Summary
Every singleHokage has far surpassedtheir Kage counterparts, deeming them the strongest leaders within theNarutoseries. A culmination of strength, tenacity, and all-powerful jutsu lent the Hokage their place within the series, as these leaders were able to ravage enemies with their vast arsenals. Despite boasting such an expansive array of techniques and abilities, each Hokage eventually became known by a single technique that served as their signature jutsu, with the abilities becoming almost synonymous to their respective Hokage.
While some Hokage have obvious signature jutsu, such asMinato and Naruto, others have a balanced approach to their arsenals, making it rather tedious to pin down a signature jutsu. Differences in screen time between the Hokage serves as another reason why some possess vague arsenals while others are much more concrete. Nevertheless, analyzing every single Hokage’s fighting style and most common ability can shed some light on the matter, making it easier to establish each Hokage’s signature move.
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First Hokage Hashirama Senju — True Several Thousand Arms
Out of all the Hokage, Hashirama’s arsenal is the only one that has been explored in great depth and detail. With over ten different Wood Release techniques, Hashirama has an incredibly versatile repertoire of jutsu. Despite using all of his abilities almost equally, the True Several Thousand Arms technique stands asHashirama’s strongest and most reliable jutsuin battle.
The technique is arguably the strongest jutsu in the entireNarutoseries, with little to no counters to its wide-scale destruction. The ability serves as Hashirama’s trump card, and its cataclysmic nature was witnessed during his battle against Madara. Suffice to say, the True Several Thousand Arms jutsu embodies Hashirama’s true essence, easily making it his signature ability.
Second Hokage Tobirama Senju — Water Dragon Jutsu
As the genius of Konoha, Tobirama has been credited withinventing several of the Leaf’s forbidden techniques. Despite creating these techniques, he was never witnessed using them in battle. The only technique that Tobirama is seen relying on is his version of the Water Dragon Jutsu. This technique initially required 40 hand signs, deeming it the most complex jutsu of its time.
Tobirama was able to reinvent this technique by creating a version that only required 13 hand signs, increasing its efficiency by several folds. The Water Dragon Jutsu serves as the perfect counter to the Uchiha’s Fireball Jutsu, making it the only logical choice for Tobirama to rely on.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi — Summoning: Monkey King Enma
Hiruzen Sarutobi was bestowed with the title of ‘Professor,’ a moniker that originates from his knowledge of every single jutsu withinthe Hidden Leaf Village. However, this vast knowledge resulted in Hiruzen relying on a variety of techniques, making it quite arduous to pinpoint one specific signature move. His lack of fight scenes in the series doesn’t help his case either, as his only prominent battle was against Orochimaru during the Chunin Exams.
Based on that battle, Hiruzen’s most reliable technique is hisSummoning: Monkey King Enma, an ability that adds an equally powerful ally to the battlefield. Enma doubles as a sentient staff that Hiruzen can wield as a weapon, making this summoning quite versatile in battle. His reliance on Enma deems this summoning technique his signature jutsu.
Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze — Flying Raijin Jutsu
Minato Namikaze is renowned as the Yellow Leaf of the Flash, and this moniker is the result of his signature technique, the Flying Raijin Jutsu. Despite originally belonging to the Second Hokage, theFlying Raijin is vastly associated with Minato– and rightfully so as his efforts perfected the technique and enhanced it to its current form.
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The technique leaves a seal on any object permanently, and the caster can teleport to these seals instantaneously at will. The technique nullifies sensory and tracking jutsu, meaning enemies are entirely blindsided. Minato’s success as the Fourth Hokage can largely be attributed to the Flying Raijin, and his incessant usage of this technique easily deems it his signature jutsu.
Fifth Hokage Lady Tsunade — Hundred Healings Mark
As a medical-nin, Lady Tsunade’s offensive arsenal is rather limited, confining her to thefield of medical ninjutsu. However, one technique of hers has granted her the ability to fight on the front lines and even gain immortality for a brief duration – the Hundred Healings Mark. A concentration of chakra formed over years, the Hundred Healings Mark serves as an unlimited reservoir of chakra that can be tapped into at will.
This technique gave birth tothe Mitotic Regeneration Jutsu, an ability that stems from the Hundred Healings Mark and grants Tsunade the ability to heal all fatal wounds immediately. While this jutsu results in a form of pseudo-immortality for Tsunade, it also reduces her lifespan due to the forceful regeneration of cells.
Sixth Hokage Kakashi Hatake — Raikiri
Kakashi Hatake’s fighting style and techniques have evolved throughout Naruto’s run. From his reliance on the Sharingan to adapting to the loss of his Dojutsu, Kakashi is arguably one of the most versatile Hokage in terms of fighting styles. However, his most common ability remains the Raikiri, a technique that has maintained its primary position within Kakashi’s arsenal.
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After losing his Sharingan,Kakashi adapted the Raikiriinto a long-range technique, keeping the essence of the original intact. Some might argue that Kamui is a close contender for Kakashi’s signature ability. However, Kamui only made its debut in Shippuden, and Kakashi could only use the ability once or twice before passing out. After losing his Sharingan, the Kamui was no longer part of his arsenal, making Raikiri his sole signature jutsu.
Seventh Hokage Naruto Uzumaki — Rasengan
Throughout the series, Naruto has relied on only a handful of abilities consistently. In terms of his signature ability, two obvious contenders take center stage – theShadow Clone Jutsu and the Rasengan. While both abilities are equally apparent throughout the show’s run, the Rasengan has the upper hand as Naruto has reinvented this technique countless times with his various renditions of the original.
The Shadow Clone Jutsu is a close second, though it lags behind in terms of how often Naruto relies on the technique in battle. His shadow clones merely serve as ancillary aspects of his other techniques, such as forming the Rasengan. Keeping this narrative in mind, it becomes quite apparent that the Rasengan is the actual star of the show.
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