Every Naruto Hokage, Ranked Worst to Best (2024)

The Hokage of the Hidden Leaf village in the Land of Fire is one of the biggest honors and highest positions in the Naruto franchise. Each Hokage is honored with a giant, carved face that immortalizes them in the memories of the residents, showing how respected these men and women were. From absolute strength to inspiring leadership, there is a lot it takes for one to achieve this rank.

The Hokages have been extremely important to the series, not only serving as a goal for Naruto but also being at the front line of the great wars. The reanimation of the first four Hokages was one of the best moments in the series, and it demonstrated the might of all the leaders of Konoha.

8 Shikamaru's Reign Is Still in the Early Phase

Lord Eighth Has Yet to Prove Himself

Although Shikamaru is the weakest Hokage so far, especially in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex where the power ceiling is much higher, he makes up with his brilliant wits and mind. He is one of the smartest Hokage so far, managing to break out of the Omnipotence power that blinded the whole world through sheer analysis. Furthermore, he served as the deputy to both the Sixth and Seventh Hokage, so his years of experience make him the most suited.

Unfortunately, he assumed Naruto's role once he was sealed and much of his time as Hokage was during the time skip which fans haven't seen yet. Furthermore, the series is still in its early phase, so there's a lot to learn about how he manages the Konoha. His lack of power and strength is also a huge downfall, given Konoha will eventually be destroyed, as seen at the beginning of the series.

However, Shikamaru has incredible potential to become one of the Hidden Leaf's best Hokage given his strategic and tactical strategy, so there's a lot more to come from the Eighth Hokage.

7 Hiruzen's Time as Hokage Saw Many Injustices

Despite the Many Positives, Sarutobi's Failures Cannot Be Ignored.

Hiruzen Sarutobi is one of the most formidable warriors in the franchise, mastering all five elements and many other jutsu. His sense of responsibility and duty is unquestionable, as he returned to the Hokage seat after Minato died in action despite his old age. Furthermore, he fought bravely and was killed to protect Konoha, demonstrating that he was a hero and fit to lead.

However, his tenure was deeply tainted by the gross injustices that occurred under him. The brutal massacre of the Uchiha is the biggest example, and although he had the power to quell the rebellion, he turned a blind eye. He also allowed Danzo to run free, and it was this gross negligence that resulted in the genocide of a clan. Furthermore, Naruto suffered greatly as a child, with no support system, despite him being the son of the Fourth Hokage. Hiruzen Sarutobi's loyalty is undeniable, but the Hidden Leaf went through dark times with him at the helm.

6 Minato Died Way Too Young

He Was Hokage For Only a Year

Minato was the youngest Hokage in history and one of the youngest Kage in general. His extreme power, superb mind, loyalty, and leadership made him achieve such a position so young, and he was the most well-balanced Hokage, excelling in every aspect it takes to be a leader. Unfortunately, he died very young before he could accomplish much and steer Konoha in his vision, but he went out with a bang.

He defended Konoha from the Nine-Tails and Obito to his last breath in the most difficult of circ*mstances, all while taking care of his family. What really displayed his brilliance, though, was entrusting the future to the next generation, sealing half of the Nine-Tails into Naruto so he would one day harness this power and protect the world. He was right on the money, and his long-term thinking, a trait invaluable in being a leader, was key in ensuring the success of the village he made an oath to. Had Minato lived longer, he could have been the best Hokage the village had ever seen.

5 Naruto United the World

The Child of Prophecy Achieved His Goal Against All Odds

Naruto was the first Hokage and human to achieve worldwide peace and end the cycle of hatred, making this achievement the most impressive of all. He transcended being just the leader and protector of Konoha, but instead dedicated himself to ushering in an age of tranquilityfor the world that lasted many, many years. Furthermore, Konoha never experienced bigger threats than Momoshiki and Ishikki, but he still took them down and protected his people. His mere existence was a deterrent to any wars, as people knew he and Sasuke would easily stop any threat.

Although Naruto is a human magnet and draws people close to him, he had lots of assistance from his best friend, Shikamaru, who deals with many aspects and affairs. This isn't to say that Naruto was incompetent at politics, but he needed more help than the other Hokage. This is in line with his morals and personality, and any good leader acknowledges their shortcomings and relies on their friends.

4 Tsunade Stepped Up When It Mattered Most

The Slug Princess Came Back in Dire Times

The powerful and beautiful Kunoichi, Tsunade, left the village long ago for a lax life of gambling and drinking. However, when Hiruzen died and Jiraiya couldn't take up the Hokage position, she was the best option. After all those years, Tsunade's love for her village never disappeared, and she came back to lead Konoha. Despite her personality, she did a great job and was a risk-taker, choosing to believe in Naruto despite the danger he faced.

Although she was powerless to stop Pain from destroying Konoha, she made on-the-spot judgments, prioritizing the safety of the villagers and entrusting the fighting to her peers, joining the fight later. Furthermore, her incredibly unique skillset as a healer allowed her to save many people and even the other Kage. She also passed down her skillset to Sakura and Ino.

3 Hashirama Created the Framework

The Echoes of the Founder Can Still Be Felt in the Present

Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi, founded the Hidden Leaf Village alongside Madara Uchiha to stop the endless war between clans. His incredible leadership is evident as he united many clans who had nothing but contempt for each other, bringing an end to decades of violence. He didn't just stop there though, as he captured all the Tailed Beasts and distributed them among other villages in order to maintain a balance of power, which worked as the villages were always tied in the Great Ninja Wars.

His dedication to the level was incredible as well, as he took on the painful burden of killing his best friend Madara when he threatened peace. There was no Hokage who had the same love for Konoha as much as Hashirama, and although all were dedicated to their home, Konoha was his dream and the culmination of all his trauma and loss: a place where children like his dead brothers could live in peace.

2 Konoha Saw Incredible Progress Under Kakashi

The Village Went Through the Biggest Change

The Copy Ninja was one of the most feared and well-known ninjas in the series and was always one of the best candidates to become Hokage. During the Five Kage Summit, the Raikage, Ai, refused to acknowledge Danzo as the representative of Konoha and instead discussed with Kakashi as an equal, acknowledging his worthiness as a Hokage. He demonstrated his leadership as the captain of the rowdy Team 7, so he was fit to lead an entire village.

He became the Sixth after the Fourth Great Ninja War and led the village until Naruto grew older and wiser. His tenure was very peaceful given the unity the world had accomplished, and his efforts in attaining this peace in the war were undeniable. Furthermore, Konoha became more modern in his time, making the lives of everyone much easier. Kakashi faced a lot of challenges given the devastation the village and the world sustained, but he helped turn it around completely and Konoha's economy and standard of living were never better.

1 Tobirama's Policies Changed Konoha Forever

A True Innovator and Visionary

Tobirama Senju is an unsung hero, but an analysis of his accomplishments proves he was the most efficient ruler of Konoha, as he implemented many policies and organizations that still influence the village. In his short 2 years of reign, he founded the Ninja Academy, the Shinobi ranking system, Konoha Police, the Chunin Exams, Anbu Black Ops, and also had the time to develop many important jutsu, such as the Shadow Clone and Flying Raijin that were invaluable for other Hokage. Even before he became Hokage, he served as Hashirama's advisor and was critical in the early development of Konoha.

​​​​​​One common misconception and criticism about his rule is that he distrusted the Uchiha Clan, which couldn't be further from the truth. A big believer in the Will of Fire, Tobirama attempted to make all clans rally under the village, and he was successful with all except for the Uchiha, who were individualistic. To show that he trusted them, he gave them complete control of the Konoha Police, but they unfortunately took this as a sign of alienating them from village affairs. No one understood the Uchiha's power and psychology more than Tobirama, and the fact that he took Kagami Uchiha as an apprentice dispersed such notions that he hated the Uchiha Clan.

Tobirama not only helped build the village from scratch but also enacted the very institutions that keep it functioning. Furthermore, he tried his best to fulfill the goal of Konoha: unite the clans, which he succeeded in but was later slightly undone under Hiruzen's leadership. For his ninjutsu contributions, physical and technical prowess, and excellent politics, Tobirama Senju was the most important Hokage in the Hidden Leaf's history.