Naruto: What Happened to the Akatsuki’s Rings?

Over its long run, the Naruto series has introduced all sorts of new concepts into the mix, though most of these have eventually been forgotten and sidelined. This is a common phenomenon in several long-running shonen series, and Naruto is no exception. The Akatsuki’s rings are a similar concept, as this once-integral aspect of the Akatsuki eventually became a forgotten notion in the Naruto series.

The rings were touted as a key element for being a member of the Akatsuki, and several instances hinted at their immense significance. However, these rings were eventually entirely sidelined, with no mention of the Akatsuki’s rings ever being found in the Naruto series. A few speculations can be made as to what happened to this lost concept.

What Are the Akatsuki’s Rings?

A Key Aspect Of Being an Akatsuki Member

A compelling and well-written antagonistic group is almost always known by its emblem or signature insignia. For the Akatsuki, the members’ rings served this symbolic element, as every member possessed a unique ring that indicated their status as an Akatsuki member. Each ring bore a different design and color, with a Japanese Kanji etched onto the rings that represented a metaphor for the wearer.

Each member boasted a unique ring that served both symbolic and practical purposes. During the initial parts of Shippuden, these rings were treated with the utmost significance, though this notion was eventually forgotten as other pressing matters took center stage in Naruto’s narrative.

The Purpose of the Akatsuki’s Rings

The Rings Were Used for the Akatsuki’s Rituals

At face value, the Akatsuki’s rings seemed to have no use at all other than aesthetic purposes. However, several scenes in the initial parts of Naruto Shippuden hint at a much more significant purpose. While it was never explicitly stated, the Akatsuki’s rings were a source of communication between the members of the group. This became evident during the Tailed Beast sealing process, as the members were able to form a projection of themselves.

These projections of the members are manifested on the fingers of the Gedo Statue’s hands, indicating that each ring held a specific position in the Tailed Beast sealing process. This speculation is further backed by the fact that one finger remained empty, which was supposed to be Orochimaru’s place on the Gedo statue. Since he never returned the ring, his place on the hand was never filled in.

The Tailed Beast sealing process also hinted at the purpose and significance of these rings. The technique used to seal the beasts, Sealing Technique: Phantom Dragons Nine Consuming Seals, requires each member to stand on one finger of the Gedo Statue. Once the sealing process began, the Kanji of each member’s ring would appear on the fingertips of the statue. This clearly indicates that the rings were a crucial part of the Tailed Beast sealing process.

What Happened to the Akatsuki’s Rings?

The Rings Eventually Faded into Obscurity

During the initial parts of Shippuden, the Akatsuki’s rings were touted as an integral part of the organization, a fact that further becomes apparent from their role in the sealing process. However, this concept eventually faded into obscurity once the narrative sped up. An inkling of the concept still remained till Pain’s invasion of the Hidden Leaf, though his defeat effectively ended this concept altogether.

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If the rings merely played an aesthetic role in the Akatsuki’s appearance, their disappearance wouldn’t have been a significant matter. However, the rings were deemed to be of high significance, which is apparent from Zetsu going through the trouble to find Sasori’s ring, and the Akatsuki making a big deal of Orochimaru never returning his ring.

The Concept Of the Rings Died Out With the Members

One explanation for the ring’s disappearance could be attributed to the Akatsuki members’ defeat over time. With each member of the Akatsuki killed off, the rings were also lost with their owners. This meant that the rings would receive less screen time overtime, eventually falling into obscurity altogether.

While this explanation is viable to a certain extent, it still fails to explain why the concept eventually died out altogether. A handful of Akatsuki members survived till the latter parts of Shippuden, which further makes the rings’ disappearance rather odd.

Another One of Kishimoto’s Forgotten Plot Points

The Naruto series is plagued by forgotten plot points and incomplete concepts. This largely stems from the series becoming convoluted with all sorts of new concepts and powers being thrown into the mix. This issue became all the more prevalent after the Pain arc, when the primary characters underwent new power ups.

The Akatsuki’s rings fell victim to this issue, as the concept had to be sidelined for more significant matters to take center stage in the Naruto series. However, this still doesn’t justify the lack of development this concept received, as it had the potential to be turned into an intriguing element associated with the Akatsuki.

Naruto is available to stream on Prime Video.

Naruto: Shippuden

Studio

Pierrot

Based On

Manga

Creator

Masashi Kishimoto