Shinobi ranks

Mission progression and village leadership. For roles, statuses, and team assignments, see Classifications.

How ranks work

Recognized progression ranks are genin, chūnin, tokubetsu jōnin, and jōnin, plus village leadership as Kage. Academy students train before genin. ANBU is a special function under the Kage, not a progression rank.

Academy Student

Japanese: アカデミー生 · Romaji: Akademī-sei

Academy students learn chakra control, foundational taijutsu, and basics such as the Clone Technique. Passing the graduation exam makes them genin.

Genin

Japanese: 下忍 · Romaji: Genin

Lowest official rank; three-person teams under a jōnin instructor. Emphasis on teamwork, survival, and core skills.

Primarily: D-rank missions (labor, errands); occasional C-rank.

Chūnin

Japanese: 中忍 · Romaji: Chūnin

Promoted via the Chūnin Exams. Promotion favors judgment, leadership, and composure over raw strength.

Expected to: lead small teams; decide tactics independently; run B-rank missions.

Tokubetsu Jōnin

Japanese: 特別上忍 · Romaji: Tokubetsu Jōnin

Jōnin-level skill in a specific area rather than overall. Common focuses:

Interrogation
Teaching
Tracking
Support roles

Jōnin

Japanese: 上忍 · Romaji: Jōnin

Elite shinobi; core of the village’s military strength.

Typical duties: lead genin squads; A-rank and S-rank missions; high-risk independent operations.

Kage

Japanese: 影 · Romaji: Kage

Leader of a hidden village (e.g. Hokage, Kazekage)—typically among the strongest and most respected.

Scope: military command, political leadership, village protection.

ANBU (Special Function)

Japanese: 暗部 (暗殺戦術特殊部隊) · Romaji: Anbu (Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai)

Covert unit under the Kage; masked identity; operates outside normal mission rules. A role, not a rank.

Duties: assassination, espionage, surveillance, protection of high-value targets.