Origin
Tsunade was born and raised in the Hidden Leaf Village, and the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. As his first grandchild, he tend to spoil her. She would join the Ninja Academy and join the team of Hiruzen Sarutobi, along with Jiraiya and Orochimaru. She would excel in both medical jutsu and chakra control. In their battle with Hanzo, the leader of the Hidden Rain Village, he called them the Sannin, a title that would make them living legends. One of her own personal legends was her lack of all luck in gambling.
On her little brother’s birthday, she gave him their grandfather’s chakra crystal necklace for good luck, but he was killed that same day on a mission. She tried to protect to Hiruzen, now the Third Hokage, about the lack of medical ninja, but her former teacher told her that in war they didn’t have the time to properly train more medics. The person who stood up to support her was Dan Kato. The two became eventually became lovers, and he shared her brother’s dream to be Hokage. As a gift, she passed on her grandfather’s necklace once more.
Yet on the next mission with Dan, he was mortally wounded. She tried to heal him on the field, but even her remarkable skill couldn’t stop the bleeding. Her hands stained in her man’s blood would be one of the primary causes of her hemophobia, fear of blood. With both her brother and lover dead, she had lost all hope for the village. She would leave along with her apprentice Shizune.
Creation
Tsunade (綱æ, Tsunade) is a supporting character of the Naruto series that was created by Masashi Kishimoto, It first began serialization Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in November 1999. She was first introduced during the Search for Tsunade Arc, which began in Volume 16.
She first appeared in Naruto Volume 16, CH. 139 “That Person’s Name isâ¦!!”.
Character Evolution
Tsunade’s name comes from the Japanese folktale of “The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya” (å é·ä¹è±ªåç©èª, Jiraiya Goketsu Monogatari). Though named directly after the character Tsunade, the personalities are drastically different and her name sake was Jiraiya’s wife.
Major Story Arcs
Search For Tsunade Arc
Tsunade had been wondering the Land of Fire with Shizune for several years. One day, she was approached by Orochimaru with his follower, Kabuto. He arms had been disabled and sealed by Hurizen, who Orochimaru admitted killing. She was ready to kill him until he tempted her with the jutsu he had developed to revive her death brother and lover. She was given one week to decide, but would need two bodies as a sacrifice. On that same day, she was met by Jiraiya with Naruto, the Fourth Hokage’s son. He was there to tell her that she had been elected to take the title of Fifth Hokage. When she mocked the idea, Naruto challenged her to a fight, and he nearly used the Fourth Hokage’s Rasengan technique. Naruto lost the fight, but Tsunade made a bet with him. He had one week to master the Rasengan. If he won, he could have the charka crystal necklace of her grandfather.
During the week, Tsunade waited and would watch Naruto’s failing training. As the end of the week arrived, Tsunade drugged Jiraiya, and went to meet with Orochimaru to kill him. With his arms disabled, Kabuto fought in his place, and proved to be a deadly enemy with medical jutsu. He tried to manipulate her fear of blood, but Naruto was able to stop Kabuto with the Rasengan. However, not before Kabuto had used his chakra scalpel to cut the muscles of Naruto’s heart. She saved Naruto’s life, and joined Jiraiya in fighting her former ally. Orochimaru fled before he could be defeated.
Tsunade passed along her grandfather’s necklace, and she acknowledge his dream to be Hokage. They returned to the Leaf Village for her to take on the tile of Fifth Hokage. One of her first trails as Hokage was in the surgery of Rock Lee. The likelihood of survival was slim, but she used intense research with the regeneration techniques she saw from Kabuto to raise his chances.
Sasuke Retrieval Arc
Soon after being appointed Hokage, Tsunade was alerted by Sakura Haruno that Sasuke Uchiha had defected from the village to side with Orochimaru. With much of the high-ranking Jonin away, she gave command of the retrieval mission the Shikamaru Nara. He formed his team and left to capture Sasuke. Not long after, Rock Lee ran off to aid them soon after his surgery.
The retrieval mission was a failure and many of the members were near death. Tsunade directed the treatment of the ninja and their lives were saved. As Naruto left with Jiraiya for two years of training, that would protect him from the Akatsuki; Sakura came to Tsunade to become her apprentice. She agreed once Sakura passed her tests and would teach her both medical techniques and her charka enhanced strength.
Kazekage Rescue Arc
Naruto arrived two years later, but her desire to test his growth was halted as they received an emergency notice that the Sand Village was under attack by the Akatsuki and Gaara had been abducted. She sent Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi to aid in his rescue. As added insurance, Tsunade sent Team 9 as backup. The team returned from rescuing Gaara and and with a clue as to Sasuke’s location.
Sasuke and Sai Arc
Tsunade approved the mission to search for Sasuke, but Danzo had used his influence to put Sai, one of his Root agents on Team 7. Tsunade in turn put Yamato on as Kakashi’s replacement to help control the Nine-Tails in Naruto.
Five Kage Summit Arc
Tsunade was in a coma-like state during the summit of the other Kages in the Land of Iron. She was looked after by Shizune.
Confining of the Jinchuriki Arc
Tsunade had regained consciousness as Naruto, Kakashi, and Sakura had returned. With threat of a war for the Jinchuriki, Tsunade had Naruto sent to train with Killer Bee on controlling the chakra of the Nine-Tails. All information about the war was kept from Naruto. Tsunade then took her proper place as confirming with the other Kages of the allied nations.
Fourth Shinobi War Arc
Tsunade remained at headquarters with A and Onoki to provide input when needed. Tsunade was disturbed by the possibility that Dan may be among the reincarnated ninja fought by the First Division. She was later surprised by the news that some of the enemies in the battlefield contained the Nine-Tails’ chakra.
When the news of Naruto and B’s escape from their confinement reached the headquarters, the Raikage asked Tsunade to help him deal with the two. She left a clone at headquarters and summoned Katsuyu, taking another Katsuyu with her so that they are updated on any urgent matters at headquarters. When they stopped Naruto and B, Tsunade was surprised by Naruto’s control of the Beast. Naruto requested to Tsunade to let him and B pass, but she informed him that she can no longer make a decision independently, and must do what was best for the Alliance. Naruto tried to escape but was stopped by the angry Raikage, who voiced that he is willing to kill Naruto and B if they would not submit. Upon hearing this however, Tsunade told him that she would not allow him to do such thing.
Ten-Tails Revival Arc
Powers & Abilities
Like the other members of the Sannin, Tsunade is an exceptionally talented shinobi. Using precise chakra control, Tsunade is able to focus chakra throughout her body giving her massive strength, enough to split the ground in two with just her finger.
Jutsu list:
- Transformation Jutsu (å¤åã®è¡, henge no jutsu): The Transformation Jutsu is a basic ninjutsu taught to in the Ninja Academy. It transforms the user into the appearance of another person and they can even speak as they do. This is a valuable skill for infiltration and deception.
- Summoning Technique (å£å¯ãã®è¡, kuchiyose no jutsu): This jutsu is a time-space manipulation jutsu and teleports a spirit animal instantaneously. The power of the creature depends on the chakra level and control of her summoner. By signing a contract. a ninja can select a particular type of animal. Tsunade holds a contract with the Slugs and can summon Katsuya.
- Chakra Enchanced Strength: Tsunade’s enhanced strength is based from her chakra control training. Chakra is gathered, condensed, and released at the point of impact.
- Heavenly Foot of Pain (ç天è, tsūtenkyaku): Using her chakra enhanced strength techniques, Tsunade focuses chakra to the heel of her foot in an axe-kick. Upon impact, the kick will create a large crater. This will kill anyone that it makes contact with.
-
Body Pathway Derangement (ä¹±èº«è¡ , ranshinshō): This is a high level technique that combines both taijutsu and medical-jutsu. With an exact strike to the base of the neck, Tsunade overwhelms the electrical signals of the nervous system with chakra converted into electricity. The shock of his strike temporarily rewires the nervous system. The target wont be able to properly control their own body.
- Mystical Palm Technique (æä»è¡, shōsen Jutsu ): The Healing Jutsu is a medical-ninjustu technique where the user forces chakra to their hand to speed the natural healing to the target and it can use used on one’s self.
- Chakra Scalpel (ãã£ã¯ã©ã®ã¡ã¹, chakura no mesu): The Chakra Scalpel is a technique for a medical-ninja to focus chakra at their hands to create an extremely fine and long blade that can cut into the body of a target. It can be used for surgery or to cut muscle and nerves of an opponent.
- Poison Extraction Jutsu (ç´°æ£æ½åºã®è¡, saikan chūshutsu no jutsu):The Poison Extraction Jutsu allows the user to actually isolate and remove poisons from the blood. Using the Chakra Scalpel, an incision is made into the victim then chakra is used to force a large amount of medicinal fluid into the incision. This fluid serves to isolate poisons to then be drawn out of the body. In the process, the poison is removed and the damaged areas of the body are repaired. The extracted poison can now be isolated and analyzed to create an antidote.
- Yin Seal (é°å°å° , infūin): This is an advanced Fūinjutsu sealing technique that Tsunade developed. This is performed by collecting and storing chakra over an extended period of time in the forehead. It will take on the form of a diamond. The release of this technique grants the user even more enhanced strength. Tsunade uses much of her stored chakra to maintain her youthful appearance.
- Yin Seal: Release (é°å°å°ã»è§£, infūin: kai): By releasing the Yin Seal, Tsunade gains enhanced strength and chakra flow to control to use various jutsu that boost the power of even her standard jutsu.
- Creation Rebirth (åµé åç , sōzō saisei): This is a technique that is the pinnacle of medical ninjutsu. By releasing the abundant amount of chakra stored in the Yin Seal, Tsunade is able to enhanced the speed of cellular regeneration within her own body. That includes both skin and vital organs. While this jutsu is active, it’s impossible for Tsunade to die.
- Chakra Transfer Technique: This unique medical jutsu allows Tsunade to transfer her own chakra to the body of another person and adapt it. Tsunade has used this to transfer to Katsuyu to then transfer to the injured members of the village to be healed.
- Mitotic Regeneration: One Hundred Healings (ç¾è±ªã®è¡, Byakugō no Jutsu): This is a forbidden jutsu that requires mastery of the Creation Rebirth Jutsu, thus making it only possible for Tsunade to use. While similar to Creation Rebirth, this doesn’t require hand seals to perform, and the speed of cellular growth is far faster. Even when she was impaled by two swords, they wounds heals almost immediately once they were were removed.
Jutsu Stats
Ninja’s are ranked by their proficiency with the various types of jutsu and other statistics. The score rates as a best out of five and are added up in a total score. (source, Third Naruto Databook)
| Ninjutsu | Taijutsu | Genjutsu | Intelligence | Strength | Speed | Stamina | Hand Seals | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 3.5 | 5 | 5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 35 |
Statistics
Affiliation: Hidden Leaf Village
Rank: Hokage
Registered Ninja: 002302
Date Of Birth: August 2nd
Age: 51 (Part I); 54-55 (Part II)
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Height: 163.1cm
Weight: 48.9kg
Blood Type: B
Completed Assignments:
- D-Rank 40 / C-Rank 236 / B-Rank 467 / A-Rank 418 / S-Rank 95
Other Media
Manga
On top of being a character in the main Masashi Kishimoto Naruto manga, Tsunade also appears in a gag-spinoff manga that stars Rock Lee and others in chibi design. The series is titled Rock Lee Seishun Fullpower Ninden (ããã¯ã»ãªã¼éæ¥ãã«ãã¯ã¼å¿ä¼, Rokku RÄ« Seishun Furupowaa Ninden) and it written and illustrated by Kenji Taira. It began publication in Shueisha’s Super Strong Jump magazine on December 2010.
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. Tsunade’s first anime appearance was in Naruto – Episode 72 “A Mistake from the Past: A Face Revealed!“, which aired on February 25, 2004. Her character in the Japanese series is voiced by Masako Katsuki for the adult role, but for the scenes of Tsunade as a child is voiced by Haruhi Terada. The U.S. dub produced by VIZ Media is done by Debi Mae West for the adult role, but for the scenes of her childhood is voiced by Megan Hollingshead.
In the original anime airing of the Naruto series published by VIZ Media, much of the fanservice scenes from completely cut from the TV airing. The closeup of Tsunade’s breasts when Naruto first meets her was removed, and the scene of Kohohamaru running face first into her cleavage and pausing there was also cut. In the flashback of her youth with Jiraiya, his mocking her for being flat chested was changed.
Naruto Shippuden (2007)
The Naruto Shippuden anime series is the second direct adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto’s original manga. This series is produced by Studio Pierrot and first began airing in February 15, 2007. Tsunade’s first appearance in this series is in Naruto Shippuden Episode 1 “Homecoming”. Her character in the Japanese series is voiced by Masako Katsuki, and the U.S. dub produced by VIZ Media is done by Debi Mae West.
Films
As a lead character in the Naruto series, she has appeared in several of the Naruto movies and her first appearance in the films was for Naruto Shippuden: The Movie(2007).
- Naruto Shippuden: The Movie (2007)
- Naruto Shippuden 3: Inheritors of the Will of Fire(2009)
Games
The character Tsunade has appeared in several of Naruto game series. Her first Naruto game appearance was in Naruto RPG 2: Chidori vs Rasengan(2005). In the English publication of the Naruto game series, Tsunade has not always been voiced by her main anime voice actress, but by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, who voices Kurenai Yuhi.
(For a full list of games that feature Tsunade, see her profile on Giant Bomb. HERE)