Their real end was with Pain's death. I think I enjoyed them most when they were more wrapped in myth, once Sauske joined their ranks (and really it had nothing to do with him persay) they transformed into standard enemies to be defeated at that point. At least that's how it was for me.
I know what you mean, the Akatsuki did have a distinctly different feel to it when Obito took leadership after Pein's demise. Though, I still found them to be enjoyable.
So cold, Metapod. I don't know, they were iconic for so long and it was technically the Akatsuki leading the war. To see it all gone just sort of baffled me for a moment.
I think Kish did that, in order to leave room incase he needed some sort of plothole in the would be future. It just never panned out. Think of it like playing Tetris and purposely leaving one side along while you wait for the perfect piece.
I wouldn't really count him as an Akatsuki, but place him in a similar category as Kabuto. Both allied and helped the Akatsuki, but their goals were different from that of the groups.
Akatsuki means mystery and excitement for me (along with other things) and when those aspects were largely gone about 150-200 chapters ago with their deaths and reveals, they derailed down for me. Before that we even saw likes of Taka lackies wearing their cloaks, they were losing that glory as an organisation.
