"Shigaraki's Green Flags and Red Flags — Part 1"
A little note before we get into this one... This post was actually requested by one of you! 🩵 And I won't lie... this one was a little harder to write than most. Coming up with Shigaraki's green flags took some thought, but I hope I managed to do him some justice. 😅
Now, let's dive in.
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🚩 Red Flags
Poor Emotional Regulation
Shigaraki isn't exactly known for keeping a cool head. Especially early in the series, frustration, anger, and impulsive reactions tend to take the driver's seat. Instead of talking through conflict or stepping away to cool off, he often escalates situations immediately.
In a relationship, that kind of emotional volatility would make communication incredibly difficult. Every disagreement could feel unpredictable, leaving you wondering which version of him you're about to meet.
Trauma That Goes Largely Untreated
One of the things that makes Shigaraki such a compelling character is also one of his biggest red flags.
His past is heartbreaking. Abuse, neglect, manipulation... his life was shaped by experiences no child should ever endure. Those experiences explain why he became who he is, but they don't erase the impact they have on the people around him.
Untreated trauma has a way of showing up in relationships. It can affect trust, communication, emotional availability, and coping mechanisms. Understanding someone's pain is important, but it's never the same as being responsible for healing it.
Trust Issues
Shigaraki doesn't hand out trust easily. And given everything he's been through? That's understandable.
Building trust with him would probably feel less like taking a walk together and more like climbing a mountain, one careful step at a time.
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🌱 Green Flags
Authentic
You always know where you stand with Shigaraki. He's not someone who puts on a charming mask or pretends to be something he's not. What you see is exactly what you get, whether that's comfortable or not.
There's something refreshing about that level of honesty. You'd never have to wonder if he was being fake just to impress you.
Determined
Once Shigaraki commits to something, he commits completely.
His determination is relentless, and it can be an incredibly positive trait. It speaks to perseverance, resilience, and the ability to keep moving forward despite setbacks.
If that same determination were applied to building a healthy relationship instead of tearing society apart... that's a very different picture.
Capable of Growth
One thing you can't take away from Shigaraki is that he changes. He starts off impulsive and emotionally immature, but over time he becomes more strategic, more thoughtful, and more aware of the people around him. His goals remain destructive, but his personal development as a leader is undeniable.
The ability to grow is an admirable quality. It shows that someone isn't necessarily locked into who they were yesterday.
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Overall Thoughts
Shigaraki is one of those characters where understanding him and excusing him are two completely different things.
His trauma explains a lot about who he became, but it doesn't make his actions healthy or safe. At the same time, beneath all the anger is someone capable of growth, unwavering determination, and a surprising level of authenticity.
Sooo... would dating him be easy? Absolutely not.
Would it require an enormous amount of patience, emotional maturity, and trust from both people? Without question.
But that's also what makes him such an interesting character to discuss. He's far from one-dimensional, and his strengths exist right alongside some very serious flaws.
So now I'm handing the question over to you...
Knowing both the red flags and the green flags...
Would you still date Shigaraki?
Absolutely yes, I'm colour blind 🫣
I believe he's capable of growth... so yes, I'll give him a chance 🥰
Absolutely not. Just... no 😥
