The Konoha 11 are a group of elite shinobi in the Naruto universe. Having first debuted in the Chunin Exams, they embody the next generation of warriors and the best and brightest of Konoha. Since the 11 hail from significantly different backgrounds, their diverse abilities usually complement one another on the battlefield.
However, it has also made some individuals far cooler and more charismatic than others. Their finer qualities and the things that could potentially hold them back from finding greatness and achieving their dreams also factor into how cool they are.
11 Sakura Ruined Her Potential
As an advanced medical ninja, there are many things Sakura can do that her Team Seven colleagues can't. Shippuden helped to unlock her potential as a kunoichi, especially after training diligently under Tsunade. However, Sakura's personality holds her back from surpassing her mentor.
In addition to being grating and manipulative, her obsession with Sasuke sets a horrible example for women in and out of the series. She was so desperate for his approval that she overlooked his various attempts to kill her while waging war against the Leaf.
10 Kiba's Abilities & Goals Are Questionable
Kiba's concept is cool and unique. The idea of a shinobi working in perfect tandem with their animal companion is one not often explored in the series, rendering his clan among Konoha's most interesting. However, Kiba himself has too many shortcomings to coast off the novelty of his concept.
For example, his attitude makes him a more hostile version of Naruto with far less potential. Further, he was defeated in the Chunin Exams by a fart, which makes it much less difficult to take him as a serious ninja who wants to become Hokage.
9 Choji Lacks The Ruthlessness Necessary For A Shinobi To Thrive
For much of his life, Choji's kindness has been a blessing and a curse. Although it means that he's much easier to get along with, it has held him back on the battlefield. This was seen in the Fourth Shinobi War when he hesitated to defeat Asuma. However, Choji has redeeming qualities that set him above a few of the 11.
His tremendous size and strength render him a powerhouse in his team and send opponents scattering with a single strike. He was also the first of the retrieval squad to risk his life against a member of the Sound Four in a duel.
8 Ino's Jutsu Make Her Essential To Konoha
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Ino's Mind Transfer and telepathic jutsu make her an essential member of the 11. After her father died in Madara's Tailed Beast bomb, she was the only person capable of relaying information between the Allied Shinobi Forces. Even after the war's conclusion, she retains a similar role of importance within the village.
Unlike Sakura, Ino's ability to get over Sasuke was also particularly cool. It demonstrated an emotional maturity that her former rival failed to match and made her a more fleshed-out character.
7 Neji Was A Difficult Opponent For Naruto To Overcome
Neji was a proficient melee fighter and one of the first major opponents Naruto defeated. He pushed the young hero to such an extent that he had to access Kurama's power to stand a chance. What makes Neji particularly cool is that he embodies the darker side of Konoha.
He is effectively a slave to the Hyuga clan, which helped to reinforce his concepts of predetermined greatness. However, he was relatively obscure in Shippuden, with his death being the only noteworthy thing that happened to him.
6 Tenten Was A Master Of Ninja Tools
A master of ninja tools and weaponry, Tenten proved her coolness in virtually every instance she appeared. Not only did she prove a decent threat against the Gold/Silver brothers, but the kunoichi was also one of the only characters to see past Madara's Infinite Tsukuyomi.
However, Tenten's irrelevance throughout the entire series weighs against her. Should she have been given as much screen time as Sakura or even Hinata, Tenten would have been able to prove how far ninja weapons could go on a ninjutsu-intensive battlefield.
5 Hinata Had An Amazing Character Arc
Hinata was one of the most dynamic characters in the entire series. Though debuting as a timid and frail girl, she proved herself in the Chunin Exams when fighting Neji until being knocked unconscious.
She demonstrated her courage a second time against Pain, where her invaluable palm technique bought Naruto the time he needed to recover. Few would have been able to hold the Akatsuki leader off as long in her position, and even fewer still would have been brave enough to. Nonetheless, Hinata's character falls short since her personality is almost non-existent without Naruto.
4 Naruto Was A Fearless & Likable Hero
As the series' main protagonist, it comes as no surprise that Naruto is one of the coolest characters in Konoha 11. Scrappy and determined, he was a natural underdog throughout most of his life. What makes Naruto stand out from most shonen heroes is that he is particularly inclined to forgive enemies.
Though taking sometimes absurd lengths to absolve them, Naruto's benevolence has ultimately paid off and even prevented the entire village from being wiped out. Despite Naruto's relatively binary view of good and evil, he is an awesome ally to have.
3 Shino Is A Cunning Master Of Insects
The only thing cooler and more terrifying than Shino's control of insects was his intelligence in using them. Even in his first fight against Zaku, he was smart enough to anticipate the villain's fake arm cast and prepare before the fight even began.
Moreover, Shino is extremely adaptable. He managed to infect Kankuro with bugs despite a difficult and wooded terrain that worked against his strengths. The only factor weighing Shino down is that he wasn't as developed as he could have been since he wasn't part of the Sasuke retrieval team.
2 Shikamaru Was A Brilliant & Level-Headed Tactician
A born leader, Shikamaru's shadow possession jutsu works extremely well with his intelligence. With Choji and Ino under his command, he is able to take out virtually anyone. What makes Shikamaru particularly cool is that most of his story revolves around rites of passage.
Although previously a lazy young ninja, he accepted responsibility after the deaths of Shikaku and Asuma. The latter's demise was so impactful that it even compelled him to seek revenge. When committed, Shikamaru was the only member of the 11 to defeat an Akatsuki member by himself.
1 Rock Lee Embodies Sheer Grit & Willpower
Without any ninjutsu or genjutsu, it seemed as if Rock Lee couldn't ever become a shinobi. However, he made up for these pitfalls by training exceptionally hard in taijutsu. Before long, the boy became so formidable that he was the first ever to land a hit on Gaara.
Rock Lee's underdog origins render him a cool every-man who the audience can relate to. Unlike Naruto, nothing has been handed to him. He works for every ounce of his strength and was even willing to undergo a life-risking surgery so that he could continue to perform. Lee's determination renders him the most awesome character in Konoha 11.