TOP 10 best supporting characters in Naruto anime

supporting characters in Naruto

Fans praise some of the supporting characters in Naruto for their complexity, as was the case with Naruto with Pain/Nagato, the leader of Akatsuki.

As Naruto’s successor series Boruto changed the entire setting and nature of the franchise, fans began looking back at many of the characters that popularized the series. Naruto is famous for having entertaining battles, inspiring protagonists, and complicated side characters. However, some of those supporting characters in Naruto are superior to others.

Fans praise some of the supporting characters in Naruto for their complexity, as was the case with Naruto with Pain/Nagato, the leader of Akatsuki. Others are loved for the humor or quirks of their comics, as seen with Jiraiya and Rock Lee. Naruto has some of the best supporting characters in anime, from comical heroes to tragic foes.

Uchiha Itachi is a tragic hero

supporting characters in Naruto
Uchiha Itachi is a tragic hero

Uchiha Itachi was originally a villain who massacred the entire Uchiha clan (saved Sasuke). However, Sasuke and the viewers discover that he is only doing this to protect Konoha.

This tragedy makes Itachi one of the most compelling characters. He had to kill all his loved ones, live in exile as a villain, and carry that guilt until he succumbed to the illness.

Itachi’s true story is a complicated mystery and has changed everything for the fans as well as the characters. So Itachi is one of the best supporting characters in Naruto.

Nara Shikamaru is a genius by Naruto’s side

Nara Shikamaru is the smartest character and has some of the best battles in Naruto. They were excited because Shikamaru relied on battle tactics instead of attacking with jutsu.

Fans love to see his plans in action and they always want to see his backup strategies.

From his unique fight with Temari during the Chunin Exams to his emotional confrontations with Akatsuki’s Hidan, Shikamaru’s transformation is definitely a sight to behold.

His ability to direct his teammates and win with his brain has made him one of the smartest supporting characters in Naruto on screen.

Hatake Kakashi is the best teacher

supporting characters in Naruto
Hatake Kakashi is the best teacher

Hatake Kakashi is the king of “coolness” in Naruto. He is apathetic but extremely dangerous ninja whose fame precedes him wherever he goes.

He also has comedic moments, like when his students caught him reading the “Icha Icha” manga that Jiraiya wrote.

Kakashi’s glorious victory over Zabuza has made him one of the most formidable characters. He always had a plan or a unique technique to use.

He is fiercely protective of his students and has a hilarious yet touching friendship with Might Guy. And Kakashi is one of the most popular Naruto side characters for a good reason.

Rock Lee is loved by fans

supporting characters in Naruto
Rock Lee is loved by fans

Rock Lee is another inspirational figure who overcame his inability to generate chakra with hard work. He became one of the strongest taijutsu users in Naruto and even went up against the jinchuriki Gaara. Fans fell in love with Rock Lee’s moments of humor, extreme diligence, and needless positivity.

Rock Lee had some of the best Sakuga moments in the original Naruto series, as seen in his battles with Gaara and Kimimaro. Moreover, he has a beautiful and heartbreaking story, making him one of the best supporting characters in Naruto and a fan favorite.

Gaara is an inspirational character

supporting characters in Naruto
Gaara is an inspirational character

Gaara’s transformation from villain to hero inspired many Naruto fans. Like Naruto, he is a jinchuriki and was ostracized from his village.

Unfortunately, it was even more cruel when Gaara’s father, the Kazekage, ordered his assassination. Gaara was understandably hurt by this and became the monster his father created.

However, after meeting Naruto, Gaara found another path. He used his powers to become the Kazekage and protect those who shunned him. He also became a strong ally of Konoha.

Gaara improved his cuteness by saving Rock Lee (who he had previously tried to kill) and assisting Konoha during the war. His “return” and loyalty to heroes have made him a fan-favorite supporting character.

Tsunade is a strong female character

Tsunade may have been drinking and gambling, but she was formidable. She became the Fifth Hokage and led the village in an apocalyptic conflict. She is both the best medical ninja in the shinobi world and one of the strongest warriors.

The anime dissented her by making her unable to fight in the original Naruto series (thanks to her fear of blood). However, she redeemed herself at the end of Naruto: Shippuden.

Her caring attitude, fierce loyalty to the main characters, and strength have made her one of the best supporting characters and best female characters.

Jiraiya is strong, funny and full of philosophy

While Jiraiya has his faults, he is one of the most beloved supporting characters in the series. The legendary sannin, who trained Naruto’s father, became another father figure for Naruto. Naruto learned a lot from Jiraiya, as this great teacher instilled a dedication to peace and reverence for life in him.

Jiraiya is a pervert with many vices, but this is supposed to be a source of comic relief. Some fans felt the jokes were unfounded, but Jiraiya’s overall support for Naruto, the complicated plot, and his unyielding journey for peace made him one of the best supporting characters in Naruto.

Pain is the best villain

Naruto has great and terrible villains. Pain (Nagato) is one of the most beloved enemies due to his power level and complex motives. Although he is a villain, Pain is a hero and a villain in many ways.

Pain made Akatsuki’s story complete. He was trained by Jiraiya in his youth, but the peaceful philosophy Jiraiya taught him became corrupted after years of death, war, and loss.

Only Naruto’s unmatched positivity and purity can stop him. Pain is a hugely impactful supporting character as he is one of the most written characters in Naruto.

Iruka-Sensei is Naruto’s first teacher

supporting characters in Naruto
Iruka-Sensei is Naruto’s first teacher

Umino Iruka’s parents died in the Nine-Tails’ attack when Naruto was an infant. Knowing within Naruto was the tailed beast that destroyed his family, Iruka hated the child, just as the rest of Konoha did.

However, Iruka is the embodiment of “The Will of Fire” and believes in Naruto when no one else can. He became the father figure for the orphan and raised the killer of his parents.

Iruka’s willingness to follow and guide the abandoned protagonist proves that he is one of Naruto’s best and most respected side characters.

Zabuza is an iconic villain in Naruto

The first villain Naruto Uzumaki and his friends had to face was Momochi Zabuza, a rogue ninja from the Mist Village and one of the Seven Swords of the Mist Village.

He and Haku kicked off Naruto’s journey with a stunning and heart-pounding shot that gets to the philosophical essence of the anime.

Zabuza is a brilliant villain in the first introduction to the series. The story of their redemption is touching and the untimely death of the couple has stayed with fans for decades.

The moment when Zabuza avenged Haku’s death by single-handedly defeating Gato’s men made him one of the best supporting characters in Naruto.

Thank you for watching this article of Naruto Universe Blog