Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto series is one of the most intriguing and entertaining anime series that the shonen genre has to offer. Over the years, Naruto has introduced many noteworthy characters that soon developed a fan following of their own. Quirky heroes and menacing villains aside, the real intrigue of this series lies with its unique display of shinobi abilities in the form of jutsus. Although there are various categories of jutsus used throughout the show, the main focus of this list is on the widely popular Kuchiyose no Jutsu or simply the Summoning Jutsu. The Summoning Jutsu is of the most iconic jutsus seen throughout the entirety of the Naruto franchise.
In it, the user makes a contract with an animal of sorts creating a pact between the two beings. The user of the jutsu can then summon the animal at will using his chakra. Interestingly enough, the beast can also summon a shinobi, in which case the jutsu is known as Reverse Summoning Jutsu. Here are seven of the best summons used through the Naruto franchise. Note that this list will only include summoning animals and not other creatures or objects like the tailed beasts, statues, or sealing gates.
7 Kakashi's Ninken
Ninken literally means ninja dogs and refers to the pack of dogs that were occasionally summoned by Kakashi Hatake. Belonging to the Inazuka clan, these dogs have a knack for surveillance and tracking and were seen aiding Kakashi in his various missions. They can use human speech and develop many strategies in combat.
Kakashi can summon these dogs together at once or separately, as he does with Pakkun. These dogs are ferocious battlers and can rip their opponents apart. They are able to detect the smell of their enemies and use it to track them and pin them down with their fangs.
6 Ibuse
Ibuse is a venomous salamander and the signature summoning animal of the legendary Hanzo, former leader of the Hidden Rain Village. Ibuse's physical strength is showcased by the fact that it went head-to-head against all three of the Leaf Village's legendary Sanin. It is capable of releasing a poisonous mist that can paralyze its opponents and can even prove to be fatal if inhaled for an extended time.
Ibuse can also conceal himself underground, only to reappear from beneath its enemies and swallow them hole. It was a sly and slippery animal but was eventually killed during the fourth shinobi war.
5 Monkey King Enma
Monkey King Enma was the personal summon of the former (third) Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi and was a highly skilled combatant. Enma fought alongside Hiruzen for many years, making him very well-versed with the art of fighting. He could use many techniques, such as the Transformation Jutsu, which he used to transform into a staff. Hiruzen would then wield this staff as a weapon.
Enma's abilities were showcased during Orochimaru's attack on the Hidden Leaf Village, where the monkey king fought against the first two reincarnated Hokage's. Enma is also skilled in taijutsu as shown by his brief sparring with the second Hokage. As a staff, he can also elongate himself and can move at will. Enma was also seen using other ninjutsu techniques, such as Cloning Jutsu.
4 Shima and Fukasaku
Shima and Fukasaku are two sage toads from mount Myoboku who also happen to be husband and wife. They were first summoned by Jiraiya during his face-off against The Six Paths of Pain. Both of these toads can use sage mode, giving them incredible strength, and are also capable of using many ninjutsu. Fukasaku can use the wind and water release chakra natures, while Shima is shown to have control over the wind and fire releases.
Together the two can also perform a powerful genjutsu called Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant, which can mess with the opponent's hearing and paralyze them. Both of them possess great wisdom and combat experience making them a force to be reckoned with.
3 Lady Katsuyu
Katsuyo was the signature summon of the former (fifth) Hokage, Tsunade, and is currently the personal summon of Sakura Haruno. Katsuyu is a huge slug, capable of dissolving into many smaller slugs. She is a very versatile summon, possessing healing, offensive and defensive abilities. She was shown to have incredible healing powers during Pain's assault on the Leaf Village.
On the defensive side she can use her body to cover others and protect them from harm. While on the offensive side, she can spit acid from her mouth. Furthermore, she is also capable of sharing information telepathically among her smaller forms. Katsuyu's strength is linked with the summoner's use of the Strength of a Hundred Seal technique.
2 Manda
Manda was considered the strongest among the serpents of the Ryuchi cave and was the signature summon of the legendary Sanin Orochimaru. Manda did not have any flashy moves in his arsenal, but his strength alone was enough for him to be one of the best summons in the series.
Manda was first seen facing off against the summons of the other two legendary Sanins, Gamabunta and Katsuyu. He possessed enough brute force and mobility to overtake both of them. He was also shown to be capable of shedding his skin to avoid the impacts of an attack. Manda later made a contract with Sasuke Uchiha, who used him to escape Deidra, a member of the Akatsuki, resulting in the great serpents' demise.
1 Gamabunta
Gamabunta is an enormous sword-wielding toad who initially made his appearance as the signature summons of the legendary Sanin Jiraiya. Despite his size, Gamabunta was quite agile and had great skills in the art of sword fighting. He wielded a Tanto, which he would use to slice off his opponents. He could also release oil from its mouth, which could be used to aid a fire jutsu from the summoner.
Later on in the series, Gamabunta made a contract with Naruto, who summoned him in his fight against Gaara and Shukaku. During Shukaku's assault on the Leaf Village, Gamabunta was able to go head-to-head with the one-tailed beast. Gamabunta along with a few other toads, also aided Naruto in his fight against Pain's assault on the Leaf Village, where Gamabunta displayed his physical abilities.