Jutsu without needing a source of water. The full range of his abilities are unknown, but he has demonstrated a few as Orochimaru’s undead servant, such as: “Water Encampment Wall” where he creates a protective wall of water around his body. “Water Collision Destruction” where he creates a large tornado of water. “Water Jet” where he creates a thin stream of water that can cut through rock. “Liquid Chains” where he’d bind his opponent’s limbs and drags them underwater. “Underwater Motion” that allowed him his travel quickly under water. And “Water Dragon Missile” where he creates a powerful stream of water shaped like a dragon; but while it normally requires many hand seals to use, Tobirama was able to use it with only two.
As the creator of the Flying Thunder God technique, Tobirama could instantly teleport himself and/or other targets to any location marked with his seal.
But perhaps Tobirama’s most fearsome jutsu that he created was “Resurrection to the Impure World,” where he could sacrifice the living in order to resurrect the dead as his servants.
Weapons & Equipment
Tobirama possessed the “Raijin Sword,” a sword that could generate electricity.
Statistics
Other Media
Anime
Naruto (2002)
The Naruto anime series is the first direct adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto’s original manga. It’s produced by Studio Pierrot and first began airing in October 3, 2002. The series lasted for 220 episodes. The last of which aired on February 8, 2007, and it was then followed by the direct equal, Naruto Shippuden. Tobirama’s first anime appearance was in Naruto – Episode 69 “Village in Distress: A New A-Ranked Mission!”, which aired on February 4, 2004. His character in the Japanese series is voiced by YKenyu Horiuchi, and the U.S. dub produced by VIZ Media is done by Peter Lurie.