Quick TakeArticle at a glance
- The best Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections characters pull from a roster of over 130 fighters spanning both series, built up through five Season Pass DLC drops and a free August 2026 update that finally made original character Nanashi Uchiha playable.
- CyberConnect2 built this as a celebration of the franchise's 20th anniversary, and the roster has kept growing nearly 34 months after its original November 2023 launch.
- Here's the context worth knowing before you take any Storm Connections tier list at face value: this isn't a tournament-balanced fighter like Street Fighter or Tekken, so there's no EVO bracket data to rank characters by.
The best Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections characters pull from a roster of over 130 fighters spanning both series, built up through five Season Pass DLC drops and a free August 2026 update that finally made original character Nanashi Uchiha playable. Naruto (Sage of Six Paths), Madara (Six Paths), Kaguya and Minato (Reanimation) sit at the top, alongside the Season Pass’s two newest additions, Kawaki and Isshiki Ōtsutsuki.
CyberConnect2 built this as a celebration of the franchise’s 20th anniversary, and the roster has kept growing nearly 34 months after its original November 2023 launch. The most recent free update, version 1.70, added Nanashi Uchiha on August 20, 2026, nearly three years after she first appeared as a non-playable story character. The full Season Pass roadmap — Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, Kurenai Yuhi and Kawaki’s Karma Progression form — is documented on Bandai Namco’s own site, so here’s who’s actually worth learning first.
Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections Tier List
| Tier | Character | Why They’re Strong |
|---|---|---|
| S | Naruto (Sage of Six Paths) | A loaded kit with two powerful Ninjutsu throws, an explosive Secret Technique and a transformative Awakening |
| S | Madara (Six Paths) | Instantaneous Pull and Black Pull give him some of the best neutral tools in the cast, backed by a top-tier Awakening |
| S | Kaguya | An Awakening arsenal that’s as miserable to fight against as it is fun to play |
| S | Minato (Reanimation) | The Yellow Flash: still the fastest, most mobile character in the roster |
| S | Kawaki (Karma Progression) | The newest Season Pass fighter, and one of the strongest additions the DLC has added yet |
| S | Isshiki Ōtsutsuki | A boss-tier moveset adapted almost directly from his anime fight, with damage to match |
| A | Itachi (Akatsuki) | A reliable genjutsu-into-combo starter that punishes any approach mistake |
| A | Tsunade | The best sustain in the cast; outlasts trades most other characters can’t afford |
Why This List Looks Different From a Fighting-Game Tier List
Here’s the context worth knowing before you take any Storm Connections tier list at face value: this isn’t a tournament-balanced fighter like Street Fighter or Tekken, so there’s no EVO bracket data to rank characters by. With 130-plus fighters built up across five DLC packs instead of a tight competitive roster, “best” here means Awakening strength, combo ceiling and how hard a character is to deal with in the game’s arena combat, judged by community consensus rather than ranked-ladder results. That’s a real distinction — if you’re coming from a game with a pro scene, don’t expect this list to carry the same kind of proof.
S-Tier Breakdown
Naruto (Sage of Six Paths)
This form gives Naruto two separate powerful Ninjutsu throws plus an explosive Secret Technique, and his Awakening transformation closes out matches fast. It’s the version of Naruto most guides point new players toward first, since none of his tools require precise execution to land.
Kaguya
Kaguya’s kit is built around dimensional tricks that are genuinely frustrating to play against, and her Awakening adds enough extra range and damage that most matchups tilt in her favor once she activates it.
Best Picks If You Only Own the Base Roster
If you haven’t bought the Season Pass yet, Itachi (Akatsuki) and Tsunade are both available without DLC and still hold up against the newer additions — Itachi for his genjutsu openers, Tsunade for sheer staying power in longer matches. For a broader look at where this game sits in the franchise, see our best Naruto games ranked list, and for the characters who define the series outside the ring, our strongest Naruto villains, ranked.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many characters are in Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections?
Over 130, making it the largest roster in Ultimate Ninja Storm history. The count grew through five Season Pass DLC packs plus free updates, most recently Nanashi Uchiha on August 20, 2026.
Who is the best character in Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections?
Naruto (Sage of Six Paths) and Madara (Six Paths) are generally considered the strongest overall, with Kaguya and the newer DLC fighters Kawaki and Isshiki Ōtsutsuki close behind.
Is Nanashi Uchiha playable in Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections?
Yes, as of the free Update 1.70 on August 20, 2026. She was originally a non-playable character central to the game’s own story.
Do I need the Season Pass to be competitive in Storm Connections?
No. Base-roster characters like Itachi (Akatsuki) and Tsunade remain strong picks, though the newest Season Pass fighters like Kawaki and Isshiki Ōtsutsuki are among the most powerful in the game.
