The Akatsuki is a shadowy organization of rogue ninja in the Naruto universe. It remains one of the most iconic and feared factions in anime history. Comprising elite shinobi with unique, terrifying abilities, the Akatsuki’s goal of capturing Tailed Beasts put them at odds with every major ninja village. Drawing from the manga, anime, and official databooks, I rank each Akatsuki member based on power, feats, and strategic impact in the story.
**Note – The list doesn’t include Sasuke Uchiha or Kakazu’s former partners.**
12. Zetsu (Black & White)
Zetsu was a living surveillance unit and historian of the shinobi world. There is no known village Zetsu hails from. Some of Zetsu’s key abilities are as follows:
- Mayfly: Travel and eavesdrop through the ground undetected.
- Black Zetsu Possession: Can merge with others and alter their actions.
- Historical Manipulation: Orchestrated events over centuries, shaping the shinobi world.
He had many feats throughout the Naruto franchise. He functioned primarily as a scout, spy, and historian over centuries. Black Zetsu was revealed as the true mastermind manipulating shinobi history to revive Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. Zetsu also played a key role in orchestrating the revival of Madara Uchiha. He provided crucial intelligence and sabotage during the Fourth Great Ninja War. Despite Zetsu’s low direct combat ability, his long-term scheming shaped the entire shinobi world.
11. Jūzō Biwa
A former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Jūzō briefly served in the Akatsuki and wielded the executioner’s blade, Kubikiribōchō. He was from Kirigakure, known as the Hidden Mist Village. Some of Jūzō Biwa’s key abilities are as follows:
- Kubikiribōchō: A giant blade that regenerates using the iron from enemies’ blood.
- Silent Killing Technique: Trained in assassination tactics of Kirigakure.
He killed a Mizukage body double, demonstrating assassination skills. Jūzō also fought alongside Itachi against powerful opponents such as Yagura, the 3 tail jinchūriki, and the 4th Mizukage. He specializes in silent killing and infiltration, using stealth over brute force. His sword’s regenerative properties allowed prolonged combat. Though less prominent, he held his own against elite shinobi before dying in battle.
10. Hidan
Hidan was a bloodthirsty zealot of Jashin, made immortal through religious ritual. The only known character from the series to be from Yugakure, also known as the Hidden Village in Hot Water, in the Land of Hot Water. Some of Hidan’s key abilities are as follows:
- Jashin Ritual: Links his body to a target after ingesting their blood. Any injury he inflicts upon himself is mirrored on the opponent.
- Immortality: Cannot die from physical wounds, allowing reckless combat.
As mentioned above, Hidan is immortal through the Jashin religion’s curse, withstanding fatal wounds. He managed to kill Asuma Sarutobi. Asuma was a respected Konoha Jonin, a former member of the 12 Guardian Ninja, and the son of the 3rd Hokage. Thanks to Hidan’s immortality, he mostly uses a reckless and brutal combat style. Hidan constantly sought battles to please his deity, showing zealotry rather than tactical intelligence.
Ultimately defeated when buried alive by Shikamaru Nara, who exploited Hidan’s lack of ranged abilities. Some people theorize his head is still alive in the hole it’s buried in, but I agree with people like Naruto Explained, who, in this video, explains why that’s not the case.
9. Deidara
Deidara was a demolition artist who lived for the art of explosive surprise. He was from Iwagakure, also known as the Hidden Rock Village. Some of Deidara’s key abilities are as follows:
- Explosive Clay Techniques: Creates creatures and bombs with varying range and lethality.
- C3 and C4: C3 is a city-level bomb; C4 releases micro-bombs that invade cells.
- C0: His ultimate suicide bomb, meant to vaporize everything nearby.
He is an expert in explosive clay, creating versatile bombs ranging from small to city-level destruction. Deidara defeated Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage and at the time the One-Tail Jinchūriki, in a major battle. He fought Sasuke in a prolonged duel, demonstrating strategic explosive traps. He created the devastating C3 clay bomb, capable of wiping out entire villages. Also, he used C4 to create microscopic bombs that invaded targets at the cellular level. Lastly, he committed suicide using his ultimate C0 technique, a last-ditch massive explosion.
8. Konan
Konan, Akatsuki’s sole female member and co-founder, utilized her origami-like paper jutsu with deadly precision. She was also, alongside Nagato, one of Jiraiya’s first students. Konan was from the ninja village of Amegakure, also known as the Village Hidden by the Rain. Some of Konan’s key abilities are as follows:
- Paper Style: Can create wings for flight, construct weapons, and evade physical attacks.
- Paper Ocean: A trap composed of 600 billion paper bombs lasting for 10 minutes.
- Paper Clone Technique: Can mislead and assassinate enemies silently.
Konan is a master of Paper Style techniques and can create vast numbers of lethal paper weapons. She created the Paper Ocean, an enormous trap with billions of explosive tags capable of lasting ten minutes. She served as Nagato’s closest confidant and protector, coordinating Akatsuki missions. Konan launched a deadly ambush against Obito, forcing him to use Izanagi, a forbidden technique. Throughout her time, Konan showed great battlefield intelligence and willingness to sacrifice herself for her ideals.
7. Kakuzu
Kakuzu was a bounty hunter with immortality-like longevity due to his ability to replace organs. This ninja was from the ninja village of Takigakure, also known as the Village Hidden in the Waterfall. He failed in his mission to assassinate Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage. Some of Kakuzu’s key abilities are as follows:
- Earth Grudge Fear: Allows him to sew new organs into himself and others.
- Five Hearts: Each represents a different elemental affinity and can fight separately.
- Iron Skin Technique: Increases physical durability.
Kakuzu possessed five hearts, each with a different elemental affinity, allowing multi-elemental attacks. He battled Naruto, Yamato, and Kakashi simultaneously, using relentless offensive and defensive tactics. He could detach and of his hearts to fight independently or protect vital organs. Kakuzu’s greed and money obsession fueled his ruthless mercenary approach.
6. Sasori
Sasori was a puppet master who abandoned his human body to become a puppet himself, making him immune to traditional damage. Known as Sasori of the Red Sand, he was from Sunagakure, also known as the Hidden Sand Village. Some of Sasori’s key abilities are as follows:
- Human Puppet Corps: Each puppet retains the jutsu and abilities of the human it once was.
- Third Kazekage Puppet: Uses Iron Sand to magnetically disrupt chakra and defenses.
- Poison Mastery: All weapons are coated with fast-acting, nearly incurable poisons.
- Hundred Puppet Performance: A technique that unleashes a puppet army on command.
Sasori abandoned his human body to become a puppet, granting him near immortality and immunity to physical harm. In his time, he created and controlled hundreds of human puppets, including the Third Kazekage puppet with Iron Sand. Sasori defeated multiple shinobi before he died in a battle against Sakura and his grandma, Lady Chiyo. His puppet modifications allowed him to preserve his art and memory beyond normal limits.
5. Orochimaru
One of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru, was a founding member of the Akatsuki after leaving Konoha. His vast scientific knowledge and forbidden techniques made him one of the most dangerous shinobi. Orochimaru was initially from Konohagakure, also known as the Hidden Leaf Village. He later established his own village, Otogakure, also known as the Sound Village. Some of Orochimaru’s key abilities (at the time he was part of the Akatsuki) are as follows:
- Immortality Technique: Can transfer consciousness into other bodies to escape death.
- Summoning Jutsu: Can summon Manda, a giant snake.
- Curse Marks: Enhances followers’ abilities and spreads influence.
- Regenerative Body Modifications: Can heal from near-fatal wounds.
Not only is he one of the Legendary Sannin, but Orochimaru’s knowledge of forbidden jutsu is vast as well. He fought the Third Hokage to a near-death stalemate and killed the Fourth Kazekage in battle. Orochimaru managed to survive sealing and death multiple times by transferring his consciousness into new bodies. He created the Curse Mark, enhancing and controlling his followers like Sasuke. At times, he also fought against Itachi, Naruto, and Sasuke, then survived the Fourth Great Ninja War despite severe injuries.
4. Kisame Hoshigaki
Kisame was known as the “Tail-less Tailed Beast” due to his vast chakra reserves and his synergy with the sentient sword Samehada. He was from Kirigakure, known as the Hidden Mist Village. Some of Kisame’s key abilities are as follows:
- Samehada Sword: Absorbs chakra, grows larger, and heals Kisame.
- Water Release Techniques: Creates massive water bodies, water prisons, and shark-based attacks.
- Fusion with Samehada: Grants Kisame aquatic traits, healing, and increased speed.
He wielded Samehada, absorbing chakra to fuel his immense stamina and attacks. Kisame used Water Style to create massive ocean-like bodies of water for battlefield control. In a fight, he nearly managed to capture Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, showcasing his dangerous skill. Kisame survived numerous battles against elite shinobi, including Might Guy’s who had to open the “7th Inner Gate” to defeat him. Lastly, he sacrificed himself by self-detonation to protect Akatsuki’s secrets rather than be captured.
3. Nagato (Pain)
Nagato, as Pain, represented the godlike terror of the Akatsuki. Through the Six Paths of Pain, he controlled a battlefield remotely and dominated entire armies. He was also a student of Jiraiya. Nagato was from the ninja village of Amegakure, also known as the Village Hidden by the Rain. Some of Nagato/Pain’s key abilities are as follows:
- Rinnegan Powers: Shinra Tensei (repulsion), Banshō Ten’in (attraction), Chibaku Tensei (planetary destruction), and the ability to revive the dead.
- Six Paths of Pain: Six controlled corpses, each with one core ability of the Rinnegan.
- Summoning Techniques: Giant multi-headed animals, often with regeneration or shared vision.
Nagato controlled six corpses simultaneously, each representing a path of the Rinnegan. With a single devastating Shinra Tensei blast, he completely destroyed Konoha’s village center. He captured and controlled the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, showing dominance over Tailed Beasts. Thanks to convincing from Naruto, Nagato revived thousands of civilians after his final battle at the cost of his own life. He fought Naruto in Sage Mode, maintaining battlefield control despite powerful opposition. Nagato played a pivotal role in the Fourth Great Ninja War, demonstrating immense battlefield prowess.
2. Itachi Uchiha
A prodigy of the Uchiha clan, Itachi was a master strategist, genjutsu user, and secret protector of Konoha. His power, foresight, and intellect were unmatched. He was from Konohagakure, also known as the Hidden Leaf Village. Some of Itachi’s key abilities are as follows:
- Mangekyō Sharingan: Tsukuyomi (controls perception of time), Amaterasu (inescapable black flames), and Susanoo (chakra avatar).
- Yata Mirror and Totsuka Blade: Ultimate defense and spiritual sealing weapon.
- Genjutsu Mastery: Can trap opponents with just a glance or a finger.
- Crow Clone Technique: Enhances deception and genjutsu layering.
- Izanami: A forbidden technique used to force opponents to accept themselves and break mental loops.
He achieved Mangekyō Sharingan abilities at a young age, mastering Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, and Susanoo. Itachi single-handedly defeated Orochimaru twice despite suffering from a fatal illness. Even though he was a rogue ninja, he was able to manipulate Sasuke’s growth and motivations through calculated battles and psychological tactics.
Itachi used the forbidden Izanami genjutsu to trap Kabuto, ending the Edo Tensei threat during the 4th Great Ninja War. Selflessly, sacrificed himself to protect Konoha’s peace and influence events after death through an implanted genjutsu.
1. Obito Uchiha (Tobi)
Obito Uchiha, masquerading as Tobi, was the true mastermind behind much of the Akatsuki’s plans. Initially manipulating events from the shadows, he later became the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki. He was from Konohagakure, also known as the Hidden Leaf Village. Some of Obito Uchiha’s key abilities are as follows:
- Mangekyō Sharingan (Kamui): Allows him to teleport parts of his body or others into a separate dimension, making him nearly untouchable.
- Rinnegan: Grants access to powerful techniques like the Six Paths, including gravitational control, soul extraction, and summoning the King of Hell.
- Wood Release (via Hashirama’s cells): Grants rapid regeneration, nature-based jutsu, and the ability to subdue Tailed Beasts.
- Ten-Tails Jinchūriki transformation: Provides immense chakra, truth-seeking orbs, flight, and near-invulnerability.
- Space-Time Ninjutsu: Instantaneous teleportation and phasing abilities.
Obito, as a young kid, survived a catastrophic crushing injury and was saved by Madara Uchiha, later adopting his identity. He orchestrated the entire Akatsuki’s operations from behind the scenes, manipulating shinobi wars and village politics. As the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, he showcased near-godlike power, fighting Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, and Guy simultaneously. Obito nearly completed the Infinite Tsukuyomi, a genjutsu that could enslave the entire world. He demonstrated unparalleled mastery of Kamui, phasing through attacks and teleporting instantly. Then lastly, engaged in a long and intense battle with Kakashi, culminating in a final cooperation before death.
Final Thoughts
The Akatsuki’s legacy extends far beyond their battles and betrayals. They embody some of the Naruto series’ deepest conflicts—power versus purpose, peace versus control, and the cost of ambition. From Obito’s world-altering schemes to Itachi’s quiet sacrifice, each member added layers of complexity to the story. Ranked by might, impact, and intent, they collectively shaped the ninja world and its future. In the end, the Akatsuki weren’t just antagonists; they were catalysts for change. Their shadows will forever loom over the shinobi legacy.
Sources:
- Naruto Manga Ch. 598–600; Databook 4; Anime: Naruto Shippuden Ep. 343
- Naruto Manga Ch. 386–393, 574–578; Databook 3; Anime: Naruto Shippuden Ep. 138, 339
- Naruto Manga Ch. 419–449; Databook 3; Anime: Naruto Shippuden Ep. 163–169
- Naruto Manga Ch. 472–507; Databook 3; Anime: Naruto Shippuden Ep. 251
- Naruto Manga Ch. 114–115, 343; Databook 2 & 4; Anime: Naruto Ep. 69–80, Naruto Shippuden Ep. 89–91
- Naruto Manga Ch. 267–280; Databook 2; Anime: Naruto Shippuden Ep. 20–27
- Naruto Manga Ch. 311–342; Databook 3; Anime: Naruto Shippuden Ep. 81–89
- Naruto Manga Ch. 510–512; Databook 4; Anime: Naruto Shippuden Ep. 252
- Naruto Manga Ch. 247–363; Databook 3; Anime: Naruto Shippuden Ep. 4–125
- Naruto Manga Ch. 312–330; Databook 3; Anime: Naruto Shippuden Ep. 71–78
- Anime: Naruto Shippuden Ep. 455–458; Supplemental: Naruto Shinden novels
- Naruto Manga Ch. 607, 679–681; Databook 4; Anime: Naruto Shippuden Ep. 363, 458
