The Jinchuriki were the users of Tailed Beasts in the Naruto universe. Having been enhanced with ancient power, they often serve as focal points of the plot. For example, the Nine-Tails' power made Naruto stand out among Konoha's genin and implied he may have a bright future to look forward to.
However, there are many severe detriments that come with being a Jinchuriki. Owning a Tailed Beast is so dangerous that its downsides arguably overshadow the benefits. By considering the best and worst aspects of this unique circumstance, we have a clearer idea of whether or not it's worth the risk.
10 HARSH REALITY: Tailed Beasts Don't Always Cooperate With Their Hosts
At the beginning of the series, Naruto and Kurama were at odds. The Nine-Tailed Fox felt insulted that his power was contained within a young boy and often attempted to take over when possible.
Although Naruto sometimes benefited from his demonic counterpart, he risked losing control and harming those he cared about. Whenever he came to visit Kurama, he was met by constant threats and derision. The bars between them were the only things separating Naruto from a brutal and unceremonious death.
9 PERK: Tailed Beasts Can Be Befriended Over Time
Although Naruto's relationship with Kurama began strained, he made peace with him under the instruction of Killer Bee. It was a particularly difficult task given how the Nine-Tailed Fox distrusted humans based on his interactions with the Uchiha Clan.
Naruto wasn't the only one to suggest that Tailed Beasts could be befriended. Killer Bee made peace with Gyuki long ago, and even Shukaku eventually got along with Gaara after the battle for the Leaf Village had been concluded. With enough time, patience, and charisma, Tailed Beasts can become extraordinarily powerful assets.
8 HARSH REALITY: The Jinchuriki Are Hunted By The Akatsuki
Perhaps the most unfortunate reality of being a Jinchuriki is that they are hunted by the Akatsuki. Originally founded by Nagato, the organization acknowledged the ancient power of Tailed Beasts and sought to use them to destroy the world.
To make matters worse, the Akatsuki are frighteningly efficient at what they do. They managed to kidnap Gaara and extract Shukaku from him despite the entire Sand Village's best efforts to thwart their mission. Pain would have had similar success against Naruto if it weren't for Jiraiya's instruction and Hinata's brave sacrifice.
7 PERK: Jinchuriki Have Enormous Amounts Of Chakra
Jinchuriki have an exceptionally high amount of chakra, allowing them to outlast most opponents and overwhelm them with astounding abilities. This was most prevalently seen at the beginning of the series through Naruto's shadow clones.
Despite the fact that he had terrible innate chakra control and hadn't yet won Kurama over, Naruto was still able to copy himself hundreds of times when overwhelming his opponents. Such a feat is impressive when considering that typical shinobi can only manage to produce between one to five clones for any given battle.
6 HARSH REALITY: Jinchuriki Are Often Shunned By Their Own People
Despite being the secret weapons of their villages, Jinchuriki are frequently feared and reviled by their own people. The Sand Village was so superstitious about Gaara that Rasa even sent his guardian to assassinate him. Gaara was so traumatized by the event that he essentially swore off his own humanity.
Similarly, Naruto was an outcast from the very beginning, barely ever having had a chance to prove himself before being judged. These conditions are psychologically devastating to most users, especially if they inherit their Tailed Beasts from childhood.
5 PERK: Jinchuriki Are Resistent To Genjutsu
Although a Jinchuriki's enhanced strength and secondary forms are considerable assets in combat, their greatest advantage is their resistence to genjutsu. Since another spirit lives inside them, users are often immediately "woken up" by their beasts after falling under an enemy illusion.
This allowed Naruto to confront challenging enemies like Itachi without worrying that he might lose consciousness. It also helped Killer Bee during his fight against Sasuke, as it prevented the Sharingan from being harnessed to its fullest potential, just as it was against Danzo Shimura after the Five Kage Summit.
4 HARSH REALITY: Losing Control Of A Tailed Beast Spells Catastrophe For Everyone
Should a Jinchuriki's relationship with their Tailed Beast be inadequate, the consequences are disastrous. This was seen at the conclusion of the Chunin Exam arc, where Shukaku gradually overtook Gaara until his full form was finally unleashed.
If not for Naruto's presence, the monster would have destroyed the Leaf along with the Sand shinobi who were still infiltrating it. The more power a Jinchuriki demands from their beast, the greater risk they have of losing their autonomy.
3 PERK: Tailed Beasts Are Viewed As Invaluable By Their Villages
Although Jinchuriki may sometimes be shunned and discriminated against, they can simultaneously be perceived as their village's ultimate weapons. This was most prominently seen through Killer Bee, where his disappearance after Sasuke's attack led to an international incident between the Leaf and Cloud nations.
It was also demonstrated by the people of Konoha, albeit only after Naruto had saved them time and again from complete obliteration. Even Danzo Shimura, perhaps the Leaf's most pessimistic shinobi, acknowledged that Naruto was essential to relevance on a global stage.
2 HARSH REALITY: After Becoming A Jinchuriki, Death Is The Only Way Out
After the Cloud Village made Rin into a Jinchuriki and tried to send her back to the Leaf, she realized what she needed to do. In order to prevent her village's destruction, she guided Kakashi's Chidori through her heart, killing her instantly.
This underlies the darkest truth about being a Jinchuriki: the only way out is death. While Tailed Beast extraction was possible as proven when Utakata and Gaara were taken by the Akatsuki, the monster's host would inevitably die once the ritual was completed.
1 PERK: Tailed Beast Bombs Are Unimaginably Potent
The Tailed Beast Bomb is a Jinchuriki's most reliable superweapon. It allows them to launch a massive ball of energy potent enough to obliterate a wide radius and everyone unfortunate enough to be caught inside it. Such destructive power enthralled the Akatsuki and even Madara enough to attempt subjugating the ancient creatures to their will.
Killer Bee attempted this technique against Sasuke before his abduction. If the avenging Uchiha had come alone, or if Gyuki had any conceivable counters against the rare and mysterious power of the Amaterasu, the bomb might have been able to prevent his abduction.