When he appeared for the first time in Naruto, it seemed Sasuke would soon become one of the most powerful shinobi. To many viewers, Sasuke represented the pinnacle of coolness a ninja could aspire to, but for others, he was frustratingly overpowered, and impossible to root for during the show's long run. Wherever your opinion may lie as a fan, one thing is for sure: Sasuke Uchiha is one of the most powerful ninja to ever appear in the Naruto series.
Born into a very powerful family, Sasuke began to develop his powers after his brother, Itachi, attacked their clan. He awakened his Sharingan in the face-off against his brother, but did not use it until his battle against Haku in the first arc of the show. As he has grown, he dedicated his life to becoming strong enough to defeat his sibling so that he could get revenge. Because of this, he has trained non-stop in order to become an unstoppable force.
Although Sasuke is one of the strongest ninja, there are a few who are strong enough to overpower him. Sometimes it can be in hand-to-hand combat, and other times it is due to their special skills that are specific to their bloodline. In the anime, Sasuke has gone up against some of these ninja and won, but that doesn't necessarily mean he is stronger. After all, he has defeated Naruto a number of times, but Naruto made it his mission to surpass Sasuke, and he achieved that goal.
That said, here are 20 Naruto Characters That Are Stronger Than Sasuke.
Pain
Pain was a mystery at first, but the more fans knew about him, the more they were interested in the character. He is a complex villain whose power seemed to continue to grow as fans were introduced to his backstory. His range of ability and knowledge of ninjutsu techniques could arguably match Sasuke’s own capability, or even surpass him.
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What makes Pain more powerful than others is his wealth of durable chakra that he has thanks to his connection to the Uzumaki clan. This, on top of his Rinnegan, would allow him to do more taxing techniques than Sasuke likely could. Pain would definitely be able to come out on top in a battle against Sasuke, simply because of the supply of chakra that he holds.
Senju
Senju is one of the only characters who controlled the Eight-Tailed Beasts that were roaming their world. He founded Konoha and united various clans in the process. Senju is often referred to as the “God Shinobi,” so clearly, he is one of the best to have ever lived. Even Madara Uchiha, his rival, admitted that Senju was still stronger than him despite Madara’s strength.
Clearly, Senju is a shinobi who is more powerful than Sasuke. The question just becomes how exactly he is stronger than Sasuke? Well, his talent at transformation techniques and Bukijutsu definitely surpasses Sasuke. Senju was so good at these two techniques that he used them to control the tailed beasts. Sasuke is a strong fighter, but he does not match Senju at that level.
Minato
The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, was considered to be the best shinobi who ever lived. He lived a short, but important life, in which he saved his village from destruction from the Nine-Tailed Fox by imprisoning it in his son, Naruto. He even surpassed Orochimaru, Sasuke's teacher, in his strength and abilities.
His speed is unparalleled, and it is this that allows his space-time ninjutsu to be so powerful. Although Sasuke can use the same ninjutsu, he has not mastered it to the same effect that Minato has. His speed, paired with his self-sustaining Rasengan, would definitely allow him to gain the higher ground if they would ever go toe-to-toe in a fight.
Neji
Neji Hyuga was a beloved character who became one of the most influential members of his clan before his untimely passing. The Byakugan was a powerful tool he wielded with an expertise that every fan had to appreciate. His gentle fist fighting style was formidable, and he had a nearly impenetrable defense.
With this in mind, Neji clearly seems stronger than Sasuke in some ways. For instance, Neji has a defense that not many others can boast about. On top of that, he was the top student of his year at the academy and is arguably more intelligent than Sasuke. Alone, these powers might not be enough to take Sasuke down, but all together, Neji could definitely win over Sasuke.
Jiraiya
It is no surprise that a legendary Sannin would end up on this list. Jiraiya may seem silly on the surface, but most of the Akatsuki members knew they would lose if they challenged Jiraiya to a one on one battle, including Sasuke's older brother, Itachi.
Jiraiya is a master at chakra control, which is an ability he later passed on to Naruto. He is so skilled at it that he can perform two Rasengan at once. That alone would be enough for him to come out on top in a battle against Sasuke. He has fallen victim to Naruto's Rasengan more than once, so Sasuke would definitely have trouble overcoming two of them.
Itachi
Itachi Uchiha should be the least surprising name on this list. After all, his fight against Sasuke showed that Itachi had the upper hand plenty of times and, if not for his illness, he likely could have ended Sasuke. So even though Itachi passed away, it is safe to say that Sasuke never really beat him. Still, some would disagree with the idea that Itachi is flat out more powerful.
However, when it comes to genjutsu, Itachi definitely has the upper hand, and that alone is enough to defeat Sasuke. His knowledge of the Sharingan also surpasses Sasuke’s. It’s Itachi’s prowess with genjutsu that Sasuke never seems to match. In fact, Sasuke seems to be mostly powerless against it during their battle.
Shikamaru
Even the laziest of ninja can be strong and Shikamaru Nara proves this time and time again. He does not have all of the physical talents of a great shinobi, but Shikamaru is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with from time to time. While Shikamaru might not have the special abilities that are required to bring down Sasuke, it is his mind that gives him the upper hand.
Sasuke's intelligence surpasses many ninja, but not Shikamaru. Shikamaru was granted chunin status not because of his powers, but because of his tactical mind. His strategic mind allows him to think in ways his opponents do not, which would allow him to gain the higher ground in a fight against Sasuke.
Killer Bee
Killer Bee, or B, is one of the most underrated characters of the series. Many admit he is powerful, but he is often forgotten when fans name their favourite shinobi. What makes B so impressive is that he is what people consider a perfect jinchuuriki, meaning he has control over his tailed beast. That kind of power should not go understated.
Having a tailed beast already makes you powerful, but Killer Bee can also control the Eight-Tailed Beast. This ability to manage the Eight Tails gives Killer Bee unmatched stamina. He also has a wealth of chakra, amazing speed, and remarkable kenjutsu skills. Those qualities make him a ninja that is worthy of standing up to Sasuke.
Guy
Fans may be surprised to see Guy on this list, but he has earned a spot here because he knows how to combat the Sharingan effectively. Both Madara and Itachi Uchiha have mentioned that Might Guy is not to be underestimated. Madara has even admitted that Guy was one of his most exciting opponents.
Might Guy may look funny, but, upon closer inspection, Guy is clearly a legendary shinobi worth mentioning. His taijutsu skills may be the greatest of any Konoha ninja ever, and his Eight Gates technique is unmatched. Considering the fact that Madara Uchiha had trouble with Guy, we can bet that Sasuke would definitely have a hard time defeating him.
Tsunade
Tsunade is a character who only got better over time. Her power is slowly revealed during her time as Hokage, and with each reveal, she just seems to get stronger. She is the most powerful of the three pupils of the Third Hokage, and that is saying something.
She and Sasuke are on an even level when it comes to ninjutsu. However, Tsunade is likely the greatest medical-nin of all time. Some may not consider that a strength in a battle against another ninja, however, it is her Creation Rebirth technique that makes her a strong opponent. The technique allows her to heal any wound she receives, instantly. That, paired with her immense strength, makes her a formidable opponent.
Madara
Madara Uchiha is the leader of the Uchiha clan and was the first of the clan to master the Sharingan. On top of this, Madara also sealed the Ten-Tailed Beast within himself, and that provided him with a wealth of chakra that not many ninja could match.
Although Sasuke is an expert when it comes to using his Sharingan, he simply cannot compare to Madara's expertise. Madara has always been known as one of the most dangerous shinobi of his time, so it goes without saying that Sasuke would not be able to hold his own in a fight against him.
Gaara
Fans remember their first time watching the fight between Gaara and Sasuke. Although it did not last for a long time, it was an all-time classic. Gaara proves throughout the series that he is worthy of the Kage title that he is given at a young age. The talent he displays throughout the series always seems to put his power on par with Sasuke's.
However, one could argue that Gaara at least has the advantage in one area. Gaara has the ultimate defense. His tailed beast allows him to manipulate sand and therefore create a defense that even Sasuke would have trouble matching. There is a reason Gaara survived the Forest of Death unscathed. His defensive technique seems unmatched by any shinobi.
Obito
Obito is the last of the Uchiha’s to appear on this list, and perhaps the most interesting. After all, Obito is a complex character who was trained by Madara at a young age. When he is pushed to show off his power, Obito lives up to the challenge.
Obito also sealed the power of the Ten-Tailed Beast inside him, just like Madara. Also like Madara, he shows a knowledge of both the tailed beasts and Sharingan that outmatches Sasuke’s knowledge. Though Sasuke appears to have surpassed Obito by the end of the series, one could argue that, without Obito, Sasuke would not survive. Obito’s ability to pull strings with his Sharingan and control his surroundings hints at the possibility that he was stronger than Sasuke.
Shino
Shino is an odd and creepy character, which makes him an unusual and disturbing addition to this list. However, that does not mean Shino does not belong. In fact, Shino’s strong ability as a shinobi flies under the radar throughout the series.
What Shino has going for him are his bugs. The bugs are able to devour an opponent's chakra, which means Shino is a talented master of chakra absorbing techniques. His ability to maneuver his opponent into position for his bugs to strike is a skill solely honed by his clan. Sasuke can do a lot with his ninjutsu, but when it comes to depleting an opponent’s chakra, nothing in his arsenal matches Shino’s talent.
Hinata
Hinata Hyuga's strength will always be a little underestimated. By the end of the show, Hinata shows talent both as a holder of the Byakugan and as a medical-nin. Although she was often in the background at the beginning of the show, she has learned to master her powers.
She has the same defensive powers as Neji, which rival any of Sasuke’s techniques. Like Neji, she has the ability to spot genjutsu techniques and identify their source. That skill comes from her Byakugan and makes it a primary deterrent for the Sharingan genjutsu capabilities. That talent gives Hinata the edge she would need against Sasuke.
Kakashi
Kakashi Hatake is the first sensei that Sasuke ever had. That distinction is worth remembering because Kakashi is one of the reasons Sasuke gets so powerful so quickly during the Chunin Selection Exams. Kakashi was an Anbu member and has a Sharingan, and that is just the surface of his talent.
There are many ways Kakashi could be deemed stronger than Sasuke, but one aspect stands out above the rest, and that aspect is his leadership. It seems silly, but the truth is that Kakashi is a strong leader, and that makes him a strong shinobi. Sasuke chooses to alienate himself, and that ends up being one of his greatest weaknesses. When a battle occurs, Kakashi can lead a group more efficiently than Sasuke, and that makes him a stronger shinobi in many regards.
Sakura
Sakura Haruno is another shinobi who, at first glance, seems like she shouldn't be on this list. However, after analyzing her abilities and technical prowess, one will find that she holds up to scrutiny. Sakura is similar to Tsunade when it comes to her strengths.
Having been trained by the Fifth Hokage, Sakura ends up becoming one of the most powerful medical-nin. She may have even surpassed Tsunade in this regard. This medical talent means Sakura has an edge up on Sasuke. Her intelligence and ability to spot genjutsu puts her above Sasuke, especially since he has always fallen victim to that fairly easily after the trauma from his big brother.
Hagoromo
Not much is known about Hagoromo Otsutsuki, so it might be hard to say that he is stronger than Sasuke in every way. However, considering how massively overpowered he is, it is safe to assume that he could beat Sasuke pretty easily in a battle.
Hagoromo is the creator of the Uchiha clan and gave his descendants the Sharingan. He was one of the first people born with chakra, and it was so immense that he did not require hand seals to create powerful techniques. That fact alone means that Sasuke would have way too much trouble going up against this ninja in a fight. This tremendous wealth of chakra is unmatched by almost any other being.
Kaguya
Kaguya Otsutsuki ate the chakra fruit that granted her the ability to use chakra. She used this chakra and her talent to help create world peace out of fear. No normal shinobi can ever come close to that power.
Sasuke is a profound shinobi with remarkable gifts, but Kaguya is the mother of chakra. He cannot be stronger than the Ten-Tailed Beast itself. Kaguya even has the Byakugan and the Rinne Sharingan, which puts her on a whole other level. People might think that Sasuke may be one of the most overpowered shinobi of the entire series, but that honor actually goes to Kaguya. Kaguya is stronger in every way to Sasuke.
Naruto
Was there any doubt that Naruto would be number one on this list? The seventh Hokage is considered the greatest shinobi of his time. Throughout much of the first part of the series, Naruto is always weaker than Sasuke, but that disadvantage slowly changes throughout his arc. By the end of the series, Naruto has learned many abilities and has so much chakra that other ninja are astounded by it.
The two both lost an arm when they fought at the Valley of the End. Naruto held back during the fight and refused to actually end Sasuke's life. Still, by the end of the climactic battle, Sasuke admitted defeat. That admittance proves that Naruto is stronger than Sasuke.