October 07, 2024
Naruto | The Akatsuki | History, Members, & More!
Get to know the Akatsuki. Learn about the origin and members of the notorious supervillain group who shook the foundations of the Naruto anime series.
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Buy: Naruto Merchandise & Gifts
In the world of Naruto, few others command as much intrigue and fascination as the Akatsuki. Comprised of formidable rogue ninjas, this enigmatic group embodies complexity and power, drawing fans with their dark and captivating schemes.
This article delves into the origins and evolution of the Akatsuki, tracing their journey from a heroic organization to a formidable force that forever alters the landscape of the shinobi world.
Who Created the Original Akatsuki?
Amagakure, also known as the Village Hidden in the Rain, is a place that has always been caught between wars, facing a lot of death and destruction. The Second Great Ninja War, in particular, exacted a heavy toll, claiming countless lives and leaving behind a generation of orphaned children.
Some of these orphans included Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, who formed a close bond and struggled to survive. Fortunately, they found refuge under the guidance of Jiraiya sensei after the war. The Legendary Sannin trained them, molding the kids into skilled shinobi dedicated to defending Amagakure.
To prevent further wars and attain peace, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan formed a secret organization under Yahiko's leadership, naming themselves the Akatsuki. However, despite their success in fulfilling their mission, the group quickly got the attention of the Amagakure’s leaders.
Upon learning of the organization and Nagato's possession of the Rinnegan, Hanzo, the leader of the Hidden Rain Village, deemed them a threat. To weaken them, he called for a meeting with the Akatsuki with the sole goal of an ambush. Terrified of losing his authority, Hanzo captured Konan, forcing Nagato to kill Yahiko. These events marked the turning point for the Akatsuki, leading the organization down a darker path.
The Akatsuki Emerge as Villains
In a selfless act for the greater good, Yahiko sacrificed himself, intentionally dying by Nagato’s kunai to protect his friends. Nagato, consumed by grief and rage, activated the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, unleashing its power on Hanzo's men. Meanwhile, Obito and Zetsu emerged, eliminating all Akatsuki members except Nagato and Konan, creating the new, terrifying Akatsuki.
After witnessing these events and later being manipulated by Obito, Nagato’s worldview drastically shifted. He no longer believed in the feasibility of achieving world peace through the methods he and his friends had employed and devised a completely different, world-ending plan.
Nagato decided to orchestrate a disaster so immense that it would deter nations from waging war. To do this, he utilized his Rinnegan and channeled the Six Paths of Pain, creating Pain. Although he saw them as seemingly logical, his actions were far from right—a fact Naruto would later underscore during their confrontation.
Using the Six Paths of Pain, Nagato manipulated Yahiko's body, making him the leader of the Akatsuki. Subsequently, the organization began recruiting nefarious individuals like Kisame and Sasori, assembling a team of S-rank rogue ninjas to capture all the tailed beasts and execute the Eye of the Moon plan.
Using their unique strengths and the secret help of Obito, the Akatsuki came close to accomplishing their goals before ultimately being stopped by Naruto Uzumaki. Following the devastating Pain Assault on the Village Hidden in the Leaves, instead of killing Nagato, Naruto talked some sense into the troubled boy, making him atone for his mistakes and ending the reign of the Akatsuki.
Obito Uchiha Takes Over the Akatsuki
After the organization was disbanded and not a single one of the original members remained active, the Akatsuki still continued to be a threat. Operating covertly from the shadows, Tobi, Obito, or - as he liked to call himself - Madara, emerged as the new leader of the Akatsuki.
Getting to the top of the Akatsuki was Obito’s overarching plan, driven by his desire to acquire Nagato’s Rinnegan - a power that held profound significance in Obito's ambition to realize the Eye of the Moon plan.
To activate the Infinite Tsukuyomi, Obito continued on his quest to capture all tailed beasts, expanding his team in the process. During this time, Sasuke Uchiha went rogue and formed the Taka, a team similar to the Akatsuki. Seizing this opportunity, Obito recruited Sasuke, tasking him with capturing the Eight-Tails.
Following continuous setbacks in capturing the Nine-Tails and Eight-Tails, the reformed Akatsuki devised a grander scheme involving all Hidden Villages. To put this plan into motion, Obito interrupted the Five Kage summit, declaring the Fourth Great Shinobi War.
The Akatsuki in the Fourth Great Ninja War
Under Obito's leadership, the Akatsuki expanded significantly during the war. Kabuto's alliance brought back Madara, while Obito gained the Rinnegan. Additionally, the White Zetsu army grew stronger than ever.
After becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki and assembling an unprecedented force, Obito decides to help Konoha’s Shinobi, sacrificing himself to save Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchia. The former rivals united during this war, ending the reign of the Akatsuki and preventing Madara from using the Infinite Tsukuyomi genjutsu to seize control over the world.
The Akatsuki in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
Fifteen years after the Fourth Great Shinobi War ended, Shin, one of the bizarre scientific projects of Orochimaru, showed interest in continuing Akatsuki’s legacy. Fascinated by Itachi Uchiha’s tale, Shin developed a high-praising attitude toward the former shinobi and set out on a mission to kill Sasuke.
He believed in Akatsuki’s idea of a world where only the strong survive, creating clones to help in reviving the organization's dark legacy. Initiating his scheme, he targeted the most important women in Sasuke's life—his daughter and wife—to fulfill his sinister aspirations.
However, Shin proved unworthy to lead such a great organization and was quickly bested by Naruto and Sasuke after being betrayed by his clones who stepped down as soon as they learned of Kurama’s. This marked the fourth and - as of now - last time the Akatsuki failed to destroy the world and all of the Shinobi.
The Akatsuki Members | From Nagato to Itachi Uchiha
As previously mentioned, Nagato assumed leadership of the Akatsuki, assembling a team of supervillains, each with distinctive abilities and personalities. Together, they nearly brought the world to its knees. Here is a list of all major Akatsuki members throughout the years:
- Yahiko - Akatsuki’s first leader.
- Nagato - Akatsuki’s second leader and the creator of Pain.
- Konan - One of the three original members, and a loyal follower of Nagato.
- Hidan - Rogue ninja who possesses immortality.
- Sasori of the Red Sand - The Puppet Master.
- Deidara - Part-time clay sculptor who loves explosions.
- Kisame Hoshigaki - One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
- Kakuzu - The Tentacle Manipulator.
- Orochimaru - The Legendary Sannin who became a mad villain.
- Zetsu - A combination of Kaguya’s servants.
- Tobi/Obito Uchiha - A shinobi from the Leaf Village who turned into one of Naruto’s main villains.
- Itachi Uchiha - Arguably one of the strongest and most badass ninjas.
- Kabuto Yakushi - Orochimaru’s helper who also worked for the Akatsuki.
- Madara Uchiha - Konoha’s legend and the most destructive villain of the series.
These are the major Akatsuki members that were introduced in the Naruto anime and manga series. However, even though they were the main source of destruction, a lot of other rogue ninjas joined this organization during the war, making them even more powerful.
The Akatsuki’s Rings
Apart from their iconic cloak with red clouds, each Akatsuki member wore a distinct ring, signifying their membership. These rings served as communication tools and played a crucial role in the Akatsuki's hunt for the Tailed Beasts. Each ring had a unique color and had to be worn on a specific finger, corresponding to its placement on the Gedo Statue's fingers. Here are the rings:
|
Name of Ring |
Color |
Ringbearer |
Ring Placement |
|
Three |
Orange |
Hidan |
Left index finger |
|
North |
Dark green |
Kakuzu |
Left middle finger |
|
South |
Yellow |
Kisame |
Left ring finger |
|
Sky |
Blue |
Orochimaru |
Left little finger |
|
Jewel |
Purple |
Sasori/Tobi |
Left thumb |
|
Blue |
Teal (blue-green) |
Deidara |
Right index finger |
|
White |
White |
Konan |
Right middle finger |
|
Scarlet |
Red |
Itachi Uchiha |
Right ring finger |
|
Sign of the boar |
Green |
Zetsu |
Right little finger |
|
Zero |
Blue-grey |
Pain |
Right thumb |
Even though Akatsuki’s rings were not a special source of power, they still played an important symbolic role. They complemented each member’s persona and appearance, making them seem much more formidable and mysterious.
Final Thoughts on the Akatsuki
Ever since Yahiko died and their objective changed, the Akatsuki have constantly made the lives of all Shinobi harder, killing some of the fan-favorite characters in the process. They significantly shaped the plot of Naruto, initiating major events such as the Fourth Great Shinobi War and the resurrection of Konoha's legendary warrior - Madara Uchiha.
While morally questionable, Akatsuki's actions were of utmost importance for the growth of the main characters and the world of Naruto. The popularity of figures like Itachi and Madara underscores their complexity and lasting impact on the series, making the Akatsuki one of the most terrifying and liked supervillain squads in anime.
Buy: Naruto: Shippuden Merchandise, Gifts & Collectibles
Buy:Naruto: Shippuden Merchandise, Gifts & Collectibles
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the 10 Akatsuki in Naruto?
+Did Sasuke join the Akatsuki?
+Who are the 3 strongest Akatsuki?
+Who killed the immortal Akatsuki in Naruto?
+How did Madara come back to life?
+Who is the leader of the Akatsuki?
+Why was the Akatsuki formed in Naruto?
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