When anime fans think about ninja shows, Naruto is usually the first one that comes to mind. This makes sense considering how popular the series is, but it also does something incredibly unique with idea of ninjas.
While Naruto may be the best ninja show in anime, that doesn't mean he is the best ninja out there. There are certainly others who are stronger and smarter than him by far. Even if Naruto physically beats someone with his strength, other anime Shinobi have him beat when it comes to technical skill.
10 Yukimaru Is Versatile (Fena: Pirate Princess)
Yukimaru is from the newer series Fena: Pirate Princess. Naruto is the superior series but when it comes to skills Yukimaru has Naruto beat. Yukimaru is incredibly quick and skilled with a blade, which is something Naruto doesn't have. He may have raw power, but someone like Kakashi who can be incredibly agile and versatile can easily take advantage of his weak points. Yukimaru may not be from the best series but at least he can say he's a better ninja.
9 Speed-O-Sound Walked Away From The Worst Injury (One Punch Man)
Unfortunately, Speed-O-Sound Sonic is a serious Shinobi in a comedy series, so his strength is often played for laughs instead of taken seriously. Despite that, he is strong and fast, which he demonstrates by easily taking out an entire group of people in an instant. He also manages to walk away from a below the belt punch from one of the strongest characters in anime. This easily makes him one of the strongest Shinobi in anime.
8 Jin Is A Powerful Wind Shinobi (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Jin is quick witted and hard to understand. He doesn't take fighting as serious as his comrades and that's probably how he is able to become instant friends with Yusuke. While controlling wind may not seem special on the surface, he's still managed to create several powerful and deadly techniques.
Naruto is a wind Shinobi, but he's got nothing on Jin. Jin can literally fly. Plus, he can turn his punches into spiralling tornados. Jin may have lost to Yusuke during the Dark Tournament but when it comes to being a ninja he has Naruto beat.
7 Jubei Is Strong Without Powers (Ninja Scroll)
Like Rock Lee from Naruto, Jubei has shown that he can be just as powerful as other Shinobi even without powers. He is a master swordsman and an incredibly versitile fighter. He's so skilled with a blade, in fact, that he has the ability to cut the air with his sword and create a vacuum. He also uses an unusual technique with wires that makes it nearly impossible to disarm him. What ultimately makes him a better ninja then someone like Naruto, however, is that he knows he is at a disadvantage when it comes to fighting superpowered people and he does all he can to work around that.
6 Gennosuke Kouga's Special Ability Makes Him Unbeatable (Basilisk)
Gennosuke is an incredibly talented swordsman but that's not what makes him so powerful. He has a special ability called Dojutsu that can stop his opponents from attacking him. This technique makes it so his enemies will kill themselves instead of attacking him, which he can activate through eye contact. He has impressive senses and skills with a sword, but with a technique like that no one else could possibly beat him.
5 Aoshi Is A Legendary Ninja (Rurouni Kenshin)
As Oniwabanshu Ninja Clan's grandmaster, Aosh's skills are second to none. He became the leader of his clan at only 15- years-old, and since then he's proven to be the best when it comes to reconnaissance and stealth. He is an expert when it comes to his weapon the kodachi, but he's also skilled in the hand-to-hand technique, Kenpo.
The fact that he was nearly able to beat Kenshin, who is one of the strongest samurai of all time, shows how powerful he is. What really makes him a great ninja and a strong opponent however, is his speed. He moves so quickly using his technique the Jissen Kenbu, it's impossible to keep up with him. It's no wonder his skills are so legendary considering how terrifyingly strong he is.
4 Tengen Uzui Is The Flashiest Hashira (Demon Slayer)
As a Hashira, Tengen is an expert swordsman capable of defeating some of the most powerful demons. Additionally, he is also a skilled Shinobi. Not only is he experienced with a blade, but he is also one of the most physically strong Hashira. What really makes him powerful is his sound breathing technique. He able to use sound as a weapon, and detect sound vibrations to determine his opponents next moves. It makes sense that Tengen values flashiness above all else because he is certainly the flashiest ninja.
3 Yoruichi Is The Fastest Shinobi Alive (Bleach)
Yoruichi was a former captain, and the head of the Soul Society's stealth force. She's powerful even without a Zanpakuto, and her speed is unmatched. She doesn't show off her skills often but when she gets down to business she's able to beat multiple opponents in a matter of seconds. It's no wonder Suì-Feng practically worships the ground she walks on even though she is as talented as she is.
2 Aizawa Is A Hero Who's A Ninja (My Hero Academia)
Aizawa is a hero, but he fits the Shinobi title. As an underground hero he works in the shadows and stealth is his biggest strength. On top of that, he wears all black, which is a typical ninja outfit. Even though he doesn't have a combative Quirk he's able to go toe-to-toe with the strongest villains and win. Aizawa may not be the number one hero, but he'd make for one of the best Shinobi. His fighting skills alone are superior to everyone else but he also has the intelligence to outsmart anyone he comes across.
1 Kakashi Is The Number 1 Ninja (Naruto)
Even fans who love Naruto can agree that Kakashi is a superior Ninja. In fact, most fans would agree that Kakashi is one of the best Shinobi characters of all time. Not only is he smart and strong, but his abilities are diverse. He's talented when it comes to swordsman ship, and he's also adept at hand-to-hand combat. Kakashi is one of the few people outside the Uchiha Clan who's able to use the Sharingan. It's obvious that Kakashi is respected as a Shinobi because he's not only powerful but honorable.