Every ninja in Naruto has key qualities defined by their clan, techniques, fighting styles, or personality. Some ninjas even take traits from the animal their character is based on.
Similarly, the Chinese Zodiac is made up of twelve different animals who each represent specific birth years and personality traits. By combining the worlds of Naruto and the Chinese Zodiac, twelve ninjas can be paired with the animal sign that best suits their personalities.
12 YEAR OF THE RAT: Kakashi
Rats may be small, but they're quick and sharp when it comes to getting themselves out of sticky situations.
Kakashi makes for a suitable rat because his mind is very sharp and he always seems to be able to talk his way out of things. For instance, in the early days of Team Seven, he would casually show up late and blame it on getting "lost on the path of life," and his students couldn't argue with an excuse like that.
11 YEAR OF THE OX: Sasuke
Known for their stubbornness, an ox will stick to whatever it is that keeps them motivated. If anyone's going to accomplish a lifelong goal, it's them.
Since the murder of his clan, Sasuke's full focus was on revenge. All of his training and tough battles were in preparation for defeating his brother, Itachi, once and for all. Though it did not go exactly as planned, Sasuke eventually achieved that goal.
10 YEAR OF THE TIGER: Guy
Tigers know how to be confident, courageous, and cool. They also possess a competitive fighting spirit that fuels them for success.
Might Guy is someone who certainly possesses the heart of a tiger. As a master of taijutsu, hard work, and passion, Guy can confidently pummel his opponents with style.
9 YEAR OF THE RABBIT: Iruka
Rabbits are down-to-earth individuals who not only treat others with compassion but also are sincere about it. They believe in doing the right thing, which is perhaps why others have a lot of respect for them.
While the whole village shunned Naruto for having a demon sealed inside of him, it was his academy teacher, Iruka who showed him love and compassion as a fatherly figure. Without Iruka, Naruto would have had a much darker childhood.
8 YEAR OF THE DRAGON: Naruto
As mythical creatures, dragons have a way of inspiring others with their kind hearts and unwavering spirits. They serve as a symbol of bravery.
From the very beginning, Naruto's dream was to become Hokage, someone who the entire village looks up to. Slowly but surely, Naruto won over the hearts of the villagers with his fighting spirit.
7 YEAR OF THE SNAKE: Orochimaru
Snakes are clever yet mysterious animals who know how to get what they want. They might come across as sneaky, but they usually mean well.
As someone who acts and looks like a snake (and in some cases is a literal one), nobody in the cast is a better fit for this Chinese Zodiac animal than Orochimaru. He's smart and sneaky, while his sharp eyes and long tongue totally resemble the snakes that he can conveniently summon.
6 YEAR OF THE HORSE: Lee
Horses love to run free, which means they will charge into anything at full force while following their own path.
Lee is an extremely passionate ninja who always gives it his all while training. While he does not utilize genjutsu or ninjutsu like most ninja, he is more than okay with putting all his effort into perfecting his powerful taijutsu.
5 YEAR OF THE SHEEP: Hinata
Out of all the Chinese Zodiac signs, sheep are associated with the softest traits-calm, peaceful, and possibly a tad shy.
The gentlest Naruto character has to be Hinata, whose clan is coincidentally known for their Gentle Fist technique. But aside from combat, she is the sweetest and shyest ninja who always wishes the best for others.
4 YEAR OF THE MONKEY: Konohamaru
Monkeys are witty folks with a lot of energy and a good sense of humor. They often come with a curiosity that allows them to learn and grow with ease.
As a member of the Sarutobi Clan, Konohamaru already has a close association with monkeys. The "saru" in Sarutobi literally translates to "monkey," and Konohamaru has been shown to summon monkeys in the anime. Aside from that, Konohamaru's curiosity and admiration for Naruto made him a witty prankster just like his idol.
3 YEAR OF THE ROOSTER: Sakura
Roosters are independent and hardworking individuals who know how to stay focused on the task at hand. While others might be goofing off, roosters will remain responsible and work as efficiently as possible.
Amongst the Team Seven members, Sakura was often the responsible one who had to keep Naruto and Sasuke in check. While her teammates were too busy competing against each other, Sakura would urge them to take it down a notch so that they wouldn't kill each other between missions.
2 YEAR OF THE DOG: Akamaru
As man's best friend, dogs are loyal until the end of time. They, of course, make the perfect partners in crime.
Multiple ninja dogs show up through the course of the series, but the most famous dog of them all is Akamaru, Kiba's adorable partner. Akamaru not only battles alongside Kiba, but also remains his closest friend.
1 YEAR OF THE PIG: Ino
Contrary to the negative connotations associated with pigs, they are actually compassionate and diligent individuals with a goal-oriented mindset.
When Sakura called Ino a "pig," there was more meaning behind it than one would assume. Like the Sarutobi and Inuzuka clans, the Yamanaka clan is associated with a certain animal: the pig. This plays into Ino's goal-oriented nature in which she always strives to be better than Sakura.
