Analysis of Kotaro Shimura’s Actions and Their Consequences in My Hero Academia
Kotaro Shimura’s actions as a father and his deep-seated resentment toward heroes, particularly his mother Nana Shimura, play a pivotal role in the creation of Tomura Shigaraki, the Big Bad of My Hero Academia. His abusive behavior, irrational hatred, and susceptibility to manipulation by All For One (AFO) not only led to the destruction of his family but also set the stage for Tomura’s transformation into a villain who nearly dooms the world. Below, I analyze the stupidity, villainous tendencies, and horrific nature of Kotaro’s actions, their consequences, and how they contributed to the catastrophic rise of Tomura Shigaraki.
Stupidity of Kotaro’s Actions
Kotaro’s decisions are marked by a profound lack of emotional intelligence, poor judgment, and failure to learn from his mistakes, which collectively contribute to his downfall and the creation of a global threat. Key instances of his stupidity include:
Failure to Understand Nana’s Sacrifice:
Kotaro’s hatred of heroes stems from his belief that his mother, Nana Shimura, abandoned him for her hero work. He was unaware that she placed him in foster care to protect him from All For One, who had already killed his father (Pages 4, 5). His refusal to seek or accept an explanation for her actions reflects a stubborn, irrational grudge that clouds his judgment. This lack of understanding fuels his abusive parenting, as he projects his trauma onto his children, particularly Tenko.
Stupidity: Kotaro’s inability to question his assumptions about Nana’s motives or seek closure demonstrates a critical failure of introspection. Had he investigated or been open to communication, he might have avoided his destructive path.
Abusive Parenting Tactics:
Kotaro’s go-to punishment for Tenko’s interest in heroes—locking him outside until he apologized—was not only cruel but also counterproductive. It alienated Tenko, fostering resentment rather than understanding (Page 2). His violent reaction to Tenko finding a photo of Nana, beating him and condemning her memory, further escalated the emotional abuse (Page 2).
Stupidity: Kotaro’s reliance on fear and punishment to control Tenko’s behavior ignored the psychological impact on a young, Quirkless child already struggling with identity. His failure to recognize Tenko’s emotional needs or provide positive guidance was a reckless parenting choice that pushed Tenko toward a breaking point.
Final Act of Violence:
When Tenko’s Decay Quirk awakens and accidentally kills the family, Kotaro’s immediate response is to attack his terrified, grieving son with a weed clipper rather than attempt to calm or reason with him (Page 3). This act of violence, driven by fear and panic, triggers Tenko’s rage, leading to Kotaro’s gruesome death and Tenko’s complete descent into villainy (Page 3).
Stupidity: Kotaro’s decision to resort to violence in a moment of crisis, despite witnessing the catastrophic power of Tenko’s Quirk, was monumentally shortsighted. A rational response—retreating, seeking help, or showing empathy—might have de-escalated the situation. Instead, his actions cemented Tenko’s transformation into Tomura Shigaraki.
Susceptibility to Manipulation:
Kotaro’s friendship with “a man from Koga Constructions” (revealed to be AFO) made him vulnerable to subtle manipulation. AFO encouraged Kotaro’s hatred of heroes and nudged him toward stricter, abusive parenting, even influencing his decision to have Tenko (Page 5). Kotaro’s failure to question this “friend’s” motives or recognize the manipulation reflects a lack of critical thinking.
Stupidity: Kotaro’s blind trust in AFO, a stranger who reinforced his worst instincts, was a critical error. His inability to see through AFO’s façade allowed the villain to orchestrate the Shimura family’s downfall.
Overall Stupidity: Kotaro’s actions are rooted in emotional blindness and a refusal to confront his trauma or seek alternative perspectives. His rigid enforcement of anti-hero rules, abusive discipline, and failure to adapt in a crisis demonstrate a lack of foresight that directly contributes to his family’s destruction and Tomura’s rise. His stupidity lies in his inability to break free from his past, communicate effectively, or prioritize his son’s well-being over his personal grudges.
Villainous Tendencies
While Kotaro is not a villain in the traditional sense, his actions exhibit villainous traits, particularly in their cruelty, selfishness, and contribution to catastrophic consequences. These traits align him as a tragic, morally compromised figure whose behavior borders on villainy:
Abusive Control and Cruelty:
Kotaro’s strict household rules, banning any mention of heroes, and his physical and emotional abuse of Tenko (locking him out, beating him) reflect a tyrannical need for control (Page 2). His attack on Tenko for finding Nana’s photo shows a willingness to harm his own child to enforce his ideology, a hallmark of villainous behavior (Page 2).
Villainous Trait: His cruelty, especially toward a vulnerable five-year-old, mirrors the callousness of villains who prioritize their own agendas over others’ well-being. His actions instill fear and trauma in Tenko, directly contributing to his son’s villainous path.
Hypocrisy and Selfishness:
Kotaro condemns heroes for “hurting their families to help strangers,” yet his abusive parenting mirrors this very behavior, prioritizing his grudge over his family’s happiness (Page 2). His wife, Nao, calls him out for this hypocrisy, noting that he’s doing to Tenko what he resented Nana for (Page 2).
Villainous Trait: His hypocritical justification of his actions and focus on his own pain over his family’s needs reflect a self-centeredness akin to villains who rationalize harm for personal gain. This selfishness blinds him to the damage he inflicts.
Manipulation by All For One:
AFO’s manipulation exacerbates Kotaro’s worst traits, encouraging his hatred and abusive tendencies (Page 5). While Kotaro is an unwitting pawn, his willingness to embrace AFO’s suggestions without questioning them shows a moral weakness that aligns with villainous susceptibility to corruption.
Villainous Trait: His role as AFO’s pawn, however unintentional, makes him complicit in the villain’s scheme to groom Tenko into Tomura Shigaraki. His failure to resist this influence contributes to the creation of a world-threatening villain.
Creating a Villain:
Kotaro’s abuse is the primary catalyst for Tenko’s transformation into Tomura Shigaraki. By fostering resentment, fear, and despair in Tenko, Kotaro sets the stage for AFO to exploit the boy’s trauma, turning him into a symbol of destruction (Page 3). Tomura’s hatred of heroes and society, culminating in his leadership of the League of Villains and Paranormal Liberation Front, directly stems from Kotaro’s actions.
Villainous Trait: Kotaro’s role as the “unwitting instigator of doom” parallels villains who inadvertently create greater threats through their actions (e.g., Endeavor’s neglect creating Dabi). His failure to nurture Tenko makes him a key architect of the series’ central conflict.
Overall Villainy: Kotaro is not a villain in the sense of actively seeking to harm society, but his abusive, controlling, and hypocritical behavior places him in a morally gray area. His actions, amplified by AFO’s manipulation, have villainous consequences, as they directly lead to the creation of Tomura Shigaraki, a villain who threatens global stability. His lack of remorse until it’s too late and his reliance on violence cement his status as a tragic, villain-like figure.
Horrible Actions and Their Consequences
Kotaro’s actions are horrific in their emotional and physical toll on his family, particularly Tenko, and their ripple effects on the world of My Hero Academia. Below are the key horrible actions and their devastating outcomes:
Emotional and Physical Abuse:
Action: Kotaro’s strict anti-hero rules, enforced through punishments like locking Tenko outside and physically beating him for finding Nana’s photo, create a household of fear and repression (Page 2). His daughter Hana’s panic and decision to blame Tenko for sneaking into his office highlight the terror Kotaro instills (Page 2).
Consequence: This abuse traumatizes Tenko, fostering a deep-seated resentment toward his father and heroes. It primes him for psychological collapse when his Decay Quirk awakens, as his emotional fragility amplifies his destructive instincts (Page 3).
Final Act of Violence:
Action: Upon discovering Tenko’s accidental killing of the family with his newly manifested Decay Quirk, Kotaro attacks him with a weed clipper, further enraging his son (Page 3). Even after expressing regret for his earlier abuse, Kotaro reverts to violence in a moment of panic, begging Tenko to stop only after striking him (Page 3).
Consequence: This final act of cruelty is the breaking point for Tenko, who intentionally kills Kotaro in a rage, marking the birth of Tomura Shigaraki (Page 3). The severed hand of Kotaro becomes a grim trophy for Tomura, symbolizing his trauma and hatred (Page 1).
Failure to Communicate:
Action: Kotaro never explains to Tenko why he hates heroes or the truth about Nana’s sacrifice, leaving Tenko confused and resentful (Page 2). His refusal to engage in open dialogue about his trauma or Tenko’s aspirations exacerbates their rift.
Consequence: This lack of communication isolates Tenko, making him vulnerable to AFO’s manipulation. AFO exploits Tenko’s loneliness and anger, grooming him into a villain who seeks to destroy hero society (Page 5).
Susceptibility to AFO’s Manipulation:
Action: Kotaro befriends AFO, unaware of his true identity, and follows his advice to be stricter and have another child (Tenko). AFO secretly gives Tenko the Decay Quirk, setting the stage for the family’s destruction (Page 5).
Consequence: Kotaro’s trust in AFO enables the villain to orchestrate Tenko’s transformation into Tomura Shigaraki. AFO’s manipulation amplifies Kotaro’s abusive tendencies, ensuring Tenko’s trauma and Quirk awakening align with AFO’s plans (Page 5).
Global Consequences:
Creation of Tomura Shigaraki: Kotaro’s abuse and final act of violence trigger Tenko’s descent into villainy, creating Tomura Shigaraki, who becomes the leader of the League of Villains and Paranormal Liberation Front. Tomura’s actions—unleashing High-End Nomu, orchestrating prison breakouts, and wielding AFO’s power—bring hero society to its knees, nearly dooming the world (Pages 7-12).
Collapse of Hero Society: Tomura’s hatred, rooted in Kotaro’s abuse, fuels his mission to destroy heroes and society. The Paranormal Liberation War and Final War result in mass casualties, the loss of public trust in heroes, and widespread destruction, all traceable to Kotaro’s failure as a parent (Pages 9-12).
AFO’s Triumph: Kotaro’s role as an unwitting pawn allows AFO to manipulate Tenko into becoming his successor and potential vessel. AFO’s near-success in controlling Tomura during the Final War threatens global domination, a direct consequence of Kotaro’s susceptibility and abusive parenting (Page 12).
Moral Weight: Kotaro’s actions are horrific because they not only destroy his family but also set off a chain reaction that endangers the world. His abuse of Tenko, driven by unresolved trauma and amplified by AFO’s manipulation, is a profound failure of responsibility. His fleeting moments of remorse (e.g., after beating Tenko, Page 2) are overshadowed by his inability to change, culminating in a final act of violence that seals his fate and Tenko’s.
How Kotaro Nearly Doomed the World
Kotaro’s actions directly contribute to Tomura Shigaraki’s rise, which nearly leads to the collapse of hero society and global catastrophe. The mechanisms by which he enables this outcome include:
Trauma as a Catalyst:
Kotaro’s abuse creates a psychologically broken Tenko, whose despair and rage are unleashed when his Decay Quirk awakens. This trauma makes Tenko receptive to AFO’s manipulation, as he has no one else to turn to after killing his family (Page 3). Without Kotaro’s abuse, Tenko might have grown up with a stable support system, potentially becoming a hero or a civilian rather than a villain.
AFO’s Manipulation:
By befriending AFO and following his advice, Kotaro becomes a pawn in the villain’s long-term plan to create a successor. AFO’s decision to give Tenko the Decay Quirk and encourage Kotaro’s abusive parenting ensures Tenko’s transformation into Tomura (Page 5). Kotaro’s failure to recognize AFO’s influence allows this plan to unfold unchecked.
Hero Hatred Legacy:
Kotaro’s irrational hatred of heroes, instilled in Tenko through abuse, becomes the foundation of Tomura’s ideology. Tomura’s mission to destroy hero society mirrors Kotaro’s belief that heroes harm their families for strangers, but on a catastrophic scale (Page 2). This ideology drives Tomura’s actions, from the U.S.J. attack to the Final War, threatening global stability (Pages 7-12).
The Chain of Harm:
Kotaro’s trauma from Nana’s abandonment leads to his abuse of Tenko, which in turn creates Tomura, who perpetuates destruction on a massive scale. This chain of harm illustrates how Kotaro’s unresolved pain ripples outward, amplifying suffering and chaos (Page 2).
Near-Dooming of the World:
Tomura’s leadership of the League and Paranormal Liberation Front, empowered by AFO, results in devastating attacks that weaken hero society, including the destruction of cities and the release of countless villains (Pages 9-10). His acquisition of the All For One Quirk and his role in the Final War bring the world to the brink of collapse, with AFO nearly achieving total control through Tomura’s body (Page 12).
Only the intervention of heroes like Izuku Midoriya, who reaches Tenko’s vestige and helps him resist AFO, prevents complete catastrophe (Page 11). Kotaro’s actions set this chain in motion, making him indirectly responsible for the near-apocalypse.
Comparison to Other Characters
Kotaro’s actions can be compared to other flawed parents in My Hero Academia, particularly Endeavor, to highlight their similarities and differences:
Similarities with Endeavor:
Both are abusive parents whose actions create villains (Kotaro → Tomura; Endeavor → Dabi).
Both are driven by personal issues (Kotaro’s abandonment trauma; Endeavor’s obsession with surpassing All Might).
Both contribute to societal harm through their children’s villainy, though Kotaro’s impact is more catastrophic due to Tomura’s scale of destruction.
Differences:
Endeavor is a hero who eventually seeks atonement, reforming his behavior and aiding in the fight against Tomura (Page 2). Kotaro dies without redemption, his fleeting remorse overshadowed by his final violent act (Page 3).
Endeavor’s abuse stems from ambition, while Kotaro’s is rooted in trauma and hatred, making Kotaro’s actions more emotionally driven but less excusable given his lack of external pressure (e.g., no societal role like Endeavor’s hero status).
Endeavor gives his children some autonomy (except Shoto), while Kotaro’s controlling rules stifle his family entirely (Page 2).
Mitigating Factors and Sympathy
While Kotaro’s actions are undeniably horrific, certain factors provide context, though they do not excuse him:
Trauma from Abandonment: Kotaro’s hatred stems from being orphaned by Nana’s decision to protect him from AFO. His lack of knowledge about her true motives fuels his resentment, making him a tragic figure (Page 4).
Manipulation by AFO: AFO’s subtle encouragement of Kotaro’s worst instincts amplifies his abusive behavior, suggesting he might not have been as cruel without this influence (Page 5). However, Kotaro’s choice to act on these suggestions remains his responsibility.
Fleeting Remorse: Kotaro’s moments of regret (e.g., after beating Tenko) indicate he is not entirely heartless, but his failure to act on this remorse undermines any sympathy (Page 2).
Despite these factors, Kotaro’s actions remain indefensible. His abuse of Tenko, especially in the face of his son’s vulnerability, and his failure to seek help or change his behavior make him a hate sink with little reader sympathy (Page 2).
Conclusion
Kotaro Shimura’s actions are a tragic blend of stupidity, villainous tendencies, and horrific consequences. His irrational hatred of heroes, abusive parenting, and susceptibility to AFO’s manipulation create the perfect storm for Tenko’s transformation into Tomura Shigaraki, a villain who nearly destroys the world. His stupidity lies in his failure to communicate, learn from his mistakes, or recognize manipulation, while his villainous traits—cruelty, hypocrisy, and control—make him a key architect of his family’s destruction. His horrific actions, particularly the final attack on Tenko, trigger a chain of harm that threatens global stability. While his trauma and manipulation provide context, they do not absolve him of responsibility for creating the series’ Big Bad. Kotaro’s legacy is a cautionary tale of how unresolved trauma and poor choices can have catastrophic consequences, making him one of the most consequential yet despised figures in My Hero Academia.
