Naruto has some great characters in its roster, but we’re not only talking about the human ones—we’re also talking about the powerful beasts that form the core of the series’ lore. The Tailed Beasts, or Bijuu, are chakra monsters with immense power, each with their own personality, backstory, and unique abilities. One of the best twists in the series was seeing all of them come together, not as enemies, but in mutual understanding. While these moments were rare, they reminded fans just how meaningful their presence was to Naruto’s world.

Despite their shared origins, not all Tailed Beasts are equal in of strength. From the mischievous One-Tail to the awe-inspiring Nine-Tails, each beast has unique abilities that affect their ranking. Some are more battle-savvy, while others possess immense chakra wells or elemental dominance. It's hard not to wish the filler episodes had explored more peaceful moments of them bonding together.

9 Saiken (Six-Tails)

The Strangest But Still Powerful of the Tailed Beasts

Saiken is a giant white slug with an unusual but dangerous ability. He uses Water Release and can produce strong, corrosive slime and bubbles that trap or damage enemies. His gooey attacks can disrupt chakra control, making him tricky to fight. Using his power, Utakata, his Jinjuriki, may have lost and stood no chance, but he didn't easily give in during his battle against Pain.

What makes Saiken different is his strange form and battle style that doesn't rely on brute strength; his acid and trapping moves can turn a fight around at a moment's notice. Moreover, Saiken's soft body gives him flexibility, making it hard for enemies to capture him. In the anime, his attacks stopped several shinobi from getting close, giving him time to recover or counterattack. Saiken may look weird, but his power is nothing to laugh at.

8 Shukaku (One-Tail)

Himawari's Favorite Tailed Beast

Shukaku, also known as the One-Tail, is strongly linked with sand and seals. Its Sand Manipulation allows it to fight without moving, using massive waves and shields of sand to attack and defend. In the anime, Gaara used Shukaku's power during the Chūnin Exams to crush his enemies and protect himself with an automatic sand shield. This made Shukaku dangerous in defense, though it lacked the raw force that the stronger beasts showed later.

Unlike the other Tailed Beasts, Shukaku focuses more on sealing techniques than raw chakra blasts. Its strength lies in control and defense rather than pure destruction. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Shukaku’s unique abilities played a key role in ing Gaara’s squad, though even then, outside help was needed against larger threats. While not the strongest in direct combat, Shukaku remains valuable for its strategic powers. Even in Boruto, Shukaku continues to make appearances, not only showcasing its battle abilities but also winning fans over with surprisingly adorable moments, especially with Naruto and Hinata’s daughter, Himawari.

7 Matatabi (Two-Tails)

Among All Tailed Beasts, She Is the Most Graceful and Fierce

Matatabi is a fiery, cat-like beast covered in blue flames that never burn out. She moved fast and struck hard, using her Fire Release to wipe out enemies in seconds. Her chakra is wild and dangerous, making her a strong tailed beast even when sealed. In Naruto: Shippuden episode #325, when Tobi controls her during the Fourth Great Ninja War, her fire attacks push Naruto and Killer Bee to the edge, making them pull out all of the stops in order to combat her on an even scale.

What makes Matatabi special is her grace and raw flame power. She doesn't just burn things; she storms through the battlefield with incredible speed and heat. Her elegant appearance and calm demeanor reveal that she’s more than a creature rampaging through a fight. She carries herself with pride and honor. Matatabi may be second in number, but her combination of speed and firepower places her above many others. Matatabi’s personality further enhances her presence, as she’s polite, respectful, and addresses others with honorifics, showcasing her refined and dignified nature, even when introducing herself to Naruto.

6 Kokuō (Five-Tails)

The Calm Yet Powerful Tailed Beast

Kokuō is a mix of a horse and a dolphin, and he holds the power of steam and brute strength. His special ability, called Boil Release, lets him superheat his chakra to boost his physical attacks. Kokuō charges like a massive bull, which can crush even the strongest ninja defenses. During the Fourth Great Ninja War in episode #325, Kokuō thrusts and pushes Gyukki back a substantial distance away from itself.

What sets Kokuō apart from other tailed beasts is its unique balance of speed and power. While it may not be as flashy as some of the other beasts, Kokuō’s hits pack a punch, enough to push back Naruto and Bee when they face off in their tailed beast forms. Calm and quiet, Kokuō lets its raw strength speak for itself, a testament to its understated yet formidable power. Among all the tailed beasts, Kokuō's composure and measured approach make it stand out.

5 Son Goku (Four-Tails)

Could Have Been One of the Most Terrifying Tailed Beasts if Given the Chance

Son Goku, the Four-Tails, is a powerful and intimidating Tailed Beast known for his brute strength with fiery attacks. His main ability is the Lava Release, which combines both fire and earth chakra to unleash molten lava, capable of melting through almost anything. This makes Son Goku particularly dangerous in close combat, where his powerful physical strikes and lava attacks can overwhelm opponents. During his fight against Naruto and Killer Bee in Naruto: Shippuden episode #325, he barely hit Naruto, yet still inflicted damage due to high heat.

Son Goku’s name is based on an iconic character from a Chinese novel, Journey to the West, known as Sun Wukong or, as he’s more commonly known, The Monkey King. Although never confirmed, it’s speculated that this was a not-so-subtle nod from Kishimoto to the incredibly popular anime series, Dragon Ball, and fellow creator.

Despite his strong abilities, Son Goku is not as versatile as other Tailed Beasts, especially in ranged combat. His strength is primarily based on his physical prowess and ability to create destructive lava flows. However, his lack of speed and agility limits his overall combat potential compared to other Tailed Beasts like Kurama or Gyuki. Even so, Son Goku’s fiery nature and destructive force make him a significant threat on the battlefield, especially when fighting in close quarters.

4 Isobu (Three-Tails)

The Most Timid of All the Tailed Beasts

Isobu is a giant turtle-like beast with a spiky shell and three powerful tails. He uses Water Release and can create giant coral and water bombs that trap or crush enemies. Though he looks slow, his defenses are among the best, making him difficult to harm in battle. This was shown in Naruto: Shippuden episode #96, where it took a whole team, including Naruto, to fight him when he was loose, and even then, they barely won.

Isobu is different because of his strong defense and surprise power. He can spin into his shell and charge at enemies, creating shockwaves and causing massive damage in his wake. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Tobi used Isobu to crash into opponents, proving how quietly powerful and durable he is. Interestingly, Isobu speaks in a timid tone and refers to himself using “boku”, a pronoun often used by young boys, hinting at a gentle nature. It is something that matched well with Yagura, who always remained in full control and even formed a strong bond with him.

3 Chōmei (Seven-Tails)

The Seven-Tails Could Have Been a Great Help in the Fourth Great Ninja War

Chōmei is the only tailed beast that can fly, with a beetle-like body and wings. He uses Wind Release and shoots powerful chakra blasts from the air, hitting enemies from long distances. His flight gives him a huge edge, letting him dodge attacks and strike from above. Moreover, its evasiveness gives it a strong battlefield advantage.

What sets Chōmei apart is his mobility and ranged skills. He may not be the strongest up close, but he's hard to catch and strikes fast. Although the fight was not shown, Fū, Chōmei's Jinjuriki, encountered Hidan and Kakuzu in Naruto: Shippuden episode #413. Those two can be considered the most brutal of the Akatsuki. Chōmei's style is about speed and smart strikes, and it is safe to assume he didn't easily give up in the battle.

2 Gyūki (Eight-Tails)

The Coolest Tailed Beast

Gyūki, also known as the Eight-Tails, is a giant ox with tentacles like an octopus. He is one of the smartest tailed beasts and partners well with Killer Bee, his Jinchūriki. He uses Ink and Lightning Release, and his brute strength is second only to Kurama. He is also one of the tailed beasts that went head-to-head against Kages. In Naruto: Shippuden episode #244, Gyūki often went on a rampage, and it would take the Third Raikage and his elite ninjas to stop him.

Moreover, in episode #301, Gyūki revealed the Third Raikage’s most humiliating defeat was against him, which was an intense battle where the Raikage injured himself from exhaustion. Gyūki’s impact on the battlefield is undeniable, combining brute strength, tactical skill, and versatility. He can trap enemies with ink, fire destructive beams, and overwhelm foes with his massive tentacles. Aside from Kurama, Gyūki had the most screen time among the tailed beasts, and his fun, brotherly bond with Killer Bee gave the series comic relief.

1 Kurama (Nine-Tails)

Aside from Sasuke, He Has One of the Best Character Developments

Kurama is the most famous and powerful of all the tailed beasts. His chakra is massive, and his attacks, like the Tailed Beast Bomb, can flatten entire landscapes. Kurama starts as a fierce, angry beast, but his bond with Naruto changes him into a true ally. During the war, Kurama’s full strength turns Naruto into one of the most powerful shinobi ever.

Kurama’s power isn’t just about size, it’s how he changes the tide of war. In the anime, when Naruto and Kurama finally fight together as one, their speed, strength, and healing power become nearly unstoppable. His battle against Madara and Kaguya shows he’s more than just a tailed beast, he’s a symbol of hope. Kurama's journey from fearsome beast to Naruto's partner is what makes him the strongest creature in Naruto to this day.