UCHIHA CLAN INFORMATION
The Uchiha Clan were one of the founding noble families of Leaf village. The clan itself is said to be descended from the Hyuuga clan who possess the Byakugan bloodline and further back to be the heirs of the Rikudou Sennin's eldest son, who is said to have received his father's "eyes" and with it his powerful chakra and spiritual energy. Because their clan possessed the Sharingan or "Wheel Eye," the Uchiha excelled at being able to read and fend off attackers. This made them prime candidates to help found the Konoha Military Police Corps, which would incorporate the Uchiha fan symbol into their official logo.
Select few members of the Uchiha clan possess the ability to activate the bloodline Sharingan eye. This doujutsu (eye skill) gives one the ability to read Genjutsu, Taijutsu and Ninjutsu and then defeat it. As such, the clan member can view a technique being performed and see the tricks and movements required to be able to complete it. However the clan member can not copy techniques which are unique to another bloodline. It also gives one the ability to cast jutsu techniques only possible by possessing the eye such as Amaterasu, Kamui, Susanoo and Tsukuyomi. The clan itself is known for their ties to fire. For a clan ninja to be seen as an adult, they must be able to utilize a Katon (Fire Element) jutsu such as Goukakyuu no Jutsu. Thus is the tie between the manipulation of fire and the mind of an Uchiha member.
The clan was founded by Uchiha Madara and his brother Izuna. In the early days of ninja battles, they battled the Senju Clan and eventually both groups came together to form Konoha. When Madara felt the clan was being marginalized by the Senju, he fought Konoha's Hokage and Senju clan leader Hashirama. Madara was defeated and went into hiding. Years later the clan began to become discontent with the village leadership and Madara returned. Before they could launch their insurrection against Konoha, they were wiped out by one of their own, Uchiha Itachi. Only one member from within the clan was spared, Itachi's brother Sasuke. Itachi and later Sasuke would join Madara in his drive to plunge the world into darkness, for their own ends. With Itachi's death as a man willing to sacrifice everything to secretly support Konoha, the final fate of the clan and its future thus rests in the hands of men swearing vengeance against their home village.
Select few members of the Uchiha clan possess the ability to activate the bloodline Sharingan eye. This doujutsu (eye skill) gives one the ability to read Genjutsu, Taijutsu and Ninjutsu and then defeat it. As such, the clan member can view a technique being performed and see the tricks and movements required to be able to complete it. However the clan member can not copy techniques which are unique to another bloodline. It also gives one the ability to cast jutsu techniques only possible by possessing the eye such as Amaterasu, Kamui, Susanoo and Tsukuyomi. The clan itself is known for their ties to fire. For a clan ninja to be seen as an adult, they must be able to utilize a Katon (Fire Element) jutsu such as Goukakyuu no Jutsu. Thus is the tie between the manipulation of fire and the mind of an Uchiha member.
The clan was founded by Uchiha Madara and his brother Izuna. In the early days of ninja battles, they battled the Senju Clan and eventually both groups came together to form Konoha. When Madara felt the clan was being marginalized by the Senju, he fought Konoha's Hokage and Senju clan leader Hashirama. Madara was defeated and went into hiding. Years later the clan began to become discontent with the village leadership and Madara returned. Before they could launch their insurrection against Konoha, they were wiped out by one of their own, Uchiha Itachi. Only one member from within the clan was spared, Itachi's brother Sasuke. Itachi and later Sasuke would join Madara in his drive to plunge the world into darkness, for their own ends. With Itachi's death as a man willing to sacrifice everything to secretly support Konoha, the final fate of the clan and its future thus rests in the hands of men swearing vengeance against their home village.
THE SHARINGAN AND SHARINGAN VARIATIONS
(Mangekyou and eternal mangekyou sharingan included)
Sharingan is the blood inheritance limit of the Uchiha Clan. The Uchiha are said to be descendants of the Hyuuga, with the Byakugan changing into the Sharingan over time. This doujutsu (eye skill) gives one the ability to read Genjutsu, Taijutsu and Ninjutsu and then defeat it. As such, the clan member can view a technique being performed and almost instantly memorize the movements required to be able to complete it, including the needed chakra moldings and seals used. However the clan member cannot copy techniques that are unique to another bloodline and the clan member must have a body capable of meeting the chakra and physical requirements to do the jutsu. This rarely stops the clan member though, as such stressful situations often push their limits farther and allow them to harness their full potential.
The Uchiha clan member is not granted the Sharingan at birth; it is only activated later in life, typically during a time of emotional stress in the heat of battle. The Sharingan itself can be transferred to another non-Uchiha by a medical ninja, such as happened with Leaf ninja Uchiha Obito to his teammate Hatake Kakashi. Because his body was not born to carry the Sharingan, the eye is always activated and it burns Kakashi's chakra when used. To lessen the impact of the Sharingan on Kakashi's body, he normally keeps the eye hidden and out of use. Also of note, is the fact Kakashi, a non-Uchiha, was able to advance the Sharingan from two tomoe to three tomoe after gaining the eye.
The Sharingan itself contains three tomoe (comma). A higher mastery of the Sharingan can be seen in the creation of a new tomoe in the eye, with three tomoe being the typical highest form of the eye. The rare Mangekyou form is a unique evolution of the Sharingan beyond the three tomoe form. An eye possessing two tomoe can allow the Uchiha clan member to track the movement of an opponent and do some minor copying of an opponents attack. For avoiding incoming attacks, the Uchiha's speed and agility will greatly control whether they can move to avoid it. However, three tomoe will greatly help in this area.
Two tomoe will also allow the ninja to pierce Genjutsu and see the surrounding reality for what it really is. It can also allow the member to pierce another’s body and see their chakra. While the eye is not refined enough to see the tenketsu and chakra circulatory system like the Byakugan, it can view the movement and flow of chakra. This can help them tell if a person is trapped in a Genjutsu, or if an attacker is a real threat or merely a bunshin.
An eye containing three tomoe will allow the ninja to see the image of an attacker’s next move from the slightest muscle tension in their body. This prevents wasteful movement and allows the Uchiha clan member to conserve much needed chakra in battle. It allows them to synchronize their movement to strike at an area moments before their opponent is even in that spot, essentially allowing them to strike out and hit their opponent before they're even there.
Three tomoe also grants the Uchiha the ability to do Genjutsu and hypnosis after locking eyes with an enemy. This can be used to cause their opponent to do an attack of the Uchiha's choosing. This hypnosis can also be used as a Genjutsu counter, which is the ability to turn a Genjutsu spell back upon the original caster without the requirement of forming any hand seals.
Sharingan is the blood inheritance limit of the Uchiha Clan. The Mangekyou Sharingan is a legendary doujutsu ability which has only emerged in a few clan members in its history. There is still mystery surrounding the eye and the Uchiha clan itself. Each user develops their own unique looking Mangekyou. The requirements for gaining the Mangekyou are very controversial in nature. After Uchiha Itachi murdered his best friend Shisui he gained Mangekyou. He told his younger brother Sasuke that to gain the Mangekyou, he too would have to kill his closest friend. Itachi told Sasuke that a scroll in their clan shrine revealed the true original purpose of the clan doujutsu. This scroll and Itachi himself revealed that the former leader of their clan, Uchiha Madara and his younger brother Izuna were the first to obtain Mangekyou. Madara himself did this by killing his friend, it's assumed Izuna also killed a close comrade.
Usage of the Mangekyou techniques drains quite a bit of a user’s chakra, more so than any other normal technique. Also as a result of Mangekyou usage, the bearer will slowly lose their vision. Madara lost his vision before his brother and sought to regain his power. To do so he removed Izuna's eyes and made them his own. With these new eyes, his Mangekyou took on a combined appearance of his original Mangekyou and Izuna's. These "Eternal" Mangekyou eyes returned his vision and gave him unbelievable strength. With this strength it was said Madara used Sharingan's normal ability to supress the Kyuubi and tame it.
Itachi originally told Sasuke that if he gained the Mangekyou, then there would be three people who could handle it. After the time skip in the series, Hatake Kakashi revealed he too had gained Mangekyou Sharingan. Later it was revealed that Uchiha Madara himself was still alive, and was the "third" user in Itachi's statement. What part, if any, that Kakashi and Uchiha Obito's eye plays has yet to be determined.
Itachi's three named Mangekyou techniques are Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi and Susanoo, all mythological deities. Kakashi's Mangekyou technique is named Kamui.
The Amaterasu or Goddess of the Sun technique is generated by the right Mangekyou eye. It is a Ninjutsu technique which uses the Mangekyou form to create a powerful black fire which can burn through most anything. As it has been said that anything within the Mangekyou's vision will burn to ash if consumed by the fire. The fire itself is said to burn for 7 days and 7 nights. The fire is also regarded as the strongest of Mangekyou's physical attacks.
The Tsukuyomi or God of the Moon technique is generated by the left Mangekyou eye. It is a Genjutsu technique which uses the Mangekyou form to initiate a mentally and physically harmful illusion. To utilize the illusion, the clan member will look into the eyes of his opponent and cast a Genjutsu spell on them. The spell takes place in the mind of the one affected, while the jutsu is cast the one it was cast upon is at the total mercy of the Uchiha clan member. The clan member has full control over space and time in the jutsu and can place the one affected through any hell they desire for any length desired. The technique itself only lasts for but a second in reality, but the one affected could have lasted through several days of pain. It is said only a natural born member of the Uchiha Clan can defeat it, this may mean either an Uchiha also holding the Mangekyou or one fully skilled in the three tomoe Sharingan form.
The Susanoo or God of the Sea and Storms technique is generated by both Mangekyou eyes. It is a technique which uses the Mangekyou form to create a sword wielding specter which will surround the user. This specter wields a shield for defense and a blade known as the Totsuka Sword. Anyone or anything cut by the blade will be sealed away into a Genjutsu of blissful oblivion until the end of time.
The Kamui or God's Majesty technique is used by Hatake Kakashi. With this technique, Kakashi forms a hand seal to activate the Sharingan in his left eye and change it into his Mangekyou form. Kakashi then focuses on a point on the body of his target. The area around the target will then begin to warp and collapse in on itself, resulting in that area being quickly "sucked" out of existence and transported to another location.
(The variations of Sharingan are listed below, I've also provided some information along with the each variation.)
The Uchiha clan member is not granted the Sharingan at birth; it is only activated later in life, typically during a time of emotional stress in the heat of battle. The Sharingan itself can be transferred to another non-Uchiha by a medical ninja, such as happened with Leaf ninja Uchiha Obito to his teammate Hatake Kakashi. Because his body was not born to carry the Sharingan, the eye is always activated and it burns Kakashi's chakra when used. To lessen the impact of the Sharingan on Kakashi's body, he normally keeps the eye hidden and out of use. Also of note, is the fact Kakashi, a non-Uchiha, was able to advance the Sharingan from two tomoe to three tomoe after gaining the eye.
The Sharingan itself contains three tomoe (comma). A higher mastery of the Sharingan can be seen in the creation of a new tomoe in the eye, with three tomoe being the typical highest form of the eye. The rare Mangekyou form is a unique evolution of the Sharingan beyond the three tomoe form. An eye possessing two tomoe can allow the Uchiha clan member to track the movement of an opponent and do some minor copying of an opponents attack. For avoiding incoming attacks, the Uchiha's speed and agility will greatly control whether they can move to avoid it. However, three tomoe will greatly help in this area.
Two tomoe will also allow the ninja to pierce Genjutsu and see the surrounding reality for what it really is. It can also allow the member to pierce another’s body and see their chakra. While the eye is not refined enough to see the tenketsu and chakra circulatory system like the Byakugan, it can view the movement and flow of chakra. This can help them tell if a person is trapped in a Genjutsu, or if an attacker is a real threat or merely a bunshin.
An eye containing three tomoe will allow the ninja to see the image of an attacker’s next move from the slightest muscle tension in their body. This prevents wasteful movement and allows the Uchiha clan member to conserve much needed chakra in battle. It allows them to synchronize their movement to strike at an area moments before their opponent is even in that spot, essentially allowing them to strike out and hit their opponent before they're even there.
Three tomoe also grants the Uchiha the ability to do Genjutsu and hypnosis after locking eyes with an enemy. This can be used to cause their opponent to do an attack of the Uchiha's choosing. This hypnosis can also be used as a Genjutsu counter, which is the ability to turn a Genjutsu spell back upon the original caster without the requirement of forming any hand seals.
Sharingan is the blood inheritance limit of the Uchiha Clan. The Mangekyou Sharingan is a legendary doujutsu ability which has only emerged in a few clan members in its history. There is still mystery surrounding the eye and the Uchiha clan itself. Each user develops their own unique looking Mangekyou. The requirements for gaining the Mangekyou are very controversial in nature. After Uchiha Itachi murdered his best friend Shisui he gained Mangekyou. He told his younger brother Sasuke that to gain the Mangekyou, he too would have to kill his closest friend. Itachi told Sasuke that a scroll in their clan shrine revealed the true original purpose of the clan doujutsu. This scroll and Itachi himself revealed that the former leader of their clan, Uchiha Madara and his younger brother Izuna were the first to obtain Mangekyou. Madara himself did this by killing his friend, it's assumed Izuna also killed a close comrade.
Usage of the Mangekyou techniques drains quite a bit of a user’s chakra, more so than any other normal technique. Also as a result of Mangekyou usage, the bearer will slowly lose their vision. Madara lost his vision before his brother and sought to regain his power. To do so he removed Izuna's eyes and made them his own. With these new eyes, his Mangekyou took on a combined appearance of his original Mangekyou and Izuna's. These "Eternal" Mangekyou eyes returned his vision and gave him unbelievable strength. With this strength it was said Madara used Sharingan's normal ability to supress the Kyuubi and tame it.
Itachi originally told Sasuke that if he gained the Mangekyou, then there would be three people who could handle it. After the time skip in the series, Hatake Kakashi revealed he too had gained Mangekyou Sharingan. Later it was revealed that Uchiha Madara himself was still alive, and was the "third" user in Itachi's statement. What part, if any, that Kakashi and Uchiha Obito's eye plays has yet to be determined.
Itachi's three named Mangekyou techniques are Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi and Susanoo, all mythological deities. Kakashi's Mangekyou technique is named Kamui.
The Amaterasu or Goddess of the Sun technique is generated by the right Mangekyou eye. It is a Ninjutsu technique which uses the Mangekyou form to create a powerful black fire which can burn through most anything. As it has been said that anything within the Mangekyou's vision will burn to ash if consumed by the fire. The fire itself is said to burn for 7 days and 7 nights. The fire is also regarded as the strongest of Mangekyou's physical attacks.
The Tsukuyomi or God of the Moon technique is generated by the left Mangekyou eye. It is a Genjutsu technique which uses the Mangekyou form to initiate a mentally and physically harmful illusion. To utilize the illusion, the clan member will look into the eyes of his opponent and cast a Genjutsu spell on them. The spell takes place in the mind of the one affected, while the jutsu is cast the one it was cast upon is at the total mercy of the Uchiha clan member. The clan member has full control over space and time in the jutsu and can place the one affected through any hell they desire for any length desired. The technique itself only lasts for but a second in reality, but the one affected could have lasted through several days of pain. It is said only a natural born member of the Uchiha Clan can defeat it, this may mean either an Uchiha also holding the Mangekyou or one fully skilled in the three tomoe Sharingan form.
The Susanoo or God of the Sea and Storms technique is generated by both Mangekyou eyes. It is a technique which uses the Mangekyou form to create a sword wielding specter which will surround the user. This specter wields a shield for defense and a blade known as the Totsuka Sword. Anyone or anything cut by the blade will be sealed away into a Genjutsu of blissful oblivion until the end of time.
The Kamui or God's Majesty technique is used by Hatake Kakashi. With this technique, Kakashi forms a hand seal to activate the Sharingan in his left eye and change it into his Mangekyou form. Kakashi then focuses on a point on the body of his target. The area around the target will then begin to warp and collapse in on itself, resulting in that area being quickly "sucked" out of existence and transported to another location.
(The variations of Sharingan are listed below, I've also provided some information along with the each variation.)
Normal uchiha clan member eye
The normal eye for an Uchiha clan member resembles any normal human eye with iris, pupil and sclera. This eye possess's no ability, providing only regular sight.
SHARINGAN PARTIALLY ACTIVATED - (ONE TOMOE)
This is the first variation of a partially developed Sharingan eye. The clan members pupil will turn red and develop one of the wheel swirls. When Uchiha Sasuke finally activated his Sharingan, his left eye took this form. This single tomoe Sharingan allows the user to see the movement and flow of chakra, which allows them to see potentially invisible enemies.
SHARINGAN PARTIALLY ACTIVATED - (TWO TOMOE)
This is the second variation of a partially developed Sharingan eye. The clan members pupil will turn red and develop two of the wheel swirls. When Uchiha Sasuke finally activated his Sharingan, his right eye took this form. This form allows the user to fully predict movements.
SHARINGAN FULLY ACTIVATED - (THREE TOMOE)
This is the final normal form of the Sharingan eye. The clan members pupil will turn red and develop three of the wheel swirls in both eyes. In this form the clan member can read Genjutsu, Taijutsu and Ninjutsu, learn how the skill is done and then copy it to be used later. This form can also initiate the Mangekyou "Kaleidoscope" form.
SHARINGAN - UCHIHA ITACHI MANGEKYOU (KALEIDOSCOPE) FORM
This is the rare Mangekyou (Kaleidoscope) form which is said to only appear in a few Uchiha members. Uchiha Itachi was able to finally master this form during the period he killed his clan. In this form Itachi is able to use the Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi Doujutsu techniques.
SHARINGAN - UCHIHA SHISUI MANGEKYOU (KALEIDOSCOPE) FORM
This is the Mangekyou Sharingan form of Uchiha Shisui. With this eye, Shisui could use his ultimate Genjutsu Kotoamatsukami, which allowed him to cast a mind controlling illusion.
SHARINGAN - HATAKE KAKASHI MANGEKYOU (KALEIDOSCOPE) FORM
This Mangekyou Sharingan form was revealed by non-Uchiha clan member Hatake Kakashi. Whether this form is due to Kakashi or some inheritance from what Uchiha Obito was capable of is unknown. Using the eye, Kakashi can use a technique which appears to collapse space in around a focus point and transport it to another location.
SHARINGAN - UCHIHA MADARA MANGEKYOU (KALEIDOSCOPE) FORM
This Mangekyou Sharingan form was attained by Uchiha Madara. After developing the Sharingan, Madara and his younger brother trained against one another and eventually awakened their own version of the Mangekyou. The use of these eyes increased the brothers' strength and allowed them to take over leadership of the clan. Unfortunately the usage of the eyes lead Madara to lose his vision.
SHARINGAN - UCHIHA IZUNA MANGEKYOU (KALEIDOSCOPE) FORM
This Mangekyou Sharingan form was attained by Uchiha Madara's younger brother Izuna. After developing the Sharingan, both brothers trained against one another and eventually awakened their own version of the Mangekyou. The use of these eyes increased the brothers' strength and allowed them to take over leadership of the clan.
SHARINGAN - UCHIHA MADARA'S ETERNAL MANGEKYOU SHARINGAN (EMS)
Unable to accept being blind, Madara did everything he could to regain his vision. A desperate Madara eventually removed his brother's eyes to use as his own. As a result, Madara awakened a new more powerful set of eyes which allowed him to see the light once again. This new eye form would combine the look of both he and his brother's Mangekyou Sharingan.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Madara did NOT steal Izuna's eyes. After suffering a fatal injury from Tobirama Senju, Izuna left his elder brother his eyes.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Madara did NOT steal Izuna's eyes. After suffering a fatal injury from Tobirama Senju, Izuna left his elder brother his eyes.
sharingan - uchiha sasuke mangekyou (kaleidoscope) form
Itachi sought to protect his younger brother from Uchiha Madara. To that end he used a jutsu to implant his Mangekyou and its techniques into Sasuke. When Sasuke's Mangekyou was initially activated, it resembled the version seen in Itachi, due to Itachi's sealing of Amaterasu into Sasuke's eye as a defense mechanism. Later Sasuke's Mangekyou took on its own look. Even though it bore a new shape, Sasuke was still able to utilize Amaterasu.
sharingan - uchiha sasuke's eternal mangekyou sharingan (ems)
Seeking to gain more power due in part to the influence of Uchiha Madara, Sasuke had his brother Itachi's eyes implanted. As a result, Sasuke awakened a new more powerful set of eyes. This new eye form would combine the look of both he and his brother's Mangekyou Sharingan.
rinnegan Information
Rinnegan is the blood inheritance limit of Rikudou Sennin (Six Realms Sage) and his descendants. Rikudou Sennin was viewed as the original shinobi and his Doujutsu was regarded as the most venerable of the three great Doujutsu. As the original shinobi it was said he created modern Ninjutsu. The Rinnegan was regarded as a god of creation when the world was racked with chaos and as a weapon of destruction which could return everything to nothingness. Usage of the Rinnegan was said to give the user mastery over all six forms of chakra nature manipulation.
The true extent of the Rinnegan abilities are currently unknown. Rain orphan Nagato was an inheritor of the Doujutsu, and used it unconsciously when he was angry and afraid. He entered into a berserk state which allowed him to defeat a much stronger foe. It was this same ability which allowed him to never lose a battle as "Pain," the leader of the Rain Village rebel faction and Akatsuki. Nagato in the guise of "Pain" also has the ability to control six different bodies, each of which acts as a "Realm". Nagato's ability to utilize these bodies probably gives rise to the "Transmigration" name. This is a cycle of reincarnation and rebirth seen in Hinduism and Buddhism. There are six states of rebirth in the cosmology, representing all the good and bad possibilities of life. Each of Rikudou Pain bodies acts as one of these states.
The Realms are former corpses controlled by chakra receiving piercings placed into their bodies. Upon being taken over by Nagato and joining the Pain persona, the corpse will regain "life" and bear the Rinnegan. Each Realm can solely use one of the jutsu areas of mastery of the original user, where the original can utilize all six. To obtain the Rinnegan, there are several methods. Some users, like Nagato, was able to awaken the Rinnegan thanks to his Uzumaki bloodline, and possibly due to the actions of Uchiha Madara. Tobi was later able to have one of Nagato's eyes implanted into his head, which granted him the ability to utilize the Rinnegan Realms. Finally the Uchiha, as the descendants of the Rikudou son who inherited his father's "eyes", also have the abilitiy to attain the Rinnegan through some means. Uchiha Madara accomplished this feat before his death.
The Realm paths of Pain were utilized by Tobi and by Nagato. Tobi used the Rinnegan to grant the six Edo Tensei resurrected Jinchuuriki their one Rinnegan and control them. Nagato used the corpses of random ninja and his friends. Tendou, the Deva Realm was the body Nagato used the most. It once belonged to Nagato's friend Yahiko. This body has the ability to utilize Shinra Tensei, a jutsu capable of gravity manipulation. Nagato is able to donate some of his own life force to utilize a large scale version of this technique, which is capable of causing massive destruction. Chikushoudou, or the Animal Realm, is able to summon creatures and other individuals. After Nagato's original Animal body was killed by Jiraiya, Nagato reanimated a female corpse to become the new Animal Realm. Next is Ningendou, the Human Realm, a body which focuses more on Taijutsu. This Realm can also read the minds and remove the soul of enemies it grips. Jigokudou, the Hell Realm, is capable of utilizing a spectral hell Enma capable of judging whether one if telling the truth or not. This figure can also remove the soul of the one it judges and is capable to returning the souls to those killed in battle. Shuradou, or the Asura Realm, is able to genereate technology and weaponry through its body. Asura is capable of unleashing missiles and laser-like blasts. Finally is Gakidou, the Hungry Ghost Realm, who uses sealing techniques to neutralize most any incoming chakra based attacks, both natural and elemental.
To use these various Realms, Nagato himself will transmit his chakra from a distance away. From this controller position, he can utilize the sensory information of each body, as each Rinnegan host will share the same vision. Meaning what one Realm views, all the other bodies also view, even if their vision is damaged. By increasing the number of Rinnegan host bodies on the battlefield, Nagato will thus increase the number of viewing angles and eliminate any potential blind spots. The Rinnegan also has the ability to see invisible barriers, allowing Pain to avoid walking into traps or tripping alarms. Uchiha Madara was able to use his Uchiha Sharingan jutsu Susanoo in conjunction with his Rinnegan, granting him large scale Chibaku Tensei-like control of a large mountainous rock from the heavens.
The true extent of the Rinnegan abilities are currently unknown. Rain orphan Nagato was an inheritor of the Doujutsu, and used it unconsciously when he was angry and afraid. He entered into a berserk state which allowed him to defeat a much stronger foe. It was this same ability which allowed him to never lose a battle as "Pain," the leader of the Rain Village rebel faction and Akatsuki. Nagato in the guise of "Pain" also has the ability to control six different bodies, each of which acts as a "Realm". Nagato's ability to utilize these bodies probably gives rise to the "Transmigration" name. This is a cycle of reincarnation and rebirth seen in Hinduism and Buddhism. There are six states of rebirth in the cosmology, representing all the good and bad possibilities of life. Each of Rikudou Pain bodies acts as one of these states.
The Realms are former corpses controlled by chakra receiving piercings placed into their bodies. Upon being taken over by Nagato and joining the Pain persona, the corpse will regain "life" and bear the Rinnegan. Each Realm can solely use one of the jutsu areas of mastery of the original user, where the original can utilize all six. To obtain the Rinnegan, there are several methods. Some users, like Nagato, was able to awaken the Rinnegan thanks to his Uzumaki bloodline, and possibly due to the actions of Uchiha Madara. Tobi was later able to have one of Nagato's eyes implanted into his head, which granted him the ability to utilize the Rinnegan Realms. Finally the Uchiha, as the descendants of the Rikudou son who inherited his father's "eyes", also have the abilitiy to attain the Rinnegan through some means. Uchiha Madara accomplished this feat before his death.
The Realm paths of Pain were utilized by Tobi and by Nagato. Tobi used the Rinnegan to grant the six Edo Tensei resurrected Jinchuuriki their one Rinnegan and control them. Nagato used the corpses of random ninja and his friends. Tendou, the Deva Realm was the body Nagato used the most. It once belonged to Nagato's friend Yahiko. This body has the ability to utilize Shinra Tensei, a jutsu capable of gravity manipulation. Nagato is able to donate some of his own life force to utilize a large scale version of this technique, which is capable of causing massive destruction. Chikushoudou, or the Animal Realm, is able to summon creatures and other individuals. After Nagato's original Animal body was killed by Jiraiya, Nagato reanimated a female corpse to become the new Animal Realm. Next is Ningendou, the Human Realm, a body which focuses more on Taijutsu. This Realm can also read the minds and remove the soul of enemies it grips. Jigokudou, the Hell Realm, is capable of utilizing a spectral hell Enma capable of judging whether one if telling the truth or not. This figure can also remove the soul of the one it judges and is capable to returning the souls to those killed in battle. Shuradou, or the Asura Realm, is able to genereate technology and weaponry through its body. Asura is capable of unleashing missiles and laser-like blasts. Finally is Gakidou, the Hungry Ghost Realm, who uses sealing techniques to neutralize most any incoming chakra based attacks, both natural and elemental.
To use these various Realms, Nagato himself will transmit his chakra from a distance away. From this controller position, he can utilize the sensory information of each body, as each Rinnegan host will share the same vision. Meaning what one Realm views, all the other bodies also view, even if their vision is damaged. By increasing the number of Rinnegan host bodies on the battlefield, Nagato will thus increase the number of viewing angles and eliminate any potential blind spots. The Rinnegan also has the ability to see invisible barriers, allowing Pain to avoid walking into traps or tripping alarms. Uchiha Madara was able to use his Uchiha Sharingan jutsu Susanoo in conjunction with his Rinnegan, granting him large scale Chibaku Tensei-like control of a large mountainous rock from the heavens.
RINNEGAN - TRANSMIGRATION EYE
Obtained near the end of his life, the Rinnegan granted Uchiha Madara powers close to those of the Rikudou Sennin. The path to the Rinnegan was apparently spelled out in the secret Uchiha Clan shrine below their compound, which revealed knowledge based upon the level of eyes the reader utilized, from Sharingan to Mangekyou Sharingan to finally Rinnegan. How an Uchiha obtains the Rinnegan is currently unknown.