Matatabi

Overview

Matatabi, also known as the Two-Tails (Nibi), is one of the nine Tailed Beasts featured in Masashi Kishimoto's manga series NARUTO and its adaptations. Created by the Sage of Six Paths (Hagoromo Otsutsuki) from the chakra of the Ten-Tails, she is a colossal entity that was sealed inside Yugito Nii, a kunoichi from Kumogakure (the Village Hidden in the Stones of the Cloud) who served as her Jinchuriki.

Appearance

Matatabi appears as a massive feline engulfed in blue flames, featuring black seal-like patterns across her body that resemble ink paintings. She possesses heterochromia with one yellow eye and one green eye. She has two tails and is capable of standing bipedally, incorporating visual elements reminiscent of large beasts such as tigers and lions.

Personality

Despite her intimidating presence, Matatabi is remarkably gentle, polite, and well-mannered. She adopts a refined tone when communicating with others and refers to herself using feminine pronouns. Unlike many other Tailed Beasts, she did not harbor visible animosity toward her Jinchuriki, maintaining a tranquil and respectful demeanor.

Abilities

Matatabi specializes in Fire Release techniques, capable of launching massive fireballs that mirror the destructive properties of a Tailed Beast Ball. She relies on exceptional speed for swift movement and ambush tactics, complementing her offense with flame-infused claws known as Cat Claw. As a Tailed Beast, she can also charge and release a Tailed Beast Ball (Bijuudama).

Background

Sealed inside Yugito Nii when her Jinchuriki was just two years old, Matatabi was later mastered through Yugito's strenuous training. During an ambush by the Akatsuki members Hidan and Kakuzu, she was defeated and extracted from Yugito. In the Fourth Great Ninja War, she was forcibly re-sealed and controlled on the battlefield, but upon communicating with Naruto Uzumaki, she acknowledged him as the child of prophecy, lent him a portion of her chakra, and ultimately regained her freedom following the war.

Relationships

Matatabi holds great reverence for her creator, the Sage of Six Paths (Hagoromo Otsutsuki). She shared a harmonious relationship with her Jinchuriki, Yugito Nii of Kumogakure. During the war, she came to respect Naruto Uzumaki, choosing to entrust a piece of her power to him alongside her fellow Tailed Beasts.

Trivia

Matatabi's design is inspired by the Nekomata, a traditional Japanese mythic monster cat. According to series creator Masashi Kishimoto, the well-defined concept of the folklore creature made her easier to visualize. Within the lore, she amicably contributed her paw print to Nekobaa's Paw Print Encyclopedia.