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Naruto’s legacy is unshakable by this point. In 1999, Masashi Kishimoto’s manga debuted inWeekly Shonen Jump, where it went on to last for roughly 15 years. The original story came to an end in 2014, producing 72 volumes and 700 chapters in the process. Describing the manga as a success would be a huge understatement, and it eventually became one of the big three shonen stories alongsideOne PieceandBleach. Less than two years afterNaruto’s conclusion, a sequel manga calledBorutostarted to be published, and it is still going strong nearly a decade later. Combining these two, this shonen franchise has consistently produced high-quality content for 25 years.
In 2002, Pierrot began adapting the manga into an anime, a project that would establishNarutoas an international phenomenon on the level ofDragon Ball Z. During the 2000s, the series was inescapable, which helped cementNaruto’s charactersas icons of the entire anime industry. Split into two parts, the anime lasted until 2017 and produced 720 episodes, along with10 moviesand countless games.
Narutohas a massive character roster, and many of its members are special. Therefore, let’s highlight a few of the story’s biggest players, revealing information likeObito Uchiha’s birthday,Itachi’s birthday, and theheights ofNarutocharacters.
Minor spoilers, so please be warned.
Updated on Jun 23, 2025, by Mark Sammut:Naruto’s main story is done, and nowadays it is all about Boruto. While the sequel has produced plenty of good content, it is still ultimately stuck in its predecessor’s shadow, especially sinceNaruto’s charactersare so iconic.
Naruto Statistics Chart
To make this data as accessible as possible, the ages, heights, and birthdays of all the includedNarutocharacters are listed below:
Naruto Uzumaki
The Eponymous Protagonist
As the story’s eponymous character,Naruto Uzumakinaturally takes center stage throughout the anime, and he is comfortably among the most iconicprotagonists in shonen mangahistory. Despite having a fairly complicated backstory that is gradually revealed over hundreds of episodes, Naruto is, ultimately, relatable due to most of his actions being driven by a desire to be loved, along with a willingness to do everything to protect his friends. He wants to become the Hidden Leaf Village’s Hokage, not because he craves power, but because he yearns for acceptance.
Considering everything he goes through inNarutoandShippuden, it can be easy to forget that Naruto is barely even a teenager when he joins Team 7, and he is not even an adult when he becomes one of the most prominent figures of the Fourth Shinobi World War. These circumstances would be challenging for even the most well-adjusted person in existence, but Naruto spent most of his childhood isolated from his community and reeling from the death of his parents. Yes, he is far more powerful than nearly every otherNarutocharacter, but that means little in the face of overwhelming responsibility.
Sasuke Uchiha
Naruto’s Best Friend And Rival
One of the most popular but also polarizingNarutocharacters,Sasuke Uchihahas become something of a poster child for anime rivals who cannot decide if they want to aid or backstab the hero. Presented as something of a prodigy, Sasuke’s talent as a shinobi is instantly apparent, as is the weight he carries due to the Uchiha clan tragedy. He is primarily driven by a quest to get revenge for his family’s slaughter at the hands of his brother, Itachi, and this pursuit repeatedly causes Sasuke to lose himself and abandon the people who genuinely care about him.
Roughly as old as Naruto, Sasuke is burdened with too much history, pain, and anger than any 12-year-old should ever be expected to carry. Even if his behavior can make him pretty frustrating at times,Sasuke’s actions, mentality, and conflicted nature make perfect sense considering his backstory.
Sakura Haruno
The Final Member Of Team 7
The most divisive main character in the manga and anime, Sakura is initially introduced as being on equal footing to both Naruto and Sasuke. Sure, she might not have the same innate talent for combat as either of her Team 7 companions, but she shows early potential to evolve into a great support figure. For the most part, she does accomplish that through her medical ninjutsu, to the point of becoming the Hidden Leaf Village’s best practitioner in this field. Sakura is undeniably talented and a useful asset.
Sakura struggles with self-esteem to an extent, constantly trying to project a more confident persona than she actually is. As she grows older and finds her calling, she becomes more assured in herself, although she does stay firmly in the shadows of both Naruto and Sasuke.
Kakashi Hatake
The Famous Copy Ninja
Throughout the first part of the show,Kakashiis firmly established as Team 7’s teacher, and he fulfills that role expertly. While he has plenty of stiff competition, Kakashi is arguably the most belovedNarutocharacter, largely thanks to his easy-going mask that hides a ninja who can be cutthroat if the moment calls for it. He can also be hilarious, in a way that is rarely obnoxious.
Although his laissez-faire demeanor might suggest he is something of an uninterested pushover, Kakashi is actually an extremely talented ninja who knows when to take things seriously. He complements Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura extremely well, andKakashi has a fascinating backstorythat is steadily revealed throughout the series.
Might Guy
One Of The Most Powerful Taijutsu Users
Kakashi’s self-proclaimed rival ended up showing what he was all about during the latter half ofNaruto: Shippuden. Not only did he push Kisame to his very limits with his incredible taijutsu, but he also managed to give a super-powerful Madara a run for his money.
While this came at the cost of his legs, no one can deny thatMight Guyis one of the most colorful characters on the show. He brings a beautiful energy to any scene he’s featured in, making him an absolute gem to witness inNaruto.
Itachi Uchiha
A Man Who Sacrificed Everything For His Younger Brother
For the duration of part one,Itachiis between 17 and 18 years old, while in part two, he is 21. Although he takes a backseat for large chunks of the story, Itachi casts a long shadow that constantly looms over Sasuke.
Itachi’s legacy is that he murdered the Uchiha clan, leaving only Sasuke alive. This fuels the latter’s existence, but the situation eventually reveals itself to be far more nuanced than just one shinobi exposing himself to be a monster. While introduced as a villain,Itachi is comfortably among the most complexNarutocharacters, and he is rightfully regarded as one of the manga’s biggest highlights. Considering he does not appear anywhere near as much as Naruto or Sasuke, it is impressive that Itachi is nearly as iconic as them.
Hinata Hyuga
Naruto’s Love Interest
Hinata Hyugais one of the more polarizing figures inNaruto, a statement that, honestly, can be made for quite a few female characters. Hinata and Naruto bond over their loneliness; although not as isolated as the latter, the former grew up being told that she would not amount to anything. Encouraged by Naruto, Hinata pushed herself to prove everyone wrong, and she developed a crush on her inspiration.
Frankly, Hinata’s interest in Naruto makes perfect sense when summarized in a quick description, even if you do not like this pairing. However, Hinata kind of becomes consumed by her love for Naruto, to the point that it dominates her characterization, and she accompliushed very little inShippuden.
Gaara
An Unhinged Jinchuriki Whom Naruto Converted
Gaarais introduced as an antagonist, and an argument could very well be made thathe goes through one of the best character arcsin the story. Gaara and Naruto share quite a bit in common, as both were feared by the residents of their villages.
Their situations prompted opposite reactions; while Naruto craved companionship, Gaara grew to loathe the world and sought to eradicate everyone he could. Gaara’s life changes for the better once he meets Naruto, and he gradually becomes a noble and respected leader.
Rock Lee
A Taijutsu Expert
Growing up alongside Team 8,Rock Leeis one of the most likableNarutocharacters. He is endearingly optimistic and relentlessly driven to prove to everyone that he can overcome any shortcomings, and it is refreshing to see a character who relies on physical strength.
Incapable of mastering ninjutsu, Lee turned to martial arts instead, with Might Guy serving as his sensei. Even though he had a lower ceiling than the likes of Naruto and Sasuke, Lee made sure to become thestrongest version of himselfhe could be.
Shikamaru Nara
One Of The Show’s Smartest Characters
Shikamaruis one of the most intelligent characters in the show, with his laziness being a negative trait that he actually gets over following many notable moments in the series where he captured the limelight. He’s one of the most likable characters inNaruto, with his intelligence allowing him to serve as the Hokage’s adviser afterNaruto achieved his lifelong dream.
A particularly strong moment for his character came after Asuma’s death. He realized that he couldn’t take things lightly anymore, using his brains to corner the man who killed his sensei and giving him a brutal burial where Hidan would remain trapped forever. His immortality would serve only to extend this torture.
