The Naruto series, a widely popular Japanese manga and anime created by Masashi Kishimoto, is set in a world of shinobi, or ninja warriors. Throughout the series, characters wield a vast array of weapons, each with its unique power and purpose. In this article, we will explore some of the most iconic weapons featured in the series, delving into their origins, powers, and the characters who have used them in battle.
Every Naruto Weapon Ranked by Power
20. Kunai
Kunai is the most basic and common weapon in the Naruto universe. The kunai is used primarily for close combat, but can also be thrown as a projectile or used as a climbing tool. Some characters like Sakura and Shizune amplify the power of their kunai by applying poisons, but this weapon still remains the weakest in the series. Almost every character has used a kunai at some point, making it a basic skill that all ninja need to learn.
19. Shuriken
Another ubiquitous weapon in the world of Naruto is the shuriken, a small, throwing star with sharpened edges that is primarily used for long-range attacks. Similar to kunai, shuriken can be coated in poison or imbued with chakra to increase their power. They are often used in conjunction with other techniques, such as the Shadow Shuriken Technique, which creates multiple copies of the shuriken to attack the enemy from different angles.
18. Flash Bomb
A Flash Bomb is a small explosive device that emits an intense burst of light upon detonation, temporarily blinding anyone nearby. This tool is useful for creating distractions, disorienting enemies, or making a quick escape. Most famously, Shikamaru uses flash bombs to gain strategic advantage in his battle against Tayuya of the Sound Ninja Four.
17. Explosive Tags
Exploding Tags, also known as “paper bombs,” are pieces of paper inscribed with chakra-infused writing that can explode on command. They can be attached to various objects or weapons like kunai and shuriken, enhancing their destructive power.
16. Fūma Shuriken
A more advanced version of the shuriken, the Fūma Shuriken, is a larger, collapsible, four-bladed weapon. It is primarily used by Sasuke Uchiha and other members of the Uchiha clan. The Fūma Shuriken is first used against Zabuza, when he was holding Kakashi in a water prison. To provide cover, Naruto deployed shadow clones to obstruct Zabuza’s view while he transformed into the Fuma Shuriken. A clone acted as a decoy and pulled out the real Fuma Shuriken from a bag and handed it to Sasuke, who realized it was Naruto in disguise. Sasuke expertly used the Shadow Shuriken technique to conceal the second Fuma Shuriken (Naruto) within the shadow of the first, demonstrating his proficiency in shurikenjutsu.
15. Senbon
Senbon are thin, needle-like projectiles used by shinobi for long-range attacks and are designed for precision strikes rather than inflicting large-scale damage, making them particularly suited for targeting pressure points, nerve clusters, or other vital points on an opponent’s body to inflicit in incapacitation or even death.
This weapon is most notably used by Haku in conjunction with his Ice Release kekkei genkai to create the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals and Shizune for medical purposes and poisonous strikes.
14. Tanto
The tanto is a small katana and is primarily used by Sai, a member of the elite ANBU Root division, who uses the weapon in combination with his ink-based jutsu.
13. Triple-Bladed Scythe
The Triple-Bladed Scythe is a unique weapon used by Hidan. While the weapon looks bad-ass, Hidan only uses it to draw blood from his opponents, which he requires for his Jashin ritual. Once he has ingested the blood, Hidan enters a special circle drawn on the ground and begins his ritual, during which any damage he inflicts upon himself will also be inflicted upon the person whose blood he consumed. Without the ritual jutsu, the Triple-Bladed Scythe is just a regular weapon, hence it’s lower ranking on this list.
12. Jidanda
The Jidanda is a weapon crafted by Iō, drawing inspiration from his previous inventions, Dakō and Tsurukame, and is used by Tenten. This massive, spiked iron ball houses explosive tags within its core. Similar to the Dako, its handle can extend, providing additional reach and even serving as an offensive tool. The ball’s spikes can open up to reveal the concealed explosive tags, catching enemies off guard with unexpected blasts.
11. Chakra Blades
Chakra Blades are special weapons designed to channel and enhance the user’s chakra, resulting in extended reach, increased power, and even addition of elemental properties.
The most popular Chakra Blades are Asuma Sarutobi’s trench knives. Asuma, a Jonin from Konohagakure and the Third Hokage’s son, wields a pair of knuckle-duster trench knives that can channel his chakra. By infusing his Wind Release chakra into the blades, Asuma can significantly increase their cutting power, making them capable of slicing through solid rock or even steel. This technique, known as the Flying Swallow, enables Asuma to execute long-range attacks and overpower his opponents.
10. Kabutowari
Kabutowari, or “helmet splitter,” is one of the seven swords of the Mist, wielded by Akebino Jinin. It consists of a single-edged blade and a blunt hammer, connected by a chain. Kabutowari is known for its ability to break through any defense, as the user can use the hammer to create an initial impact and then follow up with the sharp blade to split the target.
9. Giant Folding Fan
Temari wields a unique weapon known as a Giant Folding Fan (also called “Gunbai Uchiwa” or “War Fan”) in the Naruto series. This large, collapsible fan is her primary weapon and is used in conjunction with her Wind Release abilities to create powerful, wind-based attacks. The Giant Folding Fan has three distinct sections, each marked with a “tomoe” symbol, indicating the fan’s power level, with one tomoe representing the lowest power level and three tomoe signifying the highest. As Temari unfolds the fan, its destructive capabilities increase correspondingly.
8. Nuibari
Nuibari, also known as the “Sewing Needle,” is one of the seven swords wielded by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. The Nuibari is mainly used to pierce and “sew” enemies together by impaling them with the needle and using the wire to thread them together. This gruesome technique is both lethal and psychologically terrifying, and the wire’s strength and durability allows the user to bind, restrain, or manipulate their opponents, adding to the weapon’s versatility in combat.
Throughout the Naruto series, Nuibari has been wielded by several members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, most notably by Kushimaru Kuriarare.
7. Kubikiribōchō
The Kubikiribōchō is renowned for its ability to decapitate enemies in a single swing, hence the name “Executioner’s Blade.” Additionally, it possesses an extraordinary self-repairing ability; the sword can absorb the iron from the blood of its victims to repair any damage sustained in battle, ensuring the blade’s continuous effectiveness, even after prolonged use. Throughout the series, the Kubikiribōchō has been wielded by several members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, but the most famous wieldering is Zabuza Momochi.
6. Kusanagi Sword
The Kusanagi Sword is a legendary weapon wielded by Orochimaru. It is capable of cutting through almost anything and penetrating the strongest defenses, including the Third Hokage’s Adamantine Staff. The sword can also be manipulated by its wielder to extend and contract, making it easy for Orochimaru use in conjunction with his snake jutsu techniques, like Hidden Shadow Snake Hands.
While the Kusanagi Sword is undoubtedly powerful, its strength largely depends on the skill and abilities of the person wielding it. In the hands of a capable ninja like Orochimaru, the sword becomes an incredibly dangerous weapon, but it is in no way overpowered like some of the other Naruto weapons on this list.
5. Gunbai
The Gunbai is a large, fan-like weapon used primarily for defense. Madara Uchia wields a Gunbai made from a unique material that can deflect or absorb ninjutsu attacks and also uses it using it offensively by channeling his chakra to create powerful gusts of wind. Because of it’s chakra absorbing powers, the Gunbai is stronger than Temari’s Giant Folding Fan.
4. Bashōsen
The Bashōsen, also known as the “Banana Palm Fan,” is the most powerful fan-style weapon in the Naruto series. It is one of the “Five Treasured Tools of the Sage of the Six Paths,” a set of unique weapons created by Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, the Sage of the Six Paths. The Bashōsen is a large, ornate folding fan that grants its user the ability to manipulate and control the five basic chakra natures: Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, and Water.
Each of the five chakra natures can be unleashed by simply waving the Bashōsen, making it an incredibly versatile weapon. However, the use of the Bashōsen comes at a significant cost, as it requires a substantial amount of chakra to activate its elemental powers, making it a difficult weapon to master, as it can quickly deplete the user’s chakra reserves if not used carefully. The Bashōsen was wielded by Tenten in the Fourth Great Ninja War.
3. Kiba
Kiba, meaning “fangs,” are twin swords wielded by Ringo Ameyuri. They are known as the sharpest swords in existence and are imbued with lightning chakra, allowing them to cut through almost any material.
2. Chakra Disruption Blades
Chakra Disruption Blades are crafted from the same substance as the chakra receivers utilized by Nagato and are linked to both the Rinnegan and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. These rods can be seen protruding from the statue and piercing Nagato at certain moments. The primary function of these blades is to interfere with the chakra of their target, causing injury or immobilization. When an individual is impaled by these blades, the Rinnegan manifests in their mind, indicating that Nagato may exert some level of control over them, akin to his command over the Six Paths.
1. Samehada
Samehada, also known as the “Shark Skin,” is a unique and one of the most powerful swords in the Naruto series. It is one of the seven swords of the Mist, wielded by members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist from Kirigakure. Samehada Samehada is sentient and has a certain degree of intelligence and is notably used by Kisame Hoshigaki, but later betrayed him in favor of Killer B.
The sword is known for its ability to absorb chakra from its opponents, making it incredibly dangerous in combat. Samehada can absorb chakra by “eating” it, and it can also selectively choose the type of chakra to absorb. This ability allows the wielder to counter chakra-based attacks and steal the opponent’s chakra, effectively weakening them in battle. Additionally, the sword can also transfer the absorbed chakra back to its wielder, giving them a significant advantage in terms of stamina and power.
Closing Thoughts
The Naruto series is home to a vast array of powerful and unique weapons, each with its distinct abilities and applications in combat. From the legendary Kusanagi Sword to the chakra-absorbing Samehada, these weapons have played a significant role in shaping the outcome of many battles throughout the series.
