<p>That's because Edo Tensei can only reanimated souls that are in the world of the dead. </p>

<p>The four Hokages were sealed in the death god's stomach. That's why they were only revived after Orochimaru released Shiki Fuujin. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-31T09:44:44.110Z
2013-07-31T09:44:44.110Z
Madara's Ghost
<p>The last time first and second hokage were reincarnated, they were sealed using the death reaper seal by the third hokage.</p>

<p>The 4th hokage was sealed along with the nine tailed fox using the same seal.</p>

<p>One of the pre-requisites of the reanimation jutsu is that the target shinobi cannot be sealed. </p>

<p>Since the 4 hokages were sealed, kabuto was unable to reincarnate either one.</p>

<blockquote class="spoiler">
  <p> However, later Orochimaru shows that the souls trapped in the death reaper's belly can be realesed, and thus reincarnated each of the hokages.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-31T09:53:09.497Z
2013-07-31T09:53:09.497Z
debal
<p>Actually, Kabuto can't revive the 1st and the 2nd Hokage simply because Hiruzen Sarutobi (3rd) sealed them away using the <a href="http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Dead_Demon_Consuming_Seal" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Dead Demon Consuming Seal</a>. </p>

<p>While the reason Orochimaru can revive the two is because he ripped the belly of the Demon (Shiki Fuujin) who consumed their souls in Naruto chapter 618, page 4.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-31T09:47:45.687Z
2017-01-16T13:33:10.217Z
2017-01-16T13:33:10.217Z
Mark
<p>In the anime, Kabuto reincarnated Asuma, Dan, Hizashi etc from Konoha to battle against the allied Shinobi forces. Earlier, Orochimaru reincarnated the 1st and 2nd Hokage to battle against the 3rd. Why didn't Kabuto reincarnate the four of them to fight against the alliance? Couldn't they be reincarnated again or wasn't that part of Tobi's plan?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-31T09:47:53.727Z
This is answered [here](http://anime.stackexchange.com/q/4245/49).
JNat
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-31T09:48:08.547Z
Yes. Probably a duplicate.
Mark
<naruto>
Why weren't the four Hokages reincarnated by Kabuto in the Shinobi war?
# Why weren't the four Hokages reincarnated by Kabuto in the Shinobi war?
Posted by: username_0 on 2013-07-31
In the anime, Kabuto reincarnated Asuma, Dan, Hizashi etc from Konoha to battle against the allied Shinobi forces. Earlier, Orochimaru reincarnated the 1st and 2nd Hokage to battle against the 3rd. Why didn't Kabuto reincarnate the four of them to fight against the alliance? Couldn't they be reincarnated again or wasn't that part of Tobi's plan?
**Tags:** naruto
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This is answered [here](http://anime.stackexchange.com/q/4245/49).  
> **username_2**: Yes. Probably a duplicate.  
---
## 3 answers
### Answer by username_2 on 2013-07-31. Score: 10 | Accepted answer
Actually, Kabuto can't revive the 1st and the 2nd Hokage simply because Hiruzen Sarutobi (3rd) sealed them away using the [Dead Demon Consuming Seal](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Dead_Demon_Consuming_Seal).

While the reason Orochimaru can revive the two is because he ripped the belly of the Demon (Shiki Fuujin) who consumed their souls in Naruto chapter 618, page 4.
---
### Answer by username_3 on 2013-07-31. Score: 6
That's because Edo Tensei can only reanimated souls that are in the world of the dead.

The four Hokages were sealed in the death god's stomach. That's why they were only revived after Orochimaru released Shiki Fuujin.
---
### Answer by username_4 on 2013-07-31. Score: 0
The last time first and second hokage were reincarnated, they were sealed using the death reaper seal by the third hokage.

The 4th hokage was sealed along with the nine tailed fox using the same seal.

One of the pre-requisites of the reanimation jutsu is that the target shinobi cannot be sealed.

Since the 4 hokages were sealed, kabuto was unable to reincarnate either one.

> However, later Orochimaru shows that the souls trapped in the death reaper's belly can be realesed, and thus reincarnated each of the hokages.
---
