In a world full of geopolitical tension that consistently led to battles and bloodshed, a strong shinobi was needed to lead the five hidden villages in Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden. These ninjas were typically the strongest in their village, and not only served as pillars of leadership and resolve, but also as deterrents for attacks from enemy nations. A strong Kage meant a strong village and country.
By the end of Naruto: Shippuden, however, the Five Great Shinobi Countries had aligned to combat the Akatsuki’s “Eye of the Moon Plan.” After the dust settled and they were victorious, the strife between the nations dissipated, meaning peace was more a reality than ever before. Still, Kages are needed since there’s no shortage of antagonists in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, which will begin releasing its second iteration of episodes at an unknown date.
Throughout the Naruto series, there have been seven shinobi that have ascended to the Hokage level. The Hokage is the figurehead of Konohagakure, or Hidden Leaf Village, which resides in the Land of Fire. Their names are among the most famed and powerful in shinobi history.
The Hidden Leaf Village is where most of the series’ protagonists live(d), and has acted as a focal point in the Naruto and Baruto storylines. So, let’s take a gander at who has donned the white and red Hokage robes.
First Hokage: Hashirama Senju
The man who held the title of First Hokage is Hashirama Senju, the legendary wood-style user celebrated as the “God of Shinobi.” Hashirama wasn’t only the first ninja to take on the role, he — alongside Madara Uchiha and their respective clans — founded Konohagakure.
Hashirama’s Senju and Madara’s Uchiha were fierce rivals. But, through friendship, the two shinobi brought the acclaimed clans together in — quite literally — an act that changed the ninja world: creating unity between families under one vision — peace.
The God of Shinobi led the Hidden Leaf Village until his passing. Neither the anime nor manga delved into the details of the Senju’s cause of death. However, fans had the opportunity to watch Hasharima fight as he was reanimated by Orochimaru during the Four Shinobi World War to take on Madara and Obito Uchiha in the latter part of Naruto: Shippuden.
Also, Hasharima’s championing of the “Will of Fire,” a philosophy that peace can be found through love, has proven to be a central teaching and way of life in Konohagakure.
Second Hokage: Tobirama Senju
Before his death, Hasharima chose his younger brother, Tobirama Senju, to be his successor. The silver-haired stoic shinobi bore the title and responsibilities of Second Hokag and was an integral part of the Hidden Leaf Village’s development. During his lifetime, Tobirama founded several of Konohagakure’s institutions, including the police force and ninja academy, with the mission to further adopt principles of village unity.
Tobirama is the creator of the Reanimation jutsu, a pivotal technique that Kabuto used to aid the Akatsuki in the Fourth Shinobi World War. Ironically, Tobirama was brought back during the war with the same ability. He was also known for his Flying Thunder God technique, a teleportation jutsu that eventually (spoiler alert) Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze would utilize as his own.
Unlike his brother, Tobirama’s cause of death is known. During a mission, the Second Hokage gave his life acting as a decoy so his comrades could flee an attack from the Hidden Cloud Village.
Third Hokage: Hiruzen Sarutobi
Hiruzen Sarutobi was Hashirama and Tobirama’s pupil and the eventual Third Hokage. As 21 high-level Cloud ninjas representing the Kinkau unit closed in on them, Tobirama told Hiruzen and others that he’d stay back and fight while they fled. And before they split, Tobirama shared his wish that Hiruzen would take charge of the Hidden Leaf Village after his inevitable demise.
Tobirama died that night, leading to Hiruzen taking his place as Hokage.
Hiruzen is the first Hokage fans are acquainted with in Naruto. Although he’s elderly by the time the series premieres, Hiruzen accepted the role at a young age and served in it for decades. A part of the Sarutobi clan — one of the first to join Konohagakure after its founding — Hiruzen was known for his kind, grandfather-like nature. However, it was his formidable strength that earned him the “God of Shinobi” moniker, like Hasharima before.
Hiruzen was the sensei of the three legendary Sannin: Tsunade, Jiraiya and Orochimaru, and he died fighting the latter during the Hidden Sand Village’s attack on Konohagakure in Naruto.
Fourth Hokage: Minato Namikaze
Minato Namikaze is the father of series protagonist Naruto, and held the Fourth Hokage title. Minato was an invaluable asset for the Hidden Leaf Village during the Third Shinobi World War, and he earned the nickname “Yellow Flash of the Leaf” for his lightning-quick movement speed thanks to Tobirama’s Flying Thunder God jutsu.
After the war ended, Hiruzen elected to retire from his post. Although Root leader Danzo heavily lobbied for Orochimaru to be the Fourth Hokage, Hiruzen knew the snake-like shinobi’s ambition was in direct conflict with the village. Earlier, Hiruzen had sought out former student Jiraiya, asking the Sannin if he’d be his successor. Jiraiya ultimately turned down the offer and instead recommended Minato — his student — to take the Third Hokage’s spot instead.
The emperor and elder council ultimately sided with Hiruzen’s wish, and Minato was promoted to Hokage. But, his time donning the red and white attire was short-lived. Shortly after becoming Hokage, Obito Uchiha attacked the Hidden Leaf Village and extracted the Nine-Tails from Minato’s wife, Kushina Uzumaki. Minato died deterring Obito and sealing the Nine-Tails into Naruto, who had just been born. Kushina died that night as well.
Hiruzen resumed the Hokage position after Minato’s death until he perished himself — making Hiruzen the only shinobi to take the role twice.
Fifth Hokage: Tsunade
Tsunade, one of three revered Sannins, became the Fifth Hokage after her sensei died. Hailing from the Senju and Uzumaki clans, Tsunade is the granddaughter of Hashirama and is known for her medical ninja prowess and absurd strength. Tsunade was the Hokage for the majority of Naruto and virtually all of Naruto: Shippuden.
Fans got to know Tsunade before she became Hokage when she spent large portions of her time gambling and drinking while making the road her home. Although resistant at first, Tsunade decided to become the Hidden Leaf Village’s leader after Jiraiya and Naruto sought her out post-Hiruzen’s death — as well as a brief battle with Orochimaru.
The Fifth Hokage fell into a coma after protecting Konohagakure’s shinobi and villagers during Pain’s assault in Naruto: Shippuden, but she eventually came to. While she was unconscious, Danzo became the interim Hokage but he ultimately fled the position during the Five Kage Summit.
Tsunade held the position through several arcs and ultimately through the Fourth Shinobi World War, retiring after Kaguya was defeated. The Sannin is the only female that has ascended to the level of Hokage and she’s still alive in Boruto.
Sixth Hokage: Kakashi Hatake
The Sixth Hokage is a hero fans have followed from the very start of Naruto and one of the most iconic characters in the franchise: Kakashi Hatake. Known by enemies and allies alike as “Kakashi of the Sharingan,” the masked genius used his visual prowess to copy jutsu, and considering he’s mastered all facets of being a shinobi, it felt inevitable Kakashi would eventually become Hokage.
Kakashi became the Hokage after the Fourth Shinbo World War. Along with his fellow Team 7 members, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura, he took down the “mother” of chakra, thus saving the world. Although Kakashi lost his Sharingan in the process, he was chosen to alleviate Tsunade from the position she held for years.
Kakashi served as Fifth Hokage well, and he also spearheaded the effort to prepare Naruto to replace him. Kakashi remained as Hokage to close out Naruto: Shippuden. But when Boruto premiered, it was revealed a Seventh Hokage had been named.
Seventh Hokage: Naruto Uzumaki
If there was one thing fans knew watching Naruto was that the series’ main character had a dream of becoming Hokage. And that’s exactly what Naruto Uzumaki did. With the help of Shikamaru Nara’s guidance, Naruto became the Seventh Hokage between Naruto: Shippuden and Boruto, taking over for Kakashi.
Thanks to his undying “Will of Fire,” raw talent and most importantly, the Nine-Tails, Naruto has become the strongest shinobi to ever live. He’s saved Konohagakure on several occasions and has gone from rejected loner to village hero. The drive to become Hokage was a central motivator for Naruto, which pushed him past his limits when all seemed lost, like in his battle with Pain or Gaara.
As it remains, Naruto continues to hold the Seventh Hokage accolade in Boruto and is the father of the show’s main protagonist after which it’s named.
Will There Be an 8th Hokage?
All seven Hokages earned their time as revered leaders of the Hidden Leaf Village. However, considering Naruto now occupies the position, it’s unclear if an eighth shinobi will become Hokage during the series’ run. Fans have theorized that the tenacious Konohamaru Sarutobi — Hiruzen’s grandson — may take over when Naruto retires. Or perhaps Boruto will follow in his father’s footsteps, as Naruto did with Minato.
Regardless, the Hidden Leaf Village is in good hands with Naruto at the helm.