The Transformation of Shirakumo into Kurogiri in My Hero Academia: An Explanation

My Hero Academia enthusiasts frequently ponder the transformation of Shirakumo into Kurogiri. This transformation, a subplot crafted by author Kohei Horikoshi, felt hastily handled in the latter part of the storyline. Many readers were taken aback to discover a connection between one of Tomura Shigaraki’s allies and notable characters such as Shota Aizawa and Present Mic, ultimately revealing yet another of All For One’s intricate plots.

Chapter 216 of the My Hero Academia manga disclosed that Shirakumo was previously a UA student and had friendships with Aizawa and Present Mic. Unfortunately, he was captured by All For One, who transformed him into one of the numerous Nomu experiments, taking on the identity of Kurogiri, serving Shigaraki while remnants of his past self emerged during a pivotal moment in the final war arc.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series.

Shirakumo’s death and rebirth as Kurogiri

Kurogiri as seen in the anime (Image via Bones) — Kurogiri as depicted in the anime (Image via Bones)

Shirakumo was murdered by the villain Garvey during his Hero Work Studies, and subsequently, All For One discovered his remains, converting him into the Nomu known as Kurogiri. Once a UA student, he shared a deep bond with Shota Aizawa and Present Mic, forming a trio with grand aspirations in the hero industry.

While Oboro Shirakumo was characterized by his jovial, extroverted nature and penchant for outrageous public antics, Kurogiri emerged as a stoic and disciplined figure. Doctor Kyudai Garaki crafted Kurogiri from Shirakumo’s cadaver while instilling unwavering loyalty to Tomura Shigaraki, following All For One’s directives.

Their Quirks differ significantly; Shirakumo’s ability revolved around cloud creation, whereas Kurogiri’s power involves teleportation through gates. The primary similarity is their fog-like qualities, sparking the question among fans: “How did Shirakumo turn into Kurogiri?”

Does Kurogiri remember his life as Shirakumo in My Hero Academia?

Shirakumo as seen in the anime (Image via Bones) — Shirakumo as portrayed in the anime (Image via Bones)

Present Mic and Shota Aizawa attempted to reconnect with Kurogiri during his captivity, but discovered that only fragments of Shirakumo remained. This revelation further fuels the curiosity among fans regarding Shirakumo’s transformation into Kurogiri.

Nevertheless, during the final war arc, Kurogiri’s Nomu conditioning began to conflict with his faded memories, implying that remnants of his former self lingered. When he assisted Mic and Aizawa away from the battlefield, they reached out to him, enabling him to help teleport available heroes to aid Deku.

It’s important to note that Kurogiri maintained his loyalty to Tomura Shigaraki until the very end, attempting to obstruct Deku’s assault during the climax. Ultimately, Katsuki Bakugo thwarted his efforts, and Kurogiri met his demise shortly after. Present Mic emphasized how he preserved Shirakumo’s selflessness, willing to sacrifice his life in support of Shigaraki.

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