Search/Recent Changes
DBTropes
...it's like TV Tropes, but LINKED DATA!

Hand Seals

 Hand Seals
type
FeatureClass
 Hand Seals
label
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals
page
HandSeals
 Hand Seals
comment
Advertisement:propertag.cmd.push(function() { proper_display('tvtropes_mobile_ad_1'); })Hand Seals, aka kuji-in (literally means "nine syllables seal") are ritualistic hand gestures that are commonly used as part of a magic formula, with roots in Taoism. They are similar to Mudras originating from Hinduism, another type of symbolic hand-gestures (but can include other parts of the body). Also ninjas, and others who use them often also Call their Attacks, so they may be considered Mantras as well.
This trope is popular in Japan (and China), as they're the source of the trope. However, you can expect some works from other countries feature this as well, often parodied. One of the Ninja cliches (along with smoke bombs, kabuki stagehand costumes, and shurikens), but sometimes monks also do this as well, especially when meditating.
The most used hand gesture in works is the index and middle finger of both hands pointed up, while the ring and little finger wrap the other hand, as shown above. Another variant is the clap palms, more commonly used by monks. Sometimes a one-hand variant is also used.
Advertisement:propertag.cmd.push(function() { proper_display('tvtropes_mobile_ad_2'); })Subtrope of Magical Gesture.
Compare Pstandard Psychic Pstance and Asian Rune Chant.
Examples
 Hand Seals
fetched
2023-03-17T06:28:01Z
 Hand Seals
parsed
2023-03-17T06:28:01Z
 Hand Seals
processingComment
Dropped link to AttackDrone: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Hand Seals
processingComment
Dropped link to LimitBreak: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Hand Seals
processingComment
Dropped link to Ninja: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Hand Seals
processingComment
Dropped link to NinjaPirateZombieRobot: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Hand Seals
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Hand Seals / int_11b7db91
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_11b7db91
comment
Adventure Time: In a clear Naruto Shout-Out, Finn and Jake learn from a book the Ninja Art of Fridjitzu which requires hand seals to produce ice ninja-themed weapons and a variety of ice spells (such as creating a snowy screen or blast).
 Hand Seals / int_11b7db91
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_11b7db91
featureConfidence
1.0
 Adventure Time
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_11b7db91
 Hand Seals / int_1305c32
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_1305c32
comment
Spoofed in Kamen Rider Fourze at the opening: Fourze turns invisible with the Stealth Switch, but he really didn't need to do a hand seal to do it.
 Hand Seals / int_1305c32
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_1305c32
featureConfidence
1.0
 Kamen Rider Fourze
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_1305c32
 Hand Seals / int_1cc09117
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_1cc09117
comment
Bleach characters sometimes (but not always) do this when using kido spells. Some examples: Hacchi using Bakudo #99, Rukia using Bakudo #9, Shuhei Hisagi using Bakudo #62.
 Hand Seals / int_1cc09117
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_1cc09117
featureConfidence
1.0
 Bleach (Manga)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_1cc09117
 Hand Seals / int_1cf10d97
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_1cf10d97
comment
Later, Boruto implemented the Ninja Gauntlet. To channel Elemental Chakra through it and thus release Elemental techniques, the user has to form the corresponding Elemental Hand Seal — fire, lightning, water, earth, and wind.
 Hand Seals / int_1cf10d97
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_1cf10d97
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boruto (Manga)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_1cf10d97
 Hand Seals / int_20ab5c99
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_20ab5c99
comment
And in the earlier Hikari Sentai Maskman, the heroes use Hand Seals to charge their Aura Power and transform.
 Hand Seals / int_20ab5c99
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_20ab5c99
featureConfidence
1.0
 Hikari Sentai Maskman
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_20ab5c99
 Hand Seals / int_22fa3400
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_22fa3400
comment
Empowered: Ninjette uses hand seals to stave off a hangover, of all things.
 Hand Seals / int_22fa3400
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_22fa3400
featureConfidence
1.0
 Empowered (Comic Book)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_22fa3400
 Hand Seals / int_2d316bc0
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_2d316bc0
comment
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012): In the Season 3 episode "The Deadly Venom", Master Splinter teaches Leonardo to chant and perform the handseals for a special Healing Hands technique. This power becomes key in the following episodes.
 Hand Seals / int_2d316bc0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_2d316bc0
featureConfidence
1.0
 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_2d316bc0
 Hand Seals / int_32c541e6
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_32c541e6
comment
Sometimes used in Fullmetal Alchemist with alchemy.
 Hand Seals / int_32c541e6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_32c541e6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fullmetal Alchemist (Manga)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_32c541e6
 Hand Seals / int_34170b02
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_34170b02
comment
Hanzo Hattori and Kotaro Fuuma from Samurai Warriors both use this kind of spell, usually in order to lock/unlock a gate.
 Hand Seals / int_34170b02
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_34170b02
featureConfidence
1.0
 Samurai Warriors (Video Game)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_34170b02
 Hand Seals / int_44127c7c
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_44127c7c
comment
Of course it reigns supreme in the Power Rangers and Super Sentai series with a ninja theme or ninja-themed bad guys (mainly Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger/Power Rangers Ninja Storm). Bonus points for a smaller robot using hand seals to make the bigger robots combine, and a Butt-Monkey comedic villain stealing from a ninja Big Bad by imitating the ninja gesture to make a door open.
In Kousoku Sentai Turboranger, Zimba does this sometimes when enlarging a monster.
And in the earlier Hikari Sentai Maskman, the heroes use Hand Seals to charge their Aura Power and transform.
 Hand Seals / int_44127c7c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_44127c7c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Power Rangers (Franchise)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_44127c7c
 Hand Seals / int_4522fd1
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_4522fd1
comment
Whateley Universe: Naruto's use of them are referenced, in Jade 7: Over the Top:
 Hand Seals / int_4522fd1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_4522fd1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Whateley Universe
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_4522fd1
 Hand Seals / int_49a88442
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_49a88442
comment
Final Fantasy XIV's Ninja job uses hand seals called Mudras to invoke the majority of its abilities. Messing up the order of the signs will summon a rabbit onto your head for the sole purpose of announcing your failure to anyone around you.
They also use hand seals to perform their signature Limit Break "Chimatsuri" which summons several giant daggers to impale the enemy, and it's casting animation includes chaining a long line of Hand Seals.
 Hand Seals / int_49a88442
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_49a88442
featureConfidence
1.0
 Final Fantasy XIV (Video Game)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_49a88442
 Hand Seals / int_55edacf5
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_55edacf5
comment
In Ninja Assassin, the main character makes use of these in order to close up some gaping wounds. They've Shown Their Work, too, using the full set of kuji-in hand seals in the proper sequence.
 Hand Seals / int_55edacf5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_55edacf5
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ninja Assassin
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_55edacf5
 Hand Seals / int_5f06cb02
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_5f06cb02
comment
In the G.I. Joe comics Storm Shadow would lead the Joe Ninja team through a series of hand seals as part of an exercise to clear the mind before heading into battle.
 Hand Seals / int_5f06cb02
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_5f06cb02
featureConfidence
1.0
 GIJoe
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_5f06cb02
 Hand Seals / int_639e0f76
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_639e0f76
comment
Averted in Ghost Hunt, where the Nine Syllables are used for exorcism, but not with the appellated seals. (A more generic two-fingered gesture is used instead)
 Hand Seals / int_639e0f76
featureApplicability
-1.0
 Hand Seals / int_639e0f76
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ghost Hunt (Manga)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_639e0f76
 Hand Seals / int_88fce462
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_88fce462
comment
The King of Fighters XIV newcomer Banderias Hattori uses several before executing his Climax Desperation Move.
 Hand Seals / int_88fce462
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_88fce462
featureConfidence
1.0
 The King of Fighters (Video Game)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_88fce462
 Hand Seals / int_8c6bc3c2
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_8c6bc3c2
comment
Ibuki also does this when performing a Smoke Out in her Victory Pose, as well as before a few of her supers. Her Critical Art in V has her perform several in sequence before summoning a big ball of energy.
 Hand Seals / int_8c6bc3c2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_8c6bc3c2
featureConfidence
1.0
 Street Fighter III (Video Game)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_8c6bc3c2
 Hand Seals / int_90b916ba
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_90b916ba
comment
Batman: The Animated Series: Kyodai Ken frequently uses this.
 Hand Seals / int_90b916ba
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_90b916ba
featureConfidence
1.0
 Batman: The Animated Series
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_90b916ba
 Hand Seals / int_959f1374
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_959f1374
comment
In Naruto, the hand seals represent the twelve Eastern Zodiac motifs and their purpose is to allow the user to mold their chakra in specific ways so they can unleash jutsus. Some seals are associated to certain types of chakra (Elemental, Yin, or Yang). With lots of practice, a ninja can reduce the number of seals needed for a certain technique, such as when Naruto mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Additionally, there are the Seal of Confrontation and the Seal of Reconciliation — respectively used to initiate and at the end of a ninja fight where the two contenders respect each other.
In the manga, some characters and nearly all of the major Ninja Clans have special hand seals associated with their Hidden Techniques or Blood Limits. The anime adapted them out for the sake of simplicity.
Later, Boruto implemented the Ninja Gauntlet. To channel Elemental Chakra through it and thus release Elemental techniques, the user has to form the corresponding Elemental Hand Seal — fire, lightning, water, earth, and wind.
 Hand Seals / int_959f1374
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_959f1374
featureConfidence
1.0
 Naruto (Franchise)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_959f1374
 Hand Seals / int_974da8af
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_974da8af
comment
In RDG: Red Data Girl, Miyuki teaches Izumiko the ritual of kuji-kiri, "cutting the nine seals," as a protective charm.
 Hand Seals / int_974da8af
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_974da8af
featureConfidence
1.0
 RDG: Red Data Girl
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_974da8af
 Hand Seals / int_a97a40f0
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_a97a40f0
comment
The Witch Of Knightcharm: Some witches use these. A notable example is Amira Chadid, who uses hand signs to bring water out of her canteens and wield it as a weapon.
 Hand Seals / int_a97a40f0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_a97a40f0
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Witch of Knightcharm
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_a97a40f0
 Hand Seals / int_b4bb6380
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_b4bb6380
comment
Marron and Carrot from Sorcerer Hunters explicitly notes that the Eastern-style magic Marron uses requires two hands to perform the necessary seals in order to cast magic, contrast to the Western-style magic utilized by Sorcerers.
 Hand Seals / int_b4bb6380
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_b4bb6380
featureConfidence
1.0
 Sorcerer Hunters (Manga)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_b4bb6380
 Hand Seals / int_bccda9a3
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_bccda9a3
comment
In Kousoku Sentai Turboranger, Zimba does this sometimes when enlarging a monster.
 Hand Seals / int_bccda9a3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_bccda9a3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Kousoku Sentai Turboranger
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_bccda9a3
 Hand Seals / int_cb6abea3
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_cb6abea3
comment
In the Virtual World arc of Yu-Gi-Oh!, Duke Devlin's Strike Ninja makes a series of hand seals when using his Deckmaster ability.
 Hand Seals / int_cb6abea3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_cb6abea3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Yu-Gi-Oh!
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_cb6abea3
 Hand Seals / int_ccffdd1f
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_ccffdd1f
comment
In Dominions, this is the basis for the "* sign" spells, available to the monks of Jomon
 Hand Seals / int_ccffdd1f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_ccffdd1f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dominions (Video Game)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_ccffdd1f
 Hand Seals / int_cdef7c74
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_cdef7c74
comment
Dead Fantasy 2. Ayane does this when she jumps to the top of the tower and starts casting a spell. Watch it here, starting at 2:15.
 Hand Seals / int_cdef7c74
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_cdef7c74
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dead Fantasy (Web Animation)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_cdef7c74
 Hand Seals / int_d452935b
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_d452935b
comment
In Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Gideon does this to summon his uber-katana.
 Hand Seals / int_d452935b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_d452935b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_d452935b
 Hand Seals / int_d7e44c10
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_d7e44c10
comment
Ga-Rei: Kagura uses a certain hand gesture to release Byakuei's seal. As shown in Ga-Rei -Zero-, she can release Byakuei without making the seal, but only when she's extremely distressed.
 Hand Seals / int_d7e44c10
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_d7e44c10
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ga-Rei (Manga)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_d7e44c10
 Hand Seals / int_db404a1a
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_db404a1a
comment
in Kengan Ashura, The Falcon, a former Middleweight champion in an underground fighting league hosted by the Chinese mafia, uses these as a form of misdirection combined with skilled use of feints to make his attacks near-impossible to read before they land.
 Hand Seals / int_db404a1a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_db404a1a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Kengan Ashura (Manga)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_db404a1a
 Hand Seals / int_e26905cd
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_e26905cd
comment
One of Raven's win poses in Tekken is reciting the lot. Humorously, if playing Yoshimitsu's story mode in 5 and lose to him, you can watch Raven try to teach him the kuji-in. Yoshimitsu cannot get them right. Is Yoshimitsu sure what he's practicing is ninjutsu?
 Hand Seals / int_e26905cd
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_e26905cd
featureConfidence
1.0
 Tekken
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_e26905cd
 Hand Seals / int_fa5e90fd
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_fa5e90fd
comment
In City of Heroes, the "Ninjitsu" powerset makes notional use of the Rin, Sha, and Retsu gestures for avoiding status effects, self-healing, and temporary extreme performance respectively. However, given that the character models don't have animatable fingers, you can't tell the gestures apart except through their associated visual effects.
 Hand Seals / int_fa5e90fd
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_fa5e90fd
featureConfidence
1.0
 City of Heroes (Video Game)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_fa5e90fd
 Hand Seals / int_fa738078
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_fa738078
comment
In Sailor Moon Hino Rei/Sailor Mars uses these combined with a paper charm to perform Akuryo Taisan, which paralyses enemies. She can use it as either Sailor Mars or Rei Hino as it has to do with her being a Miko.
 Hand Seals / int_fa738078
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_fa738078
featureConfidence
1.0
 Sailor Moon (Franchise)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_fa738078
 Hand Seals / int_fd49a48d
type
Hand Seals
 Hand Seals / int_fd49a48d
comment
Guy, of Final Fight and Street Fighter fame, is sometimes seen performing one-handed seals (like Haku, but he predates him by about a margin of a decade) when performing moves such as his Bushin Senpuukyaku or Bushin Musou Renge. Two of Guy's Victory Poses in Street Fighter Alpha consist of 'em (one them with his back to the player). In Super Street Fighter IV, two of his personal actions, his Focus Attack, and his end of match win pose also involve hand seals, in addition to the above.
Ibuki also does this when performing a Smoke Out in her Victory Pose, as well as before a few of her supers. Her Critical Art in V has her perform several in sequence before summoning a big ball of energy.
 Hand Seals / int_fd49a48d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Hand Seals / int_fd49a48d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Final Fight (Video Game)
hasFeature
Hand Seals / int_fd49a48d

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Hand Seals
processingCategory2
Hand Tropes
 Hand Seals
processingCategory2
Ninja Tropes
 Hand Seals
processingCategory2
Religion Tropes
 Hand Seals
processingCategory2
Stock Poses
 Futakoi Alternative / int_9a97aea2
type
Hand Seals
 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW) (Comic Book) / int_9a97aea2
type
Hand Seals
 The Triforce Trilogy (Fanfic) / int_9a97aea2
type
Hand Seals
 RDG: Red Data Girl / int_9a97aea2
type
Hand Seals
 Teito Monogatari / int_9a97aea2
type
Hand Seals
 The Witch of Knightcharm / int_9a97aea2
type
Hand Seals
 Tokyo Ravens / int_9a97aea2
type
Hand Seals
 Cuticle Detective Inaba (Manga) / int_9a97aea2
type
Hand Seals
 Gekikou Kamen (Manga) / int_9a97aea2
type
Hand Seals
 Jujutsu Kaisen (Manga) / int_9a97aea2
type
Hand Seals
 Ninku (Manga) / int_9a97aea2
type
Hand Seals
 Ghostrunner (Video Game) / int_9a97aea2
type
Hand Seals
 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012) / int_9a97aea2
type
Hand Seals