The Ultimate List of Unstoppable Female Ninjas throughout History

Highlights

Female ninjas, or kunoichi, in anime have evolved from being solely seductive and sexualized to encompass a wide range of character types.

Legendary kunoichi like Sarutobi from Gintama and Sango from InuYasha tend to be underestimated by fans because of the large number of female ninjas in the anime realm. However, characters such as Konan from Naruto Shippuden and Yoruichi from Bleach possess exceptional abilities and talents, making them both formidable and captivating.

Kunoichi, the female counterparts of ninjas, have gained immense popularity among anime enthusiasts. While traditionally depicted as seductive and using their appearance as a weapon, anime has evolved to represent a diverse range of kunoichi characters. From fiery tsunderes to adorable and unaware danderes, or even cold-blooded assassins, their character designs still often cater to sexualization.

With the widespread success of ninja-themed anime like Naruto, it's not difficult to come across kunoichi characters. However, there are notable legendary kunoichi who are often overshadowed by the large number of female ninjas in the anime world.

10 Sarutobi - Gintama

Sarutobi, a multifaceted individual, embodies the qualities of a ninja, an assassin, and a server. During her time away from stealthily monitoring Gintoki or executing her targets, she dedicates herself to the Kunoichi Café. Adept with kunai knives and equipped with weaponized glasses in later arcs, she exemplifies exceptional precision. While her origins in the enigmatic Oniwabanshuu add to her mystique, it is important to note that her eyesight diminishes.

She first appears in episode one, but doesn't return until episode 22 when she becomes a regular supporting character.

9 Sango - InuYasha

Sango, while not officially recognized as a ninja in the world of InuYasha, possesses a skill-set and techniques that align closely with those of a kunoichi. Trained in a demon slayer village, she emerged as one of the most formidable warriors in her community. Notably, her arsenal includes smoke bombs, poison, and a massive boomerang referred to as Hiraikotsu. Making her debut in episode 24, Sango soon becomes a consistent presence in the series as she joins forces with Inuyasha and Kagome.

8 Konan - Naruto Shippuden

In Naruto Shippuden, Konan stands as a character often overlooked but possesses one of the most captivating jutsus within the entire franchise. Her mastery over paper enables her to create paper clones, replicate surroundings with paper, and even subdue adversary ninjas with paper-based maneuvers.

She was trained under Jiraiya, along with Nagato and Yahiko, and co-founded the Akatsuki. Her first appearance in Naruto Shippuden was in episode 125.

7 Kagero - Ninja Scroll Movie

Kagero, a specialist in poisons, serves as the poison tester for the Mochizuki clan. As a result, her body has accumulated a dangerous level of toxicity, making anyone who attempts to sleep or engage in any form of intimacy with her susceptible to its effects. Additionally, she possesses exceptional combat skills and is largely immune to poison. Kagero assumes a prominent role as one of the key protagonists in the film Ninja Scroll (1993).

6 Yoruichi - Bleach

Yoruichi is not only a retired soul reaper but also a master of kunoichi. Being the former captain of the 2nd division, she possesses exceptional power and stamina. Her repertoire of skills is diverse and some remain secretive, yet among the notable ones are her ability to transform into a cat, possess superhuman strength, and showcase superior hand-to-hand combat prowess.

Her first appearance is in episode 15, where she becomes a supporting character that aids Ichigo and Urahara throughout the series.

5 Shinobu - Ninja Nonsense

Shinobu, a trainee ninja, struggles with mastering her ninjutsu skills. This comedic anime guarantees plenty of laughs as Shinobu experiments with various ninja techniques. Though she may not be the most powerful kunoichi on this list, her amusing experiences and challenges in ninja school make her highly entertaining to watch.

As the central character in Ninja Nonsense, Shinobu first appears in episode one. This series cleverly satirizes the traditional kunoichi trope and the concept of ninjas in general, offering a fresh and unique take on the genre.

4 Tsubaki - Soul Eater

Tsubaki, a student at Death Weapon Meister Academy, is part of the Especially Advanced Talent (EAT) class. With a diverse range of abilities, she can transform her body into various weapons and possesses skills in martial arts, remarkable reflexes, and hand-to-hand combat. Additionally, she exhibits remarkable intelligence. Making her debut in episode two, Tsubaki plays an integral role as a regular supporting character in multiple significant story arcs.

3 Tsunade - Naruto & Naruto Shippuden

Tsunade, the legendary Sannin, stands as the fifth hokage in the Naruto series. Specializing in the art of medical ninjutsu, she is widely recognized as the finest practitioner in her field. Renowned for her immense physical prowess, Tsunade possesses unrivaled strength. Though known for her fiery temperament, she harbors a soft spot for her subordinates, particularly Naruto. Tsunade made her debut in episode 83 of Naruto and continued to be a pivotal character throughout both Naruto and Naruto Shippuden.

2 Yuzuriha - Hell's Paradise

Although Yuzuriha may not be adored by all Hell's Paradise fans due to her manipulative nature, her character development throughout the show unveils a more gentle side to her personality. Being one of the rare ninjas in the series, Yuzuriha effectively demonstrates her mastery of ninpou, utilizing her bodily fluids infused with ninpou and displaying remarkable reflexes when confronting the Tensen. Yuzuriha makes her debut in episode two, adhering faithfully to the traditional archetype of the seductive kunoichi.

1 Oboro - Basilisk

Oboro, known as the most iconic kunoichi of her time, claims to lack proficiency in swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and ninpou. However, she possesses a concealed weapon dubbed Mystic Eyes, which distinguishes her from other ninjas. Through eye contact, this extraordinary power enables her to neutralize any opponent's technique. Oboro makes her debut in episode one of Basilisk and assumes the role of one of the primary protagonists in the series.