Yes. Nibi means "two tails"; Matatabi is its proper name.

Are the blue flames more powerful?

They are above all a visual signature of Matatabi; effectiveness depends on the context (control, amount of chakra, target).

Does Yugito survive the extraction?

No; the extraction by the Akatsuki causes her death.

Does Matatabi have other known jinchuriki?

Canonically, Yugito Nii is the most documented host.

Is there an official "Nekomata no Hi"?

No. The series refers to Fire Release (blue flames) attacks and Tailed Beast Bomb.

Does Matatabi appear in Boruto?

It is free after the war; it is glimpsed occasionally, without a major "escort" arc comparable to Shukaku.

Matatabi (Nibi) : Le démon chat à deux queues dans Naruto

Matatabi (Two-Tails): The Two-Tailed Cat in Naruto

September 14, 2025

1442 words | Reading time: 8 min

Tailed Beast

Blue flames on a gigantic two-tailed cat. Matatabi, the Two-Tails, is one of the fragments of the Ten-Tails' chakra individualized by Hagoromo. Its appearance, its Fire Release (Katon), its Tailed Beast Bomb (Bijudama) and its colossal chakra are detailed, before a detour through Yugito Nii, its jinchuriki, and its role during the Fourth Great Ninja War. The folkloric inspirations that fed the creature round out the portrait.

Origins, powers, connection with Yugito Nii, role during the Four ^th Great Ninja War and folkloric inspirations.

What Is Matatabi in Naruto?

Matatabi (マタタビ), also called Nibi ("two tails"), is one of the nine tailed beasts (bijū) in the world of Naruto. It takes the appearance of a gigantic two-tailed cat wrapped in blue flames and stands out for a personality that is rather calm and respectful for a tailed beast.

A giant feline made of blue flames, two tails raised, facing two figures in dark cloaks with red clouds — The two figures at its feet give the scale: the Two-Tails is a colossal cat, made entirely of blue flames.

Origins

Like all tailed beasts, Matatabi is born when the Sage of the Six Paths, Hagoromo Otsutsuki, splits the chakra of the Jubi (Ten-Tails) into nine entities in order to preserve the balance of the ninja world. The name "Matatabi" is used in kana/romaji in the series; in everyday Japanese it also refers to the plant silver vine (木天蓼), famous for its effects on cats.

Physical Characteristics

Silhouette: feline, at once slender and massive; two long tails.
Blue flames: a halo of blue fire that underscores its affinity for Fire Release (Katon).
Eyes: strongly feline features; Matatabi is often depicted with heterochromia (right eye yellow, left eye green).

Close-up of the blue feline, mouth open on white fangs; its two eyes are different colors, one yellow, the other green — Feline silhouette, halo of blue flames and mismatched eyes: Matatabi's design is recognizable at a glance.

Yugito Nii: The Jinchuriki of Matatabi

The most notable host is Yugito Nii, jonin of Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village), capable of a controlled transformation and of attacks using Fire Release. She is captured by Hidan and Kakuzu; the Akatsuki then extracts Matatabi, which causes her death. The relationship between Yugito and Matatabi is shown as respectful and effective, far from the conflicted dynamics of other tailed beast/jinchuriki pairs.

A blonde kunoichi wearing a ninja headband holds her hands in front of her, nails extended into long claws; the blue silhouette of the feline rises behind her — Yugito does not merely endure her tailed beast: she draws a feline fighting style from it, claws included.

Powers and Techniques

Fire Release (blue flames): breath and fire projectiles at a very high temperature (bluish visual signature).
Tailed Beast Bomb (Bijudama): a sphere of concentrated energy, the ultimate attack common to all tailed beasts.
Colossal chakra and regeneration: immense reserves, great endurance and recovery abilities superior to those of a shinobi.
Feline speed/agility: high mobility for its size, powerful charges and leaps.

Note: the name "Nekomata no Hi" is not an official technique name in the series; the series simply refers to Fire Release (blue flames) attacks and to Tailed Beast Bomb.

The blue feline, mouth wide open, concentrates a dark sphere in front of it almost as tall as its head — The Tailed Beast Bomb, a sphere of concentrated energy, is the attack common to all tailed beasts.

Matatabi During the Four ^th Great Ninja War

During the war, Kabuto reanimates Yugito via the Edo Tensei (Reanimation Jutsu). Obito/Tobi then controls the reanimated jinchuriki (chakra receivers, chains and Rinnegan) and forces the manifestation of Matatabi against Naruto and Killer Bee. Later, when the Allied Shinobi Forces manage to extract the tailed beasts' chakra, Matatabi is briefly freed before being sealed again by Madara.

Several transformed tailed beasts side by side in the dust; the blue feline occupies the foreground on the left, two tiny human figures in front of them — Obito forces the reanimated jinchuriki into full transformation to pit their tailed beasts against the Allied Shinobi Forces.

Folkloric Inspirations

Matatabi draws on the nekomata, the two-tailed feline yokai of Japanese folklore, often associated with supernatural powers and spectral flames. This cultural foundation explains its appearance, its two tails and its fiery iconography.

Comparison with the Other Tailed Beasts

Temperament: calmer and more respectful than some tailed beasts (e.g. Shukaku), which makes cooperation with a capable host easier.
Affinity: associated with fire and with blue flames, Matatabi embodies a very "feline" combat identity (mobility, charges, claws).

Overhead view: the tailed beasts form a circle around two tiny human figures; the blue feline occupies the right of the frame — Gathered together, the tailed beasts differ in form and affinity: in this circle, Matatabi is the only feline.

Legacy and Reception

Matatabi's elegant design, its blue flames and its balanced relationship with Yugito make it a tailed beast much loved by fans. Thematically, it illustrates the possibility of coexistence between formidable powers and mutual respect.

Summary Table

Element	Details
Name	Matatabi (aka Nibi, Two-Tails)
Nature	Tailed Beast — individualized fragment of the chakra of the Ten-Tails by Hagoromo
Appearance	Gigantic two-tailed cat, wrapped in blue flames
Affinities	Fire Release (Katon), Tailed Beast Bomb, colossal chakra and regeneration
Notable jinchuriki	Yugito Nii (Kumogakure, jonin)
Personality	Rather calm and respectful for a tailed beast
Role (War)	Manifested through the controlled Edo Tensei jinchuriki; clashes against Naruto/Bee
Folklore	Inspired by the nekomata (two-tailed yokai, spectral flames)
Post-war status	Freed from Akatsuki control; freedom/occasional ties with the shinobi world
Themes	Coexistence, mutual respect, channeled power

FAQ

Matatabi = Nibi?
— Yes. Nibi means "two tails"; Matatabi is its proper name.
Are the blue flames more powerful?
— They are above all a visual signature of Matatabi; effectiveness depends on the context (control, amount of chakra, target).
Does Yugito survive the extraction?
— No; the extraction by the Akatsuki causes her death.
Does Matatabi have other known jinchuriki?
— Canonically, Yugito Nii is the most documented host.
Is there an official "Nekomata no Hi"?
— No. The series refers to Fire Release (blue flames) attacks and Tailed Beast Bomb.
Does Matatabi appear in Boruto?
— It is free after the war; it is glimpsed occasionally, without a major "escort" arc comparable to Shukaku.