Niinja Ranks and Duties

Academy students (忍者学校性, Akademī-sei) make up the student body of the Ninja Academy, where they are trained and prepared for life as a shinobi. They are not an actual part of the shinobi force, as they are still in the process of mastering the very basics of the ninja lifestyle. However, they can be conscripted as part of the war potential in times of emergency.

Academy students spend their time honing the various skills they are required to have and undergoing various tests and exams to see how they progress. Besides ordinary school subjects such as history and mathematics, they are taught the basics of Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and most likely also Genjutsu. This includes learning about chakra and how to control it, tactics, hand seals, and several E-rank techniques, such as the Clone Technique and the Transformation Technique. They are also trained in working both individually and in teams.

Eventually they are given a graduation test to see if they are ready to try and become Genin. Passing this test does not mean automatically grant them this title, as they need to pass a second test given by their Jōnin instructor, but they do receive a forehead protector. Those who fail either of these tests are sent back to the Academy. The requirements for graduating vary from village to village. In Konohagakure, the Academy students simply have to show their proficiency in a randomly selected E-rank technique. (The highest Technique's available)


Genin (下忍, Genin; Literally meaning "Low Ninja", Meaning (Viz) "Junior Ninja") are the lowest level of ninja and also the ones that display the most difference in power. When they become Genin, ninja start to do their bit for their village's economy – being sent on missions that the village gets paid for. They are typically sent either on D-Rank missions, which are almost entirely risk-free jobs of manual labor, or, very rarely, on C-Rank missions, which are a cut above that and begin to verge on real "ninja" work that have a very low possibility of risk to the ninja involved. When Konohagakure was shorthanded in upper-level ninja because of the attack by Otogakure and Sunagakure, the village had to occasionally send Genin on higher-ranked missions.

Genin are put in four-man cells or squad, consisting of three Genin and a Jōnin-sensei, in order to learn teamwork and experience true ninja life under the supervision and protection of an elite shinobi. The make-up of these teams is based on the individual skills of the Genin, so that there will be a balance between the teams. Though Genin are relatively low-leveled ninja, they can progress to become a Chūnin, by successfully completing the Chūnin Exams, a set of difficult tasks made to test the skills of Genin to see whether or not they should be Chūnin. (The highest jutsu available to these ninja is B-rank)


Chūnin (中忍; Literally meaning "Middle Ninja", Meaning (Viz) "Journeyman Ninja") are ninja who are qualified to watch over and guide other ninja. Chūnin have reached a level of maturity that primarily consists of leadership skills and tactical prowess. This is because the genin who don't have the skills to become chūnin are weeded out in testing. Some of them, like Iruka Umino and Mizuki, function as Academy teachers and others, like Shikamaru Nara, serve as team leaders in charge of small teams who need to make decisions and utilize the skills of the shinobi under their command to the maximum effect. Chūnin are typically sent on C-rank or B-rank missions.

To become a chūnin, a genin participates in a large examination, known as the chūnin exams. The only exam seen in the series is a three-stage exam held in Konohagakure. Those who pass the test and become chūnin can wear an identifying flak jacket that holds ninjutsu scrolls. This vest is not mandatory; instead, some opt for more elaborate clothing like capes and robes.


Tokubetsu Jōnin (特別上忍, Tokubetsu Jōnin; English TV "Special Jōnin"; Literally meaning "Special High Ninja"; sometimes known as Tokujō for short) are ninja who, rather than all-around Jōnin training, have Jōnin-level ability in a single area or skill, much like warrant officers of real-world militaries. They are elite specialists in their areas and are often assigned as subordinates to regular Jōnin when their services are needed. One example of a Tokubetsu Jōnin would be Ibiki Morino, whose unique ability to completely understand the workings of the human mind makes him a Jōnin-level interrogation expert.


Jōnin (上忍, Jōnin; Literally meaning "High Ninja", Meaning (Viz) "Elite Ninja") are generally highly-experienced shinobi with great individual skill who serve as military captains. They are often sent on A-Rank missions, and experienced Jōnin may even be sent on S-Class missions (which are considered to be the greatest difficulty). It is not unusual for Jōnin to go on missions alone. Jōnin are generally able to use at least two types of elemental chakra, some genjutsu, and above-average taijutsu skills.

It is as of yet unknown what one has to undergo to become one. It is mentioned in the Naruto Anime Profiles databook that Jōnin are appointed, however there was mention of a Jōnin exam in the anime's Kurama filler arc. When a ninja becomes a Jōnin, they may be assigned three Genin to look over. One part of their duties is to help instruct and train these Genin to become competent ninja.


The ANBU (暗部, Dark Side), short for Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai (暗殺戦術特殊部隊, Special Assassination and Tactical Squad; English Version: ANBU Black Ops), take orders directly from the Kage, performing special high-level missions, such as assassinations and torture. The ANBU usually work in teams formed to the requirements of the mission, ensuring maximum success. The shinobi in the ANBU are hand-picked by the Kage; chosen for their individual capabilities and special skills. Age, gender, background, or previous rank bear no weight in this decision.

There are apparently no true ranks within the ANBU, as is the case with the regular forces. Team leadership and hierarchy seem to be based on merit and experience. The leaders of the teams are called squad leaders (分隊長, Buntaichō), a position held in high regards.
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ANBU tattoo
Fully-equipped ANBU

The ANBU wear porcelain animal masks in order to distinguish themselves from normal shinobi and to conceal their identities. They also have standard uniforms consisting of black and gray armor, metal arm guards, and a signature spiral tattoo on their left shoulder (female ANBU members have the tattoo located on their right shoulder to determine gender between the ANBU members). Some ANBU wear black cloaks over their standard uniforms, and squad leaders may wear white cloaks. All ANBU carry katana, which are usually strapped to their backs.
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ANBU are under direct control of their Kage. They protect the village from exceptional threats, conduct high-risk missions into enemy countries, and deal with extremely strong ninja. They are also responsible for carrying out assassinations, tracking, surveillance, and missions requiring specially trained ninja. Some ANBU serve as interrogators that probe the minds of enemy ninja to learn information valuable to the village. If an ANBU is mortally wounded in battle, they are required to destroy their bodies to prevent any information from getting into enemy hands.

In Konohagakure, there exists a special branch of the ANBU known as the Root. It was created and led by Danzō, who sends its members on missions that he believes will benefit Konoha. Root members are trained to abandon all forms of emotion in order to follow Danzō's orders unquestioningly. Root members also have a seal located on their tongue. This seal prevents a member from speaking about Danzō and Root. This is to ensure that, if a member ever leaves or gets captured, information regarding Root will not be leaked. During Pain's invasion of Konoha, Danzō instructed Root not to assist in the defense of the village.

ANBU have a detailed knowledge of the human body, and can use such jutsu as Temporary Paralysis Technique and Time Reversal Technique to take advantage of this.


Medical-nin (医療忍, iryō-nin) are ninja who specialize in medical treatment and use of medical-oriented jutsu to heal others. Becoming a medic-nin requires high intelligence and excellent chakra control. A medic-nin is trained to avoid getting injured in any way, for the reason that if they are injured, then there would be nobody to heal the other members of their team. Medic-nin accompany other ninja on high ranking missions to increase the survival rate of the squad.
The Konoha medical team symbol

Medical-nin make use of the Mystical Palm Technique, a technique used in surgery. It allows them to make precise incisions and then doubles as a means to heal a wound. For more serious injures, multiple medic-nin could combine their efforts with Healing Resuscitation Regeneration Technique to use a portion of the patient's own body as a medium to help the healing process.

The knowledge of a medic-nin can be used for a variety of purposes. Hana Inuzuka is a veterinarian that specializes in the treatment of ninken. Chiyo, in the past, used her medicinal knowledge to create deadly poisons. Her efforts were often counteracted by Tsunade, the greatest medical-nin in Konoha, who is renowned for being able to cure any ailment which is why some people refer to her not only as Konoha's greatest medical-nin but the world's greatest medical ninja.

Field medic-nin (Konoha field medic-nin at least), when in the field or on the battlefield, are equiped with Medical Pouches in order to carry medical supplies as well as their weapons.


A Kage (影; Literally meaning "Shadow") is the leader of one of the five most powerful Hidden Villages and generally are also the most powerful ninja in their respective villages. They are collectively known as the Five Kage (五影, Gokage). If a Kage has held their position for several decades, as was the case with the Third Hokage, younger ninja are likely to have become stronger than they are. In such cases, the Kage may retire and give the title to someone else; the title, once granted, is held permanently. This creates a case where there are two Kage at the same time, with only one of them actually active, as it was with the Third and Fourth Hokage. After the Fourth died, the Third came out of retirement.

The Kage stand equally with the rulers of their countries, oversee the activities of their villages, and are the leaders of ninja society. They typically are the ones who send the ninja teams out on their missions and make the decisions regarding the safety of the village. The five Kage are:

* The Hokage (火影; Literally meaning "Fire Shadow") of Konohagakure.
* The Kazekage (風影; Literally meaning "Wind Shadow") of Sunagakure.
* The Mizukage (水影; Literally meaning "Water Shadow") of Kirigakure.
* The Raikage (雷影; Literally meaning "Lightning Shadow") of Kumogakure.
* The Tsuchikage (土影; Literally meaning "Earth Shadow") of Iwagakure.

Although the village leaders of other hidden villages may be as strong or even stronger than any of the Kage, their villages have not earned enough recognition for them to bear this title. In the anime only Hoshigakure, it has unofficially dubbed each of its leaders the Hoshikage (星影; Literally meaning "Star Shadow"), signifying their ambition to be recognized as an equal to the five great villages. However, this title is a name only, and the five Kage do not recognize it as their equal as of yet.