Akatsuki

Akatsuki is a fictional organization in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. It is depicted as a clandestine group of rogue ninjas that operates across the shinobi world. Composed of S-rank criminals, its members wield high-level abilities and pursue a shared agenda that evolves over time. The organization is best known for its distinctive black cloaks bearing red clouds and its role in the pursuit of the tailed beasts.

Origins and evolution: Akatsuki originated as a peace-seeking group formed by Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan after a period of conflict. After Yahiko's death, Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki joined, and the organization was restructured into a more radical faction under Pain, who led using Nagato's body. Later, Obito Uchiha—operating under the alias Tobi—manipulated Akatsuki to advance his plans and recruited additional members such as Deidara, Sasori, Hidan, Kakuzu, and others. The group operated as a covert network with cells spread across nations, frequently changing its leadership and personnel.

Operations and goals: The core objective of Akatsuki for much of its existence is to capture the tailed beasts (bijuu) sealed within various ninja villages. By extracting the beasts from their jinchuriki hosts, the organization seeks to force a reckoning that, in their view, will bring about lasting peace or a new world order. The group relies on stealth, infiltration, and high-level jutsu, often acting in pairs and maintaining secrecy until deployment.

In media and reception: In Naruto, Akatsuki serves as a central antagonist faction across several story arcs and has influenced merchandising and fan culture. Its members and tactics have become among the most recognizable elements of the series.