Breaking the Mold: Masashi Kishimoto Confirms Characters Exceeding the Power of Hashirama Senju

For years, the “God of Shinobi,” Hashirama Senju, stood as the undisputed benchmark for power in the Naruto universe. His legendary status, cemented by his ability to single-handedly defeat a fully powered Kurama and his arch-rival Madara Uchiha, made him seem untouchable. However, as the series progressed, a new generation of characters emerged, pushing the boundaries of what was previously thought possible. In recent statements, manga creator Masashi Kishimoto has seemingly put an end to the long-running debate, officially confirming a definitive list of characters who have surpassed the First Hokage in sheer power.

The Legend of the “God of Shinobi”

Hashirama’s reputation is built on a foundation of monumental feats. His mastery of Wood Release, a unique Kekkei Genkai, allowed him to reshape the battlefield on a massive scale. His ultimate technique, the Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands, was a demonstration of a power so immense it could overwhelm even the Perfect Susano’o-clad Kurama. Furthermore, his exceptional healing abilities, a result of his Senju lineage and connection to nature, made him a truly formidable opponent. For the majority of the series, his power was the ultimate goal, a level of strength that seemed unattainable for anyone not named Madara Uchiha.

The New Era of Power: The Rise of the Six Paths Shinobi

The Fourth Great Shinobi War marked a definitive shift in the power hierarchy. As the conflict escalated, new forms of power and chakra were introduced, fundamentally changing the scale of combat. The “Six Paths” power-up became the key differentiator, with characters who acquired this divine chakra easily eclipsing the power of previous generations, including Hashirama. Kishimoto’s commentary reaffirms this, establishing that anyone who gains access to this level of power is automatically a tier above the God of Shinobi.

• Naruto Uzumaki: Upon receiving Six Paths Sage Mode from Hagoromo Otsutsuki, Naruto’s abilities transcended anything seen before. He was able to contend with and ultimately defeat a Six Paths-empowered Madara, a feat Hashirama himself was unable to accomplish alone in their final fight. His mastery of all Tailed Beast powers and the addition of Baryon Mode in the Boruto series solidified his position as arguably the strongest shinobi to ever live.
• Sasuke Uchiha: Similarly, Sasuke’s awakening of the Rinnegan and receiving Six Paths chakra put him on an equal footing with Naruto. His spatial-temporal jutsu and unparalleled mastery of the Sharingan allowed him to navigate battles against Otsutsuki-level threats, a tier far beyond what Hashirama had to face.
• Madara Uchiha (Ten-Tails Jinchuriki): The version of Madara who became the Ten-Tails’ jinchuriki openly stated that his power was on a “completely different plane” from his former self, a statement that by extension confirms he had surpassed Hashirama. This form was so powerful that it took the combined efforts of both Six Paths-empowered Naruto and Sasuke to defeat him.
• Obito Uchiha (Ten-Tails Jinchuriki): Even before Madara, Obito’s transformation into the Ten-Tails’ jinchuriki placed him in a league of his own. Hashirama, in his Edo Tensei form, explicitly acknowledged that this power was a different beast altogether, a testament to Obito’s newfound, overwhelming strength.

The Shocking Confirmation: The Case of Might Guy

Perhaps the most compelling and discussed point of Kishimoto’s confirmation is the inclusion of Might Guy. While the Six Paths characters’ power was expected to surpass Hashirama’s, Guy’s brief but spectacular demonstration of the Eighth Gate of Death was a surprise. In this state, Guy’s physical might became so immense that he was able to overwhelm and brutally injure Six Paths Madara, a character far stronger than the version of Madara that Hashirama fought. This confirms that while the Eighth Gate is a double-edged sword that ultimately leads to the user’s death, its power output, for a brief moment, surpasses even that of the God of Shinobi’s. This is a massive victory for fans of taijutsu and serves as a powerful testament to the theme of hard work surpassing natural talent, a core message of the Naruto series.

The Otsutsuki Tier: The Unbeatable Gods

Beyond the mortal shinobi, the Otsutsuki clan has been established as a celestial tier of power that no human, not even Hashirama, can hope to match. Hagoromo, Hamura, Kaguya, and even the likes of Momoshiki and Isshiki are confirmed to exist on a different level of power entirely. These are beings who create planets, devour life, and wield chakra on a cosmic scale. Their presence in the narrative officially puts Hashirama’s power in perspective, demonstrating that the “God of Shinobi” title was a reflection of his era, not a statement of absolute supremacy in the entire universe.