Translating Kirin
I asked 6 translators, via Fiverr, to translate Kirin from the original Japanese. Specifically, I asked for explanations as to why translation choices were made, and an analysis of the language used - was it literal or metaphorical? Was it clinical and precise, or grandiose and colorful? Here is a full breakdown of Kirin from 6 different perspectives.
If you learned something from these translations and are looking for a translator for your project, please consider reaching out to one of the translators featured below for their services.
Yukako
https://www.fiverr.com/yukakology
Original Japanese Text & English Translation
忍術 麒麟
使用者：うちはサスケ
Ninjutsu: Kirin
User: Uchiha Sasuke
サスケが編み出した、雷性質の極致とも言える術。
通称“麒麟（きりん）”。
A jutsu developed by Sasuke, said to represent the pinnacle of Lightning Release.
Commonly referred to as “Kirin.”
まず豪龍火などの火遁で空気を急激に暖め、激しい上昇気流を生み出す。
上昇気流は積乱雲を生み、そして積乱雲は雷を発生させる…!!
By rapidly heating the air with Fire Release techniques such as Great Dragon Fire, powerful updrafts are created.
These updrafts generate cumulonimbus clouds, which in turn produce lightning…!!
その雷の形状を変化させ、標的へと導き、天をも震わす咆哮と共に敵を滅す。
The shape of that lightning is then altered, guiding it toward the target and annihilating the enemy amid a thunderous roar that shakes the heavens.
自然現象を利用した忍術のため、僅かなチャクラの消費のみで発動可能。
Because this jutsu makes use of a natural phenomenon, it can be activated with only a minimal expenditure of chakra.
忍の高みを志すサスケは、遂に「雷」とをも手なずけたのだ。
In his pursuit of the highest level of shinobi mastery, Sasuke has finally succeeded in bending lightning itself to his will.
Sidebar Text
雷は、伝説の神獣“麒麟”の姿を象り、標的を襲撃！
The lightning takes the form of the legendary divine beast “Kirin” and assaults the target!
光速の一撃は回避不能であり、瞬きする間もなく敵を消し去る!!
This light-speed strike is impossible to evade, erasing the enemy in less time than it takes to blink!!
Translation notes & interpretation
Phrase: 「光速の一撃」
光速: “speed of light”
一撃: “a single strike”
Translation choice: light-speed strike
Explanation:
This phrase is best interpreted as hyperbolic rather than literal.
In Japanese manga and databook contexts, “光速” is commonly used to emphasize overwhelming speed and inevitability, similar to English expressions like “at the speed of light.”
It is not intended as a precise physical measurement.
Phrase: 「瞬きする間もなく」
瞬き: “blink”
〜する間もなく: “without even the time to…”
Translation choice: in less time than it takes to blink
Explanation:
This is a conventional idiomatic expression in Japanese and directly parallels the English phrase “in the blink of an eye.”
It is clearly metaphorical, emphasizing speed rather than duration.
Overall Tone & Context
The language used throughout this entry is intentionally dramatic and elevated, which is typical of Naruto databook descriptions.
Phrases such as “light-speed,” “impossible to evade,” and “before one can blink” function as narrative devices to convey power and scale, rather than scientific accuracy.
Yui N
https://www.fiverr.com/yuin9678
忍術 麒麟
使用者 うちはサスケ
怒れる神獣の嘶きが震天動地の一撃を下さん！
サスケが編み出した、雷性質の極致とも言える術。まず、“豪龍火”などの火遁系術で空気を急激に暖め、激しい上昇気流を生み出す。上昇気流は積乱雲を生み、そして積乱雲は雷を発生させる…!!
その雷の形状を変化させ、標的へと導き、天をも震わす咆哮と共に敵を滅す。自然現象を利した忍術のため、チャクラの消費のみで発動可能。忍の高みを志すサスケは、遂に「雷」をも手なずけたのだー。
雷鳴と共に敵を滅す！
雷は伝説の神獣“麒麟”の姿を象り標的を襲撃！光速の一撃は回避不能であり、瞬きする間もなく敵を消し去る‼
Ninjutsu: Kirin
User: Uchiha Sasuke
The furious neigh of a divine beast unleashes a heaven-shaking blow!
A technique devised by Sasuke that can be called the ultimate expression of Lightning Release. First, he rapidly heats the air using Fire Release techniques such as Great Dragon Fire, generating powerful updrafts. These updrafts form cumulonimbus clouds, and those clouds give rise to lightning…!!
By altering the shape of that lightning and guiding it toward his target, he annihilates his enemy with a roar that shakes the heavens themselves. Because this is a ninjutsu that takes advantage of a natural phenomenon, it can be activated with minimal chakra consumption alone. Aspiring to ever greater heights as a shinobi, Sasuke has finally mastered even “lightning” itself.
Annihilate the enemy with thunderous force!
The lightning takes the form of the legendary divine beast “Kirin” and strikes the target! This light-speed attack is impossible to evade, erasing the enemy in the blink of an eye!!
1. 「怒れる神獣の嘶きが震天動地の一撃を下さん！」
Explanation (in English)
This line is written in a highly mythological and epic register, similar to the narration found in legends or heroic poetry.
“怒れる神獣 (an enraged divine beast)”
Refers not to a literal animal, but to a mythical being that embodies overwhelming natural power.
Divine beast was chosen to preserve the religious and legendary nuance.
“嘶き (neigh)”
Although literally the sound a horse makes, it is appropriate here because Kirin is traditionally depicted as a horse-like mythical creature.
The word emphasizes both animality and divine presence.
“震天動地” (heaven-shaking, earth-moving)
A four-character idiom meaning “so powerful that it shakes heaven and earth.”
This is purely hyperbolic, intended to convey scale and impact rather than a physical phenomenon.
Overall, the sentence functions as a dramatic metaphor, not a literal description.
2. 「雷性質の極致とも言える術」
Explanation
“極致” (ultimate / pinnacle)
Indicates the highest possible level or culmination of a skill, not a scientifically measurable maximum.
Ultimate expression was chosen to reflect evaluative praise rather than absolute fact.
“とも言える” (can be called)
This phrase softens the claim, a common feature of Japanese descriptive writing.
The English translation retains this nuance by avoiding a definitive statement.
This expression is evaluative and rhetorical, not technical.
3. 「天をも震わす咆哮」
Explanation
“天をも震わす” (shakes even the heavens)
The particle も (“even”) intensifies the exaggeration.
The heavens themselves reproduces this emphasis in English.
“咆哮” (roar)
Refers to the thunderous cry of a beast or godlike entity, not a human shout.
This phrase is entirely metaphorical, emphasizing awe and intimidation.
4. 「忍の高みを志すサスケは、遂に『雷』をも手なずけた」
Explanation
“忍の高み” (greater heights as a shinobi)
A figurative expression referring to spiritual, technical, and personal mastery.
“手なずけた” (tamed / mastered)
Literally means “to tame,” as one would an animal.
Since lightning is a natural phenomenon, mastered is more idiomatic in English.
Quotation marks around “雷” (lightning)
Indicate lightning as a conceptual force of nature, not merely chakra-based technique.
This is a semi-metaphorical expression: Sasuke does manipulate real lightning, but the wording is poetic rather than literal.
5. 「光速の一撃は回避不能」
Explanation (Important Nuance)
“光速” (speed of light)
In Japanese, this term can function in two ways:
Scientifically (actual light speed)
Figuratively (“extremely fast”)
In the context of Kirin, which uses natural lightning, the phrase leans closer to a literal interpretation than a casual metaphor.
It does not imply a measured value, but it strongly suggests that the attack is beyond human reaction speed, hence unavoidable.
For this reason, light-speed attack was preserved rather than softened.
6. 「瞬きする間もなく敵を消し去る」
Explanation
“瞬きする間もなく” (before one can blink)
A fixed idiomatic expression in Japanese.
In the blink of an eye is a direct functional equivalent in English.
“消し去る” (erase)
Stronger than “defeat” or “kill,” implying total annihilation.
Erase conveys this merciless finality.
This phrase is clearly metaphorical, describing perceived speed rather than measurable time.
Translator’s Overall Perspective
The databook text combines:
mythological language
battle manga exaggeration
pseudo-scientific framing
As a translator, it is essential to evaluate each expression individually, deciding whether it functions as:
a poetic metaphor
a dramatic exaggeration
or a semi-literal claim within the fictional logic of the world
This balance allows the English version to remain faithful not just to meaning, but to tone, intent, and genre expectations.
Firdaus
https://www.fiverr.com/devildaus
忍術 麒麟
使用者 うちはサスケ
怒れる神獣の嘶きが震天動地の一撃を下さん!
サスケが編み出した、雷遁系の術で空気を急激に暖め、激しい上昇気流を生み出す。上昇気流は積乱雲を生み、そして積乱雲は雷を発生させる…!!
その雷の形状を変化させ、標的へと導き、天をも震わす咆哮と共に敵を滅す。
自然現象を利した忍術のため、僅かなチャクラ消費のみで発動可能。忍の高みを志すサスケは、遂に「雷」をも手なずけたのだ――。
雷鳴と共に敵を滅す!
←雷は、伝説の神獣 ”麒麟” の姿を象り標的を襲撃!
光速の一撃は回避不能であり、瞬きする間もなく敵を消し去る!!
Translate:
Ninjutsu: Kirin
User: Sasuke Uchiha
The roar of the enraged mythical beast brings down a world-shaking blow!
Sasuke devised this Lightning Style technique by rapidly heating the air to create a violent updraft. This updraft births cumulonimbus clouds, and those clouds, in turn, generate lightning...!!
By shaping that lightning and guiding it toward the target, he destroys the enemy alongside a roar that makes even the heavens tremble.
Because it utilizes a natural phenomenon, it can be activated with only a negligible consumption of chakra. Sasuke, aiming for the heights of shinobi mastery, has finally tamed the "Thunder" itself—.
Annihilate the enemy with the sound of thunder!
The lightning takes the form of the legendary beast "Kirin" to assault the target!
This light-speed strike is unavoidable, erasing the enemy in the blink of an eye!!
1. 震天動地 (Shinten-dōchi)
Literal: "Shake Heaven, Move Earth."
Translation: "World-shaking" or "Earth-shattering."
Why? Captures cataclysmic scale poetically. Full literal feels too archaic for manga energy.
Literal or Metaphorical? Hyperbole for massive impact.
2. 光速 (Kōsoku)
Literal: "Light-speed"
Translation: I kept "Light-speed."
Why? Direct and impactful for comics. Avoids wordy alternatives like "at the speed of light" which slow the pace.
Literal or Metaphorical? Pure hyperbole/metaphor. This is faster than sound, faster than reaction time. It is instant. It is treated as a physical law, not just "fast."
3. 瞬きする間もなく (Matataki suru ma mo naku)
Literal: "Without even the time for a blink."
Translation: "In the blink of an eye."
Why? Idiomatic English match, concise and vivid. Ties into global "blink of an eye" for instantaneity.
Literal or Metaphorical? Metaphorical. It's vague hype for "extremely quick".
4. 手なずけた (Tenazuketa)
Literal: "Tamed" or "domesticated" (as one would a wild animal).
Translation: "Tamed the thunder."
Why? Evokes mastery over chaos. Paired with Kirin (mythical beast) reference in context, it paints a vivid, beast-taming warrior image stronger than bland "controlled". "Controlled" is too robotic for me.
Flowers
https://www.fiverr.com/flowerstl
Naruto Page
サスケが編み出した、雷性質の極致とも言える術。まず「豪龍火」などの火遁系の術で空気を急激に暖め、激しい上昇気流を生み出す。上昇気流は積乱雲を生み、そして積乱雲は雷を発生させる！！その雷の形状を変化させ、標的へと導き、天をも震わす咆哮と共に敵を滅す。自然現象を利した忍術のため、僅かなチャクラの消費のみで発動可能。忍の高みを志すサスケは、遂に「雷」をも手なずけたのだ。
雷は、伝説の神獣「麒麟」の姿を象り標的を襲撃！光速の一撃は回避不能であり、瞬きする間もなく敵を消し去る！！
Sasuke came up with a perfect lightning Jutsu.
Firstly, the Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique creates a harsh current that immediately heats up the air.
He uses this hot current to create a thunder cloud which creates lightning!
He then manipulates the shape of the lightning, guiding it to the target, with a roar that shakes the heavens, and destroys the enemy.
Due to the ninjutsu using a natural phenomenon, little chakra consumption is possible.
Sasuke, who aims to become the highest level of a shinobi, has finally mastered “Lightning”.
An attack that takes the shape of the legendary “Kirin”!
An unavoidable attack that moves at the speed of light, and annihilates the enemy in the blink of an eye!!
Breakdown
性質 is nature so it’s referring the jutsu’s lightning attribute. And 極致 is perfect.
豪龍火 is an original compound word. It can actually translate to Powerful Dragon Fire Technique instead of Great Dragon Fire Technique. But in media that has already been translated like Naruto the established translation is technically the “best” translation.
積乱雲 is a word specifically used for clouds that produce lightning. The only English word I was able to think of at the moment was thunder cloud.
The notable expression here is one seen in English often as well. 天をも震わす咆哮 is the equivalent to the English saying of something being so powerful or loud that the heavens shake. 咆哮 = roar、 震わす = shake, 天 = heavens.
利した implies usage as in to their benefit. So the ninjutsu uses the natural phenomenon to their advantage and uses less chakra than you normally would for the same output in power.
忍の高み means the peak of a shinobi. I interpreted this as the level of a shinobi but as I don’t know too much about Naruto this could probably also imply other things like the top of the shinobi world or something.
Kirin is a mythical beast in East Asian mythology.
光速の一撃 means “an attack that moves at the speed of light” though if you were to literally translate it it would be “A speed of light attack” which doesn’t sound as natural. Which is why translating it into the English expression “At the speed of light” is probably best.
Lucas Santana
https://www.fiverr.com/lucsantana
Kirin_Top + Bottom right text
THE FEARSOME SHINJU’S ROAR DELIVERS A POWERFUL EARTH -SHAKING SINGLE STRIKE!
VANQUISH THE ENEMY WITH YOUR LIGHTINING!
Obs: The two sentences sound awkward when separate, so I’d rather put an “and” on the second one, but that would detract from the original. The first one is actually in the imperative form, but I believe it sounds better in the indicative.
Kirin_Top
忍術- Ninjutsu / Kirin / User – Uchiha Sasuke
A technique created by Sasuke, considered the epitome of elemental manipulation. First, with jutsus such as “Gouryuuka” he creates a sudden updraft of intense heat.
The updraft then generates cumulonimbus clouds that produce powerful lightning!!
He then transforms the lighting, guiding it downwards towards the target, eliminating it and creating a mighty roar that shakes the skies!
Due to its elemental manipulation nature, it consumes very little chakra to be activated.
Sasuke, the one who strives to be the elite ninja, has finally mastered lightning itself!
Obs: The original says “Sasuke who aims to be at the top of the ninjas”, I was a bit split between elite ninja and the very best ninja. But the second one kind of detracts from the tone, so I went with “elite ninja”.
Kirin_Bottom
Lightning takes the form of the legendary shinju “Kirin’ and strikes the target! An unavoidable lighting-speed single strike erases the enemy in the blink of an eye!
Smaturin
https://www.fiverr.com/smaturin
Ninjutsu: Kirin
User: Sasuke Uchiha
The terrified cry of a divine beast heralds a world-shaking blow!!
With a peal of thunder, the enemy is annihilated!
Devised by Sasuke, it could be called the ultimate pinnacle of lightning nature techniques.
First, fire release techniques like Great Dragon Fire Technique rapidly heat the air, creating violent updrafts. The updrafts form cumulonimbus clouds, and those clouds give rise to lightning…!!
By altering the form of the lightning, guiding it toward the target, it annihilates the enemy amid a thunderous roar that shakes even the heavens.
As it is a ninjutsu that harnesses a natural phenomenon, it can be activated with only a minimal chakra consumption. In striving for the pinnacle of the shinobi, Sasuke has at last tamed lightning itself…
The lightning takes the form of the legendary divine beast ‘Kirin’ and strikes the target!
At lightspeed*, the blow is impossible to evade, and it erases the enemy before one can even blink!!*
*光速 is ‘speed of light/lightspeed.’ 光₌light, 速₌speed. While it can be used as an expression, given that it is impossible to evade, the usage here must be literal.
*瞬きする間もなく would usually be translated into ‘blink of an eye’ in English, but a more literal translation would be ‘before one has time to blink’.