When most people talk about their favorite Naruto characters, their lists are full of Konoha shinobi. This makes sense – the Village Hidden in the Leaves is full of incredible ninja, and it is the village that gets the most development and attention. That said, there’s more to the Naruto-verse than just Konoha.
We’re celebrating some of the greatest ninja from places like Kirigakure, Kumogakure, Sunagakure, and more. While strength is important here, this time around we’re focusing on who you love the most based on everything from personality to jutsu prowess.
1. Nagato
Also known by his alias Pain, Nagato was the leader of the Akatsuki. Driven by the idea that only way to create lasting peace was to give a warmongering nation a taste of its own medicine, he eventually realizes that violence only begets more violence, and restores the people he annihilated at great personal cost.
2. Gaara
When we first meet Gaara, he can’t control the Tailed Beast inside of him or his own emotions and is more inclined to brutally destroy others than form connections with them. But after Naruto helps him realize that he doesn’t have to live like that, he dedicates himself to protecting others, and is ultimately recognized with Sunagakure’s highest position – the Kazekage.
3. Killer Bee
Both super strong and super hilarious, Killer Bee is one of the most delightful characters in the series. He hails from Kumogakure and is the jichuuriki for the eight tails. His wrestling-inspired moves, kenjutsu, and lightning jutsu make him hard to defeat, but according to him, his real talent lies in enka rap.
4. Kisame Hoshigaki
After leaving Kirigakure because he felt disillusioned with the morality of his fellow shinobi, Kisame Hoshigaki ended up with the Akatsuki. Sure, their morals were questionable too, but at least they were loyal. Using his living sword Samehada and a variety of shark and water based jutsu, he defends his team with everything he’s got, even sacrificing his own life to keep Akatsuki secrets from falling into enemy hands.
5. Zabuza Momochi
Once a member of Kirigakure’s Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, Zabuza Momochi skipped town to become a missing-nin and mercenary. Ruthless and seemingly devoid of emotion, he usees the orphan child he picked up as a tool that he convinces himself is disposable. That is, until that child sacrifices his life to save him, and he realizes that he’s always cared, he just couldn’t allow himself to feel his feelings. His life is devastating, but that’s what makes him a great character.
6. Konan
After a difficult childhood in wartorn Amegakure, Konan helped found the Akatsuki as a peace-keeping organization. Its goals and its vibe changed dramatically, but Konan stayed the course in order to help Nagato. Her most notable ability is Paper Ninjutsu, which lets her transform her body into paperlike sheets that can be individually controlled.
7. Sasori
Sasori has fully modded his body into that of a living puppet, which means that things like eating food are unnecessary for him. Most of his jutsu revolve around manipulating human bodies that have been transformed into puppets. He considers this to be his art form – a frequent subject of his arguments with his partner Deidara, who thinks that art should be ephemeral.
8. Haku
Haku was born to the Yuki clan in the Land of Water. He was subjected to severe discrimination due to his Ice Release kekkai genkai, and eventually ended up utterly alone. After Zabuza took him in, he began helping him with his mercenary work. Overcome with love and gratitude, all Haku wanted was to be useful to Zabuza – but Zabuza didn’t get to show his gratitude until it was too late.
9. Mei Terumi
As the 5th Mizukage, Mei Terumi is one of the most powerful people in Kirigakure. In fact, she’s one of the few characters who uses two kekkai genkai, Lava Release, and Boil Release. But though she may be outlandishly strong, she has other things on her mind – getting married is Mei Terumi’s top priority.