In the world of Naruto, no title is more important than the Hokage. The position is more than just a leader, they represent strength, sacrifice, and a strong will. Their faces are carved into the mountains of the Hidden Leaf Village, and their names are remembered by everyone.
Each Hokage carries the responsibility of protecting the village, guiding it through both peaceful times and dangerous ones. Their stories aren’t just about winning battles, but about the choices they made that changed the future.
But being great isn’t the same for everyone. Each Hokage made a mark in their own way, and fans have different opinions about who was the best. They look at more than just power, they also think about what they stood for, and the impact they had. So here’s a ranking of every Kage, from great… to the greatest of all time.
7. Kakashi Hatake – The Sixth Hokage
Kakashi Hatake with no doubt, was one of the most skilled and intelligent shinobi of his time, feared and respected by both allies and enemies. He was known as the ‘Copy Ninja’ because of his Sharingan and ability to copy over a thousand jutsu. Even as a child, he was very talented, he became a Jonin at a young age and completed many hard missions. He also helped lead the Fourth Great Ninja War and trained important ninjas like Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
As Hokage, Kakashi led the Hidden Leaf Village during a peaceful time after the war. There were no big fights, but he focused on rebuilding the village and making strong bonds with other villages. He used wisdom instead of force to keep peace.
However, his ranking is lower mainly because fans didn’t get to witness much of his work as Kage in the story. It’s a shame, since the anime skips most of his time in office and quickly moves to Naruto becoming Hokage instead. Many believe he did a great job, but we never got to fully see it on screen.
6. Hiruzen Sarutobi – The Third Hokage
Hiruzen Sarutobi was a master of all the basic jutsu and was trained by the First and Second Hokage. People called him “The Professor” because of how wise and skilled he was, and everyone respected him. Even when he was old, he fought against Orochimaru and the reanimated First and Second Hokage, showing his amazing strength and dedication. He was loved by the village and understood its people and systems very well.
As Kage of Konohagakure, Hiruzen served for many years, leading the village through wars, losses, and many changes. He made tough choices, but not all of them were perfect, for example, he didn’t stop Danzo’s secret group or prevent the Uchiha massacre. Still, he protected the village during hard times and mentored great ninjas like Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru. Even though he made mistakes, many see him as a caring and steady leader who kept the Will of Fire alive.
5. Minato Namikaze – The Fourth Hokage
Minato was one of the fastest and strongest ninjas ever. People called him the “Yellow Flash” because he used a teleporting jutsu called Flying Raijin to defeat enemies in just seconds. He was so powerful that he almost ended the Third Great Ninja War by himself. All the other villages feared him for his speed, smart thinking, and great battle skills, he became a legend even before becoming a Kage.
Minato didn’t get to be Hokage for long, but he did something very brave. When the Nine-Tails attacked the village, he gave his life to protect everyone. He sealed the beast inside his baby son, Naruto, hoping Naruto would use that power to do good one day. Even though his time as Hokage was short, his actions created a strong legacy that helped shape Naruto and the village’s future.
4. Tsunade Senju – The Fifth Hokage
Tsunade was one of the Legendary Sannin and the best medical ninja ever. She had amazing strength and healing powers, and she changed how medical ninjutsu was used in battles. She made it normal to have a medic on every ninja team, which saved many lives during the wars. As a fighter, she was strong and brave, willing to face powerful enemies even when it put her life in danger.
As Hokage, Tsunade helped rebuild the village after Orochimaru destroyed it. She stayed strong when the village faced huge threats like the Akatsuki and Pain’s attack, even falling into a coma while protecting the village. Her leadership was focused on healing and protecting the people, and she inspired many, especially young women, to become strong ninjas. Her kindness and strength kept the village together during hard times.
3. Naruto Uzumaki – The Seventh Hokage
Naruto Uzumaki started as an outcast with no family and little respect, but through hard work and believing in himself, he became the strongest ninja in the world. He controlled the power of the Nine-Tails, learned Sage Mode, and even received powers from the Sage of Six Paths (Hagoromo). He played the most important role in ending the Fourth Great Ninja War and helped bring peace between many countries that used to be enemies.
As Hokage, Naruto brought unity, peace, and progress to the Hidden Leaf Village. He stopped dangerous enemies like Momoshiki and worked hard to create a safer world for the future. He always believed in friendship, teamwork, and never giving up. He became the Hokage who truly brought the village together and protected its people, making him one of the greatest leaders in ninja history.
2. Tobirama Senju – The Second Hokage
Tobirama was a powerful Water Style user and invented many important and dangerous jutsu, like the Shadow Clone and the Reanimation Technique. As a shinobi, he was smart, quick-thinking, and very strong in battle. His methods were strict, but he always acted with the goal of protecting Konoha and its people.
As Hokage, Tobirama created important systems that Konoha still uses today, such as the Ninja Academy, the Anbu Black Ops, and the Chunin Exams. He focused on bringing structure and order to the village, making sure it could survive and grow after he was gone. While some of his choices led to problems later on, his planning and leadership were key to Konoha’s strength and success in the future.
1. Hashirama Senju – The First Hokage
Hashirama was called the “God of Shinobi” because of his amazing power and his ability to control all the Tailed Beasts. His Wood Style jutsu was legendary, and he defeated powerful enemies like Madara Uchiha. But he wasn’t just strong, he was also kind and dreamed of a world where there was no more endless war.
As the First Hokage of Leaf Village, Hashirama founded the Hidden Leaf Village and brought different clans together to create peace. He also came up with the idea of a Hokage, a leader chosen for their strength and love for the people. His vision set the path for all future Kages, and they all tried to follow in his footsteps. Because he started it all and set the highest standard, many fans believe Hashirama is the greatest Hokage of all time in the series.