List of Naruto antagonists and Pop (British and Irish TV channel): Difference between pages

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{{Infobox TV channel
This is a list of antagonists in the ''[[Naruto]]'' [[anime]] and [[manga]] series.
| name = Pop
| logosize = 200px
| logofile = Poplogo.jpg
| logoalt = Pop TV Logo
| launch = [[May 29]] [[2003]]
| share = 0.1% <br>
| share as of = June 2008
| share source = [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/monthreports.cfm?report=monthgmulti]
| owner = '''[[CSC Media Group]]'''
| country = {{UK}}
| former names = [[Toons & Tunes]] (Until June 2003)
| sister names = [[Tiny Pop]] <br> [[Pop Girl]] <br> [[Kix (TV channel)|Kix!]]
| timeshift names =
| web = [http://www.popfun.co.uk/ popfun.co.uk]
| sat serv 1 = [[Freesat]]
| sat chan 1 = Channel 603
| sat serv 2 = [[Sky Digital (UK)|Sky Digital]]
| sat chan 2 = Channel 616
| sat serv 3 = [[Eurobird 1]]
| sat chan 3 = 11642V 27500 2/3
| cable serv 1 = [[Virgin Media]]
| cable chan 1 = Channel 736
|}}
: ''This article is about a UK television channel. For information on the Slovenian television network, see [[POP TV]].''


'''Pop''' is a [[free-to-air]] [[television channel]] in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], broadcasting [[Animated television series|cartoons]] and [[pop music]] videos. It is owned and operated by '''CSC Media Group''' (formerly [[Chart Show Channels]]) and launched on 29 May, 2003. Its sister channel [[Tiny Pop]], which was launched on 27 July, 2004, has similar content but for younger children. Its second sister channel [[Pop Girl]] was launched on 6 August, 2007, and also shows cartoons and live action shows but is aimed at a more female audience. Its third sister channel, [[Kix (TV channel)|Kix!]] was launched on 19 May, 2008, and also shows cartoons but is aimed at a more male audience.
{{TOClimit|limit=3}}


Pop broadcasts on [[Sky Digital (UK)|Sky Digital]], [[Virgin Media]] and [[Freesat]]. Before and after [[Advertising|advertisements]] during pop music, the channel's mascots &mdash; two cartoon characters &mdash; talk about upcoming cartoons, introduce [[competition|competitions]], read viewers' jokes and show viewers' artwork. The characters are a [[dragon]] called Rorry (identical to "[[Tricky (TV series)|Tricky]]", who "presented" a Saturday morning show on [[ITV]] in 1997), and his pet [[cat]] called Purrdy (again, taken from the Saturday morning show).
==Creation and conception==
When creating the antagonists of the ''Naruto'', series creator [[Masashi Kishimoto]]'s primary goal was to create villains that were directly opposed to the lead characters' moral values. He stated that this focus on illustrating the difference in values is central to his creation of villains to the point that, "I don't really think about them in combat". The villains' physical appearances were embellished in order to differentiate them from other characters. Kishimoto commented that "[t]he difference between the heroes and the villains must be obvious" and that the different appearances should make it easier for a reader to follow the story and "recognize that 'this character is a bad guy'", even in heated battle scenes.<ref name="ArtBook142">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|page=142|isbn=1-4215-1407-9}}</ref> In some cases, Kishimoto creates antagonists to fight specific characters, and ensures that the antagonists' unique attributes "make the battles interesting".<ref name="ArtBook128">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|page=128|isbn=1-4215-1407-9}}</ref> Kishimoto also noted that making the villains "flamboyant" with a "showy costume" is part of his "guiding principles" in ensuring the villains were clearly visible from the other characters in the story, as well as making them "more memorable".<ref name="ArtBook142"/>


Pop's logo originally consisted of the word 'pop' in blue writing, with a red background. When shown on the channel, the logo was animated, with balloons floating past the letters, or the letters themselves becoming balloons. It changed in October 2006 to white letters on an orange background. The letters became [[all caps]], and an [[exclamation mark]] was added.
==Otogakure==
{{seealso|World of Naruto#Land of Sound|l1=World of Naruto}}
{{nihongo|Otogakure|音隠れの里|Otogakure no Sato|lit. "Village Hidden in Sound"}} is a village founded by [[Orochimaru (Naruto)|Orochimaru]] for the purpose of collecting ninja for his experiments to learn all the [[Jutsu (Naruto)|jutsu]] in the world. The village is not contiguous, consisting of multiple assorted lairs located within the Land of Sound and outside it.


In October 2006 a further change was added: Now the all cap letters ("!" included) are 3D representated and during advert breaks are shown dancing or chasing each other and eventually spelling out the logo "POP!". This ident was set to music very similar to "Benny Hill", though this was changed after a few months, perhaps due to the similarity.
===Orochimaru===
{{main|Orochimaru (Naruto)}}
{{nihongo|Orochimaru|大蛇丸}} is one of the primary antagonists of the ''Naruto'' series. To emphasize his role as a villain, Kishimoto worked towards making him appear "pasty and sickly" as part of his theme of distinguishing villains from the protagonists.<ref name="ArtBook128"/> In the series, Orochimaru is a former ninja of [[World of Naruto#Konohagakure|Konohagakure]] and a student of the [[List of Naruto characters#Third Hokage|Third Hokage]]. During his time in the village, he distinguished himself as one of the village's most powerful ninja along with his teammates, [[Jiraiya (Naruto)|Jiraiya]] and [[Tsunade (Naruto)|Tsunade]].<ref name="Ch170Pg155">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 19|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 170|page=155|isbn=1-4215-1654-3}}</ref> His desire to obtain immortality led him to conduct experiments on other Konohagakure ninja, and he eventually fled the village and joined the criminal organization [[#Akatsuki|Akatsuki]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 38|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 345|isbn=4-08-874364-6}}</ref> After an incident with [[#Itachi Uchiha|Itachi Uchiha]], he left Akatsuki and established his own ninja village, [[World of Naruto#Otogakure|Otogakure]], in the hopes of destroying his former home.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 8|year=2005|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 69|isbn=1-4215-0124-4}}</ref> His immortality technique involves transferring his consciousness between different host bodies, and his desire for a new host, particularly [[Sasuke Uchiha]], is one of his driving motivations throughout the series.<ref name="Repaired">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 27|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 238|page=48-49|isbn=1-4215-1863-5}}</ref> Because of his different host bodies and the disguises he assumes, a panoply of voice actors are utilized for Orochimaru; his most common ''[[seiyū]]'' in the Japanese anime is [[Kujira]], and the corresponding English voice actor is [[Steven Blum]].<ref name="ANNKujira">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=3581|title=Kujira|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-04-03}}</ref><ref name="ANNStevenBlum">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=4832|title=Steven Jay Blum|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-04-03}}</ref>


Originally the channel was mainly music videos until February 2004 when cartoons were first shown. Music videos were kept on the channel, but were then dropped entirely during mid-2006. They were later revived in early 2007, but only during a 60 minute slot called "Pop Party".
===Kabuto Yakushi===
{{nihongo|Kabuto Yakushi|薬師 カブト|Yakushi Kabuto}} is [[Orochimaru (Naruto)|Orochimaru]]'s foremost servant. As a child, he was found on a battlefield by a medical officer from Konohagakure, who took Kabuto and raised him as a son.<ref name="Spy">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 8|year=2005|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 66|isbn=1-4215-0124-4}}</ref> Kabuto began acting as a spy for numerous countries and organizations, including the criminal organization Akatsuki, which ordered him to enter the service of Orochimaru.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 32|year=2006|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 289|isbn=4-08-874039-3}}</ref> Kabuto uses his various former affiliations as a means to gather intelligence on Orochimaru's behalf; for instance, he participates in the yearly ninja exams as a villager of Konohagakure so as to gather information on his fellow participants.<ref name="Spy"/> Although Kabuto has professed his utmost loyalty to Orochimaru, Orochimaru has admitted that he cannot determine where Kabuto's true loyalties lie, and has suggested that Kabuto secretly works against him.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 10|year=2006|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 88|isbn=1-4215-0240-2}}</ref>


On [[11 October]], [[2007]], POP! was launched on [[Virgin Media]], along with its sister channel [[Tiny Pop]].
Kabuto is highly proficient with medical techniques, being likened in ability to [[Tsunade (Naruto)|Tsunade]]: he can regenerate from wounds by reactivating dead cells in order to grow new ones and can form a scalpel with [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Chakra|chakra]] to deal precise blows to his opponents.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 19|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 164|isbn=1-4215-1654-3}}</ref> Orochimaru uses Kabuto's talents in his human experiments, primarily to keep test subjects alive for longer than is normally feasible.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 19|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 168|isbn=1-4215-1654-3}}</ref> During Part I, he infiltrates Konohagakure to prepare for Orochimaru's invasion, and rejoins Orochimaru in Otogakure following the invasion. In Part II, after Orochimaru is killed, Kabuto integrates Orochimaru's remains into his body in order to become powerful enough to not serve anyone again. Also, Kabuto has mentioned that the parts of Orochimaru that he integrated have begun taking over his body, saying that "(Orochimaru's body parts) have a will of thier own."<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 39|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 357|isbn=4-08-874364-4}}</ref> In the Japanese anime, Kabuto's ''seiyū'' is [[Nobutoshi Canna]],<ref name="ANNNobutoshiCanna">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=1070|title=Nobutoshi Canna|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> and his English voice actor is [[Henry Dittman]].<ref name="ANNHenryDittman">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=56713|title=Henry Dittman|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref>


===Sound Four===
==Programmes==
There are a selection of programmes that broadcast on Pop:
{{nihongo|The Sound Four|音隠れの忍四人衆|Otogakure no Shinobi Yonin Shū|''lit.'' "Hidden Sound Shinobi Four People", ''English TV:'' "Sound Ninja Four"}} are Orochimaru's elite bodyguards. They are introduced during Orochimaru's invasion of Konohagakure, but do not become a prominent part of the story until [[Sasuke Uchiha]] attempts to leave Konohagakure to join Otogakure. The Sound Four act as his bodyguards, and although they are all defeated by Konohagakure ninja, Sasuke manages to escape.<ref name="Four">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 21|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 184|isbn=1-4215-1855-4}}</ref> The group was originally known as the "Sound Five", as they were forced to accept [[#Kimimaro|Kimimaro]] as the leader after he defeated the entire group in battle. After Kimimaro became bedridden due to his illness, the group resumed calling themselves the Sound Four.<ref name="Five">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 23|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 201|isbn=1-4215-1859-7}}</ref> As a group they specialize in barriers, defensive walls, and sealing techniques. Orochimaru has given each member of the group one of his [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Orochimaru's cursed seals|cursed seals]], which allows him to control them and greatly increases the strength of the user when active.<ref name="Four"/>


====Jirobo====
===Current Programmes===
{| border="0"
{{nihongo|Jirobo|次郎坊|Jirōbō}} is the first member of the Sound Four to be introduced in the series. When Masashi Kishimoto was creating the Sound Four, he was the third member of the group to be created, and was intended to be the largest member of the group.<ref name="ArtBook128"/> Jirobo is the physically strongest member: he can lift boulder-sized rocks and hurl them across long distances with ease. He can also absorb others' [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Chakra|chakra]], which he uses as a form of sustenance.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 21|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 188|isbn=1-4215-1855-4}}</ref> His fellow Sound Four member [[#Tayuya|Tayuya]] frequently calls Jirobo fat due to his size and habit of consuming chakra, something he is quick to scold her for.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 22|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 191|isbn=1-4215-1858-9}}</ref> When Sasuke Uchiha leaves Konohagakure, Jirobo battles [[List of Naruto characters#Choji Akimichi|Choji Akimichi]], and after criticizing Choji for his girth, Choji uses his strongest attack to defeat Jirobo.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 21|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 190|isbn=1-4215-1855-4}}</ref> In the Japanese anime, his ''seiyū'' is [[Kenta Miyake]],<ref name="ANNKentaMiyake">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=10398|title=Kenta Miyake|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> and his English voice actor is [[Michael Sorich]].<ref name="ANNMichaelSorich">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=3050|title=Michael Sorich|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref>
| valign="top" |
*''[[Dennis the Menace (1986 TV series)|Dennis the Menace]]'' (United States version)
*''[[Extreme Dinosaurs]]''
*''[[Fraggle Rock]]''
*''[[Kirby: Right Back at Ya!]]''
*''[[Kong: The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Lola and Virginia]]''
*''[[Oggy and the Cockroaches]]''
*''[[Old Tom (TV Series)|Old Tom]]''
*''[[Ruby Gloom]]''
*''[[Sonic Underground]]''
**''[[Adventures Of Sonic The Hedgehog]]''
[**''[[Sonic the Hedgehog}} tv series]
*''[[Super Duper Sumos]]''
*''[[List of Super Mario Bros. television series|Super Mario]]''
**''[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]]''
**''[[Super Mario World (cartoon)|Super Mario World]]'' (with [[Captain N: The Game Master]])
*''[[Tupu]]''
*''[[Zorro: Generation Z]]'' (Weekends)


====Kidomaru====
===Former Programmes===
{| border="0"
{{nihongo|Kidomaru|鬼童丸|Kidōmaru}} is the second member of the Sound Four to be introduced in the series. He was the first member of the Sound Four created by [[Masashi Kishimoto]], with his spider-like traits meant to be main aspects of his character.<ref name="ArtBook128"/> As such, Kidomaru possesses six arms, a third eye, and the ability to excrete webs from his mouth. This webbing, a mixture of body fluids and [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Chakra|chakra]], is as strong as steel and can ensnare anything that comes into contact with it. He can also produce a golden webbing that hardens upon contact with oxygen, allowing him to make armor or weapons.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 22|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 192|isbn=1-4215-1858-9}}</ref> Kidomaru treats battles as a game and tries to get as much enjoyment from them as possible; when he battles [[List of Naruto characters#Neji Hyuga|Neji Hyuga]], he calls him a "trash character" and looks for weaknesses in Neji's defenses to take advantage of.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 22|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 194|isbn=1-4215-1858-9}}</ref> Despite being near death, Neji manages to defeat Kidomaru.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 22|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 197|isbn=1-4215-1858-9}}</ref> In the Japanese anime, his ''seiyū'' is [[Susumu Chiba]],<ref name="ANNSusumuChiba">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=775|title=Susumu Chiba|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> and his English voice actor is [[Peter Lurie]].<ref name="ANNPeterLurie">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=7848|title=Peter Lurie|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref>
| valign="top" |
*''[[Tabaluga]]''
*''[[Pigeon Boy]]''
*''[[What about Mimi]]'' (Now on [[Pop Girl]])
*''[[Redwall (TV series)|Redwall]]''
*''[[Fantomcat]]''
*''[[Renada]]''
*''[[The Incredible Dennis the Menace]]''
*''[[Twipsy]]''
*''[[Girl Stuff, Boy Stuff]]''
*''[[Cyberchase]]''
*''[[Archie's Weird Mysteries]]''
*''[[Rupert Bear|Rupert]]'' (Now on [[Tiny Pop]])
*''[[Pandalian]]''
*''[[Pippi Longstocking (TV series)|Pippi Longstocking]]''(Now on [[Pop Girl]])
*''[[Olliver's Adventures]]''
| valign="top" |
*''[[The Neverending Story (TV series)|The NeverEnding Story]] ''
*''[[George Shrinks]]''
*''[[The Snorks]]''
*''[[Patrol 03]]''
*''Pop Party''
*''[[The Raggy Dolls]]''
*''[[Bimble's Bucket]]''
*''[[Flatmania]]''
*''[[Angela Anaconda]]''
*''[[Noah's Island]]
*''[[The Magic School Bus]]'' ('''Note:''' Did not air Season 4)
*''[[The Legend Of White Fang]]''
*''[[Littlest Pet Shop]]'' (As part of POP Junior)
*''[[The Wacky World of Tex Avery]]''
*''[[Blazing Dragons]]''
*''[[Kampung Boy]]''
*''[[My Dad The Rock Star]]''
*''[[Timothy Goes To School]]''
*''[[Tractor Tom]]''
| valign="top" |
*''[[Madeline]]'' (Now on [[Tiny Pop]] and [[Pop Girl]])
*''[[George and Martha]]''
*''[[The Loggerheads]]''
*''[[The Animal Shelf]]''
*''[[Little Rosey]]''
*''[[Tube Mice]]''
*''[[Calamity Jane]]''
*''[[Fruitte Tooties]]''
*''[[Santo Bugito]]''
*''[[Seven Little Monsters]]''
*''[[What-a-Mess]]''
*''[[Stickin Around]]''
*''[[The Wizard of Oz (animated series)|The Wizard of Oz]]''
*''[[Elliot Moose]]''
| valign="top" |
*''[[Tom and Vicky]]''
*''[[Inspector Gadget]]''
*''[[Spartakus and the Sun Beneath the Sea]]''
*''[[Babar]]''
*''[[King (TV series)|King]]''
*''[[The Little Grey Rabbit]]''
*''[[Rocky and the Dodos]]''
*''[[The Country Mouse and the City Mouse Adventures]]''
*''[[Rescue Heroes]]''
*''[[Wheel Squad]]''
*''[[Bump in the Night]]''
*''[[Alienators: Evolution Continues|Evolution]]'' (Now on [[Kix (TV channel)|Kix!]])
*''[[Poochini]]''
*''[[Ivanhoe (TV series)|Ivanhoe]]''
*''[[Beyblade]]'' ('''Note:''' Did not air [[Beyblade V-Force|V-Force]] series and [[Beyblade G-Revolution|G-Revolution]] series.)
*''[[The Transformers (TV series)|Transformers]]'' (Now on [[Kix (TV channel)|Kix!]])
*''[[Mew Mew Power]]''
*''[[Brady's Beasts]]''
*''[[Spider Riders]]''
*''[[Mummy Nanny]]''
*''[[UBOS|Ultimate Book Of Spells]]''
*''[[Robinson Sucroe]]''
|}


====Sakon and Ukon====
==POP Junior==
Since [[12 May]], a new block was made called "POP Junior", which has a slight change to the channel's logo between 9am and 12pm every weekday during the school term. The block shows some cartoons such as [[Inspector Gadget]] or [[The Littlest Pet Shop]].
<span id="Sakon"/><span id="Ukon"/>
{{nihongo|Sakon|左近}} and {{nihongo|Ukon|右近}} are twin brothers who share the same position in the Sound Four. Sakon was the final character in the Sound Four created by Kishimoto, who initially was unable to decide which character for him to fight. After deciding to have him battle [[List of Naruto characters#Kiba Inuzuka|Kiba Inuzuka]] and [[List of Naruto characters#Akamaru|Akamaru]] in a two-on-two battle, Kishimoto created Ukon to complete the matchup.<ref name="ArtBook128"/> In battle, Sakon enjoys toying with his opponents, causing him to waste time in battle by using showy techniques. Conversely, Ukon is impatient and likes to end battles quickly. Due to their [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Kekkei genkai|genetic ability]], the brothers can merge their bodies together. Ukon usually resides in Sakon's body, with only his head protruding on Sakon's back.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 23|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 203|isbn=1-4215-1859-7}}</ref> When Sakon battles an opponent, Ukon can protrude his arms and legs from Sakon's body to increase the strength of his attacks and defend his blindspots.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 23|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 202|isbn=1-4215-1859-7}}</ref> Both brothers can also merge with an opponent's body, where they can destroy the opponent's cells from within.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 23|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 204|isbn=1-4215-1859-7}}</ref> Sakon and Ukon manage to overpower Kiba Inuzuka and Akamaru in their battle, but [[List of Naruto characters#Kankuro|Kankuro]] arrives and kills Sakon and Ukon.<ref name="Sound Zero">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 24|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 214|isbn=1-4215-1860-0}}</ref> In the Japanese anime, the ''seiyū'' for both brothers is [[Shunsuke Sakuya]],<ref name="ANNShunsukeSakuya">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=16479|title=Shunsuke Sakuya|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> and their English voice actor is [[Brian Beacock]].<ref name="ANNBrianBeacock">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=4019|title=Brian Beacock|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref>


====Tayuya====
==Special Events==
{{nihongo|Tayuya|多由也}} is the fourth member of the Sound Four introduced in the series. She was the second member of the Sound Four to be created by [[Masashi Kishimoto]], and was intended to be the only girl in a group of boys.<ref name="ArtBook128"/> She uses a flute in battle to control three demonic beasts that she [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Summoning Technique|summons]] to her side during battle. Though primarily meant to perform the physical attacks she avoids, the beasts can also produce ethereal, snake-like creatures that consume an opponent's [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Chakra|chakra]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 23|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 207|isbn=1-4215-1859-7}}</ref> Once her opponents are weakened in this fashion, Tayuya can trap them in illusions she creates with her flute. She attempts to use her many techniques against [[Shikamaru Nara]], but his superior intelligence forces her to rely on brute strength to gain victory.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 23|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 208|isbn=1-4215-1859-7}}</ref> Though she almost succeeds, [[List of Naruto characters#Temari|Temari]] arrives to help Shikamaru and creates a windstorm that crushes Tayuya under a pile of debris.<ref name="Sound Zero"/> Her ''seiyū'' in the Japanese anime is [[Akeno Watanabe]],<ref name="ANNAkenoWatanabe">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=6844|title=Akeno Watanabe|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> and her English voice actor is [[Kari Wahlgren]].<ref name="ANNKariWahlgren">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=531|title=Kari Wahlgren|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref>


POP has occasionally aired special events:
====Kimimaro====
* Sonic Day - Bank Holidays airing Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog all day. (On the first Sonic Day, Rorry would give out what episode was aired after and before the episode)
{{nihongo|Kimimaro|君麻呂}} is one of Orochimaru's premier servants, and the last surviving member of the {{nihongo|Kaguya clan|かぐや一族|Kaguya Ichizoku}}. When his war-loving family died in battle, [[Orochimaru (Naruto)|Orochimaru]] took Kimimaro into his care.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 24|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 216|isbn=1-4215-1860-0}}</ref> Because of this, Kimimaro develops the belief that Orochimaru is the only person who cares for him, and is completely loyal to him. His clan's [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Kekkei genkai|genetic ability]], {{nihongo|Shikotsumyaku|屍骨脈||lit. "''Dead Bone Pulse''"}}, allows Kimimaro to manipulate his skeletal structure. He can grow additional bones and sprout them from any part of his body, enabling him to use them as melee weapons. His genetic ability also allows him to strengthen his bones to a steel-like quality, making him virtually immune to most types of damage.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 24|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 215|isbn=1-4215-1860-0}}</ref> Due to his unique abilities, Orochimaru chose Kimimaro as his future host body, but Kimimaro contracted an illness that left him bedridden. To do what he can for his master, he leaves with the rest of the Sound Four to ensure his replacement, [[Sasuke Uchiha]], reaches Orochimaru,<ref name="Five"/> and battles [[Rock Lee]] and [[Gaara]] in the process. Although he nearly kills both of them, he dies of his illness during the battle.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 24|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 217|isbn=1-4215-1860-0}}</ref> In the Japanese anime, his ''seiyū'' is [[Toshiyuki Morikawa]],<ref name="ANNToshiyukiMorikawa">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=692|title=Toshiyuki Morikawa|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> and when he is featured as a child, he is voiced by [[Makoto Tsumura]].<ref name="ANNMakotoTsumura">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=2131|title=Makoto Tsumura|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> His English voice actor [[Keith Silverstein]],<ref name="ANNKeithSilverstein">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=63324|title=Keith Silverstein|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> and Kari Wahlgren provides his child voice.<ref name="ANNKariWahlgren"/>
* Super Sonic Week - 4 episodes of [[Sonic the Hedgehog (TV series)|Sonic the Hedgehog]] between 11am to 1pm.
* Super Sonic Hour - This was on April for 2 weeks, it would play Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog and then Sonic Underground on 8-8:30am, 12pm - 12:30pm and 5pm - 5:30pm. After Super Sonic Hour, AoSTH was taken off the schedule which was replaced with Sonic Underground and that shows time slot changed to Redwall.
* Bank Holiday Monday [[29 May]] [[2006]] - Pop aired Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (for the first time in over a month) and Sonic Underground all day.
* Sonic Week October 2006 - Pop aired Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog (SatAM) and Sonic Underground all week.
* Sonic Saturday was on [[9 June]] [[2007]]
* Mario Morning - Saturdays and Sundays 6am to 12pm.


==Akatsuki==
==Pop Website==
Pop recently had a website launched which includes a TV guide and more features such as quizzes, art galleries, jokes, games and competitions. This happened shortly after [[Tiny Pop]] had a new website developed.
[[Image:Akatsukispread.jpg|thumb|230px|The Akatsuki roster as of ''Naruto'' manga chapter 317]]
{{nihongo|Akatsuki|暁||lit. "Dawn" or "Daybreak"}} is a criminal organization composed of ten high-level ninja that have defected from their village of origin.<ref name="Findings">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 16|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 143|isbn=1-4215-1090-1}}</ref> The group receives little attention during the [[List of Naruto chapters (Part I)|first part of the series]], only becoming major antagonists in [[List of Naruto chapters (Part II)|Part II]]. Akatsuki members are characterized by their long, dark cloaks bearing red clouds with a chin-high collar. Each also possesses a unique ring, which seems to symbolize one's membership in the organization.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 31|year=2005|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 280|isbn=4-08-874002-7}}</ref> Members are partnered together in teams of two, each team sticking together as they traverse the ''Naruto'' world. Despite this partnership, members tend to have a strained relationship with their peers, only cooperating enough to complete their assignments and showing little concern when another member is killed.<ref name="Compassion">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 39|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 353|isbn=4-08-874364-4}}</ref> [[Orochimaru (Naruto)|Orochimaru]] defects from the organization before the start of the series, taking his ring with him, and thus Akatsuki never exceeds nine members during the current storyline.<ref name="Findings"/>


==Pop+1 Closure==
Akatsuki was founded by [[#Madara Uchiha|Madara Uchiha]] after he was expelled from his hometown of [[World of Naruto#Konohagakure|Konohagakure]]. Though initially meant only to mask Madara's movements,<ref name="Madara">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 42|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 386|isbn=4-08-874512-1}}</ref> Akatsuki eventually began taking part in assassinations and espionage.<ref name="Findings"/> By the start of the current storyline, Akatsuki's ambitions grow to plans of world domination. To mark this more dynamic goal, Akatsuki increases its activity throughout the series as it attempts to capture the nine powerful [[World of Naruto#Tailed beasts|tailed beasts]]. Each member is assigned to capture a specific beast or its current host, at which point Akatsuki convenes to extract the beast and seal it away for their grand plan.<ref name="Findings"/> As the Akatsuki leader, [[#Pain|Pain]], explains it, once all nine beasts have been captured Akatsuki will be able to harness their great strength to start world wars at their leisure. With the world governments unable to deal with the beasts' power, Akatsuki will be turned to for salvation, teaching the world the meaninglessness of fighting and giving Akatsuki complete control in the process.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 36|year=2006|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 329|isbn=4-08-874288-5}}</ref> As of ''Naruto'' manga chapter 419, Akatsuki has captured seven of the tailed beasts.
The AGB Nielsen Media Research website first announced that Pop+1 would close and would be replaced by a new channel called Klix!,<ref>[http://www.agbnielsen.co.uk/agb/files/ClientServices/New%20BARB%20Channels/Pop%20+1%20-%20Rebranding.doc Pop+1 to cease to be a staggercast (+1 hour timeshift) channel (Original article)]</ref> however, this was a mistake and the channel was now in fact called [[Kix (TV channel)|Kix!]]. The correction was made with a new article being posted. It was stated that all the other details will remain the same of which was posted in the original article. <ref>[http://www.agbnielsen.co.uk/agb/files/ClientServices/New%20BARB%20Channels/Pop%20+1%20-%20Rebranding%20Correction.doc Pop+1 to cease to be a staggercast (+1 hour timeshift) channel (Revised article)]</ref> Pop+1 officially closed at 6.00am on Monday 19th May, when it was replaced with [[Kix (TV channel)|Kix!]]. It is currently unknown wheither or not that Pop+1 would return in the future.


===Itachi Uchiha===
== Logos ==
<gallery>
{{nihongo|Itachi Uchiha|うちは イタチ|Uchiha Itachi}} is a former ninja of [[World of Naruto#Konohagakure|Konohagakure]] and the partner of [[#Kisame Hoshigaki|Kisame Hoshigaki]]. Though having spent his early youth as the kindly child prodigy of the [[World of Naruto#Uchiha clan|Uchiha clan]], Itachi is treated as a villain for much of the series. He is initially portrayed as being solely responsible for the slaughter of his entire clan and family, sparing only his brother, [[Sasuke Uchiha]], with the explanation that he was testing his abilities.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 25|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 224|isbn=1-4215-1861-9}}</ref> Around the time of his death his villainous role is downplayed; not only is he revealed to have had help from his master, [[#Madara Uchiha|Madara Uchiha]], in killing the clan, but he performed the massacre under the orders of Konoha's leadership so as to prevent an Uchiha [[coup d'état]]. Though he was ordered to kill Sasuke as well, Itachi could not bring himself to do so, instead forcing Konoha to keep Sasuke safe or risk Itachi going public with his mission. For his part, Itachi accepts his role as a villain, never telling anyone of who else was involved and even encouraging Sasuke to grow strong enough to kill him and avenge their family.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 43|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 400|isbn=4-08-874552-7}}</ref>
Image:Popuktvlogo.jpg|Pop's first logo (2003-2006)
Image:poplogo.jpg|Pop's second logo (2006-2008)
Image:New_POP!_2008_Logo|Pop's third logo (2008-Present)
</gallery>


==See also==
Throughout the series Itachi attempts to avoid combat, seeking nonviolent solutions instead. If he is forced to battle he usually remains stationary, only acting in self-defense. From his idle position he studies an opponent's movements with his [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Sharingan|Sharingan]] eyes, trapping them in illusions when opportune by merely pointing or looking at them.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 40|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 366|isbn=4-08-874432-2}}</ref> Itachi at times uses one of the three abilities of his [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Mangekyo Sharingan|Mangekyo Sharingan]], though he tries to avoid doing so as it is taxing on his body and damages his eyesight.<ref name="Madara"/> The first, {{nihongo|[[Tsukuyomi]]|月読}}, allows him to torture opponents for what seems like days in a matter of moments. {{nihongo|[[Amaterasu]]|天照}}, the second, generates black flames at his focal point that will continue to burn until the target is reduced to ash.<ref name="Clash">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 42|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 389|isbn=4-08-874512-1}}</ref> The final ability, {{nihongo|[[Susanoo]]|須佐能乎}}, creates a massive ethereal warrior that fights on Itachi's behalf and shields him from all attacks.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 43|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 393|isbn=4-08-874552-7}}</ref> Before he dies during his battle with Sasuke, Itachi implants his Amaterasu in Sasuke's eyes, hoping that doing so will keep him safe from Madara Uchiha.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 43|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 397|isbn=4-08-874552-7}}</ref> In the Japanese anime, Itachi's ''seiyū'' is [[Hideo Ishikawa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=1038|title=Hideo Ishikawa|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-02-14}}</ref> His first voice actor in the English anime was [[Skip Stellrecht]], who voiced Itachi in episodes 29 and 30,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=4545|title=Skip Stellrecht|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-02-14}}</ref> but in all following appearances, he has been voiced by [[Crispin Freeman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=1074|title=Crispin Freeman|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-02-14}}</ref>
* [[Tiny Pop]]

* [[Pop Girl]]
===Kisame Hoshigaki===
* [[Kix (TV channel)|Kix!]]
{{nihongo|Kisame Hoshigaki|干柿 鬼鮫|Hoshigaki Kisame}} is a former ninja of [[World of Naruto#Kirigakure|Kirigakure]] and the partner of [[#Itachi Uchiha|Itachi Uchiha]]. While most Akatsuki partners are hostile towards each other, Kisame and Itachi get along considerably well; Kisame does as Itachi asks of him unquestioningly and always looks out for Itachi's well-being. While he was still loyal to Kirigakure, Kisame was one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, a group of violent ninja that use particularly large swords in battle. His sword, {{nihongo|Samehada|鮫肌||lit. "shark skin"}}, is covered in scales that can absorb untold amounts of an opponent's [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Chakra|chakra]], and only allows Kisame to wield it.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 16|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 142|isbn=1-4215-1090-1}}</ref> Kisame has a unique appearance, having pale blue skin, a gill-like facial structure, and sharp triangular teeth. These shark-like characteristics extend to his choice of attacks in battle, as he frequently shapes water into the forms of sharks to damage opponents. If there is no water nearby, Kisame can quickly produce his own lake to use at his leisure.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 29|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 258|isbn=1-4215-1865-1}}</ref> His ''seiyū'' in the Japanese anime is [[Tomoyuki Dan]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=17450|title=Tomoyuki Dan|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-02-14}}</ref> and his English voice actor is [[Kirk Thornton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=3032|title=Kirk Thornton|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-02-14}}</ref>
* [[Tricky (TV series)]]

===Deidara===
{{nihongo|Deidara|デイダラ}} is a former ninja of Iwagakure, the Village Hidden Among Rocks. He tends to end his sentences with an audible grunt that is usually translated as "hmm", "yeah", or "un". He acted as a terrorist bomber for hire before being forced to join Akatsuki by [[#Itachi Uchiha|Itachi Uchiha]]. Though he came to embrace the organization, Deidara holds a grudge against Itachi and all Uchiha throughout the series, as he feels their [[Sharingan]] eyes look down on his abilities.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 39|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 359|isbn=4-08-874364-4}}</ref> Upon joining Akatsuki he is partnered with [[#Sasori|Sasori]], who Deidara treats as his master due to his artistic expertise. Sasori is replaced by [[#Tobi|Tobi]] after his death, and Deidara assumes the master-position as Sasori had before him; although he still abuses Tobi when annoyed by him, he becomes more like Tobi's teacher, and adopts a genuine care for his well-being. By consuming clay with mouths in his hands, Deidara is able to create his own form of art: sculptures that explode with varying intensities. Deidara's creations can take any form he so chooses, and from the time of their creation to their detonation he can bring them to life and control them remotely. He is very confident in his art's ability, such that he believes it cannot be defeated.<ref name="SasDei">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 28|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 248|isbn=1-4215-1864-3}}</ref> When [[Sasuke Uchiha]], Itachi's younger brother, is able to systematically nullify and gain the advantage over his art, Deidara transforms himself into a living bomb in an effort to kill Sasuke and prove his art is supreme, but ultimately fails.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 40|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 362|isbn=4-08-874432-2}}</ref> His ''seiyū'' in the Japanese anime is Katsuhiko Kawamoto,<ref name="ANNKatsuhikoKawamoto">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=16478|title=Katsuhiko Kawamoto|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> and in the English adaptation, he is voiced by [[Quinton Flynn]].<ref name="ANNQuintonFlynn">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=39807|title=Quinton Flynn|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref>

===Sasori===
{{nihongo|Sasori|サソリ}} is a former ninja of [[World of Naruto#Sunagakure|Sunagakure]]. His parents died when he was young, leaving him in the care of his grandmother, [[List of minor Naruto characters#Chiyo|Chiyo]]. Lacking the love of parents, Sasori left Sunagakure when he got older and joined Akatsuki where he is initially partnered with [[Orochimaru (Naruto)|Orochimaru]].<ref name="Sasori">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 30|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 267|isbn=1-4215-1942-9}}</ref> After Orochimaru's defection Sasori teamed with [[#Deidara|Deidara]], who looks to him and his artistic knowledge with reverence.<ref name="SasDei"/> Before leaving Sunagakure, Sasori was taught the art of [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Puppet Technique|puppetry]] by his grandmother, which he refined to fit his needs over the years. He eventually devised a way to convert the corpses of humans into puppets, allowing him to use any of the [[Jutsu (Naruto)|ninja abilities]] they possessed during their life for himself.<ref name="Sasori"/> In time he even converted his own body into a puppet, which gives him eternal life and allows him to control hundreds of puppets at once. Each weapon in his puppets' extended arsenal is laced with a poison of Sasori's design that causes extreme pain to the inflicted until they die. [[Sakura Haruno]] is able to create an antidote for Sasori's poison, allowing her and Chiyo to fight him uninhibited.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 30|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 271|isbn=1-4215-1942-9}}</ref> They eventually destroy his heart, the only part of his humanity he kept when converting himself to a puppet, resulting in his death.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 31|year=2005|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 274|isbn=4-08-874002-7}}</ref> In the Japanese anime, Sasori has several ''seiyū'' for his different appearances: when he is controlling Hiruko, a scorpion-like puppet he wears like a suit, he is voiced by [[Yutaka Aoyama]];<ref name="ANNYutakaAoyama">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=18713|title=Yutaka Aoyama|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> when he is featured as a child, he is voiced as [[Akiko Yajima]];<ref name="ANNAkikoYajima">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=975|title=Akiko Yajima|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> and as an adult, he is voiced by [[Takahiro Sakurai]].<ref name="ANNTakahiroSakurai">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=5039|title=Takahiro Sakurai|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref>

===Zetsu===
{{nihongo|Zetsu|ゼツ}} is the only member of Akatsuki to regularly act without a partner. This is in part a result of his ability to merge with any object and quickly travel to a new location, a feat few other ninja are capable of. Because of this ability Zetsu serves a variety of different positions in Akatsuki, such as a spy that observes and reports on battles of interest or a lookout during Akatsuki's meetings.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 29|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 255|isbn=1-4215-1865-1}}</ref> Being cannibalistic, he is often sent to dispose of bodies Akatsuki does not want found, mirroring the large [[venus flytrap]] that envelops his body.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 29|year=2008|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 261|isbn=1-4215-1865-1}}</ref> Zetsu's body is split into two different colors, his right side being black and his left being white. Similarly, the two sides have their own personalities and knowledge bases, frequently leading to discussions and arguments between the two.<ref name="Clash"/> The black half speaks in [[katakana]] in the Japanese manga, and white speaks [[kanji]] and [[kana]]. In the Japanese anime, Zetsu's ''seiyū'' is [[Nobuo Tobita]],<ref name="ANNNobuoTobita">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=666|title=Nubuo Tobita|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> and in the English adaptation, Zetsu has two voice actors: the black half is voiced by [[Michael Sorich]] and the white half is voiced by [[Brian Beacock]].<ref name="ANNMichaelSorich"/><ref name="ANNBrianBeacock"/>

===Hidan===
{{nihongo|Hidan|飛段}} is the immortal, foul-mouthed partner of [[#Kakuzu|Kakuzu]] and a former ninja of Yugakure, the Village Hidden in the Steam.<ref name="data">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto Character Official Data Book Hiden Sha no Sho|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|isbn=978-4-08-874247-2}}</ref> He is a member of the {{nihongo|Jashin|ジャシン||lit. "evil god"}} religion, a religion that worships a deity of the same name and where anything less than death and utter destruction is considered a sin.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 35|year=2006|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 313|isbn=4-08-874273-1}}</ref> His religion's experimentations have led to the creation of his unique abilities; by consuming an opponent's blood and then drawing Jashin's triangular-design on the ground, Hidan can create a [[Voodoo|voodoo doll]]-like link with his opponent. Once this link is created, any damage done to Hidan's body is reflected on his opponent, allowing him to kill them by giving himself fatal injuries. Because he is immortal, Hidan is not impaired while doing this, instead finding pleasure in the pain it causes him.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 36|year=2006|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 325|isbn=4-08-874288-5}}</ref> After Hidan uses this ability to kill [[List of Naruto characters#Asuma Sarutobi|Asuma Sarutobi]], [[Shikamaru Nara]] fights him to avenge his teacher. Their battle culminates in Hidan being blown up, and Shikamaru buries his still-speaking remains in a place Akatsuki will never be able to reach.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 37|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 339|isbn=4-08-874338-7}}</ref> As such, Hidan is no longer considered a member by the rest of Akatsuki.<ref name="Compassion"/> In the Japanese anime, Hidan's ''seiyū'' is [[Masaki Terasoma]].

===Kakuzu===
{{nihongo|Kakuzu|角都}} is the partner of [[#Hidan|Hidan]] and a former ninja of Takigakure, the Village Hidden in a Waterfall. He has a deep love for money, and uses his membership in Akatsuki as a means to seek out valuable [[Bounty (reward)|bounties]]. Because money is the only thing he relies on, Kakuzu dislikes needing to be partnered with someone in Akatsuki. He has killed all of his previous partners in fits of rage, and thus was paired with the immortal Hidan so he wouldn't need to keep finding a replacement.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 36|year=2006|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 322|isbn=4-08-874288-5}}</ref> Kakuzu's body is composed of large amounts of black threads, allowing him to sew things (such as Hidan's dismembered body parts) back together. The threads are also capable of piercing flesh, which Kakuzu uses to remove the still-beating hearts of his opponents for his personal use using a forbidden technique called {{nihongo|Jiongu|地怨虞}}.<ref name="data"/> By integrating these healthier organs into his body he can escape death and extend his life indefinitely. He claims he has lived since the time of [[Hashirama Senju]], Konoha's first hokage. He can store up to four spare hearts in animal masks that are sewn to his back. The masks can be detached during combat situations to shoot elemental blasts at his opponents, and can quickly be recalled to his body if he needs their heart.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 37|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 336|isbn=4-08-874338-7}}</ref> Kakuzu's hearts are systematically destroyed soon after his introduction by a group of [[World of Naruto#Konohagakure|Konohagakure]] ninja. After [[Naruto Uzumaki]] leaves his final heart on the brink of failure, Kakuzu is easily finished off by [[Kakashi Hatake]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 38|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 342|isbn=4-08-874364-6}}</ref> In the Japanese anime, Kakuzu's ''seiyū'' is [[Takaya Hashi]].

===Pain===
<!--

NOTE: The official name of the character is "PAIN". This was established in the official Naruto data book published in Japan.

-->
[[Image:Pain Rokudou.gif|thumb|230px|The Six Paths of Pain, from left to right: [[Animals in Buddhism|Animal]], [[Naraka (Buddhism)|Naraka]], [[Asura (Buddhism)|Asura]], [[Deva (Buddhism)|Deva]], [[Human beings in Buddhism|Human]], [[Preta]].]]
<span id="Nagato"/>

{{nihongo|Pain|ペイン|Pein}} is the leader of Akatsuki, the partner of [[#Konan|Konan]], and current ruler of [[World of Naruto#Amegakure|Amegakure]], having overthrown the previous government and attained a god-like status amongst its citizens.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 40|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 369|isbn=4-08-874432-2}}</ref> Pain appears in the form of six entirely different bodies that [[Group mind (science fiction)|share the same mind]], collectively known as {{nihongo|The Six Paths of Pain|ペイン六道|Pein Rikudō}} and individually named after one of the [[Six realms|six Buddhist paths of reincarnation]].Jiraiya found out that pein is a physical illusion,just before he died.But until now the mistery still lies of what is the true potential of the rennegan.its then said that the rennegan takes over a person after using it for a time .Its the most powerfull of all the eye techniques including the sharingan and byakugan its also said to be the eyes from heaven.the rennegan allows a pein the cast the most ultimate genjutsu wherein pein has no true face ,but his favourite face and body is the pein declared himself to be know as God Realm. The only common physical characteristics amongst them are their orange hair color, a number of body piercings, and the {{nihongo|Rinnegan|輪廻眼||lit. "[[Samsara]] Eye"}}.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 41|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 379|isbn=4-08-874472-8}}</ref> The Rinnegan, a unique eye technique characterized by a number of concentric circles around the pupil, allows the wielder to utilize any [[Jutsu (Naruto)|ninja ability]].<ref name="Gan">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 41|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 373|isbn=4-08-874472-8}}</ref> Pain uses it to share visual information amongst all six bodies, or "Paths", giving them the ability to coordinate offense and defense as if they were a single entity. Each Path possesses a unique skill. For instance, the Animal Path can [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Summoning Technique|summon]] a wide array of creatures, and the [[Preta]] Path is able to devour attacks as a form of defense.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 41|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 378|isbn=4-08-874472-8}}</ref>

When first meeting Pain, Jiraiya assumes the entity to have once been {{nihongo|Nagato|長門}}, an Amegakure orphan he trained in the past. Though Nagato was the first possessor of the Rinnegan that he encountered and Pain refers to him as [[sensei]],<ref name="Gan"/> Jiraiya begins to doubt this initial assumption when he sees Pain's six bodies, with the [[Deva (Buddhism)|Deva]] Path belonging to Nagato's fellow pupil, {{nihongo|Yahiko|弥彦}}. Realizing that all six bodies once belonged to ninja he encountered while wandering the ''Naruto'' world and that Nagato's body is not among them, Jiraiya risks his life to learn the secret of Pain.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 42|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 381|isbn=4-08-874512-1}}</ref> He succeeds and is able to send the Animal Path, along with a coded message reading, "the real one isn't with them" or, in an alternative reading of the statement, "there is no real one" to [[World of Naruto#Konohagakure|Konohagakure]], though he is killed in the process. Upon obtaining a body to replace the Animal Path, Pain sets out for Konoha to capture the [[List of Naruto characters#Nine-tailed demon fox|nine-tailed demon fox]].

===Konan===
{{nihongo|Konan|小南}} is the partner of the Akatsuki leader, [[#Pain|Pain]], and the only [[kunoichi|female ninja]] in Akatsuki. She was orphaned as a child by one of [[World of Naruto#Amegakure|Amegakure's]] many wars, forcing her to fend for herself until being found by [[Jiraiya (Naruto)|Jiraiya]]. Jiraiya trained Konan to take advantage of her natural talent with [[origami]], and as a result paper is a key component in her battle style.<ref name="Gan"/> Konan can divide her body into countless numbers of paper sheets, which she controls and reshapes remotely to scout out an area or form weapons for attack. She can even form wings that mirror her title as "God's Angel" amongst the villagers of Amegakure, as she often carries out the will of "God" (Pain). Her abilities are constrained while wet, as paper clings to itself and loses its stiffness.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 40|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 372|isbn=4-08-874432-2}}</ref>

===Madara Uchiha===
<span id="Tobi"/>
{{nihongo|Madara Uchiha|うちは　マダラ|Uchiha Madara}} is the founder of Akatsuki and the first possessor of the [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Mangekyo Sharingan|Mangekyo Sharingan]], a rare form of the [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Sharingan|eye condition]] unique to the Uchiha. Though it gave him the strength needed to take control of the [[World of Naruto#Uchiha clan|Uchiha clan]], overuse of the Mangekyo Sharingan left him blind, and it was only by taking his own brother's eyes that he was able to regain his sight.<ref name="Madara"/> Madara eventually banded together with [[List of minor Naruto characters#First Hokage|Hashirama Senju]] to create [[World of Naruto#Konohagakure|Konohagakure]]. The two founders disagreed on who should lead their new village and after a momentous battle between the two it was believed that Madara had died.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 43|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 399|isbn=4-08-874552-7}}</ref> In later years the [[List of minor Naruto characters#Nine-Tailed Demon Fox|Nine-Tailed Demon Fox]] attacked Konoha, an act [[#Itachi Uchiha|Itachi Uchiha]] states to have been Madara's doing, though Madara denies it. Once the fox was defeated by [[List of minor Naruto characters#Fourth Hokage|Minato Namikaze]], Madara infiltrated Konoha in secret, trained Itachi, and subsequently assisted him in assassinating the Uchiha clan.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 43|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 401|isbn=4-08-874552-7}}</ref> [[#Kisame Hoshigaki|Kisame Hoshigaki]], upon seeing his face, recognizes him as the [[World of Naruto#Kage|Mizukage]].

Much of Madara's role in the series has been under the disguise of {{nihongo|Tobi|トビ}}, who replaces [[#Sasori|Sasori]] in Akatsuki after his death. While acting as Tobi he is carefree and goofy as opposed to Madara's usual serious self. Tobi's tendency to take credit for other's work and undermine his superiors annoys his partner, [[#Deidara|Deidara]], who either blows up or strangles him in comical fashion as punishment.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 35|year=2006|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 317|isbn=4-08-874273-1}}</ref> After Deidara dies during a battle with [[Sasuke Uchiha|Sasuke]], the only Uchiha to be spared during the massacre, the Tobi persona is discarded as Madara takes a special interest in Sasuke's development.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 40|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 363|isbn=4-08-874432-2}}</ref> However, Madara has not completely outlived the use of his guise as he reassumes Tobi's personality on occasion, such as while delaying a group of Konoha ninja.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 42|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 383|isbn=4-08-874512-1}}</ref>

Though Madara's face as it appeared during Konoha's founding has been shown in full at various points in the series, he always wears a mask in the current ''Naruto'' storyline. The mask features a swirl pattern focused around his right eye. His black hair (cut back from his earlier years) is the only constantly visible part of his face. When asked how Madara could have survived since Konoha's founding, Itachi Uchiha states that Madara is immortal.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 42|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 385|isbn=4-08-874512-1}}</ref> The specifics of his immortality have yet to be touched upon, though Madara implies the potency of his [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Chakra|chakra]] has something to do with it.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 43|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 398|isbn=4-08-874552-7}}</ref> In battle he has been shown capable of making his body intangible, leaving him visible but otherwise impervious to most forms of damage. He can also teleport over great distances at will.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 43|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 395|isbn=4-08-874552-7}}</ref> In the Japanese anime, the ''seiyū'' for Tobi is [[Wataru Takagi]].<ref name="ANNWataruTakagi">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=1307|title=Wataru Takagi|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref>

==Hawk==
<span id="Snake"/>
[[Image:Hebi.jpg|thumb|The members of Hawk. From left to right: Suigetsu, Sasuke, Jugo, and Karin.]]
{{nihongo|Hawk|鷹|Taka}} is a group formed by [[Sasuke Uchiha]] that consists of [[Orochimaru (Naruto)|Orochimaru's]] former subordinates. When first formed it goes by the name {{nihongo|"Snake"|蛇|Hebi}}, with its mission being to find and kill Sasuke's brother, [[#Itachi Uchiha|Itachi Uchiha]], to avenge the latter's slaughter of the [[World of Naruto#Uchiha clan|Uchiha clan]].<ref name="new">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 39|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 352|isbn=4-08-874364-4}}</ref> After Itachi's death and Sasuke's discovery that the Uchiha were wiped out under the orders of [[World of Naruto#Konohagakure|Konohagakure]], Sasuke renames their group "Hawk" and changes its mission to the destruction of Konoha. In the meantime, Sasuke has agreed to work with [[#Akatsuki|Akatsuki]] to help them capture the [[World of Naruto#Tailed beasts|eight-tailed beast]]; the members of Hawk are later seen wearing Akatsuki cloaks to signify this.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 43|year=2008|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 402|isbn=4-08-874552-7}}</ref>

===Sasuke Uchiha===
{{main|Sasuke Uchiha}}
{{nihongo|Sasuke Uchiha|うちは サスケ|Uchiha Sasuke}} is originally one of the members of [[List of Naruto characters#Team 7|Team 7]] and the founder and leader of Hawk. He was created to be a rival to [[Naruto Uzumaki]], as well as a "cool genius", which Kishimoto believed was an integral part of an ideal rivalry.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Uzumaki: the Art of Naruto|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|page=140|isbn=1-4215-1407-9}}</ref> He is one of the few remaining members of the Uchiha clan along with his brother, [[#Itachi Uchiha|Itachi Uchiha]], who killed the rest of their family. Due to this, Sasuke's sole desire is to kill his brother, and he develops a cold and withdrawn personality.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 25|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 225|isbn=1-4215-1861-9}}</ref> His interactions with his fellow teammates, especially Naruto, make him focus less on revenge at the start of the series. During an encounter with his brother in Part I, Sasuke is easily beaten, which leads him to leave the village to seek more power from the criminal [[Orochimaru (Naruto)|Orochimaru]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 20|year=2007|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 179|isbn=1-4215-1655-1}}</ref> His teammates' attempts to recover him from Orochimaru form a major component of the Part II plot. In the Japanese anime, Sasuke's ''seiyū'' is [[Noriaki Sugiyama]], and his English voice actor is [[Yuri Lowenthal]].<ref name="ANNNoriakiSugiyama">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=3176|title=Noriaki Sugiyama|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-03-29}}</ref><ref name="ANNYuriLowenthal">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=25241|title=Yuri Lowenthal|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-03-29}}</ref>

===Suigetsu Hozuki===
{{nihongo|Suigetsu Hozuki|鬼灯　水月|Hōzuki Suigetsu}}, a former test subject of Orochimaru, is the first character to be recruited for Hawk. He is not afraid to speak his mind and always does as he pleases. When he is first introduced this results in frequent clashes with Hawk's leader, [[Sasuke Uchiha]], but he later comes to accept Sasuke's position and even put himself in harm's way to protect him.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 38|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 347|isbn=4-08-874364-6}}</ref> Suigetsu is able to reduce himself to liquid form and return to bodily form at will. Although this gives him an easy way to avoid physical attacks, it also makes him very susceptible to electricity. In addition, upon reforming himself, Suigetsu can change the size of his limbs, proportionally increasing his strength in the process.<ref name="Karin">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 38|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 348|isbn=4-08-874364-4}}</ref> Sometime before being introduced, Suigetsu trained to be one of [[World of Naruto#Kirigakure|Kirigakure's]] Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, an organization of particularly violent swordsmen. Having been unable to become a member, Suigetsu has begun collecting all of the swords of the Seven Swordsmen for himself instead. To this end, he retrieves [[#Zabuza Momochi|Zabuza Momochi's]] giant sword, Kubikiri Bōchō, soon after joining the group, and hopes to be able to take [[#Kisame Hoshigaki|Kisame Hoshigaki's]] Samehada by working with Sasuke.<ref name="new"/>

===Karin===
{{nihongo|Karin|香燐}}, a former assistant to Orochimaru during his experimentations, is the second character to be recruited for Hawk. Karin has red eyes, matching hair color and an unusual hairstyle; her hair is short and unkempt on one side, and long and combed on the other. She tends to fluctuate between two dynamic personalities, appearing tough and in control when [[#Suigetsu Hozuki|Suigetsu]] or [[#Jugo|Jugo]] are present and highly flirtatious when she is with Sasuke.<ref name="Karin"/> Karin has an unhealthy obsession with Sasuke; she goes so far as to keep one of his battered, sweat-drenched shirts for herself and plans to "ravage" him after the rest of the team has fallen asleep. Karin's special ability allows her to find and track specific individuals through [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Chakra|chakra]]. She is able to do so over long distances and can even notice subtle changes in an individual's chakra. [[Kakashi Hatake]] surmises that Karin is a particularly skilled chakra-sensing ninja, as she is not only able to tell that his eight-man team is approaching her location, but also that one of them is a dog.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 40|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 365|isbn=978-4-08-874432-2}}</ref> Additionally, she can heal others by letting them bite into her skin and suck on her chakra. As a result, some parts of her body are lined with bite scars from individuals she has healed.

===Jugo===
{{nihongo|Jugo|重吾|Jūgo}} is the final character to be recruited for Hawk. He is mentally unstable, sporadically fluctuating between a bloodthirsty and a docile personality. While in the former mindset, Jugo kills anyone around him without remorse until he somehow returns to his senses, at which point he seeks confinement or solitude to protect others from himself.<ref name="Jugo">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 39|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 351|isbn=4-08-874364-4}}</ref> It is only through [[Sasuke Uchiha]]'s promise to keep him in check and the fact that Sasuke reminds him of Kimimaro that Jugo agrees to join Hawk.<ref name="new"/> Sometime in the past, Jugo sought out Orochimaru in the hopes that he could find a cure for his impulses. While examining him, Orochimaru isolated enzymes in Jugo's blood that caused him to radically transform the appearance and capabilities of his body. By extracting these enzymes, Orochimaru was able to reproduce the transformation in his own subordinates, making the [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Orochimaru's cursed seals|cursed seal]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 38|year=2007|publisher=Shueisha|chapter=Chapter 349|isbn=4-08-874364-4}}</ref> Though Orochimaru's refined transformations are more controllable, his subordinates are limited to using only one form. Jugo is able to alter his transformed state to suit the situation, and can even isolate the transformation to a single part of his body.<ref name="Jugo"/> He can also fuse some of his own flesh to someone who has, or has had, the cursed seal in order to heal their injuries, but he regresses to a younger age as a side-effect.

==Other==
===Zabuza Momochi===
{{nihongo|Zabuza Momochi|桃地　再不斬|Momochi Zabuza}} is one of the first antagonists to be introduced in ''Naruto''. He was once one of [[World of Naruto#Kirigakure|Kirigakure's]] Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, a group of ninja that use particularly large swords in battle. Zabuza's sword is the giant {{nihongo|''Kubikiri [[Japanese cutlery|Hōchō]]''|首斬り包丁||lit. Decapitating Knife}}. After a failed [[coup d'état]] wherein he tried to assassinate Kirigakure's leadership, Zabuza and his followers fled the village and began working as mercenary assassins.<ref name="Execute">{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 4|year=2004|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 30|isbn=1-59116-358-7}}</ref> Like most Kirigakure ninja, Zabuza is skilled in water-based [[Jutsu (Naruto)|abilities]]. His area of expertise, however, is in assassinations; by blanketing an area in mist, Zabuza can blind an opponent, locate them by the sounds they make, and kill them without their ever noticing his presence.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 3|year=2004|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 26|isbn=1-59116-187-8}}</ref> His talents lead to him being hired to kill a man named Tazuna, a job he is never able to finish due to interference by Tazuna's bodyguard, [[Kakashi Hatake]]. Because he takes too long to complete the task, his contract is revoked, and his employer tries to have Zabuza killed. Zabuza kills him first, though is mortally wounded in the process and dies soon afterwards.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 4|year=2004|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 32|isbn=1-59116-358-7}}</ref> In the Japanese anime, his ''seiyū'' is [[Unshō Ishizuka]],<ref name="ANNUnshoIshizuka">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=1178|title=Unshō Ishizuka|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> and his English voice actor is [[Steven Blum]].<ref name="ANNStevenBlum"/>

===Haku===
{{nihongo|Haku|白}} is [[#Zabuza Momochi|Zabuza Momochi]]'s right hand man and most faithful follower. He has a heavily [[androgynous]] appearance, such that when [[Naruto Uzumaki]] first meets Haku he mistakes him for a girl.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 3|year=2004|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 21|isbn=1-59116-187-8}}</ref> Before he started working for Zabuza, Haku lived as an orphan. His father killed his mother when it was discovered that she possessed a [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Kekkei genkai|genetic ability]], and he would have done the same to Haku if he had not killed him first. After wandering from place to place for a time he was found by Zabuza, who recognized Haku's talents and agreed to take him in as a tool. As a result, Haku becomes unquestioningly protective of and loyal to Zabuza, and only by being useful does he find a purpose in life.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 4|year=2004|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 29|isbn=1-59116-358-7}}</ref> He ultimately gives his life in his mission to be useful to Zabuza, becoming a human shield to protect his master from [[Kakashi Hatake]]'s [[Jutsu (Naruto)#Lightning Blade|Lightning Blade]].<ref name="Execute"/> Haku's genetic inheritance, {{nihongo|Hyōton|氷遁||lit. "Ice Release"}}, allows him to mix wind and water elements to create ice. He commonly uses this ability to surround an enemy with ice mirrors that he can freely merge with and instantly move between. He then bombards them with needles, and with his superb accuracy he can hit pressure points to put opponents in a death-like state. This reflects his pacifist nature; despite being a ninja and Zabuza's tool of battle, Haku dislikes fighting and does all that he can to subdue opponents without actually killing them.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kishimoto, Masashi|title=Naruto, Volume 3|year=2004|publisher=Viz Media|chapter=Chapter 24|isbn=1-59116-187-8}}</ref> His ''seiyū'' in the Japanese anime is [[Mayumi Asano]],<ref name="ANNMayumiAsano">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=335|title=Mayumi Asano|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> and his English voice actor is [[Susan Dalian]].<ref name="ANNSusanDalian">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=50148|title=Susan Dalian|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Expand-section|date=July 2008}}
Although a large number of antagonists appear in the series, Mania.com has called Orochimaru the "first real villain", noting that he had no redeeming qualities, versus [[#Zabuza Momochi|Zabuza Momochi]], the villain of the previous arc.<ref name="AnimeOnDVDReview">{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/naruto-box-set-03-also-wspecial-edition_article_79215.html/6186.php|title= Disc Reviews >> Naruto Box Set 03 (also w/special edition)|publisher=Mania.com|accessdate=2008-03-11}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}
==External links==

*[http://www.popfun.co.uk/ Pop Website]
{{Naruto}}


{{Chart Show Channels}}
[[Category:Lists of anime and manga characters|Naruto]]
[[Category:Naruto characters| ]]


[[Category:Chart Show Channels]]
[[ms:Senarai musuh-musuh lain Naruto]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2003]]
[[ru:Антагонисты сериала «Naruto»]]
[[Category:Television channels in the United Kingdom]]
[[th:แสงอุษา]]

Revision as of 14:50, 12 October 2008

Pop
Country United Kingdom
Ownership
OwnerCSC Media Group
This article is about a UK television channel. For information on the Slovenian television network, see POP TV.

Pop is a free-to-air television channel in the UK, broadcasting cartoons and pop music videos. It is owned and operated by CSC Media Group (formerly Chart Show Channels) and launched on 29 May, 2003. Its sister channel Tiny Pop, which was launched on 27 July, 2004, has similar content but for younger children. Its second sister channel Pop Girl was launched on 6 August, 2007, and also shows cartoons and live action shows but is aimed at a more female audience. Its third sister channel, Kix! was launched on 19 May, 2008, and also shows cartoons but is aimed at a more male audience.

Pop broadcasts on Sky Digital, Virgin Media and Freesat. Before and after advertisements during pop music, the channel's mascots — two cartoon characters — talk about upcoming cartoons, introduce competitions, read viewers' jokes and show viewers' artwork. The characters are a dragon called Rorry (identical to "Tricky", who "presented" a Saturday morning show on ITV in 1997), and his pet cat called Purrdy (again, taken from the Saturday morning show).

Pop's logo originally consisted of the word 'pop' in blue writing, with a red background. When shown on the channel, the logo was animated, with balloons floating past the letters, or the letters themselves becoming balloons. It changed in October 2006 to white letters on an orange background. The letters became all caps, and an exclamation mark was added.

In October 2006 a further change was added: Now the all cap letters ("!" included) are 3D representated and during advert breaks are shown dancing or chasing each other and eventually spelling out the logo "POP!". This ident was set to music very similar to "Benny Hill", though this was changed after a few months, perhaps due to the similarity.

Originally the channel was mainly music videos until February 2004 when cartoons were first shown. Music videos were kept on the channel, but were then dropped entirely during mid-2006. They were later revived in early 2007, but only during a 60 minute slot called "Pop Party".

On 11 October, 2007, POP! was launched on Virgin Media, along with its sister channel Tiny Pop.

Programmes

There are a selection of programmes that broadcast on Pop:

Current Programmes

[**[[Sonic the Hedgehog}} tv series]

Former Programmes

POP Junior

Since 12 May, a new block was made called "POP Junior", which has a slight change to the channel's logo between 9am and 12pm every weekday during the school term. The block shows some cartoons such as Inspector Gadget or The Littlest Pet Shop.

Special Events

POP has occasionally aired special events:

  • Sonic Day - Bank Holidays airing Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog all day. (On the first Sonic Day, Rorry would give out what episode was aired after and before the episode)
  • Super Sonic Week - 4 episodes of Sonic the Hedgehog between 11am to 1pm.
  • Super Sonic Hour - This was on April for 2 weeks, it would play Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog and then Sonic Underground on 8-8:30am, 12pm - 12:30pm and 5pm - 5:30pm. After Super Sonic Hour, AoSTH was taken off the schedule which was replaced with Sonic Underground and that shows time slot changed to Redwall.
  • Bank Holiday Monday 29 May 2006 - Pop aired Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (for the first time in over a month) and Sonic Underground all day.
  • Sonic Week October 2006 - Pop aired Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog (SatAM) and Sonic Underground all week.
  • Sonic Saturday was on 9 June 2007
  • Mario Morning - Saturdays and Sundays 6am to 12pm.

Pop Website

Pop recently had a website launched which includes a TV guide and more features such as quizzes, art galleries, jokes, games and competitions. This happened shortly after Tiny Pop had a new website developed.

Pop+1 Closure

The AGB Nielsen Media Research website first announced that Pop+1 would close and would be replaced by a new channel called Klix!,[1] however, this was a mistake and the channel was now in fact called Kix!. The correction was made with a new article being posted. It was stated that all the other details will remain the same of which was posted in the original article. [2] Pop+1 officially closed at 6.00am on Monday 19th May, when it was replaced with Kix!. It is currently unknown wheither or not that Pop+1 would return in the future.

Logos

See also

References

  1. ^ Pop+1 to cease to be a staggercast (+1 hour timeshift) channel (Original article)
  2. ^ Pop+1 to cease to be a staggercast (+1 hour timeshift) channel (Revised article)

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Naruto_antagonists&oldid=244781334"