10 Pokémon That Resemble Naruto Characters

Like other forms of media, anime often draw from and inspire each other, and that is certainly true for Naruto and Pokémon.

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A resemblance in anime is bound to happen as artists draw inspiration from the world around them, both in nature and entertainment. Some resemblances can be direct homages while others are accidental. Barring crossovers, these homages are often the only way to bring representation from one series to another, expanding the community of the viewer base.

Pokémon is one franchise that is heavy on references to other anime, including popular series like Naruto. With over 900 Pokémon (including alternate forms and power-ups) there are plenty of similarities to the Naruto franchise. These resemblances can range from direct homages to myths to the general design and even lore similarities.

10 Ninetails Is Basically Kurama

Ninetails is a two-formed, majestic fox Pokémon that is designed after the mythical Kitsune of Japanese lore. In-universe, there are several explanations for this Pokémon’s power, including it being the combination of nine saints and it being able to both live for 1,000 years and curse those who touch it for 1000 years.

Kurama is the nine-tailed fox demon that dwells within Naruto, giving him immense chakra abilities. He is also based on the Kitsune and has the same color scheme as Vulpix, Ninetails’ prior form.

9 Incineroar Resembles Mizuki With Both Having Tiger Faces & Buff Bodies

Introduced as one of the final starter evolutions of Sun and Moon, Incineroar is a fire- and dark-type known to fight anyone at any time. It favors violence, with most of its Pokédex entries noting its fighting capabilities, such as ferocious punches and kicks. Its design is based on a heel, which is a wrestler that portrays the bad guy.

An actual bad guy, Mizuki is the kick-off for Naruto’s journey, convincing him to steal a forbidden scroll. Mizuki returns later, with a prototype cursed seal and a bad reaction to a potion, giving him his tiger look.

8 Hitmonlee & Rock Lee Are Both Named For Bruce Lee

Both characters have the honor of being named, at least in English, after Bruce Lee. Hitmonlee was introduced in Generation I, alongside Hitmonchan. It is a leg-heavy fighter, using kicks to complete most of its fighting. Its arms and legs appear to have a wrapped pattern, similar to bandages.

One of the Konoha 11, Rock Lee is a secondary character with a big personality in the Naruto franchise. He originally appears as a counter to Sasuke, then to Gaara and later Kimimaro. Known for some of the best fight scenes in the original Naruto series, Rock Lee also adorns bandages on his arms and legs, even using them to fight with.

7 Hariyama Resembles Choji Both Being Big Boys With Big Hands

Modeled after a sumo wrestler, Hariyama was introduced in Generation III as the fighting-type evolution of Makuhita. Its giant hands and Arm Thrust move make it a foe that refuses to be bested in combat.

Choji is another of the Konoha 11 from the newest version of the trio known as Ino-Shika-Cho. The Akimichi clan are known for their hefty body sizes and their own Jutsu of body expansion, including the often used Partial Multi-Size Technique, which Choji often uses to make his hands huge.

6 Infernape Is Monkey King: Enma On Fire

Another fire starter, Infernape is often referred to when discussing Pokemon that resemble other anime characters due to the prevalence of the Monkey King in Japanese stories. As the final evolution of the Sinnoh fire starter, Infernape has become a fan favorite, especially after receiving a strong story in the anime.

Monkey King: Enma is a summon belonging to the Third Hokage. A solid fighter and weapon when transformed into an ever-expanding staff, he is an aggressive and caring personality, especially when it comes to his master.

5 Shiny Phantump Emotionally Resembles Obito — Both Died As Children Then Became Wood

While they don’t share many similarities, other than having wood faces, the lore aspect of these two are quite similar. Phantump is a ghost- and grass-type Pokémon that is said to be, according to many Pokédex entries, the spirit of a child that died in the forest and inhabits a tree stump.

Obito on the other hand was a child ninja that, during the Third Shinobi World War died in a forest, only to be later merged with a wood-like material. His abilities evolved with his body, allowing him to use his Sharingan to make himself untouchable like a ghost and use Wood Release Jutsus.

4 Torkoal & Ningame Are Wise Tortoises

Torkoal is a fire-breathing tortoise that loves coal so much it will spend all of its time burrowing into coal mines. The anime often portrays Torkoal as aloof while noting that it acts like an old man, giving it a wise demeanor.

Tangentially related, Ningame is exactly what his name translates to, a Ninja Tortoise. The summon of Might Guy, Ningame is a wise tortoise that uses its shell for defense and offense as needed. He is especially useful when used alongside Might Guy’s powerful attacks.

3 Goomy & Katsuyu Are Acid-Spitting Slugs

Goomy is noted to be the weakest dragon-type Pokémon in multiple Pokédex entries. This slimy dragon is based on a slug and is covered in a mucus membrane that is apparently germ-filled. Though not actually a poison type, it passes on the move Acid Spray to Sliggo as an egg move.

Katsuyu has the honor of being the only slug summon to actually appear within the series. This being can split itself down and transfer both information and chakra to a wide range of ninja as seen during the Fourth Shinobi World War. Katsuyu doesn’t have many combat abilities but can spit acid.

2 Politoed & Gamatatsu Are Family Outcast Toads With Spiral Markings

Politoed was introduced in Generation II as a split evolution of the Poliwag line, using a Kings Rock instead of a water stone to evolve. This frog was introduced to give a clearer evolution from tadpole to frog, reflecting the real-world life cycle of frogs. It keeps the swirl pattern, but its color scheme is completely changed.

Gamatatsu is one of several summonses that aided Naruto in his journey to becoming a toad summoner and great ninja. The younger brother of Gamakichi, Gamatatsu also sticks out from his fellow toads, being yellow while the rest of his immediate family are a red-orange. He also has a spiral design on his chest.

1 Sandslash & Jiraiya Use Their Spikes To Attack & Defend

Sandslash is a ground-type Pokémon that is based on a pangolin, but also draws from the design of hedgehogs and porcupines, as reflected with its back of quills. These quills are used in both defense and offense, allowing Sandslash to remain protected while using moves like Rollout, similar to a certain blue hedgehog.

Jiraiya is one of the legendary Sanin and mentor to Naruto. Notably a foolish, but powerful, old man, he uses a variety of Jutsu. One of his most well-known abilities is using his hair in both offensive and defensive ways, similar to Sandslash, though Jiraiya can grow and retract his hair with ease.

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