Naruto Uzumaki is the main protagonist of the manga and anime series Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto. Born as the host of the Nine-Tailed Fox (Kurama), Naruto grew up as an orphan shunned by his village, Konohagakure (the Hidden Leaf Village). His journey from outcast to becoming the Seventh Hokage — the leader and strongest ninja of his village — is one of the most iconic coming-of-age stories in manga history. The Naruto franchise has sold over 250 million manga copies worldwide.
Naruto's early life was defined by loneliness and rejection. The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze (his father), sealed the Nine-Tailed Fox inside newborn Naruto to save the village, sacrificing himself and Naruto's mother, Kushina Uzumaki, in the process. The villagers feared and avoided Naruto because of the beast sealed within him. He channeled his pain into a burning desire to become Hokage, believing that earning the village's respect would end his isolation.
His signature abilities include the Rasengan, a powerful spinning chakra sphere taught to him by his mentor Jiraiya, and the Shadow Clone Jutsu, which allows him to create hundreds of solid copies of himself. Throughout the series, Naruto unlocks increasingly powerful forms: Sage Mode (drawing on natural energy), Nine-Tails Chakra Mode (harnessing Kurama's power), Six Paths Sage Mode (after receiving power from the Sage of Six Paths), and finally Baryon Mode, his most powerful and most dangerous transformation.
Naruto's character development is driven by his bonds with others — particularly his rivalry and friendship with Sasuke Uchiha, his mentorship under Jiraiya and Kakashi Hatake, and his teammates Sakura Haruno and the rest of Team 7. His willingness to never give up on people, even enemies, is his defining trait. He ultimately convinced Sasuke to return to the village, defeated Kaguya Otsutsuki in the Fourth Great Ninja War, and was inaugurated as the Seventh Hokage.
In the sequel series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Naruto serves as Hokage while navigating fatherhood with his son Boruto and daughter Himawari. The series explores the tension between Naruto's responsibilities as a leader and his desire to be present for his family. Naruto's cultural impact extends far beyond anime — his 'believe it!' catchphrase, his ninja run, and his story of perseverance have become globally recognized symbols in pop culture.
