Last reviewed on 2026-05-02
Naruto Uzumaki
Seventh HokageMain protagonist who became Hokage. Host of Nine-Tails Kurama. Master of Shadow Clones, Rasengan, and Sage Mode. Never gives up on his ninja way. Brings peace to the ninja world.
Sasuke Uchiha
Last UchihaSole survivor of Uchiha massacre seeking revenge. Possesses Sharingan and later Rinnegan. Master of Chidori and lightning techniques. Naruto's rival and best friend.
Sakura Haruno
Medical NinjaTeam 7 kunoichi who becomes one of the greatest medical ninja. Trained by Tsunade. Possesses incredible strength and Hundred Healings seal. Sasuke's wife and devoted teammate.
Kakashi Hatake
Copy NinjaTeam 7's sensei and Sixth Hokage. Known as Copy Ninja with Sharingan eye. Has copied over 1,000 jutsu. Cool and mysterious, always reading Make-Out Paradise. Legendary ninja.
Itachi Uchiha
ProdigySasuke's older brother who killed the Uchiha clan. Later revealed to be protecting village from coup. Akatsuki member with Mangekyo Sharingan. One of the most powerful and tragic characters.
Madara Uchiha
LegendaryCo-founder of Konohagakure with Hashirama. Legendary Uchiha with Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and Rinnegan. Seeks Infinite Tsukuyomi. One of the strongest shinobi in history.
Pain (Nagato)
Akatsuki LeaderLeader of Akatsuki with Rinnegan. Controls Six Paths of Pain. Seeks to bring peace through pain. Former student of Jiraiya. Powerful antagonist later redeemed by Naruto.
Jiraiya
Toad SageOne of the Legendary Sannin and Naruto's mentor. Master of summoning jutsu and Sage Mode. Writes Make-Out books. Pervy Sage with a heroic heart. Dies investigating Pain.
Tsunade
Fifth HokageLegendary Sannin and greatest medical ninja. Fifth Hokage with incredible strength. Uses Hundred Healings technique. Granddaughter of First Hokage. Trains Sakura as apprentice.
Orochimaru
Snake SanninLegendary Sannin seeking immortality. Master of forbidden jutsu and body transfer. Former Akatsuki member. Trains Sasuke. Main antagonist who later helps in the war.
Gaara
KazekageHost of One-Tail Shukaku and Fifth Kazekage. Controls sand. Initially cold and violent, becomes compassionate leader. Parallel to Naruto showing different path for jinchuriki.
Rock Lee
Taijutsu MasterCannot use ninjutsu or genjutsu, only taijutsu. Works harder than anyone. Opens Eight Gates. Inspired by Guy-sensei. Proves hard work can overcome natural talent.
Neji Hyuga
Byakugan UserHyuga prodigy with Byakugan. Master of Gentle Fist. Initially believes in unchangeable destiny, learns from Naruto. Sacrifices himself to protect Naruto and Hinata. Beloved character.
Hinata Hyuga
Byakugan PrincessShy Hyuga heiress with Byakugan. In love with Naruto since childhood. Grows from timid girl to strong kunoichi. Becomes Naruto's wife. Kind and determined fighter.
Minato Namikaze
Fourth HokageNaruto's father and Fourth Hokage. Known as Yellow Flash for incredible speed. Created Rasengan. Sealed Nine-Tails in Naruto. One of the greatest ninja who died protecting village.
Hashirama Senju
First HokageFounder of Konohagakure with Madara. Master of Wood Style unique to him. God of Shinobi with incredible healing. Created village system. Grandfather of Tsunade.
Tobirama Senju
Second HokageSecond Hokage and Hashirama's brother. Created many jutsu including Shadow Clones and Edo Tensei. Master of Water Style. Built village infrastructure and ninja academy.
Hiruzen Sarutobi
Third HokageThird Hokage known as Professor. Master of all five chakra natures. Taught the Legendary Sannin. Died protecting village from Orochimaru. Longest serving Hokage.
Shikamaru Nara
Shadow MasterGenius strategist with 200+ IQ. Uses Shadow Possession jutsu. Lazy but dependable. Becomes Naruto's advisor as Hokage. First to become Chunin. "What a drag" catchphrase.
Ino Yamanaka
Mind Transfer UserPart of Ino-Shika-Cho trio. Uses Mind Transfer jutsu. Sakura's rival turned friend. Becomes leader of Konoha Barrier Team. Marries Sai and has son Inojin.
Choji Akimichi
Expansion NinjaUses Expansion jutsu to grow body parts. Part of Ino-Shika-Cho. Kind-hearted and loyal friend. Gains butterfly mode. Never call him fat - he's pleasantly plump!
Kiba Inuzuka
Beast MasterPartners with ninja dog Akamaru. Uses Fang Over Fang technique. Wild and competitive personality. Enhanced senses like smell. Dreams of becoming Hokage.
Shino Aburame
Insect UserControls insects living in his body. Quiet and logical. Often forgotten despite being strong. Becomes Academy teacher. Why? Because that's his ninja way.
Tenten
Weapon MistressWeapons specialist on Guy's team. Dreams of being like Tsunade. Masters summoning scrolls with countless weapons. Underrated but skilled kunoichi. Runs ninja tool shop.
Might Guy
Sublime Green BeastMaster of Eight Gates and Lee's sensei. Eternal rival to Kakashi. Power of Youth philosophy. Nearly killed Madara with Night Guy. Most passionate ninja ever.
Asuma Sarutobi
Wind Blade UserThird Hokage's son and Team 10 sensei. Uses chakra blades with wind nature. Dies fighting Hidan. Father figure to Shikamaru. Guardian Ninja Twelve member.
Kurenai Yuhi
Genjutsu MistressTeam 8 leader and genjutsu specialist. Asuma's lover carrying his child. Red eyes distinctive feature. Skilled jonin who trained Hinata, Kiba, and Shino.
Konan
Angel of AkatsukiOnly female Akatsuki member. Uses paper jutsu creating wings. Nagato's childhood friend. Nearly killed Obito with 600 billion explosive tags. Dies protecting Nagato's Rinnegan.
Deidara
Explosion ArtistAkatsuki bomber who sees explosions as art. Has mouths on hands creating clay bombs. "Art is an explosion!" Hates Sharingan. Dies fighting Sasuke in ultimate explosion.
Sasori
Puppet MasterAkatsuki puppet master who turned himself into puppet. Uses poison and 100 puppets. Killed Third Kazekage. Art is eternal beauty. Defeated by Sakura and Chiyo.
Kisame Hoshigaki
Tailless Tailed BeastShark-like Akatsuki member with Samehada sword. Partners with Itachi. Has massive chakra reserves. Monster of Hidden Mist. Dies to protect Akatsuki intel.
Hidan
Immortal ZealotImmortal Akatsuki member of Jashin religion. Uses ritual to share damage with victims. Killed Asuma. Buried alive by Shikamaru. Foul-mouthed and sadistic.
Kakuzu
Bounty HunterAkatsuki treasurer with five hearts. Uses all five chakra natures. Partners with Hidan. Fought First Hokage. Over 90 years old. Obsessed with money.
Zetsu
Plant SpyBlack and White Zetsu halves. Akatsuki spy who can merge with ground. Black Zetsu is Kaguya's will. White Zetsu army from Infinite Tsukuyomi victims.
Obito Uchiha
Masked ManKakashi's teammate presumed dead. Becomes Tobi/Masked Man manipulating Akatsuki. Started Fourth War. Redeemed helping Naruto. Gave Kakashi both Sharingan temporarily.
Kaguya Otsutsuki
Rabbit GoddessMother of all chakra and progenitor of ninja. Ate God Tree fruit. Has Byakugan and Rinne Sharingan. Final villain sealed by Team 7. From alien Otsutsuki clan.
Temari
Wind MistressGaara's sister from Sand Village. Uses giant fan for wind jutsu. Strategic and fierce. Marries Shikamaru. First person to hit Madara in war.
Kankuro
Puppet UserGaara's brother and puppet master. Face paint and black outfit. Uses Crow, Black Ant, and Salamander puppets. Becomes leader of Puppet Brigade.
Killer Bee
Eight-Tails JinchurikiHost of Eight-Tails and Cloud Village rapper. Brother to Raikage. Master swordsman with seven blades. Teaches Naruto to control Nine-Tails. Ya fool, ya fool!
A (Fourth Raikage)
Lightning SpeedFourth Raikage of Cloud Village. Killer Bee's brother. Lightning armor for speed and defense. Lost arm to Sasuke. Hot-headed but caring leader.
Mei Terumi
Fifth MizukageFifth Mizukage with two kekkei genkai - Lava and Boil Release. Ended Bloody Mist era. Obsessed with marriage. Beautiful and powerful leader.
Onoki
Third TsuchikageThird Tsuchikage using Particle Style. Can fly and disintegrate targets. Oldest Kage with back problems. Trained by Second Tsuchikage. Fence-sitter turned ally.
Danzo Shimura
Root LeaderLeader of Root ANBU. Has Sharingan arm from Uchiha massacre. Rival to Third Hokage. Believes in necessary evil. Dies fighting Sasuke after brief Hokage stint.
Yamato
Wood Style UserANBU with First Hokage's cells allowing Wood Style. Temporarily leads Team 7. Can suppress Nine-Tails chakra. Creates wooden houses. Scary face when angry.
Sai
Ink UserRoot member who joins Team 7. Uses ink paintings coming to life. Emotionless initially, learns friendship. Marries Ino. Socially awkward with inappropriate nicknames.
Kabuto Yakushi
Sage SnakeOrochimaru's right hand turned Dragon Sage. Masters Edo Tensei for war. Identity crisis leads to evil. Redeemed by Itachi. Runs orphanage after war.
About Naruto Characters
Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto is one of the most popular manga and anime series of all time. The story follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who dreams of becoming Hokage, the leader of his village. The series ran from 1999 to 2017 with over 700 episodes.
The Naruto universe features diverse characters with unique jutsu, backstories, and character development. From Team 7's bonds to the tragic Akatsuki members, each character contributes to themes of perseverance, friendship, and breaking cycles of hatred. The series has inspired millions worldwide.
Sasuke is the canonical deuteragonist of modern anime — a structural role explained in the character archetypes guide, and the spine of the most famous rival pairing in long-form shounen, covered in iconic rivalries. New to Naruto and worried about the famous filler arcs? The watch order guide covers a workable canonical path through Naruto and Shippuden.
For the wider arc shape Naruto and Sasuke both occupy — change arcs, fall arcs, the failure modes that look like "reset to default" — see character development explained. Several Akatsuki members are studied alongside other tragic and ideological villains in types of villains in fiction.