Who Are the Strongest Characters in Naruto? 31 Examples

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Anime expert Ishaan Kaushal shares his picks for the strongest Naruto characters

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Kaguya Otsutsuki

2 Naruto Uzumaki

3 Madara Uchiha

4 Hashirama Senju

5 Obito Uchiha

6 Might Guy (Eight Gates Guy)

7 Sasuke Uchiha

8 Itachi Uchiha

9 Kakashi Hatake

10 Tobirama Senju

11 Nagato Uzumaki (Pain)

12 Minato Namikaze

13 Killer Bee

14 Kabuto Yakushi

15 Hagoromo Otsutsuki

16 Third Raikage

17 Kisame Hoshigaki

18 Kakuzu

19 Jiraiya

20 Gaara

21 Fourth Raikage

22 Orochimaru

23 Hiruzen Sarutobi

24 Tsunade

25 Sasori

26 Onoki

27 Danzo Shimura

28 Mu

29 Mei Terumi

30 Hamura Otsutsuki

31 Sakura Haruno

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Co-authored by Ishaan Kaushal and Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: July 29, 2026 Fact Checked

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Naruto is one of the most iconic manga and anime series of all time—thanks in large part to its huge cast of powerful characters. But who’s really the top dog? We partnered with an anime expert to find out, and we’re breaking it down for you today with a list of the 31 strongest characters in Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, plus the first time we meet each character. Let’s get started!

Note: This article may contain spoilers for Naruto and Naruto Shippuden.

Who is the strongest character in Naruto?

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Anime expert Ishaan Kaushal says these are the strongest characters in Naruto:

• Naruto Uzumaki
• Sasuke Uchiha
• Madara Uchiha
• Hashirama Senju
• Kakashi Hatake
• Sakura Haruno

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1

Kaguya Otsutsuki

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1. 
   After Princess Kaguya of the alien Otsutsuki clan arrived on earth, she ate the fruit of the God Tree, making her the first chakra wielder. She’s an unstoppable force of evil—the ability to read minds and alter space and time is just the beginning of her power. She can’t be defeated one-on-one, which is why we’re giving her the top spot as the strongest Naruto character. She's also the mother of Hagoromo and Hamura.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #679 (manga); Episode #458 (Naruto Shippuden)

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Ishaan Kaushal is an anime expert and content creator based in Washington, D.C. He’s a part of the TikTok established creator program, and his content mainly focuses on analyzing anime, TV, and movies.
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2

Naruto Uzumaki

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1. 
   Kaushal names Naruto Uzumaki at the top of his list of strongest characters in Naruto. The sheer amount of chakra running through Naruto means anyone who goes up against him is in for a battle. Not only that, but his leadership and loyalty help him assemble a tight-knit crew—and his ability to share his chakra means that anyone who fights beside him becomes nearly as strong as Naruto himself.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #1 (manga); Episode #1 (Naruto)

3

Madara Uchiha

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1. 
   When we first meet Naruto, Madara is a well-known figure from the past, held up as an example of the ultimate shinobi. But we get to see his strength showcased firsthand when he’s reincarnated by Kabuto Yakushi to take on the five Kages all by himself. He’s a complex villain with a tragic backstory. And, as Kaushal points out, Madara is easily one of the strongest characters in the series.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #320 (manga); Episode #130 (Naruto Shippuden)
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4

Hashirama Senju

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1. 
   Hashirama Senju is another of the strongest Naruto characters, says Kaushal. Hashirama was the First Hokage, and he consistently beat Madara in battle when they were in their regular, living forms, thanks to his Sage Mode and Wood Release abilities. He can’t quite stand up to Madara’s Ten-Tails Jinchuriki form, but he definitely deserves this spot on the list.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #118 (manga); Episode #69 (Naruto)

5

Obito Uchiha

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1. 
   When we first meet Obito Uchiha, he’s using the cover name “Tobi,” and he just seems like a comic relief side character. But as we learn more about him, we realize that he’s a villain with a tragic past—and the mastermind behind the Akatsuki, a criminal group of rogue ninjas willing to go to violent extremes in the name of peace.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #239 (manga); Episode #32 (Naruto Shippuden)
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6

Might Guy (Eight Gates Guy)

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1. 
   On the surface, Might Guy seems like a comedic side character with a killer bowl cut—but he’s actually one of the strongest shinobi in Naruto. He specializes in taijutsu, or hand-to-hand combat. And he has the ability to open all eight of the gates that limit the flow of chakra through the body, giving him access to unprecedented power.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #38 (manga); Episode #21 (Naruto)

7

Sasuke Uchiha

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1. 
   Sasuke Uchiha begins the series as Naruto’s best friend and rival. Sasuke awakened the Rinnegan—the most powerful form of dōjutsu, or a ninja’s ocular abilities. The last survivor of the Uchiha clan has a complex and tragic past, but he uses that to push himself to become an increasingly strong fighter as the series progresses. That’s why it’s no surprise that Kaushal names Sasuke on his list of strongest Naruto characters.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #3 (manga); Episode #1 (Naruto)
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8

Itachi Uchiha

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1. 
   Itachi Uchiha was one of the youngest members ever to join the Anbu Black Ops. He was an incredibly skilled fighter. We ranked him below his little brother Sasuke because Sasuke killed Itachi in battle—but given Itachi’s powerful Susanoo and Amaterasu techniques, some fans think Itachi held back in the fight, which means it’s possible he could have actually been the stronger brother.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #139 (manga); Episode #80 (Naruto)

9

Kakashi Hatake

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1. 
   Kakashi Hatake is a powerful ninja who studied under the Fourth Hokage. But he takes that power to the next level after he gets his Sharingan eye from Obito, gaining the ability to learn and copy Jutsu techniques from other shinobi. In fact, the leader of Team 7 is so powerful that he eventually becomes the Sixth Hokage. And Kaushal agrees that he’s one of the strongest characters in Naruto.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #3 (manga); Episode #3 (Naruto)
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10

Tobirama Senju

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1. 
   Tobirama Senju’s massive chakra reserves and lightning-fast speed make him one of the most powerful shinobi in Naruto. He’s able to easily dart in and place explosive tags on an enemy, dashing away before the explosion so he doesn’t get hurt. His genjutsu also allows him to trap enemies in the dark—you want this guy on your side during battle.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #118 (manga); Episode #69 (Naruto)

11

Nagato Uzumaki (Pain)

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1. 
   Nagato is one of the members of the Akatsuki, the criminal organization of rogue ninjas determined to use any means necessary to protect world peace. Nagato was particularly powerful—he used the Rinnegan ability to control ninjas’ bodies after they died, including Pain. He was a formidable opponent, but he was ultimately defeated by Naruto.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #372 (manga); Episode #128 (Naruto Shippuden)
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12

Minato Namikaze

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1. 
   Minato Namikaze is Naruto’s father, the Fourth Hokage, and one of the greatest—and fastest—ninjas of all time. In fact, he’s nicknamed the Yellow Flash of the Leaf because of his super-speed. Minato is a true hero, sacrificing himself to bring down the Nine-Tailed Fox to protect his newborn son and the people of Konoha.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #122 (manga); Episode #1 (Naruto)

13

Killer Bee

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1. 
   Killer Bee is the jinchūriki of the Eight-Tailed Beast, but instead of seeing it as a curse, he actually befriends the demon sealed in his body. He might prefer a rap battle to a warzone, but he’s a powerful fighter—especially after he gains the chakra-drinking Samehada, one of the most powerful swords in Naruto.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #408 (manga); Episode #142 (Naruto Shippuden)
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14

Kabuto Yakushi

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1. 
   When we first meet Kabuto Yakushi, we think he’s going to join Naruto and his team of heroes—but he’s an Akatsuki working under Orochimaru. He’s not the physically strongest character in the series, but once he unlocks Sage Mode, he gains a huge tactical advantage in battle.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #39 (manga); Episode #23 (Naruto)

15

Hagoromo Otsutsuki

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1. 
   Hagoromo Otsutsuki is one of the sons of Princess Kaguya, and he inherited some of her incredible power. Hagoromo is the father of Asura and Indra, and after sealing the Ten-Tailed Beast inside his own body, he became the first jinchūriki—and one of the strongest ninjas in history.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #572 (manga); Episode #329 (Naruto Shippuden)
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16

Third Raikage

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1. 
   A, or the Third Raikage, was the powerful leader of Kumogakure. He died before the series began, but was resurrected by Kabuto Yakushi to fight with the Akatsuki in the Fourth Shinobi World War. This tanky foe is a serious threat on the battlefield—his strength and durability are almost unmatched, although Naruto does eventually triumph by turning one of A’s own attacks back on himself.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #494 (manga); Episode #244 (Naruto Shippuden)

17

Kisame Hoshigaki

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1. 
   Kisame Hoshigaki is a rogue ninja and member of the Akatsuki. He’s also known as the “Monster of the Hidden Mist.” His partner is Itachi Uchiha, and his shark-like abilities and Water Release technique made him a formidable opponent, especially when combined with the sharkskin sword Samehada.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #139 (manga); Episode #80 (Naruto)
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18

Kakuzu

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1. 
   Kakuzu is one of the Akatsuki, and he has the unique ability to use all five chakra natures. He also uses the Earth Grudge Fear jutsu, a forbidden technique that allows him to use black threads to stitch himself together after injury. He can also steal the hearts of other shinobi, using them to keep himself alive if he’s fatally wounded in a battle.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #312 (manga); Episode #71 (Naruto Shippuden)

19

Jiraiya

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1. 
   Jiraiya is a powerful shinobi known as the Toad Sage. He’s silly and notoriously lecherous, but he’s also a natural leader. In fact, he’s responsible for training some of the strongest ninjas in the world, including Naruto, the Fourth Hokage, Konan, and Nagato.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #90 (manga); Episode #52 (Naruto)
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20

Gaara

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1. 
   Gaara is the Fifth Kazekage of the Hidden Sand Village. As a child, he was shunned by other villagers because he was the jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Beast, so he grew up isolated and resentful. But after meeting Naruto, he underwent a powerful transformation, dedicating himself to the protection of his village and the people who lived there.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #35 (manga); Episode #20 (Naruto)

21

Fourth Raikage

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1. 
   The Fourth Raikage—also named A—is the son of the Third Raikage and the older adopted brother of Killer Bee. He’s known as the “human lightning bolt” thanks to his Lightning Release technique, and he’s one of the fastest, strongest fighters in Naruto. He’s such a dedicated fighter that he cut off his own arm because it caught on fire and he didn’t want it to slow him down while fighting Sasuke.

   • Debuted in: Chapter 416 (manga); Episode #152 (Naruto Shippuden)
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22

Orochimaru

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1. 
   Orochimaru is one of the most powerful villains in Naruto. Not only is the snake-like antagonist a skilled fighter in his own right, but his Reanimation Jutsu, which can bring people back to life, means that he’s able to summon a powerful army of the undead to fight alongside him.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #45 (manga); Episode #27 (Naruto)

23

Hiruzen Sarutobi

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1. 
   Hiruzen Sarutobi is the Third Hokage. He studied under the First and Second Hokage before leading Konoha Village for decades. He also taught the Legendary Sannin, which includes the powerful shinobi Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru. Some fans do take issue with how he treated Naruto, but he’s still a powerful ninja.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #1 (manga); Episode #1 (Naruto)
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24

Tsunade

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1. 
   Tsunade is one of the three Legendary Sannin and the Fifth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village. She’s known as the strongest female ninja, thanks in large part to the diamond-shaped chakra seal on her forehead that allows her to focus her chakra into her fists. She’s also a master of medical ninjutsu, so she can heal herself and others after injuries.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #139 (manga); Episode #83 (Naruto)

25

Sasori

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1. 
   Sasori of the Red Sand is a rogue ninja who joined the Akatsuki. He’s a master puppeteer, turning human bodies into mechanical puppets. He even transformed his own body into a puppet to protect himself from death. On top of that, he was a master of poisons, so even a minor injury from one of his weapons could result in paralysis and death.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #247 (manga); Episode #2 (Naruto Shippuden)
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26

Onoki

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1. 
   Onoki is the Third Tsuchikage of the Village Hidden in the Stones, and a master of Earth Style ninjutsu, including the powerful Dust Release, which gives him the ability to destroy people and objects, to fly, or to make his opponents too heavy to move. Ultimately he proved to rely too heavily on this technique, but he’s still one of the most powerful characters in the series.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #454 (manga); Episode #199 (Naruto Shippuden)

27

Danzo Shimura

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1. 
   Danzo Shimura, known as the Darkness of the Shinobi, is the founder of the Root, a secret faction of the ANBU. Although his main goal is to protect Konoha Village, Danzo is willing to go to any extremes to make that happen—including stealing other shinobi’s Sharingan eyes and creating a ruthless army of child soldiers.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #281 (manga); Episode #32 (Naruto Shippuden)
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28

Mu

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1. 
   Mu is the Second Tsuchikage of the Hidden Stone Village. He’s also known as the Non-Person because he has the ability to become invisible, leaving no physical or chakra trail behind. He also has a powerful chakra sensing ability, and his impressive evasive skills make him difficult to defeat.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #515 (manga); Episode #256 (Naruto Shippuden)

29

Mei Terumi

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1. 
   Mei Terumi is the Fifth Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village. She’s a wise and diplomatic leader and one of the strongest female ninjas in the series. She has several powerful attacks, including her Boil Release technique, which is powerful enough to melt Sasuke’s Susanoo.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #454 (manga); Episode #199 (Naruto Shippuden)
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30

Hamura Otsutsuki

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1. 
   Hamura Otsutsuki is one of the sons of Princess Kaguya and the twin brother of Hagoromo. Hamura has powerful abilities thanks to his divine lineage and his dōjutsu Byakugan (“White Eye”). But his power doesn’t quite stand up to his brother’s, which is why Hagoromo became the Sage of the Six Paths.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #670 (manga); Episode #420 (Naruto Shippuden)

31

Sakura Haruno

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1. 
   Sakura Haruno is a member of Team 7 with Naruto and Sasuke, and she trains under Tsunade to become one of the greatest medical ninjas in the world. She’s incredibly strong, and her healing abilities make her an essential part of the team. Kaushal says she might not be the strongest in terms of offensive output, but as a support character, she’s one of the best.

   • Debuted in: Chapter #3 (manga); Episode #1 (Naruto)
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