Kekkei Genkai are incredible abilities that are extremely unique in the Naruto world. These powers are considered to emerge from an anomaly in the DNA of the user, as seen with several clans in the Naruto world. Kekkei Genkai are usually considered to be exclusive to certain clans, all members of which wield this power.
While some manifest themselves as eye techniques, others see the combination of two nature transformations together to give rise to a stronger ability. The rarity of these powers is what makes them extremely special, but only a handful can be considered to be truly powerful.
Updated January 1, 2022 by Rei Penber: As the Naruto series progressed, several powerful Kekkei Genkai showed up in the story and their occurrence became more common as well. With the Fourth Great Ninja War, fans got to see a plethora of powerful Kekkei Genkai users fight against one another. With that in mind, we've decided to expand upon the list of the strongest Kekkei Genkai that have appeared in the story so far and added five powerful abilities to the list of these lethal powers.
15 Magnet Release
Magnet Release is one of the strongest Kekkei Genkai that is usually found among the shinobi of Sunagakure. The Third Kazekage was a great user of this ability and even Gaara in the Naruto novels has access to this power. Magnet Release sees the combination of Wind Release with Earth Release.
This Kekkei Genkai allows the user to generate and manipulate magnetic forces and abilities such as the Iron Sand work thanks to this Kekkei Genkai. Magnet Release Jutsu are also incredible for sealing away targets, as seen during the Fourth Great Ninja War.
14 Storm Release
The name of this Kekkei Genkai is quite misleading as it might lead one to believe that Storm Release allows the user to manipulate storms, however, that's not quite an accurate description of what it does. Storm Release is a strong Kekkei Genkai formed by combining Lightning Release with Water Release, and that is exactly what forms the basis for this power.
Essentially, this Kekkei Genkai allows the user to manipulate beams of electricity that flow as if they're made of water. Storm Release techniques are all quite fast. Madara Uchiha's Light Fang was known to travel at the speed of light and capable of cutting through Truth-Seeking Balls.
13 Jugo's Clan's Kekkei Genkai
Jugo belongs to a very special clan in the Naruto world, the members of which possess a unique ability to absorb natural energy passively. Although they find it pretty hard to control, once someone manages to do that, this ability is fearsome. Simply put, this allows the user to obtain a power similar to Sage Mode.
At the same time, the user can transform their limbs into various weapon-like extensions, making this a rather unique power in the Naruto world. Orochimaru studied this ability to create his Cursed Seals.
12 Boil Release
Boil Release is one of the most dangerous abilities in the Naruto series. Wielded by several shinobi, the most notable of which is the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi, Boil Release is a combination of Fire Release and Water Release. This technique allows the user to generate corrosive steam that can dissolve anything within seconds of exposure.
During the Five Kage Summit, it proved to be powerful enough to melt the bones of Sasuke's Susanoo quite easily. Boil Release, when used by Kukuo's Jinchuriki, gives the ability to melt the surroundings and boost them temporarily.
11 Lava Release
Lava Release is one of the most dangerous Kekkei Genkai abilities seen in Naruto so far. This power is a combination of Earth and Fire Release. Lava Release takes different forms, depending on who is using it. When used by Roshi and the Yonbi, this ability takes the form of hot molten lava that can burn through anything. When used by Mei Terumi, it presents itself as acidic mud.
Meanwhile, Kurotsuchi's Lava Release takes the form of corrosive quicklime and even volcanic ash. Kumogakure's Dodai was able to use Lava Release to create vulcanized rubber. Evidently, Lava Release is a very versatile Kekkei Genkai.
10 Ketsuryugan
The Ketsuryugan is a powerful Dojutsu that manifests in the yes of the Chinoike clan members. These eyes are said to be extremely powerful as they can cast strong Genjutsu on others via visual or skin contact.
The Ketsuryugan's strongest ability is to manipulate any fluid that has a high concentration of iron, making it extremely unique. The power of this eye is such that it has earned comparison to the Three Great Dojutsu of the Naruto world.
9 Byakugan
The Byakugan is a Kekkei Genkai of the Otsutsuki clan which also manifested within the members of the Hyuga of the Konohagakure, who are the descendants of Hamura Otsutsuki. This Dojutsu allows the user a near-360° vision, which is extremely impressive.
It also grants X-ray vision and lets the user see through most obstructions and visualize the flow of chakra within one's body. When combined with the power of the Gentle Fist, the Byakugan becomes dangerous as it can stop the chakra flow within one's body entirely by hitting the Tenketsu.
8 Shikotsumyaku
Known to be a Kekkei Genkai of the Kaguya Clan, Shikotsumyaku is an incredible ability that lets the user manipulate the size and the density of their bones and use them as weapons in combat.
One of the strongest users of this Kekkei Genkai was Kimimaro, a member of the Sound Five. Using the Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai, Kimimaro could fight both Gaara and Rock Lee at the same time. His defenses were tough enough to hold Naruto Uzumaki at bay and when healthy, Orochimaru considered his power to be superior to that of Sasuke Uchiha.
7 Sharingan
The Sharingan ranks among the "Three Great Dojutsu" of the Naruto world. Passing down to the members of the Uchiha clan from Indra Otsutsuki, this eye is extremely special. It allows the user to read movements clearly and see through all Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and Taijutsu.
What's more, this eye grants one the power to copy any Jutsu, except the Kekkei Genkai and the Hiden techniques. The Sharingan's power is heavily sought after in the Naruto world because of the tremendous abilities that it offers.
6 Mangekyo Sharingan
The Mangekyo Sharingan is an evolved form of Sharingan which awakens when one witnesses the loss of someone extremely close to them. This eye does everything the Sharingan does, but better.
At the same time, it also grants abilities that are unique to the user, such as Amaterasu for Itachi, or Kamui for Obito Uchiha. Perhaps the biggest power of the Mangekyo Sharingan is its ability to utilize the Susano'o, a body of chakra that fights on the user's behalf.
5 Wood Release
Unique to Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, Wood Release is an incredible power that allows the user to create and manipulate vegetation around them. When used by Hashirama Senju, this power was great enough to create a forest out of nowhere and completely change the terrain.
What makes this Kekkei Genkai special is its ability to control Tailed Beasts. Using this power, Hashirama Senju collected all the Tailed Beasts and then distributed them among the shinobi villages.
4 Jougan
Introduced in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Jougan is a Kekkei Genkai of the Otsutsuki clan that rarely, if ever, manifests itself. This power is deemed to be extremely dangerous by the members of the clan and so far, only Boruto Uzumaki wields it.
The Jougan can see through space-time barriers and perceive the flow of chakra as well. Like the Byakugan, it can also see the chakra pathway system clearly, but on top of that, it can determine the weak point on one's body. It can also sense negative emotions quite easily, but its true powers are yet to be seen.
3 Isshiki Otsutsuki's Dojutsu
Isshiki Otsutsuki possessed an unnamed Dojutsu that was unique to him. With its powers, he could shrink himself and any inanimate object down to microscopic sizes instantaneously using Sukunahikona, making it quite a troublesome ability.
Its other ability, known as Daikokuten, allowed Isshiki Otsutsuki to store anything that he had shrunk in a different dimension where time doesn't flow and summon it instantly. Isshiki could also summon giant cubes using this ability and crush others under it, as seen during his fight against Kashin Koji and even Naruto Uzumaki.
2 Tenseigan
The Tenseigan is another powerful Kekkei Genkai of the Otsutsuki clan. To date, it has only manifested itself in Hamura Otsutsuki and then his descendant, Toneri Otsutsuki. Much like the Six Paths Powers, this power grants the ability to use the Truth-Seeking Balls to the user.
It also grants a chakra shroud similar to Naruto's Kurama Chakra Mode that is strong enough to keep up with the Six Paths Sage Mode. Using the powers of the Tenseigan, Toneri could completely destroy the moon and planned to do the same to the earth as well.
1 Rinnegan
The Rinnegan is known to be the strongest Kekkei Genkai in the story. It was first wielded by Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths, and later by Madara Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha. Several Otsutsuki clan members also possess this eye.
The Rinnegan grants its user abilities called Six Paths Powers which are extremely dangerous. They allow the user to control powers such as the attractive and repulsive forces, summon giant animals, rip apart souls, and most importantly, this Dojutsu gives one complete control over life and death itself. The Rinnegan also offers abilities that are unique to the user, such as Limbo in Madara's case and Amenotejikara in Sasuke's.