Orochimaru (大蛇丸), featured in the Japanese folktale Jiraiya Gōketsu Monogatari (The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya), is the archenemy of the ninja Jiraiya. He was once named Yashagorō (夜叉五郎) and was one of Jiraiya’s followers, but was overtaken by serpent magic. Having changed his name to Orochimaru, he gained the ability to turn himself into a giant serpent. He poisoned Jiraiya and Tsunade the slug princess by pouring his venom on them as they slept, only for another follower to save the couple’s lives afterwards. Orochi means “big snake” or “serpent”. The legend of Orochimaru has modern day correlations. Legend suggests the “power of the white snake” can be found in the fabled Ryuchi cave which grants the user with extraordinary powers, such as immortality, face stealing, and shape shifting. Japanese folklore speaks of a similar snake-like humanoid that stalks the fields every harvest time demanding a portion of the farmers crops.
Appearance List Literature: Katakiuchi Kidan Jiraiya Monogatari (1806–1807) (tale) — First recorded appearance of Jiraiya (toad-riding hero) and Orochimaru (serpent sorcerer) in written form; Jiraiya Gōketsu Monogatari (児雷也豪傑物語; “The Heroic Tales of Jiraiya” or “Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya”, 1839) followed by 43 illustrated novels completed by 4 different authors. Kabuki: Kawatake Mokuami (The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya, 1852). Film: Jiraiya the Hero (1921) — silent trick film, The Magic Serpent (1966). Manga: Naruto manga (1999–2014) by Masashi Kishimoto – Orochimaru as a major antagonist.
Description Orochimaru (大蛇丸), featured in the Japanese folktale Jiraiya Gōketsu Monogatari (The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya), is the archenemy of the ninja Jiraiya. He was once named Yashagorō (夜叉五郎) and was one of Jiraiya’s followers, but was overtaken by serpent magic. Having changed his name to Orochimaru, he gained the ability to turn himself into a giant serpent. He poisoned Jiraiya and Tsunade the slug princess by pouring his venom on them as they slept, only for another follower to save the couple’s lives afterwards. Orochi means “big snake” or “serpent”. The legend of Orochimaru has modern day correlations. Legend suggests the “power of the white snake” can be found in the fabled Ryuchi cave which grants the user with extraordinary powers, such as immortality, face stealing, and shape shifting. Japanese folklore speaks of a similar snake-like humanoid that stalks the fields every harvest time demanding a portion of the farmers crops.
