#kotaroshimura

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

Analysis of Tenko Shimura's Family: Stupidity, Consequences, Sympathy, and How They Nearly Doomed the Planet

Tenko Shimura's family—consisting of his father Kotaro Shimura, mother Nao Shimura (née Magi), sister Hana Shimura, and maternal grandparents Chizuo and Mako Magi—forms the tragic backdrop for Tenko's transformation into Tomura Shigaraki, the central antagonist of My Hero Academia. While Kotaro is the primary instigator of the family's dysfunction, the others contribute through passivity, fear, or misguided actions. Their collective failures, amplified by All For One's (AFO) manipulation, not only destroy their household but also set off a chain reaction that nearly annihilates hero society and the world. Below, I analyze the family's stupidity (poor judgment and irrational decisions), consequences (immediate and long-term fallout), sympathy (mitigating factors for their behavior), and their role in nearly dooming the planet. This draws from canon details, focusing on their dynamics with Tenko.

Stupidity of the Family's Actions

The Shimura family's decisions are characterized by emotional shortsightedness, denial, and a failure to intervene in Kotaro's escalating abuse. While Kotaro's actions are the most overtly stupid, the others' inaction compounds the tragedy.

Kotaro Shimura (Father): Kotaro's hatred of heroes, rooted in his misunderstood abandonment by his mother Nana Shimura, leads to irrational household rules banning hero discussions. His abusive punishments—like locking Tenko outside or beating him for finding Nana's photo—stem from projecting his trauma without seeking therapy or context. Befriending AFO (disguised as a colleague) and following his advice to be stricter, even having Tenko as a second child, shows blind trust in a manipulator. His final stupid act: attacking a Quirk-rampaging Tenko with a weed clipper instead of de-escalating, despite witnessing the destruction.

Stupidity Core: Kotaro's refusal to introspect or communicate, prioritizing his grudge over family well-being, is profoundly irrational. He ignores clear signs of Tenko's distress, assuming fear-based control would work.

Nao Shimura (Mother): Nao's passivity is her key flaw. She witnesses Kotaro's abuse but only mildly protests, like saying "Stop, Kotaro! Don't be so hard on him!" without escalating to divorce or intervention. She enables the toxic environment by not challenging Kotaro sooner, despite recognizing the hypocrisy in his hero hatred mirroring Nana's "abandonment."

Stupidity Core: Nao's meekness and failure to act decisively, even implying she'd take the kids but never following through, reflects a lack of foresight. She underestimates the long-term damage of inaction.

Chizuo and Mako Magi (Grandparents): The maternal grandparents dote on Tenko superficially—cheering him up with small gestures—but never confront Kotaro's abuse head-on. They live in the household yet remain passive observers, offering no real protection.

Stupidity Core: Their inaction, perhaps due to dependency on Kotaro, shows a failure to prioritize Tenko's safety. Simple interventions like reporting abuse or removing him could have changed everything.

Collective Family Stupidity: The family's enabling of Kotaro's rules through fear or denial creates a pressure cooker. No one seeks external help (e.g., heroes or counseling), and their stupidity lies in normalizing abuse under the guise of "family unity." This irrational dynamic ignores Tenko's obvious suffering, assuming it would resolve itself.

Consequences of Their Actions

The family's failures have devastating immediate and ripple effects, culminating in Tenko's villainous turn and global threats.

Immediate Family Destruction: Kotaro's abuse triggers Tenko's Decay Quirk awakening, accidentally killing the dog, Hana, the grandparents, and Nao. Kotaro's final attack seals his own death. The family dies gruesomely, with Tenko left traumatized and alone.

Nao's failed cooldown hug and Hana's flight highlight how their inaction leads to panic in crisis.

Grandparents' passivity means they die without aiding Tenko.

Tenko's Transformation: The abuse fosters Tenko's resentment, making him vulnerable to AFO's grooming. Kotaro's hands become Tomura's trophies, symbolizing trauma. Without family support, Tenko embraces villainy, leading the League of Villains.

Broader Societal Impact: Tomura's actions—U.S.J. attack, Overhaul alliance, Paranormal Liberation War—cause mass deaths, hero retirements, and societal collapse. The Final War nearly ends the world, with Tomura as AFO's vessel wielding god-like power.

Legacy of Harm: The family's hypocrisy (condemning heroes while harming their own) becomes Tomura's ideology, fueling his destruction. AFO's manipulation succeeds because of their enabling, turning Tenko into a symbol of broken families.

Sympathy for the Family

Despite their flaws, the Shimuras evoke sympathy as victims of generational trauma and manipulation, humanizing their failures.

Kotaro Shimura: As Nana's son, Kotaro was abandoned for his safety from AFO, but without explanation, it scarred him deeply. He kept Nana's letter and photo as tragic keepsakes, showing unresolved pain. His brief regrets after abusing Tenko and attempts to be better (e.g., resolving to make amends) suggest internal conflict. Sympathy stems from his troubled upbringing and AFO's exploitation—he's a troubled abuser, not a pure monster.

Nao Shimura: Nao is a loving mother trapped in an abusive marriage, doting on her children but too weak-willed to escape. Her final act—trying to hug a rampaging Tenko—shows genuine care. As the "token good teammate," her sympathy lies in her victimhood; she stands up too late, but her intent to defect and protect the kids evokes pity.

Hana Shimura: As a child, Hana's betrayal is fear-driven, not malicious—she's terrified of Kotaro's wrath. She supports Tenko's dreams secretly and tries to apologize, showing sibling love. Her young age and identical appearance to Nana add tragic irony; she's an unwitting pawn in AFO's scheme to create Tenko.

Chizuo and Mako Magi: Elderly and dependent, they offer what comfort they can to Tenko, like cheering him up. Their sympathy comes from powerlessness in Kotaro's household—confronting him risks ejection. They're doting but ineffective, victims of the family dynamic.

Collective Sympathy: The family is manipulated by AFO, who encourages Kotaro's abuse and engineers Tenko's birth/Quirk. Their actions stem from fear, unresolved trauma, and societal pressures (e.g., hero worship's dark side). They're not villains but flawed humans whose mistakes have outsized consequences, making their doom poignant.

How They Nearly Doomed the Entire Planet

The Shimura family's dysfunction is the linchpin in AFO's plan to create a successor, nearly leading to global catastrophe through Tomura Shigaraki.

Catalyst for Tomura's Creation: Kotaro's abuse and the family's enabling create Tenko's breaking point. Without this trauma, Tenko's Decay (gifted by AFO) might not manifest destructively. The family's deaths leave Tenko isolated, perfect for AFO's grooming into a hate-fueled villain.

AFO's Manipulation Amplified: AFO befriends Kotaro, pushing stricter parenting and Tenko's conception. The family's failure to question this "friend" or intervene allows AFO to steal Hana's potential Quirk factor subtly and orchestrate the massacre. Sympathetically, they're unwitting pawns, but their stupidity enables it.

Ideological Legacy: Kotaro's hero hatred, echoed in the family's compliance, becomes Tomura's worldview: heroes abandon families for strangers. This drives Tomura's assaults, from Nomu releases to the Paranormal Liberation Front's war, eroding hero society and causing worldwide chaos.

Global Near-Doom: Tomura's rise leads to the Final War, where he/AFO nearly conquers Japan and beyond, with powers threatening planetary destruction. Heroes like Deku barely avert it, but the family's chain of harm—abuse to isolation to villainy—brings the world to the brink. If Tenko had a supportive family, AFO's plan fails, averting wars, deaths, and collapse.

Literal Connections

Literal connections refer to explicit or implied familial or relational ties between the Todoroki, Shimura, and Shigaraki families.

Himura Family Relation to Both Todorokis and Shigarakis:

Todoroki Connection: Rei Todoroki (née Himura) comes from the prestigious Himura family, known for their ice-related Quirks and a history of marrying between distant relatives to preserve their Quirk lineage (Page 5, Page 4). This practice strengthened the ice Quirk genes, which are dominant in Rei and her children (Page 2).

Shimura Connection: Geten, a distant relative from Rei's side of the Himura family, is explicitly mentioned in Chapter 387 as discussing the Himura family's marriage practices while in a jail cell (Page 4). Geten is a member of the Paranormal Liberation Front, aligning him with Tomura Shigaraki’s forces, suggesting a distant familial tie between the Todorokis and the Shimura/Shigaraki lineage through the Himura family.

Implication: The Himura family serves as a potential literal link, as Geten’s connection to Rei indicates that the Todorokis and Shigarakis may share distant relatives or a common ancestral lineage, even if not directly through the main family lines.

All For One’s Manipulation Across Families:

Shimura Family: All For One, under the guise of Zen Shigaraki, a "family friend" from Koga Construction, directly influenced the Shimura family by encouraging Kotaro Shimura’s abusive behavior and the birth of Tenko (Tomura Shigaraki) to serve as a vessel for his plans (Page 29, Page 25). This manipulation led to the tragic destruction of the Shimura family.

Todoroki Family: While not explicitly stated in the document, All For One’s broader schemes in My Hero Academia involve destabilizing hero society, which indirectly affects the Todorokis through Dabi’s actions as a villain aligned with the League of Villains (Page 19). Dabi’s vendetta against Endeavor aligns with All For One’s goal of undermining heroes, suggesting a thematic but not necessarily literal manipulation of the Todorokis.

Implication: All For One’s influence as a puppet master connects the families through his schemes, positioning both Tomura Shigaraki and Dabi (Toya Todoroki) as his pawns, creating a literal connection through their shared villainous affiliations.

Shared Family Registry Context:

The document mentions that Kotaro Shimura’s relation to his mother, Nana Shimura, was erased from the family registry to protect him from All For One (Page 25). Similarly, the Todoroki family’s dark past, including Toya’s presumed death, was kept hidden until Dabi’s public broadcast (Page 1). While not a direct familial tie, both families have histories of concealing or altering family records to protect or obscure their members’ identities.

Implication: This shared theme of hidden identities or altered family records suggests a parallel in how both families navigate their legacies, potentially hinting at deeper connections in the broader My Hero Academia universe.

Figurative Connections

Figurative connections focus on thematic parallels, shared archetypes, or narrative similarities that make the families seem related in a symbolic or storytelling sense.

Big, Screwed-Up Family Dynamic:

Todoroki Family: Described as a “Big, Screwed-Up Family” due to Endeavor’s obsession with surpassing All Might through a Quirk marriage, leading to domestic abuse, neglect, and Toya’s transformation into Dabi (Page 1). The family’s dysfunction stems from Endeavor’s ambition and its fallout, including emotional and physical scars (Page 1, Page 14).

Shimura Family: Also labeled a “Big, Screwed-Up Family” due to Kotaro Shimura’s abusive parenting, driven by his resentment toward his mother, Nana Shimura, and her hero lifestyle (Page 19). This led to Tenko’s accidental killing of the family and his transformation into Tomura Shigaraki (Page 20).

Implication: Both families are defined by generational trauma caused by a parent’s unresolved issues, resulting in a child becoming a major villain (Dabi and Shigaraki), making them narratively parallel as dysfunctional families torn apart by ambition or resentment.

Abusive Parenting Leading to Villainous Offspring:

Todoroki Family: Endeavor’s abuse and neglect of Toya, Fuyumi, Natsuo, and Shoto, coupled with his focus on creating a perfect heir, drove Toya to become Dabi, a villain seeking revenge by exposing Endeavor’s sins (Page 1, Page 2).

Shimura Family: Kotaro’s physical and emotional abuse of Tenko, fueled by his hatred of heroes, pushed Tenko to awaken his Decay Quirk, killing his family and becoming Tomura Shigaraki under All For One’s influence (Page 21, Page 24).

Implication: Both families feature a father figure whose abusive behavior directly contributes to a son’s descent into villainy, creating a mirror image of how parental failure shapes destructive legacies.

Generational Trauma:

Todoroki Family: Endeavor’s obsession with being the strongest hero stems from witnessing his father’s death while trying to save a girl, leading him to impose his ambitions on his children, particularly Toya (Page 2). This trauma cascades into the family’s dysfunction, with Toya internalizing that his worth depends on fulfilling Endeavor’s goals (Page 2).

Shimura Family: Kotaro’s trauma from being abandoned by his mother, Nana Shimura, for his safety fuels his hatred of heroes, which he projects onto Tenko, leading to the family’s destruction (Page 21). Nana’s choice to prioritize her hero duties over her son creates a ripple effect of pain (Page 24).

Implication: Both families suffer from trauma passed down from a parent’s choices (Endeavor’s father’s death, Nana’s abandonment), which shapes their children’s fates and ties them thematically as families burdened by inherited pain.

Accomplice by Inaction:

Todoroki Family: Rei, Fuyumi, and Natsuo acknowledge their roles in failing to stop Toya’s descent into villainy by not addressing his issues or Endeavor’s abuse effectively (Page 3). Rei, in particular, admits her passivity contributed to Toya’s pain (Page 5).

Shimura Family: Nao, Chizuo, and Mako are described as complicit by inaction for not intervening in Kotaro’s abuse of Tenko, telling him to endure it instead, which fueled his resentment and led to their deaths (Page 19).

Implication: Both families feature members who, despite loving their troubled child, fail to act decisively, contributing to the child’s villainous transformation, reinforcing their shared narrative of regret and missed opportunities.

Quirk-Related Dysfunction:

Todoroki Family: The family’s dysfunction revolves around Quirks, with Endeavor’s Quirk marriage to Rei aimed at producing a child with a perfect fire-and-ice Quirk (Page 1). Toya’s powerful fire Quirk, incompatible with his cold-resistant body, led to his neglect and eventual villainy (Page 3).

Shimura Family: Tenko’s Decay Quirk, which awakened uncontrollably, was the catalyst for the family’s destruction (Page 20). Kotaro’s hatred of heroes, tied to his mother’s Quirk-based heroism, exacerbated Tenko’s isolation (Page 21).

Implication: Both families’ tragedies are tied to Quirks, either through deliberate manipulation (Endeavor’s eugenics) or unintended consequences (Tenko’s Quirk awakening), highlighting how Quirks amplify familial conflict.

Public Exposure of Family Secrets:

Todoroki Family: Dabi broadcasts the Todoroki family’s dark past—Endeavor’s abuse and the Quirk marriage—nationwide, aiming to destroy his father’s reputation (Page 1, Page 3).

Shimura Family: While not explicitly public, Tenko’s transformation into Tomura Shigaraki and his actions as a villain indirectly expose the Shimura family’s tragic history, especially through his own recounting of his family’s deaths (Page 19).

Implication: Both families’ dysfunctions are revealed to the public or within the narrative, tying their stories to societal consequences and making their private pain a public spectacle.

Sibling Dynamics and Betrayal:

Todoroki Family: Toya feels replaced by Shoto, leading to his resentment and eventual villainy, while Fuyumi and Natsuo struggle with their roles in ignoring Toya’s issues (Page 5, Page 3). Shoto, being too young, is the only one not blamed (Page 3).

Shimura Family: Hana betrays Tenko by scapegoating him to avoid Kotaro’s wrath, damaging their bond and contributing to Tenko’s emotional spiral (Page 27). This betrayal parallels Toya’s sense of being replaced.

Implication: Both families feature a sibling who feels betrayed or neglected (Toya by Shoto’s birth, Tenko by Hana’s betrayal), driving them toward villainy, creating a parallel in sibling-related pain.

Thematic Connections Involving the Shigaraki Brothers

The Shigaraki brothers, Yoichi and Zen (All For One), add another layer of connection, particularly through their influence on the Shimura family and their broader impact on the Todorokis.

Opposing Ideals and Family Conflict:

Shigaraki Brothers: Yoichi’s sense of justice clashes with Zen’s (All For One’s) ambition and megalomania, leading to Yoichi’s death and the creation of One For All (Page 31). Their sibling conflict drives the central hero-villain dichotomy of the series.

Todoroki Family: Shoto and Toya (Dabi) represent a similar hero-villain split, with Shoto pursuing heroism and Toya seeking revenge against their father (Page 1). Their conflict mirrors Yoichi and Zen’s ideological divide.

Shimura Family: Tenko’s desire to be a hero conflicts with Kotaro’s anti-hero stance, leading to Tenko’s transformation into Shigaraki (Page 21). This echoes the Shigaraki brothers’ conflict between justice and villainy.

Implication: All three family units feature internal conflicts between members with opposing values (heroism vs. villainy), tying them thematically as families divided by ideology.

Manipulation by All For One:

Shimura Family: All For One, as Zen Shigaraki, manipulates Kotaro into abusing Tenko, orchestrating the family’s destruction to create Tomura Shigaraki (Page 29).

Todoroki Family: While not directly manipulated, Toya/Dabi’s alignment with the League of Villains, led by All For One, ties the Todorokis to his schemes, as Dabi’s actions further All For One’s goal of destabilizing hero society (Page 19).

Shigaraki Brothers: Zen (All For One) directly kills Yoichi, setting the stage for One For All’s legacy, which opposes his plans (Page 31).

Implication: All For One’s influence as a manipulator connects all three families, either directly (Shimura, Shigaraki) or indirectly (Todoroki), making him a unifying force behind their tragedies.

Legacy of Heroism and Villainy:

Shigaraki Brothers: Yoichi’s creation of One For All establishes a heroic legacy, while Zen’s All For One Quirk fuels villainy, creating a generational conflict that impacts the entire series (Page 31).

Todoroki Family: Shoto carries on a heroic legacy, aiming to redefine his father’s tainted heroism, while Dabi represents a villainous rebellion against it (Page 1).

Shimura Family: Tenko’s initial desire to be a hero is crushed by Kotaro, leading to his villainous transformation as Shigaraki, who ironically becomes All For One’s successor (Page 20).

Implication: All three families are tied to the broader narrative of heroism vs. villainy, with each producing both heroes and villains whose actions ripple across generations.

Seemingly Related Elements

These are elements that make the families appear related due to narrative parallels or ambiguous connections that suggest deeper ties.

Shared Ice Quirks and the Himura Influence:

The Todoroki family’s ice Quirks (Rei, Fuyumi, Natsuo, and Shoto) and Toya’s latent ice Quirk (Page 2) are tied to the Himura family’s dominant ice genes (Page 3). Geten, a Himura relative, uses an ice Quirk and is aligned with Shigaraki’s forces (Page 4), creating a potential bridge between the families.

Seeming Connection: The presence of ice Quirks in both the Todoroki family and a Shigaraki-aligned character (Geten) suggests a possible shared genetic or Quirk-related history, though not explicitly confirmed.

Oversharing Family Drama:

Todoroki Family: The Todorokis are notorious for oversharing their drama, from Shoto’s conversation with Midoriya to Dabi’s nationwide broadcast (Page 3). This is humorously dubbed “Keeping up with the Todoroki” by fans (Page 3).

Shimura Family: Tenko’s recounting of his family’s deaths and Kotaro’s abuse in his memories (Page 19) mirrors the Todorokis’ public exposure, as does Geten’s oversharing about the Himura family (Page 4).

Seeming Connection: The tendency to reveal family secrets, whether intentionally (Dabi) or unintentionally (Shoto, Geten), creates a narrative parallel that makes the families seem linked through their inability to keep private matters private.

Environmental Impact of Family Conflicts:

Todoroki Family: The Todorokis’ use of Flashfire Fist during their battles creates a pyrocumulonimbus storm, potentially affecting global weather (Page 4).

Shimura Family: Tenko’s Decay Quirk destroys the Shimura household, symbolizing the collapse of Kotaro’s control (Page 20).

Seeming Connection: Both families’ conflicts have outsized environmental or societal impacts, suggesting their dramas are not just personal but world-altering, reinforcing their narrative kinship.

Tragic Parental Figures:

Todoroki Family: Rei’s mental breakdown and Endeavor’s abusive ambition parallel Kotaro’s abusive control and Nao’s inability to stop him (Page 5, Page 26).

Shimura Family: Kotaro’s hatred of heroes and Nao’s passive complicity mirror the Todorokis’ dynamic of an abusive father and a mother who fails to intervene effectively (Page 21, Page 26).

Shigaraki Brothers: Yoichi’s powerlessness against Zen’s villainy parallels the Todoroki and Shimura parents’ failures to protect their children (Page 31).

Seeming Connection: The presence of tragic parental figures who either perpetuate or fail to stop harm creates a shared archetype across the families, making them seem related through their flawed guardianship.

Summary of Similarities

Literal Connections:

The Himura family links the Todorokis to the Shigaraki-aligned Geten, suggesting a distant familial tie.

All For One’s manipulation directly shapes the Shimura family and indirectly influences the Todorokis through Dabi’s villainy.

Both families have histories of concealed or altered family records.

Figurative Connections:

Both the Todoroki and Shimura families are “Big, Screwed-Up Families” driven by abusive fathers (Endeavor, Kotaro) and passive mothers (Rei, Nao), leading to villainous sons (Dabi, Shigaraki).

Generational trauma from parental choices (Endeavor’s father’s death, Nana’s abandonment) shapes both families’ dysfunction.

Both families’ tragedies are tied to Quirks and public exposure of their secrets.

Sibling betrayals or neglect (Toya vs. Shoto, Hana vs. Tenko) drive key characters toward villainy.

Shigaraki Brothers’ Role:

Yoichi and Zen’s hero-villain conflict mirrors the Todoroki and Shimura families’ internal divisions.

All For One’s manipulation ties all three families, either directly or indirectly.

The legacy of heroism (Yoichi, Shoto) vs. villainy (Zen, Dabi, Shigaraki) is a unifying theme.

Seeming Connections:

Shared ice Quirks via the Himura family suggest a possible genetic link.

Oversharing family drama and environmental impacts create narrative parallels.

Tragic parental figures reinforce a shared archetype of flawed guardianship.

MASSIVE SPOILERS YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

All For One’s past as "The Family Friend" in My Hero Academia is a calculated and sinister chapter of his long, villainous history, showcasing his manipulative nature and long-term scheming. Below is a detailed overview of his actions during this period, as described in the provided context, focusing on his role as the family friend to the Shimura family and his broader schemes.

All For One as "The Family Friend"

During his time as the "family friend" to the Shimura family, All For One operated under the guise of a seemingly benevolent figure from Koga Constructions, a front company he used to fund his criminal activities. His actions during this period were a meticulous blend of psychological manipulation and strategic planning, all aimed at orchestrating the creation of Tomura Shigaraki as his successor and a vessel for his ambitions.

Befriending Kotaro Shimura: All For One approached Kotaro Shimura, the son of Nana Shimura (the seventh One For All user), sometime after Kotaro’s daughter, Hana, developed her Quirk. Posing as a friendly associate from Koga Constructions, he cultivated a relationship with Kotaro, exploiting his existing resentment toward heroes due to his mother’s abandonment. All For One subtly reinforced Kotaro’s disdain by suggesting that heroes are unreliable, planting seeds of bitterness that would shape Kotaro’s harsh parenting style.

Encouraging Tenko’s Birth: All For One manipulated Kotaro into having another child, suggesting it would benefit Hana by providing a sibling to rely on in case heroes failed them. This led to the birth of Tenko Shimura (later Tomura Shigaraki). This was a deliberate move, as All For One saw Tenko as a potential "fragile vessel" he could mold, unlike Hana, who was too old to manipulate effectively.

Stealing Tenko’s Quirk: When Tenko was born, All For One secretly stole his original Quirk Factor, inherited from his parents, before it could manifest, rendering him Quirkless. This ensured Tenko’s vulnerability and dependency, setting the stage for All For One’s later manipulation.

Implanting the Decay Quirk: At age five, All For One, disguised as an old man, encountered Tenko after he heroically saved friends from a truck. Under the pretense of kindness, he offered to walk Tenko home and secretly transferred the Decay Quirk to him. This Quirk, derived from an incomplete copy of the Overhaul Quirk (stripped of its restorative properties), was engineered for destruction. All For One’s intent was to destabilize Tenko’s life, knowing the Quirk’s destructive power would lead to tragedy.

Orchestrating the Shimura Family Tragedy: All For One’s manipulation culminated in Tenko’s accidental murder of his family due to the uncontrollable Decay Quirk. By encouraging Kotaro’s harsh treatment of Tenko’s heroic aspirations, All For One ensured a volatile home environment that pushed Tenko to a breaking point. After Tenko killed his family and exacted revenge on his abusive father, All For One found him under a bridge, offering false comfort and a new home, positioning himself as a savior.

Grooming Tenko into Tomura Shigaraki: All For One took Tenko under his wing, providing guidance to channel his violent urges. He instructed Kyudai Garaki to preserve the dissected hands of Tenko’s family, using them to suppress his positive emotions and keep his trauma fresh, ensuring his hatred and destructive impulses dominated. When Tenko killed two street thugs, All For One rewarded him with their hands and renamed him Tomura Shigaraki, cementing his identity as a villain. The name "Tomura" (meaning "to mourn") and the surname "Shigaraki" (inspired by a tragic story All For One admired) reflected his twisted mentorship.

Broader Context of His Actions

While posing as the family friend, All For One was simultaneously engaged in other schemes to expand his influence and pursue his obsession with acquiring One For All. His actions during this period align with his lifelong pattern of manipulation, Quirk theft, and cultivating chaos:

Long-Term Obsession with One For All: All For One’s interactions with the Shimura family were part of his broader vendetta against One For All, stemming from his murder of his brother Yoichi, the first user. Knowing Tomura was Nana Shimura’s grandson, he saw him as a tool to erode the willpower of One For All’s users, believing Tomura’s hatred could help him steal the Quirk.

Villain Factory and Experiments: Concurrently, All For One was running the Villain Factory, a secret organization using the Trigger drug to create Instant Villains and Next-Level Villains to test Quirk potentials. He also mentored Number 6, a blank-slate child, shaping him into a potential vessel by giving him the stolen Overclock Quirk. These experiments were part of his contingency plans to create a being rivaling All Might.

Underground Masquerade: All For One organized illegal fighting events like the Underground Masquerade to harvest Quirks, distribute drugs, and test Quirk-boosting substances. His attempt to steal O’Clock’s Overclock Quirk during this event further demonstrates his relentless pursuit of powerful Quirks.

Manipulating Others: He coerced families like the Aoyamas into servitude by granting their son Yuga a Quirk (Navel Laser), using their debt to make Yuga a mole at U.A. High. Similarly, he rescued and attempted to groom Toya Todoroki as another potential vessel, though Toya’s obsession with his father made him uncontrollable.

Analysis of His Role as the Family Friend

All For One’s role as the family friend was a masterclass in psychological manipulation and long-term planning. By infiltrating the Shimura family, he exploited their vulnerabilities to create Tomura Shigaraki, a symbol of fear tailored to his specifications. His actions were not merely cruel but strategic, designed to:

Cultivate Hatred: By engineering Tenko’s tragic circumstances, All For One ensured Tomura’s hatred for heroes and society would grow, making him a perfect candidate to challenge One For All’s legacy.

Maintain Control: Using the family’s hands and psychological manipulation, he suppressed Tomura’s positive emotions, ensuring loyalty and dependence.

Advance His Agenda: The Shimura family was a pawn in his larger game to dominate society and steal One For All, with Tomura as a key piece to erode the Quirk’s willpower.

How Nana Shimura Single-Handedly Doomed the Entire MHA World: A Complete Breakdown

Nana Shimura is the single biggest butterfly-effect disaster in the entire series. Every single major catastrophe in My Hero Academia — Tomura Shigaraki, the fall of hero society, the Final War, millions dead or displaced — can be traced directly back to one woman’s series of catastrophically bad decisions made out of fear and grief.

Here is the full, merciless chain of how Nana personally created the apocalypse:

1. The Core Mistake: Abandoning Kotaro (The Original Sin)

Her husband is killed by a villain (possibly All For One himself).

Instead of going into hiding with her son, doubling security, or even just moving overseas, Nana decides the safest thing is to completely sever all ties and dump 5–7-year-old Kotaro in an orphanage with zero follow-up.

She even alters the family registry so he can’t be traced back to her and forbids All Might and Gran Torino from ever checking on him.

She leaves only a vague letter: “Mommy has to fight bad guys, so I can’t come home. I love you.”

Result: Kotaro grows up believing his mother chose strangers over him. He internalizes the message “heroes abandon their families.” This becomes the core trauma that defines his entire life.

2. The Ripple Effect: Creating the Perfect Vessel for All For One

Kotaro becomes a successful but deeply broken adult who hates heroes with religious fervor.

He marries, has two children (Hana and Tenko), and enforces the rule: “No talking about heroes in this house.”

He physically and emotionally abuses Tenko for showing any interest in heroism (exactly like Endeavor did to Shoto, but without the “training” excuse).

All For One — who has been searching for Nana’s bloodline for decades — finds Kotaro effortlessly because Nana never changed her surname on public records and Kotaro never hid his hatred of heroes.

AFO befriends the adult Kotaro, stokes his resentment, and manipulates him into having a second child (Tenko) specifically because he wants a blank-slate vessel with Nana’s bloodline.

Nana’s abandonment didn’t protect her family. It gift-wrapped them for All For One.

3. The Final Trigger: Tenko’s Quirk Awakening

Tenko is bullied, isolated, and abused for years because of Kotaro’s hero hatred (which exists only because Nana left).

One day he snaps, Decay manifests, and he accidentally kills his entire family — including Kotaro, whom he murders intentionally in revenge.

A traumatized, homeless 5-year-old wanders the streets for hours while heroes and civilians ignore him.

All For One finds him and raises him as Tomura Shigaraki.

Every step of this tragedy only happened because Nana abandoned Kotaro.

4. The Meta-Layer: Nana Actively Prevented Anyone From Fixing Her Mistake

She made Gran Torino and All Might swear to never look for Kotaro.

This means that for 30+ years, the two people most capable of noticing something was wrong (a hero-hating man named Shimura with a grandson named Tenko) were forbidden from even thinking about it.

If either of them had broken that promise even once, they would have seen the abuse and intervened.

5. The Vestige World Irony: Nana Admits It Was All Her Fault

In the vestige world she literally says:“The scars I inflicted on him got passed down to Shigaraki… If only I had taken down All For One and gone home to my son… I’m sorry, Kotaro. Your mom was weak.”

She watches Kotaro beat child-Tenko and cries, realizing she created the exact cycle of abuse she was afraid of.

She even asks Izuku if he can kill Tomura because she knows some people can’t be saved — acknowledging that her mistake may have made her grandson into a monster beyond redemption.

6. The Scale of the Disaster

Because of Nana’s one decision:

Tomura Shigaraki exists

Decay exists (AFO replaced Tenko’s original Quirk with a modified Overhaul)

The League of Villains forms

All Might is forced into retirement

The Paranormal Liberation War happens

Japan collapses into chaos

The Final War kills untold millions

All For One nearly wins twice

Counter-Arguments (and Why They’re Wrong)

“But All For One would have found them anyway!” → No. AFO only found Kotaro because he was a public, openly hero-hating adult with the surname Shimura. If Nana had kept her son and raised him normally (or even just stayed in contact), AFO would have had no trail.

“But she had to protect him!” → Plenty of heroes have families. Masaki (Geten’s ancestor), Hawks’ parents, the entire Wild Wild Pussycats — none of them abandoned their kids. Nana’s solution was the single worst possible one.

“She didn’t know AFO would groom her grandson!” → She knew AFO was the kind of monster who would target families. That’s why she abandoned Kotaro in the first place. She just never considered that her abandonment would create the perfect psychological profile for AFO to exploit.

Final Verdict

Nana Shimura is the tragic architect of My Hero Academia’s entire apocalypse.

She is simultaneously:

One of the kindest, most heroic characters (mentored All Might, died smiling, believed in saving hearts)

And the single person most responsible for creating the greatest villain in the series

Her good intentions, cowardice, and refusal to trust anyone else with her family directly caused the end of the world.

Nana Shimura: The Tragic Catalyst Who Single-Handedly Set the Stage for All For One and Tomura's Reign of Terror Nana Shimura is not just a hero in My Hero Academia — she is the unintentional architect of its greatest villains and the collapse of hero society. Every major disaster, from the creation of Tomura Shigaraki to the near-victory of All For One, stems from a chain of her decisions driven by fear, grief, and misguided heroism. But she didn't act alone; the other early One For All (OFA) users — Kudo, Bruce, En, Daigoro, and Hikage — compounded her mistakes through their own failures, shortsightedness, and inability to break the cycle of violence. This analysis breaks down every single way Nana (and her fellow vestiges) doomed the world, step by step, incorporating their synopses and the series' "stupid decisions" tropes that allowed AFO to exploit those flaws.

The Foundational Flaw: Nana's Abandonment of Kotaro — The Butterfly Effect That Birthed Tomura

Nana's husband is killed by a villain (likely AFO or his agents), leaving her with young Kotaro (age 5–7).

You'd expect: Nana to protect her son by going underground, relocating the family, or seeking help from allies like Gran Torino. Heroes like the Wild Wild Pussycats or Enji Todoroki (pre-abuse) managed families despite threats.

Instead: She completely abandons Kotaro to an orphanage, alters records to erase ties, and forbids All Might/Gran Torino from ever checking on him. She leaves a vague letter: "Mommy has to fight bad guys, so I can't come home. I love you."

Result: Kotaro grows up traumatized, viewing heroes as selfish abandoners who prioritize strangers over family. This resentment defines him, leading him to:

Marry Nao and have Hana and Tenko.

Enforce a "no heroes" rule, abusing Tenko for any interest in heroism.

Befriend AFO (who exploits his hatred), father Tenko as a vessel, and allow AFO to swap Tenko's Quirk for Decay.

Trope tie-in: "You'd expect Kotaro to seek therapy or question heroes rationally." Instead, he internalizes Nana's abandonment, passing the trauma to Tenko — who snaps, kills his family, and becomes Tomura. Nana's "protection" directly creates the series' main villain.

How Kudo's Resistance Movement Enabled AFO's Long Game

Kudo (2nd user) forms a resistance against AFO's rising empire, recruiting Bruce (3rd user) and others.

You'd expect: Kudo to prioritize stealth, avoid direct confrontations until ready, and build a network that could protect families like Nana's.

Instead: He raids AFO's base to kill Yoichi (AFO's brother), but spares him and rescues him instead — kickstarting OFA's growth but alerting AFO to their existence.

Result: AFO massacres Kudo's entire resistance, kills Kudo, and hunts down every woman/child in his bloodline. This forces Nana (7th user) into her abandonment mindset, as she sees the cost of fighting AFO head-on.

Compounding mistake: Kudo passes OFA to Bruce, who flees overseas but gets tracked and killed by AFO. Bruce's "distraction" tactic (drawing AFO away from Hikage) fails spectacularly, as AFO just kills him and continues hunting.

Trope tie-in: "You'd expect Kudo to verify Yoichi's loyalty before rescue." Instead, this act of mercy gives AFO a personal grudge, leading him to target Nana's family decades later. Kudo's "heroic" impulse dooms generations.

Bruce's Failed Distraction and the Chain of Weak Successors

Bruce (3rd user) receives OFA from Kudo and flees with survivors to distract AFO from Hikage (4th user).

You'd expect: Bruce to go fully underground, coordinate with Hikage for a joint strike, or destroy any records that could lead AFO to future users.

Instead: He leads a high-profile escape overseas, making himself an easy target. AFO impales him and kills him, but not before Bruce tests OFA transfer mechanics (DNA + will).

Result: AFO learns more about OFA's mechanics from these failures, allowing him to plan long-term (e.g., grooming Tomura). Bruce's death leaves Hikage isolated, who wastes 18 years hiding instead of fighting.

Trope tie-in: "You'd expect Bruce to fake his death or split the group." Instead, his "noble sacrifice" achieves nothing, as AFO just moves on to the next user. This pattern of "run and hide" from early users lets AFO consolidate power unchecked.

En's Quick Death and the Legacy of Inadequate Preparation

En (6th user) receives OFA from Daigoro (5th user) after Daigoro's death.

You'd expect: En to train rigorously, ally with Nana early, and use Smokescreen for guerrilla tactics against AFO's empire.

Instead: He fights AFO head-on, gets cut in half, and barely passes OFA to Nana via hair ingestion.

Result: Nana inherits a barely-powered OFA, forcing her to train All Might from scratch. En's rushed transfer (no time for advice) leaves Nana without key knowledge, contributing to her fear-driven abandonment of Kotaro.

Trope tie-in: "You'd expect En to evade and pass OFA secretly." Instead, his direct confrontation echoes Kudo's raid — heroic but stupid, giving AFO more intel on OFA's transfer method.

Daigoro's Reckless Fight and the Pattern of Sacrificial Deaths

Daigoro (5th user, "Lariat") receives OFA from Hikage.

You'd expect: Daigoro to learn from Hikage's isolation and build alliances, avoiding solo fights with AFO.

Instead: He confronts AFO directly, gets crushed under rubble, and passes OFA to En via blood.

Result: Another quick death, weakening OFA's chain. Daigoro's "fight hard" mentality influences Nana's sacrificial stand against AFO, where she dies smiling but leaves All Might traumatized and the world vulnerable.

Trope tie-in: "You'd expect Daigoro to retreat like Bruce." Instead, his bravado mirrors the series' trope of heroes charging in without backup, allowing AFO to pick off users one by one.

Hikage's 18-Year Hiding and the Wasted Time That Empowered AFO

Hikage (4th user) receives OFA from Bruce and hides in the woods for 18 years to "cultivate" it.

You'd expect: Hikage to use Danger Sense for hit-and-run attacks on AFO's empire, recruit allies, or at least monitor threats.

Instead: He completely isolates, training alone until OFA + Danger Sense ages him prematurely (dies at 40 of "old age"). Passes OFA to Daigoro on his deathbed.

Result: 18 years of inaction let AFO's power peak unchecked, killing Nana's husband and forcing her abandonment. Hikage's "hide and grow" strategy fails spectacularly, as OFA isn't strong enough yet when passed on.

Trope tie-in: "You'd expect Hikage to scout with Danger Sense." Instead, his hermit life echoes the trope of "isolated training montages" that achieve nothing, giving AFO free reign to expand.

The Collective Failure: The Early Users' "Pass and Die" Cycle

All early users (Kudo through Hikage) treat OFA like a hot potato: fight AFO, lose, pass it on while dying.

You'd expect: Coordinated multi-user attacks, long-term planning, or destroying AFO's network before direct fights.

Instead: Isolated deaths allow AFO to learn OFA's mechanics (transfer via DNA/will, resistance to theft). This knowledge lets AFO create Decay (modified Overhaul) for Tenko and groom Tomura as the perfect vessel.

Result: Nana inherits a cursed legacy, dying in her prime and leaving All Might to fight alone for 40 years.

Nana's Direct Role in All Might's Flaws

Nana mentors All Might but dies early, leaving him with "smile through pain" advice but no family support network.

You'd expect: Nana to warn All Might about her family, so he could protect Kotaro.

Instead: Her oath of secrecy prevents All Might from ever knowing about Kotaro until too late.

Result: All Might's lone-wolf style (no family, no backups) mirrors Nana's isolation, delaying AFO's defeat and allowing Tomura to grow.

Vestige Mistakes: The Afterlife Failures That Nearly Sealed the Doom

In the vestige world, the early users (especially Kudo and Bruce) initially reject Izuku for wanting to save Tomura.

You'd expect: Immediate unity against AFO, using their knowledge to guide Izuku.

Instead: Kudo/ Bruce turn their backs, delaying Izuku's full access to Quirks. Hikage sacrifices himself first, losing Danger Sense early.

Result: Izuku nearly dies multiple times; the internal debate wastes precious time, allowing Tomura to steal Quirks and nearly win.

The Ultimate Irony: Nana's "Heroic Sacrifice" Enables AFO's Greatest Victory

Nana dies fighting AFO, passing OFA to All Might with a smile.

You'd expect: A living Nana to defeat AFO or protect her family.

Instead: Her death gives AFO her hand (as Tomura's mask) and cements Kotaro's hatred. AFO uses this to groom Tomura, turning Nana's legacy against itself.

Trope tie-in: "You'd expect Nana to retreat like Hikage." Instead, her charge-in trope (like All Might vs. AFO) achieves nothing but her death.

Broader Dooms: How Nana's Legacy Created Systemic Failures

Hero society's "smile and save" ideal (Nana's words) leads to tropes like All Might ignoring Tomura's cries for help as a child.

Abandonment trope repeats: Endeavor abuses Shoto (mirroring Kotaro's abuse), creating Dabi.

AFO exploits the "pass and die" chain: Each user's death gives him more time to build his empire, steal Quirks, and create Nomu.

Final War: The users' sacrifices (Kudo exploding, En piercing, etc.) only work because Izuku rejects Nana's "kill him" advice — her final mistake nearly dooms the world again.