The villain characters in the "Naruto" anime and manga face protagonist Naruto Uzumaki and his ninja allies in battles of strength, stealth and ninja skills. The ongoing fights between Naruto and the villains in his world helped propel the "Naruto" manga to the top of America's best-selling graphic novels twice in early 2011. To understand the world of "Naruto," familiarize yourself with the "Naruto" villain characters.
Orochimaru
The first long-term villain character in the "Naruto" series, Orochimaru is one of the legendary Three Ninja and the only of the three to turn evil. Snakelike in appearance, Orochimaru specializes in snake attacks and can summon Manda, a large snake, to aid him in battle. Orochimaru's primary goal is to attain immortality, and he performs illegal experiments on people he kidnaps to discover the secret of living forever. He elongates his life by possessing the bodies of strong ninja and shedding his former bodies every few years, or after the bodies break down. He usually changes the body's appearance to match his own.
Kabuto Yakushi
Kabuto Yakushi is Orochimaru's most trusted assistant and a medical ninja. An unassuming ninja with glasses and long silver hair in a ponytail, Kabuto's calm demeanor masks a complicated life as a spy against his master and a former orphan. Kabuto comes to believe wholeheartedly in Orochimaru's mission and eventually hopes to become a vessel for his lord. However, Orochimaru values Kabuto's ninja and research skills too much to let him die to be his body. Nevertheless, eventually Kabuto receives some of Orochimaru's powers and skills and continues to fight against Naruto and his allies.
Gaara
Gaara, a young ninja from the Village Hidden in Sand, begins the series as a Jinchuuriki like Naruto. In other words, the spirit of a huge tailed beast resides inside him and makes him more powerful. Gaara and his siblings attack the Hidden Leaf Village -- Naruto's home -- during what was initially a peaceful examination process. Naruto defeats Gaara and several years later in the story, Gaara assumes the role of Kazekage, Village Hidden in Sand leader, and becomes Naruto's ally.
The Akatsuki
Orochimaru was once a member of the Akatsuki before the "Naruto" series. The Akatsuki are the primary villains in "Naruto Shippuden," the era of "Naruto" that takes place two and a half years after the first series. An organization composed of 10 members at a time, the Akatsuki initially seemed to follow the orders of the member called Pain. However, the true leader was a member in disguise who was really Madara Uchiha, an immortal who once lived in the Hidden Leaf Village. The objective of the Akatsuki is to steal all of the nine-tailed beasts, control them and rule the world through fear. As such, Naruto, a Jinchuuriki with a tailed beast inside him, is one of their targets.
