My Hero Academia’s Most Pitiful Character: All For One, Not Shigaraki

In the world of My Hero Academia, the series presents numerous antagonists shaped by their experiences, particularly those who faced a lack of compassion during their darkest moments. A key example is Tomura Shigaraki, whose tragic backstory—culminating in the loss of his family—led him to become a significant global threat as he was ostracized by society.

Interestingly, when discussing characters deserving of sympathy, All for One often goes unnoticed within the fanbase. Many view him as inherently malevolent, yet his origin story challenges this perception. Like any infant, All for One entered the world without malice, but life forced him to mature far too quickly.

His unique quirk possessed the potential to liberate abilities from villains and channel them for humanity’s benefit. Unfortunately, his upbringing in a harsh environment led him down the path to become a figure of tyranny.

Note: This article may contain spoilers from the My Hero Academia manga series and reflects the author’s perspective.

The Tragic Villainy of All for One in My Hero Academia

All for One and One for All as portrayed in the manga (Image via Kohei Horikoshi/Shueisha)

The backstory of All for One and his brother Yoichi unfolds amidst a tragic family legacy. Born to a mother who was unaware of her pregnancy and a prostitute by circumstance, they entered a world already filled with adversity. Their mother, an early user of Meta abilities, tragically lost her life during childbirth, leaving her children to fend for themselves.

In this unforgiving world, the elder brother, All for One, took drastic steps for survival. He assimilated his mother’s Meta ability, which later enabled him to absorb other powers. His bond with his younger brother, Yoichi (later known as One for All), was possessive, enduring a journey filled with conflict as they grew apart due to their clashing ideals.

Their rivalry stretched across generations, ultimately culminating in their final confrontation during the climactic war against Izuku Midoriya.

All for One, featured in the anime (Image via Bones)

As a child, All for One had no understanding of evil, yet the vicious environment he lived in bred a relentless desire for power. This drive lasted for centuries until it ultimately led to his downfall—a missed opportunity for a character who could have followed a different path in My Hero Academia.

If All for One had chosen to wield his quirk for benevolent purposes, he could have reshaped the narrative of Meta abilities entirely. Instead of descending into darkness, he might have become a beacon of hope, utilizing his power to redistribute villainous quirks to those devoted to altruism. Sadly, this hopeful scenario never materialized, and he missed his chance.

Concluding Thoughts

While it may stretch the bounds of belief to label All for One as innocent, envisioning a different trajectory for his character—where he harnesses his overwhelming powers for good—opens intriguing possibilities. However, the reality of his actions and the lives lost under his influence cannot equate to innocence. Thus, All for One’s villainy remains a critical aspect of Kohei Horikoshi’s narrative design.

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Image Credits: We.com