The Naruto series, created by Masashi Kishimoto, features an incredible cast of powerful shinobi, with their strength, abilities, and skills varying throughout the series. Here’s a ranked list of the strongest characters based on their abilities, feats, and influence in both Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden.
1. Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki (Sage of Six Paths)
- Abilities: Creator of ninjutsu, wielder of the Rinnegan, Six Paths powers.
- Highlights: The forefather of ninjutsu and the most powerful being in the Naruto universe. He sealed the Ten-Tails and shared his chakra with humanity.
- Why Strong: As the first human to wield chakra and the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo had near-godlike powers.
2. Kaguya Ōtsutsuki
- Abilities: Ruler of all chakra, Byakugan, Rinne Sharingan, mastery over all nature transformations.
- Highlights: The progenitor of chakra on Earth, she could open dimensions, absorb chakra, and transform into the Ten-Tails.
- Why Strong: She was so overwhelmingly powerful that Naruto, Sasuke, and others had to combine their efforts to seal her.
3. Naruto Uzumaki
- Abilities: Kurama’s Jinchūriki, Sage of Six Paths power, immense chakra reserves.
- Highlights: As the Seventh Hokage, Naruto mastered Six Paths Sage Mode, Kurama’s chakra, and multiple nature transformations.
- Why Strong: His combat prowess, stamina, and leadership make him one of the most iconic and powerful ninjas.
4. Sasuke Uchiha
- Abilities: Rinnegan, Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, mastery of Chidori.
- Highlights: Wields the Rinnegan and Sharingan simultaneously, enabling dimensional travel and advanced dojutsu techniques.
- Why Strong: As Naruto’s equal, Sasuke combines incredible tactical genius with devastating techniques like Amaterasu and Indra’s Arrow.
5. Madara Uchiha
- Abilities: Rinnegan, Sharingan, Susano’o, Ten-Tails Jinchūriki.
- Highlights: As the orchestrator of the Fourth Great Ninja War, Madara was a powerhouse with unmatched battle experience.
- Why Strong: His revival as the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki gave him powers comparable to Kaguya.
6. Hashirama Senju
- Abilities: Wood Release, Sage Mode, incredible regeneration.
- Highlights: Known as the “God of Shinobi,” he was the only one who could rival Madara.
- Why Strong: His natural healing ability and dominance over Wood Release made him a legend.
7. Obito Uchiha
- Abilities: Rinnegan, Kamui, Ten-Tails Jinchūriki.
- Highlights: Manipulated world events from the shadows, fought with the power of the Ten-Tails.
- Why Strong: His mastery of Kamui and Rinnegan made him an incredibly versatile and dangerous opponent.
8. Itachi Uchiha
- Abilities: Mangekyō Sharingan, Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, Susano’o.
- Highlights: A prodigy with immense intelligence and mastery of Genjutsu.
- Why Strong: Itachi’s strategic genius and his ultimate weapon, the Totsuka Blade, made him one of the most feared shinobi.
9. Minato Namikaze (Fourth Hokage)
- Abilities: Flying Raijin, Sage Mode, Kurama Chakra Mode.
- Highlights: Renowned as the “Yellow Flash,” his speed and teleportation jutsu were legendary.
- Why Strong: His mastery over teleportation techniques and intelligence solidify his place among the strongest.
10. Might Guy
- Abilities: Eight Gates Release, immense taijutsu skills.
- Highlights: Achieved godlike power by opening the Eighth Gate, nearly defeating Madara.
- Why Strong: His use of the Eighth Gate made him one of the few shinobi capable of standing against a god-tier opponent.
Honorable Mentions
- Kakashi Hatake: Exceptional ninja with the Sharingan and intellect.
- Tobirama Senju: The creator of several powerful techniques, including the Edo Tensei.
- Gaara: Master of Sand Jutsu and a skilled strategist.
These rankings focus on feats and abilities demonstrated in the series, acknowledging the overwhelming strength of certain characters in the Naruto universe.