Who is stronger: Kakashi or Jiraiya?

This is one of the most debatable questions in the Naruto anime. DMS Kakashi is considered the most powerful character in Naruto after Naruto and Sasuke. On the other hand, Master Jiraiya is one of the legendary Sannin and a proficient user of Sage Mode. It is a tricky question to answer, but in this article, I will provide details to help distinguish between these two beloved characters in the Naruto franchise.

Comparing them from a childhood perspective, Kakashi holds the upper hand. He was a genius, much like his father Sakumo Hatake, meeting the parameters of a Jonin in his youth. Kakashi joined the elite Black Anbu Corps at the age of 13, showcasing his exceptional skills. In contrast, Jiraiya struggled during his training and lagged behind his comrades. Jiraiya was not particularly serious about his training in his youth, so it’s likely that kid Kakashi would easily defeat kid Jiraiya.

Now, looking at their adulthood, Kakashi has expressed admiration for Master Jiraiya, both for his books and combat skills. Jiraiya possesses summoning abilities, allowing him to summon a diving frog. He can hide within the frog’s womb to infiltrate villages and use the frog’s stomach lining to trap enemies. Jiraiya took on all six Pains simultaneously and managed to defeat three of them. His proficiency in Sage Mode enhances his ninjutsu, genjutsu, and combat abilities.

On the other hand, Kakashi Hatake, with his Sharingan gifted by Obito, could copy thousands of jutsu. Kakashi lost to Pain during the Pain arc, but he faced only two of the six Pains. He defeated Kakuzu, one of the strongest Akatsuki members with five hearts, using his Chidori. Kakashi’s speed was remarkable, and he was an excellent shinobi with various tricks up his sleeve.

Now, the main question:

Who is stronger, Kakashi, or Jiraiya?

If we compare both characters at their best, DMS Kakashi vs. SM Jiraiya, then Kakashi would likely beat Jiraiya easily. DMS Kakashi is incredibly strong and nearly impossible for any Naruto character to handle. The only limitation is that he can’t maintain that form for an extended period. DMS allows him to use Kamui both offensively and defensively, and his speed is unmatched. He can also use Susanoo, making him a formidable opponent. SM Jiraiya is undoubtedly strong, having defeated three of the six Pains, but he may not match the power of DMS Kakashi.

In general, only DMS Kakashi and Kid Kakashi (limited to a few episodes in the anime) could beat Jiraiya. However, in the broader context, Master Jiraiya could likely defeat Kakashi.