Akatsuki Members Guide: Complete List, Powers & Analysis | Naruto

Ever wonder why the Akatsuki keeps popping up in Naruto discussions? It's simple - these guys are pure nightmare fuel wrapped in black cloaks with red clouds. Seriously, each member could probably take down a small country before breakfast. I remember first seeing Kisame and thinking "how is that even human?" His shark-like appearance was downright terrifying.

Today we're breaking down every single member of this legendary organization. Why? Because fans keep searching for "naruto all members of the akatsuki" but rarely get the full picture. Most articles just list names without explaining what truly made them dangerous. We'll cover abilities, backgrounds, and even the messy internal politics. Trust me, after reading this, you'll understand why Jiraiya considered them the greatest threat to the ninja world.

Complete List of Akatsuki Members

Let's get straight to the meat. Below is the master roster of every Akatsuki member. I've included critical details most guides skip - like why some members hated each other, and how recruitment actually worked. Notice how Pain didn't care about personalities, only raw power? That explains why psychopaths like Hidan got recruited.

Member Breakdown: What Made Each Akatsuki Dangerous

Listing names is easy. Understanding why they were feared? That's where things get interesting. Here's why each member deserved their spot in history's deadliest ninja organization.

Pain/Nagato - The God Complex

Pain wasn't just a leader - he was a walking apocalypse. Those six bodies weren't just puppets; each had specialized powers making them near-impossible to counter. Remember when he destroyed Konoha? One Shinra Tensei flattened the entire village. What people forget: Nagato's real body was crippled and hidden. That wheelchair-bound man controlled the most destructive force in the ninja world.

Itachi Uchiha - The Walking Paradox

Honestly? Itachi might be the most tragic figure in Naruto. Everyone remembers his massacre of the Uchiha clan, but few discuss his undercover mission. He joined the Akatsuki to spy on them from within while protecting Sasuke. His Susanoo with the Yata Mirror and Totsuka Blade was downright broken in combat. The Tsukuyomi genjutsu? Pure psychological torture.

I still debate whether his actions were justified. Sacrificing his clan to prevent civil war? Brutal but effective. His final battle with Sasuke still gives me chills - dying exactly as planned while removing Orochimaru's curse mark.

Kisame Hoshigaki - The Tailed Beast Without a Tail

They called Kisame the "Tailed Beast without a Tail" for good reason. His chakra reserves were insane - rivaling actual jinchuriki. Samehada absorbed chakra on contact, making ninjutsu useless against him. When he fused with the sword? Forget about it. Only Might Guy's Eighth Gate could finish him. Shame we never saw him fight a full bijuu.

Sasori of the Red Sand - The Puppet Master

This guy turned himself into a puppet! Sasori controlled hundreds of puppets simultaneously - including the Third Kazekage. His poisons were incurable without specific antidotes. The battle against Chiyo and Sakura revealed his psychological weakness though. Seeing his parents' puppets actually made him hesitate. For someone who abandoned humanity, that moment of emotion got him killed.

Deidara - The Explosive Artist

C4 Karura was terrifying - microscopic bombs entering your bloodstream. But his personality was fascinating. That explosive clay mouth in his hands? Creepy yet practical. His rivalry with Itachi ("I hate people better than me!") explained so much. His final C0 explosion against Sasuke? Absolute overkill. I maintain he could've escaped if not for that Uchiha ego.

Power Rankings: Who Was the Strongest Akatsuki Member?

Everyone argues about this at conventions. Based on feats and threat levels, here's how I'd rank them:

Akatsuki Recruitment: How Did They Find These Monsters?

Ever notice how everyone in the Akatsuki was either a missing-nin or a war orphan? There's a depressing pattern:

• Itachi (Uchiha massacre survivor)
• Kisame (fleeing Kiri after killing superiors)
• Sasori (deserted Suna after turning people into puppets)
• Nagato/Konan (lost parents in war, trained by Jiraiya)
• Hidan (religious fanatic from violent cult)

Pain specifically targeted powerful outcasts. His pitch? "Help me create world peace through overwhelming pain." Twisted logic, but effective for recruiting disillusioned killers. Orochimaru was different - he joined to access their resources before leaving when he got what he wanted.

I often wonder how many candidates they rejected. Were there failed applicants? The manga never shows this, but logically there must've been prospects who weren't strong enough.

Team Dynamics: Worst Partnerships in Akatsuki History

Forcing psychopaths to work together caused constant friction. Some pairings were disasters:

Hidan and Kakuzu - The Dysfunctional Couple

Hidan's constant chanting drove practical Kakuzu insane. Remember when Kakuzu stitched Hidan's head back on? That summed up their relationship - mutual hatred with forced cooperation. Their money-grubbing missions showed how little they cared about the organization's ideals. Honestly, their messy deaths against Team 10 felt inevitable.

Deidara and Tobi - The Comic Relief Duo

Tobi's goofball act masked terrifying power, but Deidara didn't know that. Watching Deidara rage at Tobi's incompetence was hilarious until... well, until he blew himself up trying to kill Sasuke. Their partnership highlighted the Akatsuki's internal deception problem.

Sasori and Orochimaru - The Shortest Partnership

Lasted less than a mission before Orochimaru defected. Two scientists with god complexes? Never going to work. Sasori considered Orochimaru disrespectful to "true art" (aka puppetry). Their mutual disdain might explain why Sasori seemed almost pleased when Kabuto resurrected Orochimaru during the war - another chance to humiliate him.

What Happened to Each Akatsuki Member?

Their demise stories reveal fascinating weaknesses. Let's break down each end:

Notice how many were defeated by psychological weaknesses rather than pure power? Itachi's illness, Sasori's emotional breakdown, Deidara's inferiority complex - their humanity became their downfall.

Unanswered Questions About the Akatsuki

Even hardcore fans debate these topics:

Why didn't Akatsuki capture Naruto earlier?

Simple answer: plot convenience. Logical answer? Pain wanted to collect other tailed beasts first to minimize resistance. Capturing the Nine-Tails last meant facing weakened villages. Still seems risky though - those early Shippuden missions were perfect opportunities.

How did they fund operations?

Mercenary work! Kakuzu handled finances through assassination contracts and bounties. Remember when they captured Yugito Nii? That paid for months of operations. Their economic system was surprisingly sophisticated for terrorists.

Why no female members besides Konan?

Sexist writing? Possibly. In-universe explanation: few female ninjas reached their power requirements. Mei Terumi would've been perfect but led Kiri instead. A missed opportunity for diversity.

Why This Group Still Matters in Boruto

Their legacy shaped the current era:

• Kara organization directly mimics their structure
• Shin Uchiha reused Akatsuki imagery
• Otsutsuki threats mirror tailed beast hunts
• Even Naruto's peace stems from stopping their plans

Every time I see a black cloak in Boruto, I get Akatsuki flashbacks. Their influence persists because they represented the ultimate ninja threat - organized, ideological, and terrifyingly powerful. No villain group since has matched their presence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Naruto All Members of the Akatsuki

Were there any Akatsuki members who survived?

Only Orochimaru survived long-term. Hidan is technically immortal but buried underground forever. Everyone else died during Shippuden or the war.

Who was the weakest Akatsuki member?

Statistically, Zetsu. His strength was espionage, not combat. Though Hidan's inability to fight long-range made him vulnerable too.

How many Akatsuki members were Uchiha?

Two official members: Itachi and Obito (Tobi). Madara manipulated them but never officially joined.

What was the Akatsuki's main goal?

Initially: world peace through force. Later: infinite Tsukuyomi under Obito/Madara's manipulation.

Why did Itachi kill his clan?

To prevent a coup that would start civil war in Konoha - ordered by village elders with Danzo's manipulation.

Could Jiraiya have defeated Pain?

Possibly if he knew about the six paths system earlier. He deduced the secret too late during their battle.

How many tailed beasts did Akatsuki capture?

All except the Nine-Tails before Pain's assault on Konoha. They captured seven before targeting Naruto.