Kurama

Origin

Kurama is the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox (九尾の妖狐, Kyūbi no Yōko) is the strongest of all of the Tailed-Beasts. All of which originated from the Ten-Tails, a monster that once was host inside of the Sage of Six Paths. These creatures possess powerful chakra and are very aggressive and destructive. due to these traits, the tailed beasts were sought after by many villages and countries and were militarized. in order for these animals to be controlled, they were put in human vessels, which are known as the Jinchuriki.

Kurama and his first host, Mito Uzumaki.

In the case of the Kurama, he's the captive of the Hidden Leaf Village (Konohagure). He has had three hosts in his existence, all of which are members of the Uzumaki clan. due to tradition, and to prevent the Host from rebelling against the village, leaders chose family members to be the hosts. His first host was Mito Uzumaki, the wife of the First Hokage. She was maintained until she reached old age, and another host was to be found. Kushina Uzumaki, the wife of the Fourth Hokage was chosen, due to her unique chakra. she was maintained as Junchuuriki up until the birth of Naruto.The Nine-tailed Demon Fox attacked the Village, under the control of Madara Uchiha, who took advantage of Kushina's Labour, which weakened the seal holding the Kyuubi. the tailed beast was forcibly removed from her, mortally wounding her, but due to her unique chakra, she was able to remain alive for a period of time afterwards. she gave birth to Naruto on the battlefield, and used her soul to restrain the Kyuubi, and was eventually sealed into Naruto by Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage.

Minato and Kushina sacrifice themselves to protect Naruto from Kurama's wrath.

He sealed the Yang chakra of the Fox into Naruto, while himself absorbing the Yin chakra, all done using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. before he was able to complete the process, the Kyuubi reached out to attack Naruto, but was blocked by both Minato's and Kushina's bodies and scarificed their lives, leaving the Third Jinchuuriki orphaned.

Creation

Naruto Vol. 1 JPN (Mar 2000)

Kurama is a supporting character of the Naruto series that was created by Masashi Kishimoto, It first began serialization Weekly Shonen Jump in November 1999. She was first introduced in the very first story arc. Kurama was known throughout most of the series as the Nine-Tails (九尾, Kyubi). His true name wasn't revealed until the Fourth Shinobi World War Arc that began in Volume 55.

He first appeared in Naruto Volume 1, CH. 1 "Uzumaki Naruto", and his first anime appearance was in Naruto - Episode 1 "He Appears! Naruto Uzumaki". His character in the Japanese series is voiced by Tesshou Genda, and the U.S. dub produced by VIZ Media is done by Paul St. Peter.

Character Evolution

The Kyuubi is manipulative and very Intelligent, often trying at any moment to tempt Naruto into undoing the seal and allowing him to gain control, often which is amplified when Naruto experiences negative emotions. due to Naruto's rough outcast upbringing, this potentially could occur very often. The Kyuubi is, like all other tailed beasts, however, is protective of his Jinchuuriki, as if the host is killed, so is the tailed beast, and despite his hated towards Naruto, doesn't attempt to kill him.

Whenever the fox gains control, Naruto's eyes become red, his nails become like claws, and he gains a chakra cloak, which gains tails depending on how much control Naruto has lost.

Major Story Arcs

Land of Waves Arc

Chunin Exams Arc

Hidden Leaf Invasion Arc

The kyuubi is seen in Naruto's subconscious multiple times, and when Naruto has yielded, has manifested itself as the One-Tail, Two-Tail, and Three-Tail Cloak form of Naruto.

Kazekage Rescue Arc

Sasuke confronts the Kyuubi in Naruto's mind.

After Sasuke went rogue, and Team 7 went in search and found him, he entered Naruto's mind using his Mangeko Sharingan, and was able to encounter the Kyuubi himself, which took on a bubble-like form. this is where he then stated that Sasuke has the cursed eyes that reminded him of Madara Uchiha.

Before this happened, however (episodically, this occurred afterwards) Naruto, while chasing Orochimaru, he succumbed to the Kyuubi's power and entered a Four-Tail state, where he began to resemble the fox physically, in addition to gaining a massive boost in power, and loss of mental control.

Invasion of Pain Arc

When Pain was destroying the Hidden Leaf Village, and was about to defeat Naruto, Hinata stepped in to protect him while confessing her love to him, only to be stabbed and left for dead. this Naruto in a rampage and jumped straight to the Six-Tail form, where the skeleton is shown outside. later in the fight, he ascends to the Eight-Tail stage, resembling the Kyuubi except for the lack of skin.

At that time, Naruto was losing the battle still, and mentally gave into the Fox's wishes to break the seal. however, Minato, whose Chakra was also sealed into Naruto, appeared, and stopped Naruto from undoing the seal. after speaking to his son, he redid the seal and vanished.

Taming the Tailed-Beast Arc

In training with Killer Bee, Naruto decided to gain complete control over the kyuubi's chakra, since he was unable to negotiate with the kyuubi, and entered Killer Bee's training grounds in order to do so. Naruto removed the seal in his mind releasing the Kyuubi, and began to battle it. initially, he was able to stand his ground until the Kyuubi flooded him with negative emotions, forcing half of his body to gain a chakra cloak. however, Naruto's mother, Kushina, appeared to aid him, restraining and tripping the Kyuubi with her Chakra Chains, and allowing Naruto to bombard the fox, and separate and absorb the Nine-Tails Chakra for his own. After doing so, he re-sealed away the kyuubi in a new seal consisting of interlocking Torii Gates. his final words to Naruto was that he would never forget this defeat.

Fourth Shinobi War Arc

He appeared again when Naruto had escaped the confines of the trailer island to participate in the war. he appeared, still trapped, to tell Naruto he was squndering his chakra, and that it would be impossible to shoulder everyone's hate, due to his nievite. however, Naruto tricks the fox into having a gate slam its head, retorting saying he was the naive one, and he would not be paralysed by fear and do nothing.

Kyuubi eventually lent one of Naruto's clones his own power when it was at risk from one of Madara Uchiha's meteor attacks, not wanting to be subjugated under Madara's control again. It was later revealed, when Naruto was swallowed by Son Goku, the Four Tails, that the true name of the Kyuubi was Kurama. Through finally understanding Naruto's motives after speaking with Son, Kurama willingly decided to co-operate with Naruto, and lent him his power. As a result, Naruto gained a higher power level, resembling the Sage of Six Paths as well as his father.