Narutois a manga and anime phenomenon that intricately weaves the tale of a young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki as he seeks recognition and dreams of becoming the strongest ninja, the Hokage. Amidst vibrant tales of camaraderie, growth, and conflict, the series introduces an ensemble of dark characters.
Naruto: 10 Best Story Arcs, Ranked
There are countless great stories told throughout the Naruto series, but these are the best story arcs of them all.
These figures, marked by tragic pasts like Itachi Uchiha, who is forced to eradicate his entire clan, or the morally ambiguous methods taken by Obito, challenge Naruto and his companions and raise profound questions about the nature of power, legacy, and redemption. This list explores some of the darkest characters in Naruto.
Hidan is one of the most sinister members of the Akatsuki. He performs ritualistic sacrifices, believing in Jashin, who grants him immortality. His unique ability allows him to link his body to his opponent’s; any injury he inflicts upon himself is also mirrored onto his victim, allowing him to fatally wound others while remaining unharmed.
This sadistic practice and his zealous devotion make him especially dangerous. Hidan’s twisted sense of pleasure in causing pain to himself and others, along with his constant reverence for his god, Jashin, unsettles allies and enemies.
Sasori, known as Sasori of the Red Sand, is a master puppeteer renowned for his unparalleled skill in creating human puppets. Sasori’s dark nature is revealed in his practice of using actual human corpses as the base for his creations.
One of his most notorious actions is transforming the bodies of his parents into puppets. He also created a puppet form of himself, housing his living heart within a container, granting him pseudo-immortality. His lethal artistry and cold demeanor made him a formidable and dark character within the series.
8Itachi Uchiha
Itachi Uchiha is a complex character, initially portrayed as a cold-hearted murderer who annihilated his entire clan. As a prodigious ninja, Itachi’s actions are shrouded in mystery and darkness, especially his decision to spare only his younger brother, Sasuke, who he then pushes to seek revenge.
However, as the story unfolds, the true nature of Itachi’s choices is revealed. His extermination of the Uchiha clan was carried out under orders fromKonoha village’shigher-ups. Driven by a deep love for his village and brother, Itachi bore the weight of his dark deeds.
7Kabuto Yakushi
Kabuto Yakushi starts as a seemingly mild-mannered ninja, but his true nature is dark. Kabuto becomes Orochimaru’s right-hand man, aiding him in illegal human experiments and espionage against various villages. His identity crisis and quest for self-understanding lead him to assimilate the abilities of numerous shinobi, including Orochimaru’s powers.
Naruto: 10 Strongest Senjutsu Users, Ranked
Discover the might of Senjutsu in Naruto, with powerhouses like Naruto, Jiraiya, and the legendary Hashirama Senju.
Kabuto resurrects many deceased ninjas through the forbidden Reanimation Jutsu to wage war, causing chaos and emotional turmoil. Kabuto’s journey is one of darkness and manipulation as he grapples with his sense of self in a tumultuous world.
6Orochimaru
Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha, is one of the most formidable antagonists. Obsessed with the quest for immortality and mastery over all jutsu, Orochimaru’s ambitions plunge him into the abyss of forbidden arts, leading to the death of many shinobi.
This descent into darkness is further evidenced when Orochimaru orchestrates the assassination of the Third Hokage and initiates the invasion of Konoha. Furthermore, his twisted fascination with the potential of Uchiha power leads him to manipulate and groom Sasuke as a vessel for his own reincarnation.
Pain, also known as Nagato, represents the cycle of shinobi hatred. As a war orphan, Nagato’s traumatic experiences turn him into an antagonist. Adopting the moniker Pain, he leads the Akatsuki, seeking to gather all the tailed beasts to impose order on the world through fear and force.
Pain has the Rinnegan, apowerful dojutsuthat allows him to control six bodies, each showcasing unique abilities. His devastating attack on Konoha underscores his commitment to his ideology. However, his encounter with Naruto challenges and ultimately alters his beliefs.
Danzo is the leader of the covert Root faction of the Anbu Black Ops. He advocates for a violent approach to achieving peace and stability, even if it demands morally questionable choices. Believing in the greater good, Danzo is involved in numerous dark plots, including orchestrating the Uchiha clan massacre.
His right arm is embedded with stolen Sharingan eyes, a testament to his willingness to exploit others. While he positions himself as a protector of Konoha’s interests, his Machiavellian tactics and moral ambiguity often clash with the series' ideologies.
3Obito Uchiha
Obito Uchiha, initially introduced as the masked Tobi, is a major antagonist. Once a cheerful and compassionate young ninja, a tragic series of events, including being crushed by a boulder and manipulated by Madara Uchiha, transforms him.
Naruto: 10 Best Villains, Ranked
The legendary Naruto series introduced us to several interesting and well-written villains, but these are surely some of the best ones.
Witnessing Rin’s death pushes Obito into despair, leading him to adopt Madara’s cynical worldview. He becomes instrumental in forming the Akatsuki, orchestrating the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha, and igniting the Fourth Great Ninja War to enact the Eye of the Moon Plan and trap humanity in a dreamlike illusion.
2Kaguya Otsutsuki
Kaguya Otsutsuki is the progenitor of chakra and a dark character. Originating from another world, she consumed the fruit of the God Tree, granting her unparalleled power and leading her to subjugate humanity. She gave birth to two sons, Hagoromo and Hamura, who, recognizing her tyranny, sealed her away.
However, Kaguya’s legacy persisted in the form of the Uchiha and Senju descendants and the ongoing conflicts of the shinobi world. Her eventual revival during the Fourth Great Ninja War showcases her overwhelming might and desire to reclaim all chakra.
1Madara Uchiha
Madara Uchiha is one of Naruto’s most formidable antagonists. As a legendary shinobi and co-founder of Konoha, his vision of peace eventually diverges into a dark, forceful subjugation, leading to a lifelong conflict with Hashirama and themighty Senju clan.
Consumed by the curse of the Uchiha and the trauma of continuous warfare, Madara becomes obsessed with achieving peace by casting an illusion on all of humanity. Madara’s ambition and relentless pursuit of a twisted genjutsu shape the very course of the shinobi world, solidifying his reputation as a dark and iconic character.
