Naruto, ten most underrated villains, in the anime, ranked. A long-running series like Naruto is bound to wind up with a wide cast of villains, not all of which as appreciated as they should be. The Naruto universe is frequently defined by its cast of unique and sinister villains. Each of them aggressively pursue their own ambition, whether attempting to spread a moral philosophy. Conquer the entire world and submerge it into a dreamlike state, or simply line their own pockets regardless of who suffers for it. Characters like Madara and Oro Chimaru are recognized for their amazing performances in the story. However, there are many other antagonists who receive much less credit than they deserve. A long-running series like Naruto is bound to wind up with a wide cast of villains, not all of which as appreciated as they should be. Ten Genjitsu Genjitsu was the second Mizukic, dying before the series started. While he may not be a malevolent person, he was introduced to the narrative as the resurrected Thrall of Kabuto and therefore an obstacle to the Allied Shinobi forces. Despite his attempts to destroy the Alliance, Genjitsu was surprisingly cheerful and offered his opponent suggestions in countering his own steam-based Jutsu. Given how ardently they struggled against him regardless of this advice, he became frustrated at their incompetence. 9. DOSU DOSU was the leader of his squad and a serious threat against Team 7 during the Tunean exam. His ruthlessness and unavoidable sound-based attacks were enough to bring Rock Lee to his knees albeit with the assistance of Zaku. Moreover, his match in the tournament was easily the shortest, defeating Choji in a matter of moments. Should DOSU not have met an untimely demise after attempting to assassinate Gara in the middle of the night, he would have had a more ample opportunity to unleash his full potential. 8. Gato Gato was a crime lord who hired Zabusa in order to assassinate the bridge builder. This would technically make him the main antagonist of the land of Waves arc, even if the missed demons fight against Kikashi was more pronounced. Gato is especially intriguing since his presence is indicative of a larger criminal underworld within the Naruto universe. This would later be hinted at again through the ambitions of Kakuzu though otherwise remains an unfortunately under-explored facet of the story. It makes sense that a world of ninja should include more hired mercenaries and their employers. 7. Hanzo the Salamander Like Gato, Hanzo was another of Kenoha's enemies who was not specifically a Shinobi. He earned his name of the Salamander through unleashing noxious poisons on his enemies. With few able to survive the effects of his fumes, he is a fascinating character both on account of his ability and the deceptively significant role he played in the story. Hanzo was responsible for Nagato's descent into villainy and was skilled enough to face down all three of the legendary Sandin at once. Unfortunately, his accolades are often unmentioned since he has few cannon fights to his name. 6. Kimomaro The devoted servant of Oro-Chimaru, Kimomaro's depth and ability were unfortunately cut short through the limited chance he had to prove himself. Outside of his Edo, Tensei reincarnation, his only battlefield was of the same grassy sword that he met his demise. Nonetheless, Kimomaro fought Naruto, Rock Lee, and Gara without rest and posed a grief as challenge against each of them. Despite the Kazakage's boundless power, he only narrowly managed to avoid being skewered by the Kekiai Genkai user's bone spikes. Additionally, the genocide against Kimomaro's people makes him a tragic villain and one easy to show empathy for. 5. Hyden Hyden is overlooked in favor of the Akatsuki's more popular members such as Daedara, Hitachi, and Payne. However, the immortal cultists acclaim in tales that he should receive more praise from his allies or revulsion from Kanoha for what he has achieved. The man was responsible for killing Asuma, a direct descendant of Hiruzan Saratobi, who had been considered to be the greatest ninja alive at his time. From a narrative perspective, this would also present a tremendous opportunity for Shikamaro to grow as a character, casting aside his idleness in order to pursue revenge for his sensei. 4. Raza Raza was a former Kazakage and Gara's father. His treatment toward the Jinturiki would scar him and create the same monster that he had hoped to save the sand village from. In this regard, he is a tragic and surprisingly complex villain. Considering that his actions resulted in Gara's bloodlust, the body count his son accrued can be indirectly placed on his shoulders. However, Raza would never properly redeem himself for his actions, even if his demise would be the closure the Kazakage needed to move on with his life. 3. Danzo Shimura Danzo's skill and narrative roles are both criminally underappreciated. He was second to becoming Hokage after Hiruzun Saratobi, who had been appointed by Toborama. Demonstrating his martial prowess through the wars he fought alongside the younger Senju. Shimura also had a direct role in the creation of many of the series villains. He killed Jihiko in front of Nagato. Turned Kabuto against his own adoptive mother and even engineered the Achiha genocide. The latter would bear calamitous results, ones that Naruto was narrowly able to thwart. 2. Black Setzu Black Setzu seemed like a footnote in the Aketsookie and he was introduced, making his inevitable betrayals all the more profound. He had accomplished what was presumed to be impossible. Using Naruto and Sasuke in order to usher in his mother's return. Further, the alien was directly responsible for manipulating and vanquishing Madara Achiha, an ninja arguably beyond the hero's ability in his enhanced state. Black Setzu was able to accomplish everything he set out to achieve, his only failure was on account of his mother's inability to defeat her opponents once given the chance. 1. Kabuto Too often overshadowed by his former mentor, Oro Chimaru, Kabuto's evolution throughout the series has been nothing short of astounding. Introduced as a somewhat capable medical ninja able to retreat from Kakashi, but not engage him in combat. Kabuto would later accrue enough power to overwhelm Achi and Sasuke simultaneously. Kabuto also had one of the most sophisticated and tragic character backstories, having suffered from Amnesia and a crisis of identity. After No No, the only woman holding his psyche together, had accidentally fallen at his hand, he grew resentful and bitter toward everything, eventually agreeing to serve Oro Chimaru in order to attain more power.