Summary
- Naruto is a beloved series with impactful characters and storytelling.
- Characters like Gara, Temari, and Rock Lee stand out for their development and impact.
- Hinata, Kakashi, and Itachi add depth and emotion to the series, making it a fan favorite.
Naruto is one of the most beloved and successful stories in fiction. It has garnered an enormous fan base and has shaped multiple generations in the process. Naruto is set in a feudal world overseen by a society built around ninjas. Naruto, the series' namesake, sets out on a journey to become Hokage. Along the way, Naruto must overcome insurmountable odds and combat some of the most powerful beings in the world to save the lives of those he loves and protect his village from ruin.
8 Most Lovable Characters In Naruto, Ranked
Naruto's massive cast of characters can make it hard for some to stand out, but these characters became anime icons for being consistently lovable.
Naruto is a fantastic hero's journey story and is a perfect mixture of storytelling and animation. Naruto is home to dozens of amazing characters that impact the series in their own way. As Naruto' s legacy continues to grow with new series, a look back at those who paved the way is warranted. Here are some of the best Naruto characters, ranked based on a combination of writing and impact on the series.
8 Gaara
A Perfect Enemy Turned Ally
- English Voice Actor: Liam O'Brien
- Japanese Voice Actor: Akira Ishida
Gaara first appeared in Naruto as a primary antagonist of the Chunin Exam arc. Portrayed as a cold and merciless villain, Gara displayed just how dangerous he is in his very first match, nearly crippling Rock Lee after being overwhelmed.
8 Best Leaders In Naruto, Ranked
Whether they were born for it or had to learn on the fly, these leaders represented their people with honor and pride throughout Naruto.
As the show progressed, Gaara's threat level elevated as the Jinchuriki inside him took over and rampaged across the village, forcing Naruto to intervene and defeat him. This even sparked a massive shift in Gaara's character that turned him from the most feared to one of the most lovable. Gaara's character development and loyalty to Naruto for saving his heart make him one of the best in the series.
7 Temari
An Underrated Character With Many Layers
- English Voice Actor: Tara Plat, Ali Hillis
- Japanese Voice Actor: Romi Park
Temari appeared alongside Gara and Kankuro as a ninja from the village hidden in the sand during the Chunin Exam arc. She's portrayed as overly confident and snarky, and she can back up her words using her powerful combat abilities and jutsu.
Temari has numerous moments throughout Naruto that make her stand out, from completely overwhelming Tenten to falling in love with Shikamaru. Temari is one of the most well-handled characters in the anime and has a sizable fan base for her overall character arc and backstory.
6 Rock Lee
A Fan Favorite That Nearly Eclipsed The Entire Show
- English Voice Actor: Brian Donovan
- Japanese Voice Actor: Yoichi Masukawa
Rock Lee is a force to be reckoned with in the Naruto anime, as he is a core character who fueled the series' fan base. Rock Lee made an enormous impact during his time in the Chunin Exam arc, showing why he's considered the Green Beast of the Leaf Village.
Even after his brief combat, Rock Lee remained a pleasant addition to any episode due to his sunny disposition and inspiring dedication to his training. Rock Lee's role may have lessened in Naruto Shippuden, but he remains a character that the majority of fans love to see appear.
5 Madara
One Of The Best Written Villains In Anime
- English Voice Actor: Neil Kaplan, Xander Mobus
- Japanese Voice Actor: Naoya Uchida, Go Inoue
Madara's Uchiha appeared in the final act of Naruto Shippuden as the revitalized ghost of the Uchiha clan. First appearing to be a tool for Obito and Kabuto, Madara proved to be the puppet master from the shadows the entire time and left an impression don't the series that has gone unmatched ever since.
Madara is the most dangerous ninja in Naruto, capable of facing off against entire armies without breaking a sweat. Madara's motivations and overall goal made him a sinister threat that united each Ninja village to take him on, which has spawned a fan theory that he succeeded and that Boruto is just a product of the infinite Tsukiyomi.
4 Itachi
The Secret Hero Of The Story
- English Voice Actor: Skip Stellrecht, Crispin Freeman, Doug Erholtz, Michelle Ruff
- Japanese Voice Actor: Hideo Ishikawa, Yuka Terasaki
Itachi Uchiha started as the soul purpose of Sasuke Uchiha's character. As the perpetrator behind the massacre of the entire Uchiha clan, Itachi was one of the most infamous ninjas in the Naruto anime who struck fear into the hearts of most characters.
However, Naruto's story explored Itachi's character deeply, and what was thought of as a monster was actually the hero of the story. Itachi's arc was masterfully handled and pivotal to Sasuke's story and Naruto's. Itachi remains one of the best characters in the entire series, whose absence makes the show as a whole fall apart.
3 Hinata
The Heart Of The Series
- English Voice Actor: Stephanie Sheh
- Japanese Voice Actor: Nana Mizuki
Hinata served as Naruto's love interest, a shy young girl who watched her favorite ninja from afar. Hinata was a member of the Hyuga clan whom Naruto met as a child. Ever since, Hinata has held a special place in her heart and sought to become a person he would notice.
Outside of this, Hinata was a terrific character who had her own struggles and hardships. Hinata's growth made for great storytelling as she dealt with her relationship with her brother Neji, her lack of self-confidence, and her ninja abilities, which were all memorable moments during the series and made her stand out among the rest of the cast.
2 Kakashi
The Reliable Sensei And Fan Favorite Jonin
- English Voice Actor: Dave Wittenberg, Xander Mobus
- Japanese Voice Actor: Kazuhiko Inoue, Matsumi Tomura, Kenichi Suzumura
Kakashi was the ever-mysterious mentor to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, who shaped them into the mighty warriors they are today. Through chance, Kakashi was one of the most vital elements of all three's upbringing, watching them grow, fail, and start over.
Naruto: 8 Strongest Taijutsu Fighters, Ranked
The world of Naruto is home to an impressive array of Taijutsu fighters, but some manage to stand out from the crowd due to how strong they are.
Kakashi is also a powerful ninja in his own right, with the most interesting lore in Naruto, which wraps around everyone's story and comes off the head in the final act. Kakashi is one of the top three fan-favorite characters who have an enormous impact on the story and viewers alike.
1 Naruto
An Excellent Main Character And
- English Voice Actor: Maile Flanagan
- Japanese Voice Actor: Junko Takeuchi
Naruto is a charismatic joy to watch from start to finish as a knuckle-headed ninja with huge dreams of becoming Hokage. Naruto's journey from overlooked rascal to respected ninja is an emotional tale that makes the series as great as it is.
Naruto may be filled with dramatic arcs and action-packed animation, but the story of Naruto's path is what makes viewers keep watching. Naruto embodies the underdog and leaves the prodigies and geniuses as side characters, inspiring viewers to believe in themselves. This makes Naruto the best character in his own series and a pillar in the anime community.
- Release Date
- 2002 - 2007-00-00
- Showrunner
- Masashi Kishimoto
- Directors
- Hayato Date
- Writers
- Masashi Kishimoto
- Franchise(s)
- Naruto
Cast
-
Junko Takeuchi -
Noriaki Sugiyama
WHERE TO WATCH
- Creator(s)
- Masashi Kishimoto
