Organizations

Although some members joined Akatsuki to further their own goals, all are united in Akatsuki's ultimate goal of gaining world domination. Nagato has mentioned a three-step process to work their way towards this goal. First, they plan to obtain a large amount of money to support their organisation. Second, they plan to set up a mercenary group loyal only to Akatsuki. To build their reputation, they plan to accept any mission below the usual cost and operate off of the excess funds earned in the first part of their plan. Because there haven't been any wars in some time, the established shinobi villages couldn't afford to charge such low prices, leading the smaller countries to hire Akatsuki over the more expensive shinobi villages. By using the tailed beasts, Akatsuki would start wars and then immediately quell them, solidifying their reputation and convincing every country to depend on them, thus cornering the market in shinobi labour. Without any business, the other shinobi villages would collapse due to the lack of funds. Finally, after Akatsuki is the only major force of shinobi in existence, they can easily conquer the other countries. Members do not automatically learn of the plan upon joining; Hidan didn't find out about it until he had been a member for quite some time.

The tailed beasts, nine gigantic demons of immense power, are the main focus of much of Akatsuki's efforts and screen time within the series. Each member is assigned to capture one of the nine beasts alive or, in most cases, the person that beast has been sealed into.

Akatsuki members have a very distinctive wardrobe, which could give them away if a village is alerted of their presence. Members wear long, dark cloaks with red clouds, a red interior, and a chin-high collar. Tobi and the members of Taka wear a similarly marked hooded mantle. The red clouds represent the rain of blood that fell in Amegakure during its wars, and were seen as a symbol of justice by its original members. All members wear black nail polish on their fingers and toenails, although the colours vary in the anime, and may wear a conical straw hat with small ornamental torques and tassles hanging down over their faces. The hats may be used to move around in the general population unnoticed, or for when the weather requires one. Some members cross out the symbol on their forehead protectors to symbolise the broken ties with their former villages, a practice originating with Nagato and his rival faction in Amegakure's civil war. Others members simply cease wearing them altogether, for several reasons. Everyone also wears a ring with a kanji on different fingers depending on who the member is.

Right thumb: 零 (rei, "zero"); worn by Yahiko. Its color is purplish-grey.
Right index finger: 青 (Ao, shō, "blue," "green"); worn by Yari. Its color is teal.
Right middle finger: 白 (bya, "white"); worn by ________. Its color is white.
Right ring finger: 朱 (shu, "vermilion," "scarlet"); worn by Jugo. Its color is red.
Right little finger: 亥 (gai, "sign of the boar"); worn by ________. Its color is green.
Left little finger: 空 (kū, "sky," "void"); worn by _________. Its color is slate blue.
Left ring finger: 南 (nan, "south"); worn by Suigetsu Hōzuki. Its color is yellow.
Left middle finger: 北 (hoku, "north"); worn by Lars. Its color is dark green.
Left index finger: 三 (san, "three"); worn by Hidan. Its color is orange. 
Left thumb: 玉 (gyoku, "jewel," "ball," also the black king in shogi); worn by Yukimaru. Its color is purple.

Hidden Rain-  is the Village head here.
Hidden Sound- Given Jugo has strong word with most of its army.
Hidden Mist- Suigetsu gained control over the Mizukage and is currently using the village for the gain of Akatsuki.
Hidden Grass- Exchanges services for protection.