The Hidden Meaning Behind the Akatsuki’s Outfit, Explained

Key Takeaways

• Black robes with red clouds symbolize bloody rain.
• Crossed headbands represent cut off ties to the homeland.
• Painted fingernails hint at rebellion and concealment.

The Akatsuki is one of Naruto’s most well-known antagonistic factions, and part of the organization’s fame stems from its iconic appearance. Whether it’s the black robes with red clouds etched on top or the crossed out headbands of various shinobi villages, the Akatsuki’s outfit and appearance has played a significant role in making the group popular among avid fans and non-viewers alike.

The Akatsuki’s iconic outfit isn’t merely an aesthetic choice, as each symbol and element of the group’s appearance has a nuanced meaning behind it. These symbolic elements reflect the Akatsuki’s humble beginnings, coupled with its latter goals of taking over the shinobi world. While some of these aspects may have faded with time in Naruto, they still remain an integral part of the Akatsuki’s initial appearance.

Black Robes With Red Clouds

A Symbol of Bloody Rain

The Akatsuki members all bear striking appearances, yet one element remains constant — a daunting black robe. With red clouds etched on top, the Akatsuki’s black robes are an iconic part of their appearance, as both characters and viewers alike can discern their menacing presence with one look. These robes hold a distinct meaning, one that changed over the course of the Akatsuki’s existence.

Initially, the red clouds on the robes signified the bloodshed that took place throughout the decades on the Hidden Rain Village’s soil. Since the Hidden Rain was used as a battleground for the Five Great Nations’ wars, these clouds are a nod to the years of blood that rained over this nation.

The clouds also represented justice, something that the Hidden Rain and its inhabitants longed for. After Nagato and Konan’s passing, however, the symbolism of the Akatsuki’s outfit was lost altogether. The remaining members stopped donning the robe, and the original goal of bringing justice to the Rain Village was lost altogether after the final members altered the organization’s original goal.

Crossed Out Headband Of Each Member’s Homeland

Representing their Cut Off Ties

Each Akatsuki member wears their respective nation’s forehead protector, albeit with a cross that runs right across the emblem. This aspect of the Akatsuki’s appearance holds considerable significance. It would have naturally made sense for the Akatsuki members to discard their headbands altogether, yet wearing them with a cross right across it serves a more symbolic purpose.

For some members, their crossed headband serves as a reminder to why they left their homeland and became a missing nin in the first place. Others hold on to theirs to showcase their strength and prestige, as being a shinobi of the Five Great Nations, whether loyal or treasonous, is still accompanied by the status of being powerful.

Another reason for keeping their headbands is to signify reform and change, as almost every member of the Akatsuki abandoned their home village due to disagreeing with their nation’s policies. Keeping the headband showcases that these shinobi may have abandoned their nations, yet they certainly haven’t forgotten them, a fact that certainly holds true in the case of Itachi and Kisame.

The Members’ Painted Fingernails

A Sign Of Rebellion And a Form of Concealment

The black robes and crossed forehead protector are certainly intriguing aspects of the Akatsuki’s appearance, yet one element of their overall appearance just doesn’t add up — painted nails. Each member has a different color of nail paint, and the reason behind this was never explained by the Naruto series. However, a few speculations do shed light on this odd mystery.

One explanation pertains to the rebellious nature of painting one’s fingernails in odd colors, especially for men, which could possibly be a nod to their origins. However, a more practical reason would be to hide any sorts of ailments, since the color of the nails is a tell-tale sign of one’s ailing health. This becomes all the more apparent in the case of the Six Paths of Pain, as all six bodies were merely corpses. To hide the true nature of their bodies, painting their fingernails became a necessity, which was later adopted by every single member of the Akatsuki.

The Akatsuki’s Rings

Each Member Wears a Uniquely Colored Ring

Another iconic part of the group’s appearance, the Akatsuki’s rings are a symbolic design element that goes beyond being a mere aesthetic accessory. Each member bears a unique ring with a different color and Kanji etched across it. The Kanji hold different and unique meanings, and each Kanji is a metaphorical representation of the wearer’s role in the Naruto series.

The rings also serve a more practical purpose, as they were used as a method of communication between the members during the initial parts of Shippuden. Moreover, the Tailed Beast summoning ritual also required the rings, meaning these rings bore both a symbolic meaning and a practical purpose.

Naruto is available to stream on Prime Video.