In Naruto, Orochimaru’s Cursed Seals can give shinobi a massive power boost, but not everyone benefits from them equally. While some users turn these marks into dangerous weapons, others struggle to make the most of their new abilities.
With that said, this ranking looks at how effectively each character uses their Cursed Seal, their combat performance, and the advantages their transformations provide. It focuses on the value of the seal itself, rather than judging each shinobi’s overall strength.
5 Anko Mitarashi’s Cursed Seal Was More of a Burden
Anko Mitarashi was a special jonin who trained under Orochimaru before he abandoned her. During the Chunin Exams arc, she revealed her connection to him, and the mark on her neck showed that she had survived his Cursed Seal experiment. However, unlike Sasuke and the Sound Four, Anko never demonstrated a powerful transformation using it.
That makes Anko an interesting case. Her experience and skills as a shinobi should not be dismissed, but the Cursed Seal itself offers little to judge. Rather than helping her dominate opponents, it serves mainly as a reminder of Orochimaru’s influence, which is why she ranks fifth.
4 Jirobo Was the Weakest Member of the Sound Four
Jirobo from a still. | Credit: Studio PierrotJirobo had impressive physical strength, and his Earth Release techniques made him a troublesome opponent. During the Sasuke Recovery Mission, he trapped the Konoha ninja inside an Earth Dome Prison and absorbed their chakra. However, Choji Akimichi eventually defeated him after taking the Akimichi clan’s Three Colored Pills and unlocking a frightening level of power.
The bigger problem was Jirobo’s limited fighting style. His Cursed Seal’s second state boosted his strength, but it could not prevent Choji from overpowering him. The Sound Four also regarded Jirobo as their weakest member, making his placement easier to justify. He ranks above Anko because he actually demonstrated what his Cursed Seal could do in battle.
3 Tayuya Was Lethal at Range but Had Weak Close-Quarters Defense
Tayuya from a still. | Credit: Studio PierrotTayuya is easy to underestimate because she relies on a flute and summoned creatures instead of brute force. During the Sasuke Recovery Mission, her sound-based genjutsu nearly trapped Shikamaru Nara, showing just how dangerous her abilities could be. Her Cursed Seal’s second state further increased her threat by enhancing her physical abilities and giving her a more intimidating form.
Still, Tayuya’s biggest weakness was her lack of reliable close-range defense. Once Temari entered the fight, Tayuya struggled against the wind-based attacks that destroyed her summons and overwhelmed her. Her genjutsu was arguably more dangerous than Jirobo’s straightforward strength, which earned her a higher position, but her dependence on controlling the distance kept her from ranking higher.
2 Kidomaru Was Deadly but Had His Limits
Kidomaru from a still. | Credit: Studio PierrotKidomaru was arguably one of the Sound Four’s smartest fighters. During his battle against Neji Hyuga in the Sasuke Recovery Mission, he used webs, traps, and long-range attacks to study his opponent and find weaknesses. His Cursed Seal’s second state made him even more dangerous.
What makes Kidomaru stand out is how close he came to defeating Neji, forcing the young Hyuga to risk his life to win. Unlike Jirobo, Kidomaru combined his transformation with careful planning and ranged attacks. He ranks above Tayuya because his tactical skill and ability to challenge Neji made him a more complete threat, even though he ultimately lost.
1 Sakon and Ukon Had a Dangerous Fighting Style
Sakon and Ukon from the anime Naruto. | Credit: Studio PierrotSakon and Ukon possessed one of the strangest abilities among Orochimaru’s subordinates. Ukon could merge with Sakon’s body, while their shared kekkei genkai allowed them to merge with an opponent and attack from within. Their Cursed Seal’s second state made this already dangerous ability even more threatening during the Sasuke Recovery Mission.
Their fight against Kiba Inuzuka and Akamaru showed why they deserve the top spot on this list. Kiba’s speed and determination were not enough to overcome their unusual techniques, and he was pushed to the brink before Kankuro arrived to save him. Their combination of transformation, close-range pressure, and body-merging abilities gave them more options than the other entries here. They rank first because their Cursed Seal enhanced an already difficult fighting style rather than simply adding raw power.
Now the big question: Which Naruto character do you think made the best use of Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Naruto and Naruto Shippuden are currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
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