Ebisu

Overview

Ebisu is a character from the manga and anime series NARUTO. He is a Tokubetsu Jounin (Special Jounin) of Konohagakure who specializes in the instruction and training of elite ninja candidates. Initially introduced as the private tutor for Sarutobi Konohamaru, the Third Hokage's grandson, he later becomes the Jounin leader of Team Ebisu, guiding Sarutobi Konohamaru, Kazamatsuri Moegi, and Ise Udon. Though portrayed as a proud instructor with strict standards, he is dedicated to his duty and ultimately proves to be a loyal shinobi committed to protecting the next generation.

Appearance

Ebisu has black hair and black eyes. His most distinctive visual feature is the dark sunglasses he continuously wears. He dresses in standard Konohagakure ninja attire, complete with a bandana-style forehead protector.

Personality

Ebisu initially exhibits an arrogant demeanor, taking immense pride in elite credentials and holding prejudices based on bloodline and social standing. He is easily disarmed by attractive women, earning a reputation as a closet pervert when overwhelmed by Naruto Uzumaki's erotic jutsu. Despite his initial rigid upper-class attitudes, Ebisu possesses the capacity for personal growth; witnessing Naruto's effort and positive impact on others leads him to shed his biases and acknowledge every student's potential. Underneath his strict exterior lies a brave, principled, and deeply self-sacrificing soul.

Abilities

As a Special Jounin specializing in instruction, Ebisu possesses exceptional fundamentals in close-quarters physical combat, kunai throwing, and standard ninja skills. His arsenal includes the Transformation Technique, Substitution Technique, Clone Technique, Body Flicker Technique, Shadow Clone Technique (and Multiple Shadow Clone Technique in the anime), as well as Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique. Although he lacks high-level offensive techniques, his mastery of fundamental skills makes him a highly effective teacher, earning praise even from Hatake Kakashi.

Background

Ebisu makes his debut early in the story as the strict personal tutor of Sarutobi Konohamaru. He originally harbors deep disdain toward Naruto Uzumaki, but their encounters slowly reshape his perspective. Following the preliminaries of the Chuunin Exams, Ebisu is asked by Hatake Kakashi to teach Naruto chakra control via water-walking, though his lesson is interrupted when Jiraiya takes over. As he observes Naruto's profound influence on Konohamaru and his relentless perseverance, Ebisu abandons his prejudices. In Part II, he officially leads Team Ebisu. During Pain's invasion of Konoha, Ebisu acts as a decoy to save Konohamaru from the Naraka Path, steadfastly refusing under threat of death to leak information about Naruto.

Relationships

Ebisu serves as the long-term teacher and mentor to Sarutobi Konohamaru, and later leads Team Ebisu consisting of Konohamaru, Kazamatsuri Moegi, and Ise Udon. His initial friction with Naruto Uzumaki evolves into deep mutual respect and acknowledgment of Naruto as an invaluable comrade. During his Academy days, his classmates included Hatake Kakashi, Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, Sarutobi Asuma, Yuuhi Kurenai, Nohara Rin, and Uchiha Obito. As a Genin, he was assigned to Akimichi Chouza's squad alongside Might Guy and Shiranui Genma.

Trivia

Ebisu's favorite hobby is raising elite shinobi, and his preferred foods are kamaboko (fish cake) and grilled crab, whereas he dislikes dishes made with carrots. In the original rough conceptual designs, he was conceived as one of four senior bullies who harassed Naruto right after his graduation. His Japanese voice actor, Nobuo Tobita, also voices the character Zetsu in the animated adaptation. The students he mentored—Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon—eventually grow up to become elite Jounin entrusted with instructing the next generation of ninja.