Fans of Naruto are well aware of the many brilliant characters that the show has created over the years, each instilled with their personal ambitions and philosophies. While most of these characters are intriguing in some way, the most important ones usually shine the brightest owing to their skills and talents. One such inherent skill that has been witnessed time and again in the main characters of the anime is that of intelligence.
Spread across brilliant and sprawling episodes, these characters have showcased traits that indicate intelligence, including experience, wisdom, quick thinking, street smartness, insight, and genius, amongst others. Some of these important characters can, therefore, be regarded as the most intelligent in the anime series.
Naruto Uzumaki
Despite being the titular character of the show, Naruto comes off as rash and impatient at times. However, it cannot be denied that this talented Uzumaki has abundant intelligence to fall back on, whenever it is required. In spite of not being the brightest when it comes to academics, Naruto has time and again overcome his shortcomings by working hard.
He is quick on his feet and figures out solutions to problems spontaneously. His battle strategies and innovative approaches to tricky situations are attributes that give him an edge over his opponents. Furthermore, he has always been a ninja who has systematically upgraded his arsenal of Jutsus, learning new ninja-tricks on the fly and surprising everyone around him.
Sasuke Uchiha & Sakura Haruno
The other two members of Team 7, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, are undoubtedly two of the smartest characters that the anime created. Although Sasuke was not born a prodigy like his brother Itachi, he soon honed his skills to achieve his goals. His analytical skills during battle are beyond par, which is only complimented by his masterful control over the Sharingan. A brilliant example of his mental acuity would be when he demonstrated an innovatively improvised Jutsu during the Chunin exams, based on Lee’s Front Lotus, which Sasuke had seen only once before.
Sakura on the other hand never had any Kekkei Genkai to rely on but was evidently quite smart since a young age. It was she who first explained how chakra works, and even completed the written part of the Chunin exam with ease- a test considered too advanced for any Gennin. Being a medical ninja further proves her intelligence as it requires great acumen to even attempt becoming a med-nin. Furthermore, she surpassed Lady Tsunade and unlocked the Byakugou Seal. Even Sasuke could not help but praise Sakura’s analytical skills, claiming that they were superior to even his own Sharingan.
Madara Uchiha
Madara Uchiha is undoubtedly one of the most intelligent villains that the show has. There can be no debate regarding this since all the major events that take place in Naruto are the result of the machinations of this legendary Uchiha.
He not only showed great skill and dexterity in life learning numerous Jutsus all by himself; he also proved himself to be a force to be reckoned with in death, employing Obito to carry forward his plans and eventually resurrect him. Madara had tremendous foresight, which allowed him to control the flow of events so closely, despite being dead.
Kabuto Yakushi
An underdog through and through, Kabuto Yakushi is strikingly smart and his accomplishments are a testament to that. While most ninjas possess only 2-3 types of chakra natures, Kabuto possessed 5 different types. Furthermore, he was a medical ninja, having an acute knowledge of human anatomy and how to use it to his advantage during battle.
During the Fourth Shinobi World War, he also successfully performed the Edo Tensei, a Jutsu that is extremely difficult to execute. Furthermore, being an adept spy who had mastered the art of intelligence gathering, he successfully discovered the true identity of Tobi, the secret behind the creation of Zetsus, and the cause behind the Uchiha clan’s downfall.
Orochimaru
How can anybody deny a ninja of intelligence, who knows all that there is to know? Orochimaru is the very definition of a talented mad scientist, having learned every Jutsu that a ninja can possibly learn. He is by far the most learned Shinobi of the ninja world, and his mastery over techniques such as the Living Corpse Reincarnation, and Reanimation Jutsu are proof of that fact.
He even managed to achieve the assumed impossible feat of reversing the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, which even shocked Minato Namikaze. His intellect, therefore, truly justifies his title as a legendary Sannin.
Tobirama Senju
Almost every Jutsu in the anime has either been created by Tobirama Senju or is based on a Jutsu that he had created. Some of the most notable mentions include the Flying Raijin, Shadow Clone Jutsu, Flying Thunder God Jutsu, and the Reanimation Jutsu. A true prodigy, the Second Hokage had intricate knowledge about the ninja world and was also responsible for Konoha developing into a stable nation-state. It was he who established the Chunin Exams, the Anbu Black Ops, as well as the Konoha Academy.
Tobirama is known for his counter-attacking prowess, misleading his opponent to put their guards down so that he could launch decisive attacks. His strategic genius finds tremendous expression during the Fourth Shinobi World War, which clearly shows that the Second Hokage always thinks things through, and never acts unless he is completely sure of victory.
Kakashi Hatake
The mysterious copy-ninja Kakashi Hatake is one of the brightest characters. He was trained by the Fourth Hokage, as well as the Third, and went on to become the brilliant teacher of shinobi like Itachi Uchiha and the constituent members of Team 7. He was a prodigy since birth, having graduated from the academy at the early age of five, and becoming a Chunin at the age of six.
He was also the youngest person to become a Jonin in Konoha, deservedly gaining the title at the age of twelve. His strategic genius is unparalleled as Kakashi is seen finding intelligent solutions even in the most challenging circumstances. Being as skilled as he is, the Sixth Hokage is arguably one of the most intelligent in the show.
Itachi Uchiha
Considered to be a genius by many, Itachi Uchiha was touted to have the thinking of a Hokage from a very young age. Having graduated from Konoha Academy at only six years of age with the second-highest score in its history, he went on to become the youngest Anbu Squad captain at the meager age of thirteen.
He is also showcased as an intelligent and talented planner, foreseeing and evaluating everything before he steps into battle, as seen during his fight with Sasuke. Therefore, it is quite fathomable how the death of such a genius broke the hearts of many ardent fans.
Minato Namikaze
Known for his incredible speed, Minato gained the nickname of the Yellow Flash. However, it is not only his body that is fast, but also his mind. Imbued with observational skills beyond par, Minato is shown to be able to decipher the mechanics on any Jutsu upon seeing it only once.
His observational skills further enabled him to deduce his opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and devise a quick response that he executed within seconds. The Fourth Hokage is also the holder of the highest marks in Konoha Academy, and invented Jutsus like the Rasengan, while also gaining mastery over-complicated maneuvers like the Flying Raijin and myriad Sealing techniques.
Shikamaru Nara & Shikaku Nara
Like father, like son, grey matter seems to be a hereditary component in the Nara clan. Shikaku, the oldest in the family was the initial chief strategist during the Fourth Shinobi World War for the Allied Shinobi Forces until his demise. His tactical genius is well expressed during the war, and he also regularly beat his son Shikamaru in Shogi, who himself is an extremely intelligent ninja.
Shikamaru, on the other hand, had an IQ of 200 and served as the Allied Forces’ chief strategist after his father’s demise. He was also the youngest of the Konoha 11 to become a Chunin and went on to become Naruto's trusted aid after the latter became the Seventh Hokage.