Popular among most anime fans is the shonen anime Naruto. This widespread series, written by Masashi Kishimoto, centers on a world of ninjas. The story in this series revolves around a young boy named Naruto, whose dream is to become the Hokage of his village, known as the Hidden Leaf Village.
The Naruto series tells the stories of the various missions Naruto and his friends embark on for the sake of their village. During most missions, naturally, they will eventually encounter villains who aim to stop them from fulfilling their missions. However, one thing that often stands out from these encounters is that only some of these villains were always evil. Some have more complex motivations, and their morality is more ambiguous.
6 Gaara
Popularly known as the jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Shukaku, Gaara was an antagonist for a part of the series. He was introduced to fans during the Chunin Exams arc as a character with a scary aura around him. He was only presented as a villain, specifically a bloodthirsty individual who couldn't care less about human life. However, this characterization only lasted for a short period of the series.
Like most villains, there was a triggering point that made Gaara the way he was. Shaped by a childhood similar to Naruto's, Gaara was often ostracized by the people of his village even though, deep down, he was a child with a kind heart. After meeting Naruto, he is redeemed, and his perspective changes.
5 Konan
Born in the Hidden Rain Village alongside her childhood friends, Nagato and Yahiko, Konan was a supporting character for a significant section of the story in the series. As a character that survived the effects of a war-torn nation, Konan helped further the cause of the Akatsuki at various times. Since she represented the ideals of an organization hated and feared by many, this earned her this reputation as a villain.
Unfortunately, Konan was a victim of the war that ravaged the Hidden Rain Village, which took her parents from her. Alongside Yahiko and Nagato, she found a way to survive, and in turn, they became best friends. The war and her background shaped her mindset in joining the Akatsuki and helping them to achieve their heinous acts.
4 Nagato
With a reputation among fans for being the 'leader' of the Akatsuki, Nagato aimed to capture all the tailed beasts that were sealed inside different people. His aim was to unite the shinobi world and bring peace. In pursuit of this goal, he obtained the alias known as 'Pain.' Nagato's aim was to bring peace, alongside Konan. Unfortunately for him, the death of Yahiko may have ultimately affected Nagato's perspective on peace.
Subsequently, in the Pain Assault arc, after meeting Naruto, Nagato realizes his definition of peace was flawed and then entrusted his dream to Naruto. Nagato's past contributed significantly to how he became known as Pain. Losing his parents as a victim of the war and, more significantly, losing Yahiko, made this young Nagato change his ideals.
3 Orochimaru
As one of the Hidden Leaf Village's legendary Sannin, Orochimaru is a reputable personality in the Naruto world. His thirst for immortality, amongst other unique experiments, makes him a standout character. From capturing Sasuke to disregarding Kimimaro to creating the Living Corpse Reincarnation, Orochimaru's evil deeds know no limit. His creepiness also makes him stand out as one of the greatest antagonists in the series.
Some fans believe that his personality change may be attributed to the death of his parents. He and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, were in front of his parent's grave, and a white snake passed. This led to Hiruzen explaining the positives of the snake's presence. According to some fans, this explanation led to this thirst for knowledge, particularly the study of Kinjutsu.
2 Yahiko
Alongside his best friends Konan and Nagato, Yahiko is a shinobi of the Hidden Rain Village. Additionally, much like his friends, he is also a victim of the war in his village, which made him a war orphan. He founded the Akatsuki with his best friends and became their leader. After his death, he was used as the face and a sort of martyr of the Akatsuki by Nagato in order to achieve his goal of world peace, even in death.
Yahiko shared one of the same goals as Naruto. He aimed to uplift the Hidden Rain Village and bring them out of their war-ridden state. Yahiko was also a virtuous shinobi; he killed himself to save Konan and to also save Nagato from the guilt he may have faced for killing him.
1 Obito
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Being a member of Team Seven and friend to Kakashi and Rin, Obito of the Hidden Leaf Village, who once aimed to become Hokage, was one of the standout villains of the Naruto series. Some of his evil deeds include killing Konan, helping Kabuto, attempting to kill baby Naruto, unleashing the Nine-Tails, and grooming Sasuke. The fact that he was a member of the Uchiha clan contributed to his strength in facing different opponents.
However, Obito, who once dreamed of becoming Hokage, was not always the villain he ended up being, although he redeems himself at the end of the series. In an attempt to prevent herself from being captured, Obito's teammate, Rin, was about to kill herself, but she could not because of a seal that had been placed on her. She then asked Kakashi, her teammate, to kill her. She then jumped in front of Kakashi's Chidori, ultimately killing herself. Obito witnessed all of this. Rin's death can be said to be a trigger making him a villain.