Naruto is an adventure-filled anime that has a wide variety of inspiring and iconic female characters, even if they tend to be overshadowed by male characters like Naruto and Sasuke. These well-crafted characters have fascinating stories and unique designs, and they are also some of the powerful heroes and villains in the series.

Naruto gave fans some of the strongest anime characters of all time who became so legendary that they are recognized by even people who have not watched the show. Thanks to the series' thrilling stories and complex characters it became one of the most beloved series of all time with one of the most passionate and vocal fan bases.

Updated on February 14, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Naruto is one of the greatest anime of all time. This legendary shonen series has the ability to invoke a wealth of emotions in its viewers, making for a great time as fans immerse themselves in the amazing world formed by Masashi Kishimoto. While this mangaka has been praised through the roof time and time again, one aspect of his writing that has been rightfully criticized is his poor depiction of women. The women in Naruto almost always take a backseat to the men, a consistent theme that is disappointing time and time again. Still, there are times when female characters of Naruto contribute to the series' best moments.

18 Rin Nohara

Obito's First Love Whose Death Sparked His Downfall

• Debut: Kakashi Chronicles ~ Boys' Life on the Battlefield ~ Part 1 (Episode 119 of Naruto: Shippuden)

Rin, Kakashi, and Obito are the trio under Minato who are given some tough tasks during a time of war. During one of these missions where Obito is considered missing, Rin is captured by Mist Village ninja, who turn her into a walking time bomb by forcing her to become Three-Tails Jinchuriki.

To prevent Konoha's destruction, Rin steps in the way of Kakashi's Chidori and makes the ultimate sacrifice. This sight is witnessed by Obito, who descends deep into despair and decides to walk on a path of darkness as he becomes a vengeful spirit of hatred.

17 Karin

One Of Orochimaru's Experiments Who Joined Sasuke's Group After His Defection

• Debut: Zabuza's Blade (Episode 115 of Naruto: Shippuden)

A lot of people are rightfully irritated by Karin's character for having no personality other than being a hothead and having feelings for Sasuke, which pretty much makes her an evil version of Sakura. She also has healing abilities, further cementing this comparison.

Still, there are times when Karin has her time in the limelight. She's far from a well-written character, but being a part of Sasuke's group does let her remain relevant for quite some time.

16 Tayuya

A Member Of The Sound Four

• Debut: Zero Hour! The Konoha Crush Begins! (Episode 68 of Naruto)

Even though Tayuya's time in Naruto was fairly short, she did make a significant impact on the story. One of the strongest genjutsu users in Naruto, she has powerful and unique abilities, including her summing technique that allows her to summon deadly creatures during battles.

However, Tayuya was not only a powerful warrior but also one of the most highly intelligent female villains in Naruto. She was also a strong member of the Sound Four elite ninja group and became famous for her powers, temper, and strategic thinking abilities.

15 Karui

A Member Of Team Samui Who Later Marries Choji Akimichi

• Debut: Surpassing the Master (Episode 156 of Naruto: Shippuden)

Karui is one of the most loyal characters in Naruto and one of the few who is not from the Hidden Leaf Village. Naruto fans quickly fell in love with this female ninja thanks to her courage, unbeatable determination, and fighting spirit.

One of Karui's most admired qualities was her strong will and fierce loyalty she showed toward her friends. Karui would always think for herself, and she was never afraid to speak her mind and make decisions based on her own opinions. While Karui was considered a hothead, she eventually became a more level-headed fighter. She also showed off her impressive fighting skills during many battles as well as during the Fourth Shinobi War.

14 Yugito Nii

The Jinchuriki Of The Two-Tails, Matatabi

• Debut: My Friend (Episode 71 of Naruto: Shippuden)

Yugito Nii is not only a well-developed character, but she also controls one of the most powerful tailed beasts in Naruto. She is admired by fans thanks to her impressive strength, unique abilities, and complex personality.

She was also a skilled ninja and a jinchuriki who bravely fought against some of the most fearsome villains in Naruto. Yugito Nii was a determined member of the Hidden Cloud Village who always kept her goal in front of herself and never gave up. However, what made Yugito Nii such a compelling character were her distinctive personality and fascinating backstory.

13 Anko Mitarashi

One Of Orochimaru's Test Subjects Who Escaped His Grasp And Eventually Became A Konoho Jonin

• Debut: Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals (Episode 21 of Naruto)

Thanks to Anko Mitarashi's skills as a ninja and her distinct personality, she quickly became a standout female character in the Naruto universe. Along with an awesome design, she comes with a tragic backstory that helped her character become more relatable to fans.

Known for her speed and agility, Anko was thought by the infamous Orochimaru, although she decided to fight on the good side. She's also a female character who shares many traits with Naruto since she is known for her stubbornness. Just like Naruto, Anko is never afraid to speak her mind and has a deep-seated distrust of authority because of her difficult childhood.

12 Kushina Uzumaki

Naruto's Mother And The Former Jinchuriki Of The Nine-Tails

• Debut: Tales of a Gutsy Ninja ~Jiraiya Ninja Scroll~ Part 2 (Episode 128 of Naruto: Shippuden)

Kushina Uzumaki is one of the kindest and most kick-ass Naruto girls. She's also one of the funniest and most impulsive characters in the series. While she's mostly cheerful and fun, she can lose her temper pretty quickly and is not afraid to get physical.

Kushina also happens to be one of the best anime moms since she's Naruto's mom. Naruto was influenced by Kushina's eccentric personality and even inherited his mom's ninjutsu style. Kushina was a brave and hot-headed fighter even as a kid and soon became known as one of the strongest barehanded fighters who also had a strong life force that further increased her already impressive abilities.

11 Kurenai Yuhi

The Jonin Leader Of Team 8

• Debut: Sasuke and Sakura: Friends or Foes? (Episode 3 of Naruto)

Kurenai Yuhi is one of the most caring and wise women in Naruto who treats everyone around her with compassion. She was also a respected female ninja in Naruto who showed her exceptional fighting abilities and bravery during many battles. Thanks to her kind personality and unique fighting abilities Kurenai quickly became one of the most popular Naruto girls.

As a powerful kunoichi, Kurenai was able to use her impressive skills and deadly abilities to defeat powerful foes with ease. She could even create illusions and fight against multiple opponents at once while also being able to defend herself against attacks thanks to her speed.

10 Ino Yamanaka

A Member Of Team Asuma And A Part Of The Legendary Ino-Shika-Cho Trio

• Debut: Enter: Naruto Uzumaki! (Episode 1 of Naruto)

Ino Yamanaka is one the most intelligent characters in the series who became the head of one of the strongest clans in Naruto. She was always bold and confident even as a kid and as she improved her skills she became one of the most powerful ninjas in the series.

Ino was not only an exceptionally intelligent character who could plan perfect strategies and offer guidance to others but was also able to read people's minds. However, Ino became a popular character thanks to her constant kindness and loyalty towards her loved ones and her clan.

9 Tenten

A Member Of Team Guy

• Debut: Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals (Episode 21 of Naruto)

Tenten was one of the wisest young girls in Naruto and was an exceptionally skilled fighter who specialized in ninja tools. Since she had a great interest in ninja weapons and tools from a young age she developed her unique fighting style early on. Tenten also believed in equality and was fighting for girls' and women's rights even as a kid.

Soon, Tenten became one of the most popular and powerful Naruto girls who despite her young age was able to comfort her friends and loved ones as well as bravely fight during battles. Despite having a love for weapons Tenten's dream was to become a powerful healer just like Tsunade, and eventually, she achieved her goals and became a respected kunoichi.

8 Chiyo

The Leader Of Sunagakure's Puppet Brigade

• Debut: The Jinchuriki's Tears (Episode 9 of Naruto: Shippuden)

Chiyo is one of the strongest Akatsuki members and is a playful character who loves to play tricks on others. She is one of the most skilled and experienced medical-nin in Naruto. She's the most capable poison expert in the series who's also able to heal most injuries.

She was one of the most respected residents among the Sunagakure villagers, and she was not only well-known thanks to her poison-creating or healing skills but also because she was a talented puppeteer as well. While Lady Chiyo was a retired counselor, still, many other warriors would turn to her for help and guidance.

7 Hinata Hyuga

A Member Of The Hyuga Clan's Main Family And Naruto's Wife

• Debut: Enter: Naruto Uzumaki! (Episode 1 of Naruto)

Hinata is one of Naruto's fan-favorite characters who were a part of many teams during her adventures. Hinata's teams in Naruto were often fighting against powerful enemies, and she had many opportunities to show her impressive skills. She's also one of the most hardworking characters and bravest heroes in the series despite being shy and not especially enjoying battles.

She had a special 360-degree and X-ray vision that helped her see the chakra pathway system. However, she was also a skilled ninja with high intelligence who bravely fought in many battles despite struggling with many insecurities. Hinata's childhood friendship with Naruto eventually blossomed into romantic love and the two even got married.

6 Temari

The Eldest Member Of The Three Sand Siblings Who Eventually Marries Shikamaru

• Debut: A New Chapter Begins: The Chunin Exam! (Episode 20 of Naruto)

Temari is one of the most beloved tomboys in Naruto. While she loves to act though and has a well-documented cruel side to her, she's still one of the most reliable characters who always takes care of others. Fans grew to love this iconic Naruto character thanks to her free spirit and straightforward personality that created plenty of funny and intense moments in the series.

She's also a skilled fighter with the exceptional ability to create and guide slicing whirlwinds. Her special fighting skill makes it possible for her to attack from a distance, block the attacks of her enemies, and even alter the battlefield. However, she's also capable of summoning a one-eyed weasel with her iconic fan.

5 Mei Terumi

The Fifth Mizukage

• Debut: Enter the Five Kage! (Episode 199 of Naruto: Shippuden)

Mei is one of the most cheerful yet dutiful characters in Naruto who proved she's capable of staying calm and thinking clearly during many battles. While she was more than capable when it came to combat she most enjoyed her diplomatic duties and tried to help her people improve their lives in the village as well as their relationships with other villages.

She also had a rare ability of Lava Release which made her capable of spitting out deadly acidic mud that could melt almost anything. She was able to perform this attack thanks to her advanced nature transformation skills. Mei was able to show off her powerful water, fire, earth, and lightning release techniques during many battles.

4 Konan

A Founding Member Of The Original Akatsuki

• Debut: Disappearance (Episode 125 of Naruto: Shippuden)

Konan is one of Naruto's most iconic female antagonists who was also the leader of the famously industrialized Amegakure village. She was one of the calmest and most stoic female characters in the series who became many fans' favorite thanks to her admirable personality traits and unique fighting abilities.

She had an impressive talent for origami that she eventually used as her main ninjutsu. She was able to manipulate paper on a high level and her attacks were almost undefeatable. She was able to control even thousands of sheets of paper at the same time to attack or use it for self-defense, most notably she created her iconic angel wings.

3 Tsunade

The Fifth Hokage

• Debut: Jiraiya: Naruto's Potential Disaster! (Episode 83 of Naruto)

Tsunade is one of Naruto's most iconic female characters who never wastes a moment and prefers action to words. She's a highly intelligent character who's feared not only because of her powers but also thanks to her famously bad temper. Since Tsunade is easily angered the other characters do their best to always stay on her good side.

She's also one of Naruto's strongest Hokage who is respected and beloved by everyone around her. Tsunade has one of the strongest medical powers in the series and can easily create antidotes against any poison. Her unmatched abilities saved many lives during wars and deadly fights.

2 Sakura Haruno

The Sole Female Member Of Team 7

• Debut: Enter: Naruto Uzumaki! (Episode 1 of Naruto)

Sakura was just a normal ninja who was fairly weak compared to the other warriors. However, she was always a highly intelligent and brave fighter who worked hard on her skills both as a fighter as well as a medical-nin. Her strength and speed greatly improved, and eventually, she became one of the strongest and most iconic female characters in Naruto who always stayed humble and put her loved ones first.

Some of Sakura's strongest powers helped her not only win many fights but also save her friends' lives even when everything seemed lost. She perfected her medical-nin abilities to such a degree that she was even able to match Tsunade's skill levels.

1 Kaguya Otsutsuki

The Mother Of Chakra

• Debut: Truth (Episode 458 of Naruto: Shippuden)

Kaguya was one of the most powerful anime villains ever created who was once a good person but was betrayed by her lover and turned evil. While she always wanted peace instead of wars, she ultimately became hateful toward all of humanity.

Since Kaguya ate the forbidden fruit, she became one of the most powerful beings in the universe and was able to stop wars single-handedly. She was a powerful warrior even before her transformation. However, thanks to her new powers she was able to manipulate nature and even create life.