All of Naruto's Akatsuki Duos, Ranked (2024)

Few organizations in Naruto are more notorious than Akatsuki, Naruto Shippuden's main antagonistic organization. Its groundwork was also laid as early as the original Naruto series, and its trajectory is foreshadowed just as long. Akatsuki is a group of rogue ninjas with independent motivations, loosely united by a common goal - firstly, to resist the impacts of violent conflicts; later, to capture the capture of Tailed Beasts from Naruto's many jinchuriki.

Akatsuki's missions were run by purposely constructed duos. All of these duos have unique features and strengths, leading to vastly different lists being produced depending on the criteria used to evaluate them. Rather than simply comparing raw strength, it's worthwhile to focus on the duo's likability, particular dynamic, narrative impact, and emotional sincerity.

7 Black Zetsu & White Zetsu

An Excellent Character Is Foiled By An Unfortunate One

The Zetsu twist, where Zetsu is revealed to be a player in an unbelievably long game to revive Kaguya, opens up an entire can of worms that fans will rarely agree on. His betrayal of Madara is sudden, unwieldy, and ends up revising all of shinobi history. It feels easy enough to argue that Zetsu should, simply put, not have become a duo at all. Zetsu's origins and betrayal are divisive enough of a narrative choice to warrant a low ranking.

6 Obito & Zetsu

A Clever Plan Becomes Fate

See Also

Most Popular Naruto Episodes, Ranked'Naruto's 10 Most Powerful Villains, Ranked by Strength

It's impressive to watch this relationship play out. Obito occupied three different identities over the course of Shippuden—Tobi, Madara Uchiha, and Obito— and his relationship with Zetsu effortlessly weaves these contrasting identities together into a cohesive narrative. Viewers discover precisely how in Shippuden's controversial ending. Together, the pair slowly ensure Obito's entry into and rise within Akatsuki as part of a broader plan eventually revealed in its totality.

It's arguably heavy-handed, but the foreshadowing is impressive. Furthermore, narratively speaking, it gives a new grand purpose to Akatsuki and renews its identity, which had unstable since the Pain Assault arc's revelations. The importance of the duo to the overall story may raise questions about the low ranking. Yet, Obito and Zetsu's partnership makes things too intentional by the end. If "good duo" means that the pair have a unique relationship, then the ending twist undermines that by making it overly deterministic. If it means anything else, then there's not much that makes this duo particularly appealing.

5 Tobi & Deidara

Akatsuki's Accidental Comedy Duo Is A Total Delight

During better days for Obito in Naruto Shippuden, he was masquerading as a very silly man called Tobi. Deidara is also known and loved for his flamboyant self-righteousness and his oppressive clay bombs. The pairing of the two characters lasts from Sasori's death until Deidara dies himself. When you combine their overall skill as shinobi with their comic chemistry, it's one of the most fun duos in all of Shippuden. The pairing is not the strongest nor the most iconic, but it's still one of the best.

It's also the only pairing of its kind in all of Akatsuki. After Sasori's death, Deidara becomes reckless, obsessed with his explosive ideal of art and completely bent on revenge. Tobi often shows concern for Deidara's well-being. Considering Ubito's grand plan and ulterior motives, this has raised some questions, but a first watch would require taking it at face value anyway. Doing so shows Tobi and Deidara's relationship to be sweet, dynamic, and dangerous. This duo is often undervalued, but their tenure together is an exclusive demonstration of an otherwise hidden depth for both characters.

4 Pain (Nagato) & Konan

The Two Remaining Amegakure Orphans Live Akatsuki's Original Ideals

The Pain Assault arc is among the most memorable in the entire series, and the backstory of the orphans of Amegakure is an excruciating exploration of the consequences of Konoha's actions (and Naruto's world-building). The pair helps to found Akatsuki alongside a mutual friend, Yahiko, who would end up tragically dying. This brought forward a radical desire to punish pain with pain by facing off against the societies and regimes who declare war in the name of peace. This goal is very impersonal compared to the rest of Akatsuki.

Konan bears an undying loyalty to Nagato and the ideals they share. What makes them irresistible is how their intimate, long history enables a deep trust and mutual understanding. This secures a single-minded dedication to their chosen ideal, even when it means turning their backs on the organization they started. However, despite technically being a duo and communicating constantly, they mostly act independently. The story of the Ame orphans is one of Naruto's most compelling, provocative, and brutal backstories, but there are better duos in Akatsuki - although there may not be better friends.

3 Deidara & Sasori

Chaos Combines With Tragedy As Two Artists Wreak Havoc

One would be hard-pressed to come up with a more iconic duo in Akatsuki than Deidara and Sasori. Deidara is a disaffected artist who enjoys destruction; Sasori has a tragic backstory that's impossible not to feel affected by. Generally speaking, Deidara is egotistical and enjoys prolonging action, where Sasori is more detached and prefers getting in and getting out on missions. The two bicker often, and it can be entertaining to watch.

There's another important level to their relationship, though: total faith and respect. Both are artists of sorts, and Deidara has a deep respect for Sasori, calling him "master". The two synergize to make possible missions that are otherwise unthinkable, like the Kazikage offensive. One of the most heartbreaking moments associated with Akatsuki is the amount of hurt and anger that Deidara feels when Sasori dies.

2 Hidan & Kakuzu

Violent Immortal Duo Is Match Made In Heaven

This deeply underrated pair appears early in Naruto Shippuden and is one of the initial introductions to an aggressive Akatsuki. Known as the "Immortal Duo" for their ability to avoid death, Hidan and Kakuzu differ from other Akatsuki members. For both, Akatsuki is a means to other motivations, rather than a cause in itself. For the materialistic Kakuzu, Akatsuki is a path to money; for Hidan, Akatsuki enables his immortality as he sacrifices his slaughter victims to Jashin in exchange.

Neither is particularly interested in Akatsuki per se, but they're loyal because of Akatsuki's utility to them. Their bond might be likened to Deidara's partnerships, as they bicker and are over-the-top. Neither is fit to be somebody else's partner. Kakuzu's immortality is a foil to Hidan's murderous outbursts, and Hidan's brutality brings Kakuzu sure paydays. Hidan's ceaseless hunt is also certified by Kakuzu's wisdom and experience. Their unique abilities and motivations lead them to approach combat like no other Akatsuki members could. The simplicity of their goals and sincerity of their bond is what makes them inimitably interesting.

1 Itachi & Kisame

The First Major Duo Naruto Shows Is Also The Best

Itachi sets Shippuden's rhythm. On either side of his fateful confrontation with Sasuke, one finds a plot indirectly always linking back to Itachi and his legacy. It's also impossible to forget his right-hand man, Kisame. At first, the two were partnered so that Itachi's cool demeanor could keep Kisame in line. Kisame has so much chakra that he's called the Tailed Beast Without A Tail, and his motivation is total commitment to Akatsuki. As a result, Kisame can easily be too headstrong. His partnership with Itachi is meant to curtail that tendency.

Although they initially aren't close, mutual respect eventually develops. Itachi's own motivations are to complete his life mission with Konoha and the Uchiha clan. Despite not having the full story, Kisame happily supports Itachi, and even joins him in the infamous Sasuke Retrieval arc, where the two also have a legendary battle with Kakashi. Itachi and Kisame share the most natural chemistry of any duo, understanding each other with only a few words. They organize their battles around that, meaning that they aren't seen side-by-side often - but theywork flawlessly as a duo regardless, synergizing perfectly.

The fact that their combat and communication seems so effortless speaks to the overwhelming strength of their pairing. Something important makes this pair different from the rest: Itachi never cared much for Akatsuki's grander visions. However, Kisame grows to entirely support him, despite caring enough about Akatsuki to kill himself to avoid leaking information to Guy. That alone shows why the duo, who effectively introduced Akatsuki to fans, is not only Akatsuki's best pairing but also one of Naruto's greatest relationships writ large.

Naruto: Shippuden

TV-14

Action

Adventure

Animation

Martial Arts

Set two and a half years after the events of Masashi Kishimoto's original anime, Naruto Shippuden continues the titular hero's attempts to become the best ninja in the Hidden Leaf Village and bring his former friend Sasuke Uchiha back to the light. The 500-episode series features the return of allies such as Sakura Haruno and Naruto Uzumaki's mentor Jiraiya, as well as the villainous organization Akatsuki.

Cast

Junko Takeuchi , Kazuhiko Inoue , Noriaki Sugiyama , Chie Nakamura , Shoutarou Morikubo , Hideo Ishikawa , Nana Mizuki , Houchuu Ootsuka

Release Date

February 15, 2007

Seasons

22

Network

Adult Swim

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll

Franchise(s)

Naruto

Writers

Junki Takegami , Satoru Nishizono , Yasuyuki Suzuki , Yasuaki Kurotsu , Masanao Akahoshi

Directors

Hayato Date , Masaaki Kumagai , Yasuaki Kurotsu , Osamu Kobayashi , Chiaki Kon