# Orochimaru

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This article is about Orochimaru, meaning the devils child [Jiraiya](/source/Jiraiya). For the Orochimaru featured in *[Naruto](/source/Naruto)*, see [Orochimaru (Naruto)](/source/Orochimaru_(Naruto)).

**Orochimaru** (大蛇丸), featured in the [Japanese folktale](/source/Japanese_folktales) *Jiraiya Gōketsu Monogatari* (*The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya*), is the archenemy of the [ninja](/source/Ninja) [Jiraiya](/source/Jiraiya).[1] He was once named Yashagorō (夜叉五郎) and was one of Jiraiya's followers but was overtaken by [serpent](/source/Serpent_(symbolism)) magic. Having changed his name to Orochimaru, he gained the ability to turn himself into a giant serpent. He poisoned [Jiraiya](/source/Jiraiya) and [Tsunade](/source/Tsunade) the slug princess by pouring his [venom](/source/Venom) on them as they slept, only for another follower to save the couple's lives afterwards.[citation needed] "The story, first recorded in 1806, was adapted into a mid-19th-century serialized novel (43 installments, 1839–1868) and a kabuki drama, based on the first 10 installments, by Kawatake Mokuami, in 1852. In the 20th-century, the story was adapted in several films, in video games, and in a manga."[2]

*Orochi* means "big snake" or "serpent".[3]

## Popular culture

The manga and anime franchise *[Naruto](/source/Naruto)* features the characters [Jiraiya](/source/Jiraiya_(Naruto)), [Orochimaru](/source/Orochimaru_(Naruto)) and [Tsunade](/source/List_of_Naruto_characters#Tsunade), where Orochimaru is portrayed to be the legendary ninja with the power of the snakes.[citation needed].

In the 2013 video game *[Muramasa Rebirth](/source/Muramasa:_The_Demon_Blade#Muramasa_Rebirth)*, one of the alternate endings has the [Iga](/source/Iga-ry%C5%AB) ninja Arashimaru getting possessed by his final opponent's spirit and taking on the name "Orochimaru". In a desperate act of defiance, Arashimaru's ally Shirohebi has the ninja's former master Shiranui spirit away a rival clan's last surviving heir during Orochimaru's attack who, when grown, takes on the name "Jiraiya" to fight Orochimaru.

## See also

- [Susanoo](/source/Susanoo)
- [Yamata no Orochi](/source/Yamata_no_Orochi)

## References

1. [""Jiraiya Goketsu Monogatari" (# 7, pp. 4-5), ca. 1850 | Brian P Coppola"](https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/bcoppola/2018/09/29/jiraiya-goketsu-monogatari-7-pp-4-5-ca-1850/). 29 September 2018. Retrieved 2019-11-13.

1. Coppola, Brian P. (13 October 2018). [""Jiraiya Goketsu Monogatari" (# 7, pp. 10-11), ca. 1850 | Brian P Coppola"](https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/bcoppola/2018/10/13/jiraiya-goketsu-monogatari-7-pp-10-11-ca-1850/). Retrieved 2019-11-13.

1. ["Jisho.org: Japanese Dictionary"](https://jisho.org/word/%E5%A4%A7%E8%9B%87). *jisho.org*. Retrieved 2019-11-13.

- [""Jiraiya Goketsu Monogatari" (# 7, pp. 4-5), ca. 1850 | Brian P Coppola"](https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/bcoppola/2018/09/29/jiraiya-goketsu-monogatari-7-pp-4-5-ca-1850/). 29 September 2018. Retrieved 2019-11-13.

## External links

- ["The Gallant Jiraiya"](http://www.kiseidopublishing.com/printss/cover.htm). *Japanese prints and the world of Go*. Chigasaki: Kiseido Pub. Co. 2010. ISBN 9784906574308. [OCLC 1020931181](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1020931181). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20050402143540/http://www.kiseido.com/printss/ji.html) 2005-04-02 at the Wayback Machine.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Orochimaru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orochimaru) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orochimaru?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.