But we must not forget that it’s nakama power that’s the essence of anime! So this ranking takes a little spin on things, looking into a handful of unique anime characters that Naruto might actually form a friendship with. Let’s see what we’ve got:
15. All Might
Anime: My Hero Academia If you really think about it, Naruto would probably idolize this guy even more than Deku. Not only is he the strongest around, like a Hokage, but he’s also a literal saint that makes everyone feel secure. And you already know that he would help little Naruto out regardless of the whole demon fox situation. And if we take a step forward and talk about adult Naruto, these two would be like two peas in a pod. The scene where Naruto saves Boruto and looks back at him with a smile is an extremely All Might thing to do – so I have no doubt they would be the vigilante daddies of their city or village. After the last Boruto episode, they can even reminisce together at their lost power and the hope they have for the next generation.
14. Joseph Joestar
Anime: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure If we’re talking about Naruto Shippuden, I think Joseph would remind Naruto of his former pervy sage sensei way too much – and that he would instantly become attached. Plus, Joseph is such a troll that I could see the two of them pranking each other on a daily basis, while subtly talking about Sasuke and Caesar. Joseph is almost never serious. So I doubt he would ever harsh Naruto’s mellow. And Naruto is rather agreeable as it is, so their friendship is more than likely in my mind.
13. Leorio Paladiknight
Anime: Hunter x Hunter (2011) I bet most of you thought I would put Gon on here. But I actually think that Leorio is a much better fit. Because when you really think about it, Gon is unhinged as hell, while Naruto hasn’t killed anyone in his life. And Naruto can only have so many Sasukes hanging around. Leorio, on the other hand, would be that loud-mouthed beam of positivity that young Naruto desperately needed. If Naruto had a Leorio in his youth, that would hug him the way he hugged Gon when he got out of the hospital, we would have seen quite fewer empty swing scenes with sadness and sorrow in the background. Leorio is the truest friend in the entire series – and I think Naruto would be instantly drawn to that quality.
12. Inosuke Hashibira
Anime: Demon Slayer This friendship would just be hilarious if I’m being honest. Inosuke is competitive to the bitter end. And I think a younger Naruto would have vibed with this mentality. Just like he had his first round of bonding with Sasuke when they were both learning to climb trees, Inosuke would always be there to push Naruto further and encourage him through some very loud banter. From the outside looking in, it would probably look like they hated each other. But realistically they would become best buds in a matter of no time.
11. Shigeo Kageyama
Anime: Mob Psycho 100 Mob and Naruto would just understand each other on such a fundamental level that I think they would be each other’s rock. Mob, just like young Naruto, hated his inner power and wanted nothing more than to find his own strength and his own life – fearing that his overwhelming power might hurt those around him. Naruto was exactly the same before he finally befriended Kurama. So I think they could keep each other in-check, and feel just a bit less lonely knowing there’s someone with the exact same predicament. Although I will say that Mob would die if he started actually training with Naruto.
10. Meliodas
Anime: The Seven Deadly Sins Meliodas has a lot of the same qualities as Mob, in regards to understanding Naruto’s suffering when it comes to Kurama. They both have rage amps that make them lose control. And both try to keep an optimistic outlook on life. But even outside of that stuff, I think the two would still get along. They’re both competitive, easy-going, and enjoy a good fight. Hell, they can even both create clones! And if we’re really looking deep into it, they’re even of a similar power-level – meaning that they could always spar and train together, which is prime shounen bonding time.
9. Garou
Anime: One Punch Man I’m just going to say it: Garou would be the new Sasuke, and Naruto would instantly make it his life goal to befriend him. Garou’s dark philosophy mixed with a desire to prove a point (and not just needless murder) would make him a prime candidate for talk no jutsu treatment. And Naruto would manage to get through to him. After all, Naruto is the person Garou wanted to see in life – a hero who befriended a monster. We already know that Garou is rather noble on the inside. So having his dark side washed away would create a very natural hero, and he would more than likely cling to Naruto like the best friend he never had.
8. Riki Nendou
Anime: The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. This one isn’t really as deep as some of the other choices in this list, but it’s just as valid. Nendou is extremely dumb, extremely lovable, and an extreme fan of ramen. I can easily see these two going to a ramen shop every single day and discussing the stupidest of topics with the passion of proud public speakers. Naruto would probably feel a sense of relief too, as he would be the smart one for once in his life. And Nendou would just be over the moon that someone wants to eat ramen every single day. You can’t tell me you wouldn’t want to see these two knuckleheads together!
7. Eren Yeager
Anime: Attack on Titan A young Eren and a young Naruto would be among the loudest, most passionate shounen duos in history. For every “I will become Hokage” you would hear an “I will kill all the Titans” in return. They would spend every day training and shouting about their beliefs, while subtly being glad that someone is as passionate as they are. And then when season four Eren comes around, you guessed it, he would become the new Sasuke and Naruto would chase him with a boombox while “you are my friend” is playing at full blast.
6. Natsu Dragneel
Anime: Fairy Tail There’s one fact I think most of you knew before even reading this list: Shounen protagonists would generally get along with other shounen protagonists. Being that Natsu is a loudmouth, headstrong warrior dude who loves nothing more than to talk about his friends, he would make for a perfect friend for Naruto. They would probably disagree and tease each other quite often – but it would just be that kind of friendship. Sparring together, complaining about their emo boyfriends, giving motivational speeches, these two would have plenty of time to bond and become the best of friends.
5. Kamina
Anime: Gurren Lagann Kamina is the type of dude that Naruto could have really used in his youth. Kamina believes in everyone – and is one of only few anime characters in the world who could talk no jutsu Naruto himself. He would make a young Naruto feel confident and wanted, while completely ignoring the whole Kurama thing. Just like a young Simon, Naruto would grow to adore Kamina, and would likely treat him as an older brother – staying by his side as they face their next adversary. And could you even imagine if these two joined their persuasion skills on the battlefield? They would probably talk away the entire Great Ninja war.
4. Monkey D. Luffy
Anime: One Piece Another prime example of the shounen buddy system is Luffy. Just like Naruto, this dude loves to stuff his face, raise his fists, and adamantly ignore any female advancement that’s thrown his way (as they just bounce off that thick skull of his). Plus, if we’re talking about a slightly older Naruto, I think these two would really appreciate each other as leaders – both knowing that it’s no walk in the park when your friends’ lives depend on you.
3. Asta
Anime: Black Clover Episode 1 Naruto and Asta would have been the most annoying, but also most wholesome duo ever. Being that Asta had no powers whatsoever and Naruto had the talent of a fig branch, the two would scream their ideals at each other, while subtly being glad that there’s someone else like them out there. And once they both go all demonic, their friendship would grow even further, since they’d have even more in common. They could definitely train together, because god knows they both love doing it. And they could scream together and eat half a restaurant together. Plus they’re even both orphans! Man, is it me or are these two a bit too similar?
2. Son Goku
Anime: Dragon Ball Z It really doesn’t take much effort to get along with Goku. As long as you love to eat, love to fight, and have no idea how women function, you’re on the right track! Looking towards the future a bit, Goku & Naruto even both struggle with the whole “being a parent” thing. So I can totally see them sharing a pint and talking about their young prodigies and how strong they are. Or about how their wives can totally kick their butts. Or how their best friends used to be villains. The topics just keep lining up, if you think about it.
1. Satoru Gojou
Anime: Jujutsu Kaisen Ever since Jujutsu Kaisen started airing, people have compared Gojou to Kakashi. And while I do agree that their designs are extremely similar, I think Naruto would have loved Gojou as a sensei even more than Kakashi! I know, hot takes all around. Not only is Gojou the strongest dude around, but he also knows how to keep things fun, and how to train his students without having extremely long and boring lectures. If Gojou saw a young Naruto defacing the Hokage statues and drawing moustaches on them, I’m pretty sure that he would just join in on the fun. He would be like the perfect mix of Kakashi and Jiraiya.
