Akatsuki members ranked by power

1. Obito Uchiha

Unique Abilities and Origins

Obito Uchiha stands as one of the most influential and powerful members of the Akatsuki, owing much of his strength to his Sharingan heritage and the chaos he orchestrates throughout the series. Formerly known as Tobi during his early appearances in the organization, Obito was thought dead after a tragic event during the Third Great Ninja War. He was rescued by Madara Uchiha, who then mentored him in the Uchiha’s legendary secrets and tutored him in manipulating others from behind the scenes. This training laid the groundwork for Obito’s evolution from a once-optimistic shinobi to a mastermind capable of challenging the entire ninja world.

Crucial to Obito’s power is his Mangekyō Sharingan, gained after witnessing the death of his close friend Rin. The Mangekyō grants him Kamui, a space-time ninjutsu enabling him to phase parts of his body into another dimension, rendering most attacks ineffective. Moreover, his mastery of this ability allows rapid teleportation and unparalleled evasion, solidifying his reputation as one of the hardest opponents to pin down. Obito’s unique background as a protégé of Madara Uchiha and his deep resentment towards the shinobi system fueled his ambitions, leading him to manipulate various hidden villages in service of the Eye of the Moon Plan.

Combat Prowess and Key Feats

Throughout the Fourth Great Ninja War, Obito’s fighting capabilities become even more formidable. After becoming the Jinchūriki of the Ten-Tails, his raw power surges beyond nearly all comprehension. With the Ten-Tails at his command, Obito can reshape reality, wield colossal chakra levels, and withstand attacks that would annihilate lesser foes. His regenerative abilities rise drastically, and his offensive arsenal broadens to include the Truth-Seeking Balls, malleable orbs of chakra that can nullify ninjutsu on contact and morph into various shapes for attack or defense.

Obito’s most impressive feat is arguably battling the combined forces of the Allied Shinobi, which includes legends like Naruto Uzumaki (empowered by Kurama), Sasuke Uchiha (wielding his own Mangekyō powers), and other elite ninjas. He remains a force capable of reshaping battles with a single action, and his strategic acumen, combined with his ocular jutsu, secures his standing among the top tiers of the Akatsuki. His psychological warfare-using illusions and manipulation to break opponents’ wills-renders him not just a physical threat but also a mental one. Ultimately, Obito’s transformation into the Juubi’s Jinchūriki elevates him to an even more godlike status, cementing his place at the pinnacle of the organization’s power ranking.

2. Nagato (Pain)

Mastery of the Rinnegan and Formation of Pain

Nagato, often referred to by his alias “Pain,” serves as the figurehead leader of the Akatsuki for a significant portion of the series. Gifted (or cursed) with Madara’s Rinnegan at a young age, Nagato grew up in the war-torn Amegakure, witnessing the devastation and suffering caused by constant conflicts. Under the tutelage of Jiraiya, Nagato honed his skills and discovered the extraordinary power of the Rinnegan, a legendary dōjutsu capable of controlling life and death, summoning creatures, absorbing chakra, and manifesting an array of reality-bending techniques.

To manage his severe physical limitations-largely the result of trauma and injuries-Nagato developed the Six Paths of Pain technique. Through this method, he remotely controlled six reanimated corpses, each representing a different facet of the Rinnegan’s abilities. The Deva Path, most famously associated with Yahiko’s body, used almighty pushes and gravitational pulls that could demolish entire landscapes. The other Paths contributed their own unique strengths, creating a near-unstoppable squad of Pain bodies that cooperated seamlessly to overpower foes of any caliber. In essence, Nagato’s arrangement of the Six Paths formed a complex, collective consciousness guided by his single will, emphasizing his status as a military genius and strategic savant.

Devastating Feats and Influence

Nagato’s most notable accomplishment is his total destruction of Konohagakure. Utilizing the Deva Path’s Shinra Tensei to level the village in one catastrophic blow demonstrated the overwhelming power that the Rinnegan offers. By single-handedly taking on one of the most formidable villages and overcoming its defenders, Nagato carved his name into history as a shinobi of tremendous might. Pain’s intrusion into Konoha and the subsequent battles with legendary ninja like Kakashi Hatake showcased the lethal efficiency and complexity of the Six Paths.

Beyond raw destruction, Nagato has showcased mastery of advanced sealing techniques, summoning, and even the ability to resurrect the dead through the Outer Path. It was Nagato’s unwavering belief that pain and suffering could lead to peace that fueled his single-minded quest, tying directly into Akatsuki’s initial mission of creating stability through force. Although his philosophies eventually clashed with the broader shinobi world, the scope of his powers and the legacy of destruction he left behind remain undiminished. His direct confrontation with Naruto Uzumaki, Jiraiya’s prized student, tested the breadth of his skills and ended in a display of the “Cycle of Hatred” that shaped the Akatsuki’s motives. Nagato’s might, coupled with his moral complexity, cements him as one of the most awe-inspiring forces in the organization.

3. Itachi Uchiha

Genius, Mangekyō Sharingan, and Strategic Prowess

Renowned as a prodigy from a young age, Itachi Uchiha quickly ascended the ranks of the Hidden Leaf’s Anbu before ultimately defecting to join the Akatsuki. Although many consider him a traitor, the truth behind his actions is deeply tied to the survival of Konoha and his younger brother, Sasuke. Gifted with the Sharingan, Itachi elevated his ocular powers to the Mangekyō Sharingan level, granting him access to potent techniques like Amaterasu (the black flames that burn anything in their path) and Tsukuyomi (a merciless illusion-based genjutsu that can manipulate the victim’s perception of time).

What truly sets Itachi apart is his intelligence and capacity for foresight. Known for orchestrating multi-layered plans, he excels at controlling the battlefield through precision, misdirection, and flawless tactical analysis. Even skilled ninja find it difficult to keep pace with Itachi’s illusions; a single glance at his Sharingan can lead to an inescapable genjutsu that ends the fight before it begins. His mastery of this mental warfare ensures he can confront seemingly stronger opponents and still maintain the upper hand by exploiting weaknesses in their psyche or strategy.

Susanoo and Unrivaled Control

Itachi’s Mangekyō Sharingan allows him to summon Susanoo-a giant, humanoid chakra avatar-that significantly heightens his offensive and defensive capabilities. Itachi’s Susanoo wields two mythical items: the Yata Mirror, which grants near-impenetrable defense by negating elemental advantages, and the Totsuka Blade, an ethereal sword known to seal any enemy it pierces into a blissful, eternal illusion. With these spiritual weapons, Itachi’s Susanoo is often seen as an absolute force that can subdue or eliminate threats rapidly.

Despite suffering from a fatal illness and being severely hampered during his final battle with Sasuke, Itachi still demonstrated tremendous prowess and composure. His display of skill and intelligence, combined with his moral complexities and hidden motivations, elevate him to a near-mythical status. Though he was never the official head of the Akatsuki, his presence and ability to handle threats of any magnitude made him both revered and feared within the organization. To many, Itachi remains one of the most skilled Uchiha-and one of the most powerful shinobi-of all time.

4. Kisame Hoshigaki

Shark-Like Physiology and Chakra Reserves

Kisame Hoshigaki, infamously titled the “Tailless Tailed Beast,” earned a reputation for his immense chakra reserves, rivaling those of actual jinchūriki. Formerly a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Kisame wields the legendary blade Samehada, a living sword capable of absorbing and even devouring an opponent’s chakra. This symbiotic bond with Samehada is the key to Kisame’s incomparable stamina, allowing him to replenish his own chakra by draining it from his adversaries. Combined with his shark-like physical traits and mastery over Water Release ninjutsu, he stands as one of the Akatsuki’s most resilient and relentless combatants.

An adept sensor in aquatic environments, Kisame can merge with Samehada to adopt an even more shark-like form. In this fusion state, his speed, power, and healing are substantially augmented. When fighting on his own turf-flooding battlefields with massive water domes-Kisame forces his enemies into near-drowning states, manipulating the environment to his advantage. His remarkable feats include facing off against the jinchūriki Killer B and forcing him into precarious situations, demonstrating that Kisame’s prowess reaches well beyond standard S-rank shinobi capabilities.

Devastation in Combat

Kisame’s Water Release techniques are some of the most potent in the Naruto world, featuring large-scale offensives such as the giant shark bullet (Suikōdan no Jutsu) and the creation of colossal water prisons. His skill at shaping entire terrains and controlling battles with fluid tactics makes him particularly troublesome. In one notable confrontation, even Might Guy-renowned for his power when opening the Eight Inner Gates-found himself challenged by Kisame’s brutal attacks and seemingly endless stamina.

His ferocity stems not just from the ninjutsu aspect but also from his willingness to carry out missions irrespective of moral constraints. Kisame’s unwavering loyalty to the Akatsuki cause and his calm, ruthless approach to infiltration and battle underscore his lethal efficiency. Despite ultimately being defeated, the difficulty that even high-tier shinobi face against Kisame reaffirms his status among the strongest Akatsuki members. His synergy with Samehada and mastery over aquatic warfare sets him apart as a formidable powerhouse who remains dangerous to the bitter end.

5. Sasori

Expert Puppeteer and Poison Specialist

Sasori of the Red Sand distinguished himself in Sunagakure at a young age, recognized for his prodigious skills in puppet creation and manipulation. His fascination with turning human bodies into puppets-granting them the abilities and kekkei genkai they possessed in life-resulted in an ominous legacy. He eventually transformed his own body into a puppet, drastically reducing his need for food or rest and providing hidden compartments for weapons and gadgets. This transformation granted him heightened survivability, as conventional injuries no longer inflicted the same limitations they would on a living human body.

One of his crowning achievements is the Third Kazekage puppet, which incorporates the feared Iron Sand, a magnetic force-based weapon. The Iron Sand allows for versatile offense and defense, either forming sharp spikes or shapeshifting into projectiles and barriers. Sasori’s manipulations of this puppet and the hidden mechanisms within it make him a lethal opponent. In addition, his arsenal includes a massive collection of human puppets, rumored to number in the hundreds, each of which retains the unique abilities of its original owner. Sasori’s potent poisons, meticulously devised to be fatal within moments and highly resistant to antidotes, round out his terrifying skill set.

Major Battles and Legacy

Sasori’s strategic acumen appears prominently in his battle against Sakura Haruno and Chiyo-an encounter showcasing his ability to control multiple puppets simultaneously. Even when faced with Chiyo’s long experience and cunning, plus Sakura’s raw power, Sasori forced them to the edge. His calm demeanor and readiness to reveal his puppet body mid-battle exemplify his confidence in his craft. He was ultimately defeated only due to a combination of Chiyo’s deep knowledge of his techniques and Sakura’s physical might, alongside emotional factors influencing his final movements.

Given his youth and ultimate departure from Sunagakure, Sasori is a tragic figure driven by an obsession with preserving beauty and life through puppetry. This desire ironically led him to sacrifice his own humanity. His capabilities as a master puppeteer, combined with lethal poisons and cunning tactics, underscore his position as one of the more formidable Akatsuki. While overshadowed by some of the ultra-heavy hitters in the group, Sasori remains a peerless specialist in his field, carving out a unique-and terrifying-niche among the organization’s ranks.

6. Deidara

Artistic Explosions and Tactical Warfare

Deidara, the explosive artist of the Akatsuki, left Iwagakure after perfecting his unique brand of clay-based bombing techniques. Possessing mouths on his palms (and one on his chest) that enable him to shape and detonate special clay, Deidara is able to craft sculptures that explode with devastating results. These ranged from small, stealthy micro-bombs to massive aerial blasts that can wipe out whole villages. Convinced that art is an instantaneous flash of destruction, he turned every fight into a grandiose showcase of his artistic philosophy.

Beyond his flair for the dramatic, Deidara demonstrates cunning tactical thinking. His flight-capable clay birds grant him an enormous advantage in positioning and reconnaissance. Deidara also uses C2 Dragons, C3 bombs, and even a final suicidal technique called C0 that releases a colossal explosion powerful enough to obliterate virtually everything within its radius. His mastery of explosive chakra transformations proves effective against both individual targets and large-scale engagements, forcing opponents to remain constantly vigilant for hidden or remote-activated bombs.

Notable Battles and Strengths

Upon joining the Akatsuki, Deidara quickly established his worth by challenging and defeating opponents with strong defenses. A prime example is his infiltration of the Hidden Sand Village to capture Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage. Despite Gaara’s proficiency in sand manipulation, Deidara’s strategic use of precision explosives allowed him to bypass even formidable defenses, culminating in Gaara’s defeat and kidnapping.

Later, Deidara confronted Sasuke Uchiha in a battle showcasing his adaptive nature. Even as Sasuke’s Sharingan gained an advantage by analyzing Deidara’s explosive clay, the Akatsuki member continued to evolve his strategies, culminating in the final monstrous C0 detonation in an attempt to kill Sasuke. Though he perished in that confrontation, Deidara’s unwavering resolve and fearsome ability to turn the battlefield into a literal minefield confirm his standing as one of the more devastating, if somewhat volatile, members of the organization. His fascination with the fleeting moments of destruction continues to influence the Akatsuki’s dangerous and unpredictable reputation.

7. Kakuzu

Multiple Hearts and Wide-Ranging Elemental Abilities

Hailing from Takigakure, Kakuzu joined the Akatsuki after a long, violent path shaped by his greed and relentless pursuit of profit. Known to be centuries old, Kakuzu keeps himself effectively immortal by harvesting and implanting hearts from strong opponents. Each of these stolen hearts grants him access to a different elemental nature, allowing him to unleash a wide spectrum of offensive attacks. These hearts are also capable of acting independently, manifesting as masked extensions of himself that can coordinate to overwhelm multiple adversaries at once.

Kakuzu’s durability and regenerative prowess rank among the top in the Akatsuki. Each mask must be destroyed before Kakuzu is truly defeated, meaning opponents have to continuously shift tactics and reapply pressure just to make a dent. His Earth Grudge Fear technique stitches his body together, enabling him to detach and reattach limbs, as well as manipulate threads for both offense and battlefield manipulation. With his versatile range of elemental blasts-Fire, Wind, Lightning, and more-Kakuzu can adapt to nearly any opponent, exploiting elemental matchups to devastating effect.

Legacy and Battle Records

Kakuzu’s mercenary mindset sets him apart, as he participated in high-stakes bounty hunting even while affiliated with the Akatsuki. This approach highlights his pragmatism and independence, though it sometimes clashed with his partner Hidan’s zealotry. In direct combat, Kakuzu nearly killed the talented shinobi Team 10, which included Shikamaru Nara, and forced Kakashi Hatake to exert considerable effort. Ultimately, it was Naruto’s newly developed Wind Release: Rasenshuriken that proved effective in striking Kakuzu’s intangible network of chakra threads, eliminating his hearts one by one.

His near-invulnerability, wide-ranging attacks, and prodigious experience make Kakuzu a dangerous foe. While not as conceptually overwhelming as the likes of Itachi or Nagato, his straightforward but lethal approach demands respect. His existence as a living amalgamation of stolen hearts and malicious intent embodies the Akatsuki’s willingness to cross all moral boundaries in search of power and influence.

8. Konan

Paper Ninjutsu and Strategic Brilliance

Konan, the lone female founding member of the Akatsuki, played a key role in the organization’s origins alongside Nagato and Yahiko. Her unique Paper Release technique allows her to transform her body and surrounding areas into countless sheets of paper, which she then shapes into deadly weapons such as shuriken, spears, or explosive tags. She can also form angelic paper wings for flight, making her a versatile combatant able to quickly adapt to both ranged and close-quarters scenarios.

While initially overshadowed by Nagato’s overwhelming Rinnegan abilities, Konan herself is a formidable tactician. She orchestrated infiltration missions and served as the Akatsuki’s tactful diplomat when dealing with other hidden villages or rogue ninjas. Her intelligence and artful approach to warfare shine in her booby-trapped landscapes, where she can transform entire regions into a layered maze of explosive paper, anticipating her opponent’s moves in advance.

Major Feats and Contributions

Following Nagato’s demise, Konan chose to leave the Akatsuki, disillusioned by the organization’s shift in goals under Obito. However, her confrontation with Obito demonstrated her exceptional preparedness: she created a massive ocean of explosive tags-a paper-based sea rigged to explode continuously-designed to nullify his intangibility phase. This strategy nearly succeeded in killing Obito, revealing the full extent of her lethal cunning and unwavering commitment to avenge Nagato’s dream of peace.

Although she ultimately lost her life in that battle, Konan’s carefully orchestrated plan proved she could challenge one of the highest-ranked Akatsuki members when given enough time and resources. Her composure, loyalty, and unique Paper Release technique collectively confirm her significance. Though she does not share the raw destructive capacity of some of her peers, her craftiness and deadly proficiency with explosives earn her a place among the notable powers of the Akatsuki.

9. Hidan

Immortality and Ritualistic Blood Curses

Hidan’s claim to fame rests on his immortality and his devotion to the cult of Jashin, an obscure religion that worships slaughter and ritual sacrifices. Once he tastes his opponent’s blood, Hidan performs a grisly ritual that links his body to theirs. Any damage he inflicts on himself in the ritual’s circle is likewise reflected on his adversary. This twisted method allows him to effectively guarantee a kill, provided he can obtain even a small sample of the opponent’s blood.

In terms of raw skill, Hidan is formidable with his triple-bladed scythe, demonstrating agility and cunning in drawing blood. However, his reliance on the ritual can be exploited by intelligent foes who avoid giving him the chance to enact his curse. Hidan’s immortality also doesn’t equate to invincibility: he can still be incapacitated if his body is dismembered or immobilized. Nevertheless, his resilience makes him difficult to defeat in direct confrontation since standard lethal attacks have no effect.

Significant Battles and Defeat

Hidan’s defeat of Asuma Sarutobi highlights how lethal his curse technique can be. During that battle, Hidan took advantage of momentary lapses in Asuma’s defense to obtain his blood. The subsequent ritual swiftly turned the tide, demonstrating that Hidan only needs a single opportunity to trap his target. This triumph cemented the fearsome reputation of Hidan and Kakuzu as a partnership that overcame even elite Konoha shinobi.

Ultimately, Hidan fell victim to Shikamaru Nara’s strategic planning. Exploiting Hidan’s arrogance and predictable behavior, Shikamaru lured him into an isolated forest, used shadow manipulation to force him into a restricted area, and unleashed explosive tags to bury him alive-effectively neutralizing him indefinitely. Hidan’s immortality prevented him from dying outright, yet he remains buried, trapped, and powerless. Despite this inglorious end, Hidan’s capacity for insta-kill curses remains a terrifying prospect that solidifies his unique place among the Akatsuki’s ranks.

10. Zetsu

Dual Personalities and Spy Network

Zetsu is the Akatsuki’s specialist in espionage, infiltration, and intelligence gathering. Consisting of two distinct halves-Black Zetsu and White Zetsu-he possesses a host of unusual abilities such as merging with the environment, traveling underground, and splitting into multiple clones. The White Zetsu half is significantly more talkative and jovial, prone to taunting opponents. Black Zetsu is cunning, cold, and manipulative, eventually revealed to be the manifestation of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki’s will, orchestrating events for centuries to bring about her return.

Zetsu’s role in the Akatsuki revolves around reconnaissance and covering the organization’s tracks. He often appears to retrieve rings from deceased members, record battles, and ensure that crucial information flows between high-ranking individuals like Obito and Pain. His ability to clone individuals, mimicking their chakra signatures, proves vital in large-scale infiltration and deception. While he does not exhibit the same explosive combat capabilities as other members, his stealthy nature and regeneration techniques provide him with a potent defensive edge and near-limitless infiltration potential.

The Architect Behind the Scenes

Black Zetsu’s ultimate revelation as Kaguya’s will highlights his manipulative genius. From forging the Uchiha Stone Tablet’s hidden messages to nudging Madara, Obito, and other key figures along specific paths, he carefully plotted the Eye of the Moon Plan to achieve Kaguya’s resurrection. In practical terms, Zetsu set many of the Akatsuki’s wheels in motion. Though not physically dominant, this intellectual might makes him one of the most crucial figures in the entire saga.

Although other Akatsuki members excel in direct confrontation, Zetsu ensures the group’s success via subterfuge, cunning, and centuries of planning. His knowledge of shinobi history and events spanning decades surpasses that of nearly anyone else, excluding legendary figures like Madara. While he often remains an observer, his final attempts to resurrect Kaguya demonstrate the extent of his long-term ambitions, underscoring the significance of Zetsu’s presence in the organization’s hierarchy.

11. Orochimaru (Former Member)

Forbidden Jutsu and Endless Pursuit of Knowledge

Orochimaru, a legendary Sannin of the Leaf Village, once joined the Akatsuki in pursuit of knowledge and power. Though his tenure was relatively brief compared to others, his skills and ambitions were immense. Orochimaru delved into forbidden research on immortality, experimenting with stolen bodies to prolong his existence indefinitely. His snake-based ninjutsu, including the ability to extend his limbs and summon monstrous serpents, revealed a biological manipulation unparalleled by most shinobi.

Despite lacking the ocular powers of an Uchiha, Orochimaru’s obsession with the Sharingan led him to attempt to possess Itachi’s body. After failing to claim Itachi, he eventually left the Akatsuki to focus on his own endeavors, primarily the quest to learn every jutsu in existence. Orochimaru’s cunning plans often take shape behind the scenes. He spurred Sasuke Uchiha’s defection from the Leaf, setting up conditions for Sasuke to grow stronger and eventually become a vessel Orochimaru aimed to seize. This relentless drive for knowledge and power underscores Orochimaru’s danger, even outside the Akatsuki’s direct influence.

Influence and Power Ranking

While Orochimaru was no longer an active member during the Akatsuki’s main operations, his capabilities remain noteworthy when evaluating overall strength within the organization’s history. He challenged the Third Hokage in a battle that decimated much of Konoha, unveiling the Reanimation Jutsu to bring back deceased legends like the First and Second Hokage. Orochimaru’s disregard for ethical limits places him on par with the darkest aspects of the Akatsuki’s motivations. His readiness to sacrifice countless lives for experimentation puts him among the series’ most malevolent figures.

Although he never reached the same cosmic scale of power as Obito or Nagato, Orochimaru’s cunning, vast jutsu arsenal, and regenerative immortality techniques made him a consistently dangerous entity. Even in defeat, he finds ways to reemerge. His knowledge of forbidden arts and willingness to operate from the shadows ensure his lasting legacy as a force that the shinobi world can never fully expunge. In the broader context of Akatsuki’s membership, Orochimaru’s short tenure doesn’t undermine the fact that he remains a top-tier threat whose influence lingers long after his departure.