Naruto is a legendary and popular anime stacked with epic characters. A facet of the franchise that made it so captivating and aided its popularity was its villains. From the terrifying and vengeful Orochimaru to the ninja god Madara, Naruto and friends always had powerful foes.
However, arguably the most influential antagonist of the series was the terrorist organization known as the Akatsuki. Made up of powerful rogue ninja's hellbent on the destruction of the ninja world, the Akatsuki were a fan favorite. Despite their popularity, the pasts of several members are shrouded in mystery, including their ages.
12 Hidan was 22 years old when last seen & as the second newest member, he was probably in his 20s when he joined
The cheery immortal Hidan was one of the last Akatsuki recruits. A loyal follower of the cult-like faith Jashin, Hidan lacked the raw power of many Akatsuki members, but made it up for it with his immortality.
He plays a significant role in the anime, killing Asuma Sarutobi and engaging in an epic battle with Shikamaru. It's unknown exactly when Hidan joined the Akatsuki. He is technically still alive, buried underground somewhere. But he was 22 years old when last seen and as the second newest member, he was probably in his 20s when he joined.
11 Deidara was about 14 years old when he joined & 19 years old when he met his fate at the hands of Sasuke Uchiha
The youngest member of the Akatsuki, Deidara was a rogue ninja from the Iwagakure village. After being defeated by Itachi, Deidara begrudgingly joined the organization and was a valued member.
His explosive kekkei genkai made him a fearsome opponent and his destructive power was a valuable asset. During his time as a criminal, Deidara successfully captured Gaara of the sand. Deidara was about 14 years old when he joined and 19 years old when he met his fate at the hands of Sasuke Uchiha.
10 Sasori was recruited shortly after he left his village, so around 15 or 16 & died 20 years later at the age of 35
Known as Sasori of the red sand, the powerful ninja was a master of puppets in combat. At some point in his life, he defeated the Third Kazekage, a legendary ninja known as the strongest Kage of the Hidden Sand Village.
Following the end of the Third Great Ninja War, the puppeteer was recruited by the Akatsuki, partnering with Orochimaru and later with Deidara. He was recruited shortly after he left his village, so around 15 or 16. He died 20 years later at the age of 35.
9 Kisame Hoshigaki was 29 years old when first introduced & died at the age of 32
One of the legendary Seven Ninja Swordsman Of The Mist, Kisame Hoshigaki, was a force to be reckoned with. He was often referred to as "the tail-less tailed beast" due to the massive amounts of chakra he possessed.
Using this advantage, Kisame often summoned huge bodies of water to overwhelm his opponent and his sword, Samehada, could drain the chakra from any ninja. Fans of the show aren't sure how old Kisame was when he joined the Akatsuki. However, the ninja was 29 years old when first introduced and died at the age of 32.
8 Itachi Uchiha joined the Akatsuki at the age of 14 & died at the age of 21 during his battle with Sasuke
An Uchiha prodigy and elder brother of Sasuke, Itachi joined the Akatsuki at the age of 14. After carrying out the massacre of the Uchiha clan, the gifted ninja became a wanted criminal and the Akatsuki offered him a chance at a different life. However, he was secretly keeping tabs on the organization, ensuring they never armed the Hidden Leaf.
During his time with the organization, Itachi completed several important missions, recruited other members, and partnered with Kisame and Juzo. Itachi died at the age of 21 during his battle with Sasuke.
7 Konan joined the Akatsuki roughly at the age of 18 & died at the age of 35 at the hands of Obito
A founding member of the original Akatsuki, Konan became Nagato's most trusted advisor. She joined the Akatsuki roughly at the age of 18, after the Third Great Ninja War. As an orphan from the Village Hidden by Rain, Konan was trained by Jiraiya for three years.
During this time, she developed into a capable shinobi, specializing in a paper-type jutsu. In fact, her skills were so immense that she almost defeated Obito Uchiha. However, due to his Sharingan, Obito successfully beat Konan, and she died at the age of 35.
6 Nagato was around 18 years old when he joined the organization & was killed by Naruto at the age of 35
Also known as Pain, Nagato was the leader of the Akatsuki and possessed unrivaled power. The shinobi was around 18 years old when he joined the organization. He was gifted with the rinnegan, the most powerful ocular jutsu in shinobi history. With this, Nagato could summon groups of animals, mechanize his body and bring the dead back to life.
He desired peace for the ninja world, but following the death of his close friend Yahiko, Nagato decided the best way to attain his desire was by force. During his attempted destruction of the Hidden Leaf, Nagato was happily killed by Naruto Uzumaki. He was 35 years old.
5 after redeeming his evil actions, Tobi (Obito Uchiha) died aged 31
Tobi initially appeared to be a comical, clumsy ninja who didn't take his role in the Akatsuki seriously. He frequently annoyed whoever he was partnering with but was recognized by members as a talented escape artist, always appearing unharmed no matter the situation.
However, one of the greatest surprises in anime history revealed Tobi was in fact Obito Uchiha and he was subtly controlling the Akatsuki organization. Obito played a significant role in the Fourth Great Ninja War. However, after redeeming his evil actions, Obito died aged 31.
4 The exact ages are unknown, but as the first victim of Kaguya's Infinite Tsukuyomi, Zetsu was very old when he joined the Akatsuki & very old when he died
Zetsu was a valuable member of the Akatsuki, specializing in information gathering. Zetsu appeared to be a loyal follower of Nagato and Obito, frequently carrying out valuable missions.
However as fans later find out, Zetsu actually works for Kaguya Otsutsuki and manipulated many individuals in order to resurrect Kaguya. His age was unknown, but as the first victim of Kaguya's Infinite Tsukuyomi, the villain was very old when he joined the Akatsuki and very old when he died.
3 Very little is known of Juzo Biwa when he joined, but he was 31 years old when he died
An often forgotten member of the Akatsuki, Juzo was one of the legendary Seven Ninja Swordsman Of The Mist who deserted his village to join the organization. He is only seen briefly in the anime, partnering Itachi Uchiha and meeting his death during the attempted capture of the Fourth Mizukage.
The rogue ninja was only a member of the Akatsuki in the anime, never featuring in the manga. Very little is known of Juzo, including his age when he joined. However, he was 31 years old when he died.
2 it was never clear when Kakuzu joined the Akatsuki, but he died at the age of 91
Alongside Hidan, Kakuzu made up the Akatsuki pairing dubbed "The Zombie Combo." Practically immortal, Kakuzu was a legendary figure who once battled Hashirama, the First Hokage.
The ninja possessed a rare mastery of all nature elements and was feared by many ninja due to his skill. Naruto didn't provide Kakuzu with much of a backstory, and it was never clear when Kakuzu joined the Akatsuki. However, he died at the age of 91. Making him one of the oldest Akatsuki members.
1 It has never been stated how old Orochimaru was when he joined the organization, but he is still alive
Legendary Sannin and the first antagonist of Naruto, Orochimaru was terrifying. The Akatsuki member was banished from the Hidden Leaf after the Hokage discovered the inhumane experiments he was conducting.
Orochimaru joined the Akatsuki knowing he was free to continue his twisted science whilst assisting the Akatsuki during missions. It has never been stated how old Orochimaru was when he joined the organization. He left after failing to take the body of Itachi and although appearing to have died several times, the Snake is still alive.