Naruto is one of the most iconic anime out there. Throughout the series, we have seen many unforgettable fights and a cast of recognizable characters.
We’ve also learned that it’s not always about the most powerful jutsu or who has the most chakra; power isn’t everything. Contrary to our favorite knuckehead’s go-to plan of attack, going in half-cocked almost always isn’t the way to go.
Strategy, tactics, and the ability to make split-second decisions on the fly might be what makes the difference between life and death. Naruto has introduced many characters who exhibit different facets of being “intelligent”. So today, let’s look at the Top 10 Smartest Naruto Characters of All Time.
Let’s get right to it!
Shikaku Nara
Shikaku Nara was the head of the Nara Clan and father of Shikamaru Nara. He was a Jonin Commander of Konoha and was appointed as the Chief Strategist for the allied forces in the Fourth Great Shinobi World War because of his high intellect, and there he met his inevitable demise. He was even able to defeat Shikamaru every time they played Shoji. Shikaku’s intelligence was praised by both his colleagues and the enemies he faced.
Shikamaru Nara
Shikamaru’s personality is nearly identical to his father’s. He became the first of Konoha 11 to be promoted to chunin when he demonstrated his tactical prowess against multiple opponents. Shikamaru was a member of Team Asuma and admired his sensei. He’s always multiple steps ahead and has a plan for different scenarios. But his mind works best under pressure. That’s why he became the most suitable candidate for the Hokage position after he successfully led the allied forces in the Fourth Great Shinobi World War as the chief strategist.
Tobirama Senju
Tobirama Senju was one of the founders of Konoha and the Second Hokage. Madara claimed that Tobirama was known for his surprise attacks, and one cannot let their guard down near him. He always calculated before attacking and only attacked if he had confidence in his success. The Second Hokage was a great strategist. He’s also the creator of ANBU Black Ops and many techniques like the Shadow Clone Jutsu and the Reincarnation Jutsu. He is definitely one of the smartest Naruto characters.
Madara Uchiha
Madara was, without a doubt, one of the most intelligent villains on the show. He planned and faked his death during his battle against the legendary First Hokage. Before dying, he arranged for Obito to carry out his plans, leading to the creation of Akatsuki. All his planning culmulated to his own revival and the Fourth Great Shinobi World War.
Itachi Uchiha
Itachi is definitely one of the fan-favorites and understandably so, having one of the most powerful arcs in the show. He was a prodigy and graduated with the second-highest test score in history (second only to Minato Namikaze). Itachi led the most secretive mission to protect Konoha, and it resulted in him killing his entire clan except his brother. He was a 13-year-old who slaughtered his entire clan, but his true intentions were anything but evil. This was later unraveled at the end of the series. He was a calm, calculating genius who goes through every possible scenario before making a move.
Minato Namikaze
Minato was the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, the father of Naruto, and was considered a prodigy who excelled in multiple fields. He was the creator of Rasengan, Naruto’s signature move. Minato was a keen-minded individual with great observational skills. His infamous “Flying Thunder God” technique combines Sealing and Space-time jutsu and is known to change the odds when he steps onto the battlefield. He was called Konoha’s Yellow Flash because of his speed. Legend has it that he was so fast, all you’ll see is a yellow flash before you die. It was only because of his quick thinking that he was able to seal the Nine-Tails in his son and protect Konoha.
Kakashi Hatake
Despite Kakashi’s laid-back nature, he had great intellect. When he was only 12 years old when he earned the title of Jonin. He was the leader of Team 7, an elite-level Jonin and he was known as ‘Kakashi of The Sharingan’. Kakashi is one of the well-respected, strongest, and most intelligent ninjas of Konoha. He created effective plans to defeat enemies like using replacing himself with a clone and using himself as a decoy. After his performance in the Fourth Great Shinobi World War, he was appointed to be the Sixth Hokage. He is one of the smartest Naruto characters.
Orochimaru
Orochimaru was under the Third Hokage’s apprenticeship and one of Konoha’s Legendary Sanin. He was one of the most knowledgeable characters and the first villain, he was also behind Third Hokage’s death. Orochimaru knows about every jutsu that was created in Konoha. Orochimaru was the only person who was able to reverse the Dead Demon Seal created by Minato. Even though all his plans failed he is still the most uniquely intelligent person. He is one of the smartest Naruto characters.
Kabuto Yakushi
Kabuto spent most of his life as a spy, gathering intelligence, he also excelled in medical ninjutsu. He was under the apprenticeship of Orochimaru which aided him in many missions. By the end of the series, Kabuto lost his way and created his sage mode. He performed the most powerful Jutsu, Edo Tensai which resurrected several Shinobis. Kabuto played a major part in the Fourth Great Shinobi World War. He was a strategist behind attacks as well. Both the Uchiha Brothers defeated his plan and showed him lightly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi
The Third Hokage‘s diverse skills and abilities are too many to list down. Suffice it to say that anybody dubbed “God of Shinobi” and “The Professor” is no slouch. Hiruzen’s mastery of all Nature Transformations as well as Yin and Yang Release is shockingly the tip of the iceberg on his grasp of ninjutsu, as he can analyze the jutsu enemies use mid-fight without special sensing abilities or a Sharingan. He is proficient in Bukijutsu and Ninjutsu. But what truly sets him apart is his gift as a teacher and mentor, after all only he can boast of being the sensei of the Legendary Sanin.
Also check out -> Top 10 Strongest Characters in One Piece
