Kakashi Hatake (はたけカカシ, Hatake Kakashi) is a shinobi of Konohagakure's Hatake clan. Famed as Kakashi of the Sharingan (写輪眼のカカシ, Sharingan no Kakashi), he is one of Konoha's most talented ninja; regularly looked to for advice and leadership despite his personal dislike of responsibility. To his students on Team 7, Kakashi teaches the importance of teamwork, a lesson he received, along with the Sharingan, from his childhood friend, Obito Uchiha. After the Fourth Shinobi World War, Kakashi becomes Konoha's Sixth Hokage (六代目火影, Rokudaime Hokage, Literally meaning: Sixth Fire Shadow).
Since his early childhood, Kakashi was very independent and self-confident, at times even appearing arrogant and condescending. Despite that, Kakashi was very perceptive and intuitive, quickly realising the situation for what it was. After his father's death, Kakashi became more stern, aloof and cold toward others, following all the rules to the letter, chastising any who disobeyed them and willing to abandon his comrades to finish missions.
As an adult, Kakashi typically has a relaxed and almost bored attitude, not prone to getting too worked up about anything or by anyone. Despite his increasingly growing reputation and prowess as a ninja, Kakashi has shown no signs of arrogance, and is rather modest about his abilities. He is habitually tardy, showing up when it suits him, using excuses that convince nobody, and later leaving for equally poor reasons. Though Kakashi wants others to believe this is how he always acts, he only does so for matters that aren't of particular importance.
In truth, Kakashi is rather a solitary, and matter-of-fact person. Kakashi is still just as apathetic as he was during his youth, often speaking bluntly about sensitive topics and occasionally ignores his fellow classmates, whenever he passed by them. He is alone for most of his spare time, spending hours visiting Rin Nohara's grave or the Memorial Stone where Obito Uchiha's name is engraved. He tells them about his life, recent events in Konoha, and others they knew, but mostly he shares his regrets that they cannot be with him or that their deaths were his fault. In the anime, after Rin died, Kakashi went through a period of post-traumatic stress disorder, having nightmares about her death and growing depressed whenever others mentioned her. Over time, Kakashi comes to accept that Rin chose to die, so his guilt instead becomes about his broken promise to Obito to keep Rin safe. This fact causes Obito's death to weigh more heavily on him, compounding the regret he feels about what his personality was even hours before Obito died. Kakashi feels that, had he cared about teamwork and friendship in the same way that Obito did, Obito's death might have been avoided. Thinking it would ease his pain, Minato convinced Kakashi to join the Anbu. During his time in the Anbu however, Kakashi gained a reputation for his cold-bloodedness.
Kakashi Team 7 vs Zabuza Momochi
Obito's death profoundly changed Kakashi. More particularly, he became committed to teamwork and always places teammates' well-being above the mission's: he believes goals can be accomplished more effectively together, asking for help when he needs it, providing help when it is requested of him, and praising allies when they deserve it. An abuse of one's teammates is the only thing that can makes Kakashi cast aside his normally stoic demeanour, causing him to attack without mercy or his usual sense of sportsmanship. He expects his prospective students to demonstrate this same devotion to teamwork, which none until Team 7 were able to do; despite the high failure rate, the Third Hokage agrees with Kakashi's choice to require it. Kakashi becomes fond of all Team 7's members, even Sasuke Uchiha, blaming himself for Sasuke's criminal acts and his team's growing rift over it throughout Part II. He holds out hope that Sasuke will correct his behaviour, and for his patience he is able to see Team 7 reunified when Part II ends.
Might Guy has considered Kakashi his rival ever since they first met in the Academy. Despite his father's warning that Guy might someday prove stronger than him, Kakashi didn't think much of Guy at the time. Guy took this as a challenge and began striving to earn Kakashi's approval so as to show that his perseverance could be just as good as Kakashi's natural genius. When Guy would suggest contests to test how their abilities compared, Kakashi would respond with indifference, only fuelling Guy's desire to defeat his "cool, hip, and trendy" personality. At the start of Part I, Kakashi's score is 50 wins and 49 losses,[36] though even when Guy takes the lead the score difference remains the same; considering that their competitions range from eating contests to Rock, Paper, Scissors, the score isn't truly representative of anything. Kakashi eventually comes to consider Guy one of his closest and most reliable friends, and by the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War he acknowledges that Guy has surpassed him. In following years as Hokage, Kakashi continued to dutifully work to progress the village. At the same time, he still believes that even in times of peace, no one should become a ninja without appreciating the importance of it.
When he first meets his students on Team 7, Kakashi claims to have many hobbies, none of which he chooses to share at the time. He is known to be an avid fan of the Icha Icha series of novels; he always has one of the books with him and regularly reads it, even while talking to others. Naruto Uzumaki identifies Icha Icha as one of Kakashi's few weaknesses, which he is able to take advantage of during a bell test by threatening to spoil the ending of the newest book in the series, forcing Kakashi to shut his eyes and ears and thereby leave himself vulnerable. Although most people he knows are aware of how much he likes Icha Icha, Kakashi is seemingly uncomfortable sharing the books with others, growing embarrassed by the presumably adult content when he is forced to read passages aloud.
Appearance
Kakashi Unmasked
Kakashi without his mask.
Kakashi has a strong resemblance to his father, so much so that they are sometimes mistaken for each other:[37] he has spiky silver hair often oriented to his left-side, dark grey eyes (black in several instances), and typically a relaxed, heavy-lidded expression. During the Third Shinobi World War, his left eye was damaged, leaving a vertical scar from the injury. The eye was shortly afterwards replaced with a Sharingan, which he covers with his forehead protector when he isn't using it. This, combined with the mask he has used to cover the lower half of his face for seemingly his entire life, prevents most of his face from being visible. Even his ninken have seen his face so sparingly that most of them don't remember what he looks like unmasked.[38] On the few occasions he exposes his full face, he has a narrow jaw-line and a beauty mark under the left corner of his mouth. Overall, he is considered very handsome as seen from Teuchi and Ayame's reaction to seeing his face.
Kakashi during the Third Shinobi World War.
Expand slideshow1 of 5
Kakashi wears Konoha's standard infantry clothing for most of Part I and Part II: a flak jacket, dark blue pants, and a long-sleeve shirt. He also wears fingerless gloves with metal plates on the backhand and is seen with a chain necklace underneath.[41] His appearance remains largely the same following the Fourth Shinobi World War, except for a red armband on his left bicep, boots instead of sandals, and Konoha's redesigned flak jacket. The kanji "六火" (Literally meaning Six Fire) is written on the back, denoting his Hokage position. For formal occasions, he wears the typical Hokage garb: the traditional headpiece and haori, along with a red, full-length kimono, tied using a white sash. Written vertically on the back of the robe, Kakashi has the kanji for Sixth Hokage (六代目火影, Rokudaime Hokage, Literally meaning: Sixth Fire Shadow).
Kakashi wore several different outfits prior to Part I. One of the most commonly seen of these is what he wore during the Third Shinobi World War: a black T-shirt with white stripes in the middle of the sleeves, additional sleeves over his arms, metal arm protectors, leather straps around his back and chest, and dark pants. Prior to its destruction, his family's White Light Chakra Sabre was kept in a small holder in the middle of his back. During his Anbu career, he wore a simple blue suit with a grey flak jacket, strapped up sandals and arm guards that went up to his elbows. While not on duty as an Anbu, he wore a similar outfit with segmented gauntlets and bandages over his calves. His Anbu mask resembled a dog's face with red and black markings around the eyes, sides, and mouth. One trait left over from his career as an Anbu is their signature tattoo resembling a red flame on his left deltoid (shoulder muscle).
Abilities
Raiden
Kakashi using one of his unique ninjutsu skills.
Kakashi is a natural prodigy, evidenced by his rapid rise through the ninja ranks.[42] His feats and renown cause him to be recognised on sight by foreign ninja like Zabuza Momochi, Kidōmaru and the Fourth Raikage.[43] Several members of Akatsuki considered him to be strong, he was deemed by Itachi Uchiha as an opponent Kisame Hoshigaki won't beat easily,[44] he fought Kakuzu to a standstill despite the elderly S-rank ninja's abilities, and viewed by Pain as a major threat to Akatsuki's plans.[45] To his allies in Konoha, Kakashi is valued highly for his combat prowess and leadership skills, such that many foresaw his rise to Hokage status years before it happened.[46][47] His prowess is such, that some believe he could take on an entire country.[48] However, the Sage of Six Paths believed Kakashi's greatest strength lied with him as a teacher, leader, and friend, all of which proved to be vital factors in Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's defeat.[49]
In general, Kakashi is a very versatile man with high proficiency in countless areas; Naruto Uzumaki says Kakashi is smarter than Shikamaru Nara, has a better sense of smell than Kiba Inuzuka, is more adept with the Sharingan than Sasuke Uchiha, and has better taijutsu skill than Rock Lee.[50] He isn't seen using genjutsu very often, but his ability to keep up with and endure the genjutsu used by various Uchiha demonstrates his competency.[51]
Chakra and Physical Prowess
Kakashi vs Kakuzu
Kakashi engages Kakuzu in hand-to-hand combat.
By his own admission, Kakashi's chakra reserves are of average size. In Part I, he has only enough chakra to use the Lightning Cutter four times per day, which is increased to at least six times in Part II. Similarly, at the start of Part II, he can only use Kamui three times before he requires extended bed rest; although its use always remains a risk for him, he is able to use Kamui more often as Part II goes on.
Kakashi's proficiency in taijutsu allows him to take various approaches in close combat. His time in the Anbu enables him to suddenly approach enemies from behind, unnoticed by even other Anbu.[52] Also, his ongoing competitions with Might Guy make him just as comfortable attacking from the front, striking with debilitating precision to quickly defeat multiple enemies. Kakashi is able to open at least one of the Eight Gates.[53] Other skills include: physical strength great enough to wield the Kubikiribōchō with one hand;[54] reflexes sharp enough to block attacks he is unable to see;[55] speed fast enough to perform hand seals at unreadable rates, such that binding his arms is considered one of the more effective ways to defeat him.[50]
Ninjutsu
Kakashi Using Rasengan
Kakashi using Rasengan.
Kakashi primarily relies on his great skill and knowledge of ninjutsu, which he has displayed even as a child before entering the Academy.[56] Over the years, due in large part to his Sharingan, he gained a vast arsenal; reputed to have copied over a thousand jutsu and which led to his moniker as "Copy Ninja Kakashi" (コピー忍者のカカシ, Kopī Ninja no Kakashi).[57] With this arsenal, combined with years of experience, Kakashi can handle almost any situation in various ways. He is also well-versed in fūinjutsu, impressing Orochimaru.[58]
Ninken summoned to search Orochi
Kakashi's ninken.
Kakashi has his own personal pack of ninken, which he raised since they were puppies; in the anime, he is shown using them during the Third Shinobi World War.[59] In the field, he can summon one or more of his ninken to fetch things for him, restrain targets,[60] or deliver messages. More commonly, he uses them for tracking, picking up trails that Kakashi, despite his own considerable tracking skills, can't detect, or seeking out targets he doesn't know where to look for.
Nature Transformation
Kakashi can use all five basic nature transformations, as well as the Yin Release and Yang Release.[5] He can use Water Release without a nearby water source,[61] being able to produce massive torrents, water dragons or defensive walls. With Earth Release, he can move underground for sneak attacks or produce walls to defend himself or block enemies.[62] In the anime, he is shown using Fire Release to launch a massive fireball.[63]
Lightning Cutter
Kakashi's signature technique, the Lightning Cutter.
Kakashi's natural affinity is for Lightning Release,[64] which he will at times channel into weaponry to increase its cutting power.[65] When he was younger, he tried to infuse the Rasengan with his lightning nature, but the task proved too difficult. In its place he created the Chidori,[66] a collection of lightning chakra in the hand that can pierce most targets that it is thrust into; he once famously split a bolt of lightning with his Chidori, earning the name "Lightning Cutter".[67] The Chidori and Lightning Cutter are very fast attacks, such that Kakashi can only use them safely with his Sharingan. Other techniques of this nature include lightning hounds that he can manipulate to attack his enemy, lightning clones that paralyses an opponent on contact,[68] and lightning cords that are even capable of cutting through Tailed Beast Chakra Arms. After losing his Sharingan in the Fourth Shinobi World War, he creates the Lightning Release: Purple Electricity, which allows him to release a surge of purple lightning to produce a variety of effects: attack from afar, augment his physical strikes, and release a burst from all around him.
Dōjutsu
Sharingan
Kakashi's Sharingan
Kakashi's Sharingan.
Kakashi received his Sharingan during the Third Shinobi World War from Obito Uchiha, a replacement for the left eye he'd lost shortly beforehand. The Sharingan has become his most identifying feature in the years since then, such that he is widely known as "Kakashi of the Sharingan" (写輪眼のカカシ, Sharingan no Kakashi). With the Sharingan, Kakashi can accurately reproduce any movement he sees (his own physical skill permitting), take in a heightened amount of visual information, and perform the Sharingan's broad category of genjutsu. Because he isn't an Uchiha, he can't deactivate the Sharingan and it rapidly drains his chakra whenever he uses it, leaving him bedridden after extended use;[69] he keeps the eye covered when he doesn't need it in order to prevent this. Despite his handicap, he is still able to wield it to a impressive extent, as noted by Itachi Uchiha.[70] Kakashi loses his Sharingan during the Fourth Shinobi World War to Madara Uchiha.[71] When Obito dies with both his Sharingan, his spirit briefly returns from the afterlife and transfers them into Kakashi, granting him temporary use of the dōjutsu's full power.
Mangekyō Sharingan
Kakashi's Mangekyō Sharingan
Kakashi's Mangekyō Sharingan.
Kakashi's Sharingan became a Mangekyō Sharingan when Rin Nohara died, a trauma that simultaneously caused the Mangekyō to awaken in Obito.[22] Its design gives the appearance of three triangles wrapping around the pupil, similar to a pinwheel. He was able to maintain it for over a decade, though steadily suffering its side-effects with each usage, such as bleeding eyes and deteriorating vision. Just prior to losing his Sharingan, it became nearsighted, forcing him to get close to use the Mangekyō's ability on them.[72]
With his left Mangekyō, Kakashi can use the long-range variant of Kamui: by remotely forming a barrier around whatever he looks at, he can warp the target to Kamui's dimension; he eventually learns how to use it on himself to travel to and from this dimension.[73] Kakashi initially having trouble to aim Kamui properly, he struggled to hit his targets.[74] His aim improves to a point that he can use Kamui on fast-moving projectiles.[75] When he first starts using Kamui, it requires some amount of preparation and has a huge drain on his chakra each time it is performed. Although its chakra cost always remains high - such that its use at one point kills him - he is, over time, able to use it more than his initial limit of three.[76] He also becomes able to perform it faster, enough that opponents may not even notice he used it at all.[77]
Kakashi's Susanoo
Kakashi's Complete Body — Susanoo.
After Kakashi loses his Sharingan, his body is temporarily inhabited by Obito's spirit, giving him Mangekyō in both eyes. In addition to the long-range Kamui he'd originally had, he becomes able to use its short-range variant, allowing him to make his body intangible so that attacks phase through him.[78] By combining this ability with his Lightning Cutter, Kakashi can bypass all defences and eliminate the possibility of being countered while attacking.
Having a dual Mangekyō, Kakashi can manifest Susanoo, specifically its "Complete Body" form. It can be used for flight, defend others with its large size, and even have the intangibility of Kamui extended to it. In terms of weaponry, it has a sword like all Susanoo do, but it also can throw Kamui Shuriken in order to warp away whatever they cut. In addition, Kakashi has received some of the Six Paths Chakra, allowing him to use the Mangekyō Sharingan and its abilities for repeated and extended use with no effect on his health or eyesight.
Intelligence
Part of Kakashi's usual approach to combat is to rely on the Body Replacement Technique and clone techniques, thereby keeping himself out of harm's way while he observes an opponent and their abilities.[79] Even when he doesn't use this system of misdirection and decoys, he remains alert to any unexplained or unexpected occurrences, coming up with theories for their causes when they arise and exploiting them if they prove true, which they usually do.[80] Once he identifies an opponent's weakness, Kakashi can quickly formulate a plan to take advantage of it, efficiently utilising each of his allies' unique skills to that purpose. Such plans, while often elaborate and unorthodox, are typically highly successful and very low-risk, making Kakashi invaluable as a leader.
