Jiraiya (自来也) is a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. Introduced in the series’ first part, he was a student of Third Hiruzen Sarutobi and one of the three “Legendary Great Three Students of the God Shinobi”—along with Orochimaru and Lady Tsunade, his former teammates. Jiraiya appears as a perverted old man who occasionally returns to the village Konohagakure, reporting the activities of Orochimaru and the organization Akatsuki. Referred to as the “Toad Sage” and “Pervy Sage”, he mentors Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze and later becomes the godfather and mentor of Minato’s son, Naruto Uzumaki.

Jiraiya appears in two Naruto films, and he is a playable character in most of the franchise’s video games. Various pieces of merchandise based on him have been released. The character has received positive critical reception and is considered one of the strongest in the series. Reviewers have praised Jiraiya’s introduction in the story and his relation with Naruto as his mentor. Out of all student-teacher relationships in Naruto, Jiraiya and Naruto’s is the one Kishimoto liked the most. He served as a strong father-figure to Naruto.