Below is a little guide that basically outlines the age and rank differences between some of the main characters in Naruto in Naruto Part 1 and Naruto Part 2. Also included are the first appearances for the character in the manga as well as the anime. Naruto Part 2 has not aired yet in anime form, so the Part 2 episode appearance is not listed. Once Naruto Part 2 the anime (officially titled Naruto: Hurricane Chronicles) begins airing, we will add Part 2 episode appearances as well. The images for part 1 are scans and a pretty accurate in color. The image representations for the characters of part 2 are from the Naruto Manga and are fan colored.
* While Naruto's official rank is a Gennin, he is actually a Jounin (if not Kage) level ninja in Part 2. Because he was away from the Hidden Leaf Village training for 2.5 years with Jiraiya, Naruto was been unable to take the Chuunin Exam at the time his friends did to increase their rank.
* While Sasuke's official rank is a Gennin, he is actually a Jounin (if not Kage) level ninja in Part 2. To be more accurate, Sasuke is considered as a "missing ninja" rather than a Gennin. This is because Sasuke left the the Hidden Leaf Village without permission from the Hokage. Gennin-Chuunin-Jounin-Kage ranks are more so associated within villages. To Sasuke, rank does not mean much. He is more concerned about how powerful he actually is. Sasuke wants to kill his brother Itachi, so being ranked a "Jounin" for example, does not mean he can complete the task.