The Naruto franchise is well known for having a large array of formidable ninja that come from different villages and backgrounds in life. Though the cast of Naruto consists of primarily male protagonists, this series also has many strong female ninja within the story, which are often overlooked in general.
Despite the fact that many female characters in Naruto have side roles, or less screen time than their male counterparts, this didn't stop many strong female kunoichi from making an impact on viewers and proving their power throughout many significant missions and combats during Naruto.
Kurenai Yuhi
Kurenai Yuhi is a formidable Kunoichi and is known for her role as Jonin team leader of Team Kurenai, consisting of Kiba Inazuka, Hinata Hyuga, and Shino Aburame. Kurenai is a ninja that specializes in Genjutsu and is known as a prodigy for her abilities. Arguably, Kurenai can be considered the strongest Genjutsu user within the Hidden Leaf.
Kurenai can use her abilities to cast illusions on her opponents, as well as sense others by their chakra. Kurenai not only trained an incredibly successful team of Genin, but also held her own against many strong opponents. It was only a shame that viewers didn't get to see more combat scenes featuring Kurenai and her abilities before she retired to care for her daughter, Mirai Sarutobi.
Ino Yamanaka
Ino Yamanaka is first introduced as one of the three members of Team Asuma alongside Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi. Though Ino is still finding her strengths throughout Naruto, she has shown to have grown and matured into a powerful Kunoichi during the time skip before Naruto Shippuden.
Ino is a user of the Yamanaka clan's signature Mind Body Switch Technique - otherwise known as Mind Transfer Jutsu. This powerful technique lets the user transfer their consciousness into a target and, therefore, take control of their body. Ino's use of this technique makes her a formidable ninja, not to mention the many other combat skills she acquired during her time in Team Asuma and the medical ninja training she received from Tsunade.
Anko Mitarashi
Anko Mitarashi is one of the talented Tokubetsu Jonin Kunoichi of the Hidden Leaf Village, who is first introduced as proctor of the Chunin exam's second stage. Even as a child, Anko gained enough attention from her talents for the likes of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru, to take her under his wing as an apprentice
Anko, under her apprenticeship with Orochimaru, was able to master many of his abilities. Therefore, she is one of a very small selection of characters capable of snake-based Jutsu. What makes Anko even more impressive is that like powerhouse Shinobi, such as Sasuke Uchiha, Orochimaru, and Kabuto, Anko wields a curse mark - but refrains from ever using it.
Hinata Hyuga
Hinata Hyuga was first seen in the series as a member of Team Kurenai, alongside Kiba Inazuka and Shino Aburame. Hinata is a member of the Hyuga clan and possesses the powerful Kekkei Genkai known as the Byakugan.
Though Hinata is shown to be timid and quiet in her earlier years, she grows into a skilled Kunoichi throughout Naruto Shippuden. Hinata ends up having significant moments of bravery, including being the only comrade to initially come to Naruto's defense in his fight against Pain. Hinata's use of her Byakugan as one of the most powerful abilities in the franchise, paired with her bravery and loyalty to her friends, is ultimately what makes her so strong.
Mei Terumi
Mei Terumi is introduced during Naruto Shippuden as the Hidden Mist Village's Mizukage. Mei Terumi was a force to reckon with, possessing two elemental Kekkei Genkai in the forms of Lava Release and Boil Release.
Mei Terumi's power is undeniable, and she has proven to be one of the strongest Kunoichi in the entire franchise on several occasions. During her fight against Sasuke Uchiha, Mei had enough raw power to back him into a corner and injure him despite his use of Susanoo. Additionally, Mei was able to intercept Black Zetsu in combat with a single kick during the Fourth Shinobi World War.
Sakura Haruno
Sakura Haruno is one of the key characters of Naruto and one of Naruto's closest companions. Sakura is introduced as a member of Team Kakashi alongside Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha. Though it initially takes Sakura a while to discover her true strengths, she is undoubtedly one of the most combat-capable Kunoichi in the franchise.
Sakura is exceptionally skilled in chakra control and was an apprentice to legendary Sanin, Tsunade. Sakura worked extremely hard to become strong and make the most of her abilities. Sakura was able to make such an impact by honing her skills so that she could not only hold her own in combat but also help Naruto and Sasuke deal the final blow to Kaguya in the final battle - thus ending the Fourth Shinobi World War.
Temari
Temari is one of the Three Sand Siblings and is first introduced in the Chunin exam ark alongside her brothers and fellow teammates, Gaara and Kankuro. Almost immediately, Temari makes a strong impact with her strength, equipped with her giant fan and wind-based Jutsu.
Temari has had many fights that showcase her talent, such as her swift victory against Tenten during the Chunin exams that left the other Genin startled at her abilities. Temari also emerged victorious against Tayuya of the Sound Four - a fight in which her wind Jutsu was powerful enough to cut through many large trees and demolish the forest they were fighting within.
Konan
Konan, known for her unique paper Jutsu, is introduced as both a founding member and the only female member of the villainous Akatsuki. Though she started as an antagonist of the series, after defecting from the Akatsuki, Konan did all she could to aid Naruto and his allies - and her last acts were undeniably heroic.
Konan was a huge threat both in power and in intellect. Her unique paper-based Jutsu was extremely versatile - letting her form apparitions, physical weapons, and even wings that allow her to fly. Not only this, but she was able to specifically design and execute her Sacred Paper Emissary technique to kill Obito - which the latter only survived thanks to the Kinjutsu Izanagi.
Tsunade
Tsunade is one of the three legendary Sanin and was Fifth Hokage to the Hidden Leaf Village. Tsunade is known for her exceptional skills as a Kunoichi and is capable of the powerful signature technique, Creation Rebirth.
Tsunade has both excellent medical skills and brute power, but her true strength lies in her ability to amplify her chakra. Tsunade's vast Chakra reserves were so impressive that they allowed her to battle against Madara Uchiha endlessly for over half a day without falling into exhaustion. Tsunade was also able to use her abilities to heal several thousand Shinobi throughout the final battle against Obito Uchiha. There is no doubt that Tsunade is one of the most impressive ninjas within the franchise and is truly a force to reckon with.
Kaguya Otsutsuki
Kaguya is undoubtedly the most powerful antagonist throughout Naruto. Wielding both the Byakugan and the Rinne Sharingan Kekkei Genkai, no singular Shinobi was a match for her skills. After consuming the God Tree's fruit, Kaguya unveils unrivaled power and chakra reserves, surpassing even Madara as the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.
As a descendant of the Otsutsuki clan, Kaguya possesses a display of otherworldly powers and can cast many Jutsu without weaving hand signs. The combination of this and her advanced Kekkei Genkai gave her an overwhelming display of powers - so much so, that it took a combined effort from all four members of Team Kakashi to seal her away and end the Fourth Shinobi World War.