What are Kankuro's abilities in Naruto? Explained
Naruto fans might wonder what Kankuro's abilities are, and their full extent, since he hasn't managed to show his potential. He was initially introduced as one of the Three Sand Siblings during the Chunin Exams arc, but had a decreasing role throughout the years when compared to the other two, Gaara and Temari, because of his lack of association with the main cast.
Kankuro's Ninjutsu is based around using his Chakra to manipulate puppets and use them in combat, with him modifying them so they can have different abilities and powers. Moreover, as the Naruto series goes by, his control of puppets increases and arguably becomes the strongest in the franchise in this department, although some fans still hold Chiyo and Sasori in higher esteem.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series. Any opinion expressed here belongs to the author and not Sportskeeda as a publication.
Kankuro's puppetry, explained
As mentioned earlier, Kankuro's Ninjutsu is centering around controlling puppets and using Chakra to manipulate them in combat. The Puppet Technique is part of the Hidden Sand Village's history, used by some powerhouses in the franchise, such as the aforementioned Chiyo and Sasori.
Initially, Kankuro's puppeteering abilities were somewhat limited since he could only control one puppet, but he would learn to manipulate Chakra a lot better and use several at the same time. He also used Sasori's puppets initially but later on, he used the Akatsuki member's dead body and his new creations during the events of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
The puppets can be modified, which is evidenced by how Kankuro managed to alter Sasori's body so it could have different elements, such as a flamethrower. Gaara and Temari's brother is also seen combining his puppets so they come up with combined attacks and techniques for greater damage.
Kankuro's other powers and abilities in Naruto
Another reason why Naruto fans ask what Kankuro's abilities are is that they go beyond simply controlling his puppets. One of his best skills is using Chakra threads so he can trap his enemies, or another puppeteer's threads, which is something that led Sasori, a master puppeteer, to praise him for that ability.
As seen in the Fourth Great Ninja War arc, he also has the ability to create and fix his own puppets, which is further emphasized during his years in Boruto as Gaara's bodyguard, since those puppets can self-destruct at his command. He even managed to perfect his Chakra threads technique by studying the Otsutsuki clan's puppets, to the point they are now almost impossible to detect.
On the other hand, having received the best possible training from his father, the Fourth Kazekage, he is able to use Wind, Lightning, Earth, and Water Release. The Studio Pierrot anime adaptation also highlights that he has immunity to poison, although the manga has never confirmed that.
Final thoughts
"What are Kankuro's abilities?" is a valid question in the Naruto community, since he was never given a lot of time to shine and get the most out of his abilities and potential. He has one of the most peculiar and creative skill sets in the story, and could be considered somewhat underrated.
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