Naruto is one of the most iconic anime of all time. For as long as a decade, the series has been a gateway anime. Thousands of fans worldwide dove into the anime verse after getting mesmerized by the journey of the titular character, Naruto Uzumaki, and the colorful cast of characters who joined him regularly to either help protect the ninja world or tear it apart. Naruto never failed to deliver quality entertainment, and a large part of its success is due to the compelling and memorable characters.
As one of shonen anime's Big Three, there are plenty of aspects that make Naruto one of the best anime to ever be produced, including the amazing worldbuilding that easily puts a good bunch of its shonen counterparts to shame and the compelling storylines. Naruto's popular characters are the backbone of the series, and they enhanced the audience's experience. From heartbreaking backstories to shocking endings, there's a reason Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto franchise is still beloved by fans more than two decades after the first episode aired.
Updated on December 12th, 2024 by Louis Kemner: This list of the most popular Naruto characters of all time has been expanded to include five more delightful characters, and it now fits CBR's current publication standards and formatting.
35 Kankuro is Gaara's Puppet-Loving Brother
Signature Jutsu: Puppet Technique
Gaara and his siblings were introduced at about the same time in the Chunin Exam, and while Gaara was the center of attention, Naruto fans couldn't help remembering Kankuro's face, too. He stood out with his black outfit and fierce face paint, and as that look suggested, he was an antagonist at first. However, Kankuro was not a terrible person at heart, and was redeemed by the time Shikamaru's team needed help against the Sound Four.
Kankuro may rank low among the most popular Naruto characters of all since so many other cool characters overshadow him, but fans can still appreciate what a supporting brother Kankuro is for Gaara. He also glowed up in a big way with his puppet jutsu, adding more weapon-laden puppets to his arsenal and even taking command of Sasori's body at one point, an impressive feat. Kankuro is ultimately just a side character with limited development, which is why he ranks last among the best Naruto characters, but he does have his fans.
34 Kiba Inuzuka Relies On Man's Best Friend
Signature Jutsu: Fang Wolf Fang
Like other secondary members of the Konoha 11, Kiba did not get much screen time in the second half of Naruto, but fans still like him, especially those who own dogs. Akamaru is a ninja dog, and he has been Kiba's partner and best friend since he was a puppy.
Kiba is impulsive and short-tempered at times, but he is a great teammate, and he is a superb tracker due to his incredible sense of smell. What makes Kiba really stand out is his fighting style, which incorporates Akamaru, to the point that they can transform into a massive multi-headed beast.
33 Ino Yamanaka Is Sakura's Friend and Rival
Signature Jutsu: Mind Transfer Jutsu
At first, the blonde Ino Yamanaka of Team 10 felt like a total pest as she and Sakura antagonized each other in petty ways, but those girls had a much deeper bond than fighting over Sasuke. Years ago, as a flashback sequence showed, Ino was a confident, friendly child who gladly supported an insecure Sakura by saying that the latter was a flower bud who was waiting to bloom someday.
When Ino and Sakura fought each other to a draw in the Chunin Exam, they repaired their friendship, which brought out the best in both of them. Since then, Ino has served as a charming supporting character who may find her teammates exasperating but will gladly support them against any threat, the Akatsuki included. Ino also expanded her skillset by learning medical jutsu, which was helpful in the Fourth Great Shinobi War.
32 Zabuza Momochi Was The First Major Challenge For Team 7
Signature Jutsu: Hidden Mist Jutsu
Zabuza Momochi was the first threat that Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke encountered, and he helped Naruto to discover his ninja way. He wore bandages like a mask, baggy pants, and mimetic wrist-warmers and leg-warmers. He also wielded the Mist Village's legendary Executioner's Blade.
Zabuza is known as the Demon of the Hidden Mist. He earned that moniker after killing every single student in the Bloody Mist's ninja academy when he was a child. He was ruthless, but Haku brought out his caring side, and his final stand against Gato and his men is still a sight to behold.
31 Asuma Sarutobi Was Like a Father For Team 10
Signature Jutsu: Ash Pile Burning
Jonin only need to coach and lead their genin mentees in missions, but some jonin like Asuma Sarutobi go above and beyond. He was more like a father figure for Team 10, especially when Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino were just rowdy, uncooperative tweens who tended to annoy each other. They definitely needed a mature, stabilizing element like Asuma in the team.
Aside from that, Naruto fans can appreciate the crafty Asuma for testing Shikamaru's IQ with some camouflaged tests, including a shogi game, to assess that boy's true potential. As a true leader, Asuma cared for Shikamaru and wanted to draw out his potential, but first, he needed to know what kind of genius he was dealing with. Few other jonin went so far to understand and appreciate what their genin followers are really like.
30 Hidan Had A Twisted Sense Of Morality
Signature Jutsu: Curse Technique: Death Controlling Possessed Blood
Unlike other Akatsuki members, Hidan did not excel in ninjutsu, but he was still an extremely dangerous ninja. He unlocked a form of immortality by studying the forbidden techniques of the Jashin religion. Jashin is also responsible for the curse that allowed Hidan to turn himself into a human voodoo doll.
Hidan used this technique to kill Asuma, and he was able to defeat the Two-Tails Jinchuriki with it, too. Hidan may have been a religious fanatic, but he was a foul-mouthed and disrespectful person, which made him very entertaining, especially when he would get injured. Hidan is modestly popular not because of his personality, but because of the sheer novelty of his design as a brutal and extreme member of the Akatsuki, so he earned a rank among the most popular Naruto characters, albeit a low one.
29 Konohamaru Sarutobi Grew Up Quickly as Naruto's Rival
Signature Jutsu: Rasengan
When he first appeared very early in the Naruto anime, Konohamaru Sarutobi seemed like some obnoxious kid, but in reality, he was a young hero who just wanted to stand out and become someone the village could be proud of. There were high expectations for him, but Ebisu couldn't bring out his potential -- yet Naruto Uzumaki could.
Konohamaru instantly became more likable and sympathetic when he agreed to be Naruto's friendly rival, and he even learned some new jutsu from Naruto, including both appropriate and inappropriate jutsu. In many ways, Komohamaru became a miniature Naruto Uzumaki, a brave shinobi who even risked his life attacking Pain with a Rasengan to save Ebisu's life.
28 Shino Aburame is Quiet and Cool
Signature Jutsu: Insect Sphere
Anime fans often love the "cool and aloof" type, and while Itachi Uchiha dominates that archetype in Naruto, fans can still appreciate other cool characters like Shino Aburame of squad 10. He showed off his unique skills in the Chunin Exam, using his chakra beetles to easily defeat Zaku Abumi in their duel. Then, Shino used those same beetles to fight off Kankuro during Operation Konoha Crush.
Since then, Shino hasn't done that much to stand out in the anime, but anyone who liked his cool persona up front saw no reason to give up on this character. He is also one of the coolest, calmest members of the Konoha 11 team, a stabilizing element with his smart maturity and quiet disposition, as opposed to characters like Ino, Naruto, and Kiba.
27 Kushina Uzumaki's Fiery Personality Made Her Easy To Love
Signature Jutsu: Adamantine Sealing Chains
Kushina was once the Jinchuriki of the 9-Tails. Kushina was also Minato's wife and Naruto's mother. She first appeared in a flashback, and she quickly became one of the most beloved characters in Naruto. Kushina and Naruto have similar traits, so it makes sense that fans would like her. She was fun-loving and even a bit awkward, and her son inherited her vibrant energy and zest for life.
Kushina was a hot-headed and talkative person, but she was also very loving and caring, and she did everything she could to protect her baby. One of the series' most wholesome scenes came when she learned she was pregnant. Kushina was a strong ninja as well and possessed a technique that could actually restrain a Tailed Beast.
26 Haku Taught The Value Of Using Strength To Protect Someone Else
Signature Jutsu: Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death
Haku was part of the Yuki Clan, and he inherited their ability to use the Ice Release kekkei genkai. Kekkei genkai users were persecuted in the Land of Water, and Haku's father attempted to kill him because of his abilities. Fortunately, Zabuza found and raised Haku.
Haku was an Anbu-level ninja, and when he first appeared in front of Team 7, he wore full Mist Village Anbu attire, which made him look like a real assassin. His Crystal Ice Mirrors jutsu was a sight to behold. Haku had a very good heart, and he helped to teach Naruto that people become strong when they have someone important to protect.