Boruto Explains the Genjutsu Legacy and Its New “God” Illusion Power

Genjutsu is one of Naruto’s three core ninja arts, and the series formally introduced it in Chapter 6 on November 8, 1999, in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #48 from Shueisha. Described as special hypnotic and illusion-based techniques, genjutsu later became one of the most valuable tools a shinobi could wield during the story’s second half. Even with many strong illusion users in the setting, Itachi Uchiha is often regarded as the standout—so much so that fans frequently frame him as the “God of Genjutsu” within Naruto.

That title doesn’t stay put, though. In the Boruto era, Sasuke Uchiha—Itachi’s younger brother—has effectively crowned himself the franchise’s new top illusion specialist, taking over the “God of Genjutsu” mantle as the most formidable user of genjutsu in the modern timeline.

Itachi Uchiha Established the Bar for Genjutsu in Naruto

Itachi was a rare kind of prodigy among Uchiha, and once he awakened the Sharingan, his genius was immediate and overwhelming. Even powerful Sannin such as Orochimaru were reportedly interested in his abilities before Itachi fully matured as a shinobi and left Konoha. His illusion talent climbed again when he awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, a moment highlighted in Naruto Chapter 590’s flashback—published July 9, 2012 in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #30, timed with Shisui Uchiha’s death.

“I attempted to use Kotoamatsukami with my Mangekyo Sharingan, but Danzo took my eye. He doesn’t trust me. You—my closest friend—are the only person I can rely on. Guard the Uchiha name and protect the village.” — Shisui Uchiha, setting up Itachi’s Mangekyo Awakening (Naruto Chapter #590)

After gaining Mangekyo power, Itachi unlocked two signature techniques. The first was Amaterasu, the ability to create black flames that can’t be extinguished, and the second was Tsukuyomi. Even today, Tsukuyomi is still treated as one of the strongest genjutsu displays in the entire Naruto franchise: Itachi could trap opponents inside an illusion where he effectively controls space and time. In practical terms, one second inside Tsukuyomi was enough for Itachi to subject someone to an endless ordeal.

It’s also an important distinction in-universe: Tsukuyomi is the only genjutsu in the series that can officially kill someone beyond the effects of Infinite Tsukuyomi, a more extreme version of the technique.

Orochimaru: This can’t be! I’ve been caught in Kanashibari Genjutsu. What a great eye power. It’s splendid.

Itachi: Orochimaru, every jutsu you rely on is useless against these eyes.

— Orochimaru vs. Itachi exchange highlighting Itachi’s genjutsu strength (Naruto Chapter #345)

On top of Tsukuyomi, Itachi used other paralysis-centered genjutsu, including the technique that helped him defeat Orochimaru in Naruto Chapter #345, released March 26, 2007. Put together, these feats solidified Itachi’s reputation as the “God of Genjutsu.” Then, in the Fourth Great Ninja War, Sasuke Uchiha took the concept further by awakening the Rinnegan, pushing his illusion abilities to heights even Itachi could only imagine.

Naruto and Sasuke have been out of the spotlight in Boruto for years, but their eventual return is now being teased for a new arc.

Quick facts: How Sasuke overtook Itachi in Genjutsu

• Genjutsu is one of Naruto’s three main ninja arts, introduced in Chapter 6 on November 8, 1999, in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #48.
• Itachi’s Mangekyo Awakening is tied to Naruto Chapter #590 (July 9, 2012, Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #30) after Shisui Uchiha’s death.
• Itachi’s key Mangekyo abilities include Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, with Tsukuyomi described as capable of killing outside Infinite Tsukuyomi’s effects.
• In Boruto, Sasuke Uchiha is framed as the new “God of Genjutsu.”
• Sasuke awakens the Rinnegan in Naruto Chapter 673 (May 5, 2014, Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #21), immediately boosting his genjutsu.
• Sasuke’s Rinnegan enables him to use genjutsu on all nine Tailed Beasts at once (Naruto Chapter 692).
• Sasuke later loses the Rinnegan in Boruto Chapter 53 on December 20, 2020.
• Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #5 (December 20, 2023) shows Sasuke fighting Code on even ground and wounding him.

Boruto’s New Genjutsu King: Sasuke Surpasses Itachi

In the Boruto era, Sasuke Uchiha is positioned as one of the strongest ninjas in the world. At the start of the Boruto story, he’s portrayed as an equal to Naruto and also as an Otsutsuki-level shinobi. He achieves this through improvements not only to genjutsu, but also to ninjutsu and taijutsu—showing that his illusion talent isn’t isolated, it’s part of an upgraded overall kit.

During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Sasuke awakened the Rinnegan in Naruto Chapter 673, released May 5, 2014 in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #21. The moment he activates that power, his genjutsu capability jumps again. The first time it’s clearly demonstrated is when he counters Infinite Tsukuyomi using the Rinnegan—meaning none of Itachi’s illusion techniques are treated as an immediate threat because Sasuke can break through them. On top of that, Sasuke’s own genjutsu is depicted as stronger than what Itachi could produce.

“He brought the Tailed Beasts under his control! But it was only a single look. Naruto, you’re the only one I can entrust with this now. My time here is running out.” — The Sage of Six Paths reacts to Sasuke’s genjutsu display (Naruto Chapter #692)

In Naruto Chapter 692, Sasuke uses the Rinnegan to cast powerful genjutsu on all nine Tailed Beasts simultaneously, at a level where they can’t even move. The comparison is stark: Itachi’s Mangekyo Sharingan is described as being able to control one Tailed Beast at a time—Kurama being the strongest example. Sasuke, by contrast, manages Kurama along with all the others, and the Rinnegan also drains their chakra. The result is presented as a “god-tier” illusion feat that places Sasuke in a category of his own among genjutsu users.

Sasuke’s illusion success doesn’t stop there. In Naruto Chapter 693, he applies genjutsu to Sakura, who is known to be highly resistant to these kinds of techniques. The Last: Naruto the Movie—released in 2014—adds context by showing Sakura surviving a genjutsu that Naruto, as a Perfect Jinchuriki, couldn’t withstand. That comparison is used to emphasize that Sakura’s resistance is even higher than what a Perfect Jinchuriki can offer. So when Sasuke manages to trap her in genjutsu, it’s framed as proof of how thoroughly he has surpassed previous illusion specialists.

In the Boruto era specifically, Sasuke’s genjutsu is said to have matured even further, reinforcing his role as the current “God of Genjutsu” in the series’ modern setting.

After Losing Rinnegan, Sasuke Must Develop His Mangekyo Genjutsu

Unfortunately for Sasuke, he loses the Rinnegan during Boruto Chapter 53 on December 20, 2020. After that point, the story notes that he’s down a major portion of his power. Still, Boruto Volume 8 indicates that Sasuke manages to gain significant strength afterward, and Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #5—officially released December 20, 2023—shows him fighting Code on nearly equal footing while even landing a dangerous injury.

Code is portrayed as stronger than Jigen, so the fact that Sasuke can deal a lethal wound without the Rinnegan is treated as evidence that his skills have been upgraded substantially. The implication is that his other abilities, including genjutsu, have also been leveled up to compensate for the loss.

Code: Uchiha, you!!! How dare you take my eye?

Sasuke: Pay attention, Boruto! We can’t beat him right now. So get away. Survive no matter what, and keep building on the skills I’ve hammered into you. Then no one will be able to stop you.

— Sasuke vs. Code exchange showing Sasuke’s growth (Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #5)

After Sasuke’s return following the Post-Mamushi Arc—which is stated as beginning June 18, 2026—there’s a strong possibility that his genjutsu abilities will receive another upgrade as well. If his illusions rise to an even higher tier again, the article argues it would be reasonable to expect him to reclaim the top spot as the “God of Genjutsu” once more.

More broadly, ninja arts like genjutsu—and even ninjutsu to a degree—are described as being weakened in Boruto due to abilities that can absorb chakra. In the case of genjutsu, the technique set is said to have been largely sidelined.

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If Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is aiming to address problems from the original Boruto manga, the argument goes that bringing abilities such as genjutsu and ninjutsu back into the spotlight is crucial. That would mean the story would need to return Sasuke’s strongest genjutsu tools and make them matter again.

There’s also a wait ahead: it’s said that a couple more months will pass before Sasuke officially comes back after the fall of Hidari and the acquisition of his Thorn Soul Bulb. Once he returns, his new capabilities are expected to be showcased by authors Mikio Ikemoto and Masashi Kishimoto, and the piece frames that anticipation as the next big thing to watch.

All the latest Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapters are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.