Naruto is one of the most popular shonen series, and deservedly so. The show is full to the brim with memorable characters, excellent worldbuilding, a riveting story, and some of the best battles in shonen history.
While the amazing jutsu present in the show are easily one of the biggest draws of the series, one can't fail to mention the ninja tools used in the series as well. After all, one of Naruto's first iconic moments came from a ninja tool that has become famous in its own right. Suffice to say, that ninja tool will be touched upon in this list, along with several others.
Updated on April 9, 2022 by Ritwik Mitra: In the world of Naruto, shinobi need to be on top of their game to weed out threats, defend their village, and carry out time-sensitive missions whenever the need arises. As a result, these ninja need to have the best equipment available to deal with most threats with ease. This is where ninja tools come into the picture, allowing for more depth to a shinobi's combat skills as they combine their natural talent with these external tools to maximize their effectiveness in combat. The best tools ever seen in the series are mentioned below.
15 Smoke Bomb
The smoke bomb in Naruto might not damage enemies. However, it's the prime tool used by the ninjas of this world when they need to plan out a sneaky escape.
The fact that a single smokescreen can confound even the highest level ninja around is a testament to how useful the smoke bomb is. It's easily one of the most valuable tools in any shinobi's arsenal.
14 Shuriken
The shuriken is a classic ninja tool that most people are already be familiar with, even those who do not watch anime. Suffice to say, a ninja story that didn't incorporate this tool would be nothing short of heresy.
Seeing these ninja tools used extensively by the ninjas in Naruto is quite a treat. They might not cause all that much damage, but their utility in any battle between two high-level ninja is impressive regardless. It's thrilling to see them in action.
13 Kunai
For the most part, the kunai appears pretty similar to the shuriken. Both these tools are great for long-distance attacks, although their power isn't all that great.
However, the kunai edges out the shuriken because it has close-combat applications as well. Skilled ninja can use this tool for both close-quarters and ranged combat, making it infinitely more valuable in any given situation.
12 Demonic Flute
The Demonic Flute had a ton of promise when it was initially introduced, but the fact that it only lasted for one situational encounter was pretty unimpressive. This is to be expected, given that Naruto's focus shifted from genjutsu to flashy ninjutsu battles over time, rendering this tool obsolete.
The Demonic Flute allowed users to cast powerful genjutsu based on what tune was emanating from the instrument. Tayuya used this tool during the Sasuke Retrieval arc to great effect but was ultimately cut down by a powerful attack from Temari.
11 Sealing Tag
The Sealing Tag is one of the more basic tools on this list, but the task it accomplishes is massive. After all, not many ninja tools can boost the power of restraining some of the most powerful ninja of all time.
The Sealing Tag was used to great effect during the Fourth Shinobi World War arc, where the Allied Forces used this tag to stop the resurrected ninja from wreaking havoc. Most people could argue that this was the most frequently used ninja tool in the entire series, especially given the length of Naruto's final arc.
10 Barrier Tag
Sometimes, a great offense is a good defense. This is personified by the Barrier Tag, which is important to protect sensitive locations from enemy threats.
This Tag was seen few and far between in the series but did a pretty decent job in every outing. Attacking forces needed to disable this Barrier almost all the time before a proper offense could actually be mounted.
9 Explosive Tag
Out of all the tools on this list, the explosive tag certainly boasts a higher degree of power. Audiences need only look at its explosive aftermath to understand why this is the case.
However, the delayed nature of the explosion coupled with the rather obvious use of the explosive tag ends up leading to major drawbacks. It takes a massive ruse to make an experienced ninja suffer the effects of an explosive tag. Even then, it won't be nearly enough to put them down for the count.
8 Blood Increasing Pill
The Blood Increasing Pill is one of the most powerful ninja tools on this list, although its efficiency depends on the strength of the individual taking it. Ninja who have lost a ton of blood in battle can use this pill to regain their strength once again.
It's an imperative tool in the heat of battle, since it essentially lets shinobi become battle-ready once again. It's a shame that this tool's relevance was slowly lost over time.
7 Chakra Blade
Asuma's amazing chakra blade didn't really see much use over the course of Naruto, following his untimely death. However, there's no denying that these chakra blades are still extremely powerful when used correctly.
It's a shame that this tool became a forgotten relic over time. In the right hands, the amount of damage this blade could have potentially unleashed would be nothing short of incredible, especially during the Fourth Shinobi World War.
6 Fuma Shuriken
The Fuma Shuriken is one of the most iconic weapons in Naruto. One of its most notable uses in the series was during the fight against Zabuza. In this battle, Sasuke and Naruto combined their attacks to distract the Swordsman of the Mist, and helped Kakashi escape from his water prison.
Other notable moments featuring the Fuma Shuriken include the detachable shuriken that Sasuke used against Itachi, as well as its application in the fight against Momoshiki. Clearly, Kishimoto has a soft spot for this tool, with the Rasenshuriken's shape also being inspired by this weapon.
5 Puppet
Out of all the shinobi tools around, the puppets used throughout the series are among the most notable. Characters like Sasori, Kankuro, and Chiyo are all puppet users on the show whose use of this tool stands out.
The idea of using chakra to control these mechanical dealers of death is one of the most innovative ways to deal damage in the show. It's a shame that these puppets ended up becoming less and less relevant over the course of Naruto.
4 Chakra Cannon
The idea of a cannon being powered by nothing more than chakra sounds positively ludicious. However, in the world of Naruto, anything is possible... including the idea of a Chakra Cannon itself.
The fact that this Chakra Cannon was mainly used to destroy the moon before it hit Earth was somewhat of a letdown, but this Cannon has made sporadic appearances ever since. It's clearly powerful, with its beams of chakra possibly being able to mow down human enemies with relative ease.
3 Kinkaku & Ginkaku's Tools
Neither Kinkaku nor Ginkaku managed to make a major splash in the world of Naruto. However, the ninja tools they procured were definitely noteworthy, and worthy of inclusion on this list.
The Bashosen, Benihisago, Kokinjo, and Shichiseiken are all great tools in their own right, and deserve a shoutout in discussions of the series' great ninja tools. These tools were so dangerous that Tenten decided to hang them up as display weapons in her shop, never to be used ever again.
2 Shinobi Gauntlet
The Shinobi Gauntlet made waves in Boruto. It was introduced as a tool that could allow users to utilize high-level jutsu, without really needing the abilities required for it. The amazing caliber of jutsu that Boruto could pull off with this gauntlet was nothing short of incredible.
In fact, the power of this scientific ninja tool was so immense that Naruto outright banned it from use in the Chunin Exams, and rightfully so. After all, it allowed unworthy ninja to attain a leg-up over their competitors, who were playing it fair.
1 The Seven Ninja Swords Of The Mist
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are legendary in their own right; thus, it would only make sense that the swords they used would be notable as well. These seven swords definitely don't disappoint in that regard.
The Hiramekarei, Kabutowari, Kiba, Kubikiribocho, Nuibari, Shibuki, and — the most notable of them all — the Samehada are all excellent and powerful weapons in the right hands. It's easy to see why any ninja wielding one of these swords would be a force to be reckoned with.