Shigaraki Tomura, the primary antagonist of My Hero Academia since the beginning, has been known for using his destructive quirk Decay. However, some fans have speculated that Decay may not have been his original quirk, but rather a gift from All For One due to their shared history.
In the aftermath of All For One's demise, the focus of My Hero Academia has shifted to the intense rivalry between Deku and Shigaraki. Deku lost his Danger Sense quirk to the villain, prompting Kudo to come up with a plan to transfer the remaining vestiges to Shigaraki in an attempt to defeat him from within. This turn of events provided further support for the theory that Shigaraki's Decay may have been bestowed upon him by All For One.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the My Hero Academia manga and reflects the author's opinion.
My Hero Academia: Did All For One give Shigaraki the Decay quirk?
Shigaraki Tomura as seen in the anime (Image via BONES) - My Hero Academia: Did All For One give Shigaraki the Decay quirk?
Shigaraki Tomura as seen in the anime (Image via BONES)
According to My Hero Academia manga, Decay is Tomura Shigaraki's innate quirk. However, fans are having doubts about it as there remains a chance that All For One targeted Tenko Shimura from a very young age.
As fans know, Shigaraki Tomura (Tenko Shimura) is Nana Shimura's grandson. Given that Nana Shimura was the seventh One For All user, All For One may have targeted her grandson Tenko from a very young age to make him his apprentice.
All For One, as seen in My Hero Academia (Image via BONES)
All For One, as seen in My Hero Academia (Image via BONES)
Fans theorized that All For One may have bestowed Shigaraki with the Decay quirk long before his backstory, allowing him to eventually seize Tenko uncontested. Despite the theory initially appearing far-fetched, it remained unproven, leading fans to continue speculating.
However, in My Hero Academia chapter 415, a subtle hint was dropped that provided some validation to this intriguing idea.
Deku looking into Shigaraki's memories (Image via Shueisha)
Deku looking into Shigaraki's memories (Image via Shueisha)
The chapter depicted the blending of Deku and Shigaraki's memories. Deku caught a glimpse of one of Shigaraki's memories, where he saw someone holding Shigaraki's hand and guiding him home.
The identity of the person in the memory was not revealed, leading to speculation that it could be All For One. This raises questions about why Deku specifically saw this memory. It is possible that this moment was when All For One transferred the Decay quirk to Tenko.
How does All For One giving Shigaraki the Decay quirk affect the story?
Tenko Shimura as seen in My Hero Academia anime (Image via BONES) - How does All For One giving Shigaraki the Decay quirk affect the story?
All For One transferring the Decay quirk to Shigaraki would be a major plot twist in the My Hero Academia anime. This turn of events would reveal that Shigaraki was manipulated by All For One into directing his anger towards the wrong targets. In his quest for revenge, Shigaraki despised heroes and sought to dismantle the society that had rejected him during his time of vulnerability.
However, if All For One was the one who bestowed Shigaraki with the Decay quirk, it would imply that he orchestrated Tenko's unwitting massacre of his own family, triggering his spiral into criminality and insanity. This potential bombshell revelation could have a profound impact on fans, possibly causing them to view All For One in a new light as a formidable villain, even after his demise at the hands of Bakugo.
Editor's P/S:
As an avid fan of My Hero Academia, this article has sparked intriguing thoughts within me. The theory that Decay may not be Shigaraki's innate quirk but a gift from All For One adds a tantalizing layer of depth to their complex relationship. It would paint All For One as a master manipulator, grooming Shigaraki from a young age to become his pawn. This revelation would not only enrich the story but also heighten the stakes, as it would suggest that Shigaraki's actions were not entirely his own but driven by the sinister intentions of his benefactor.
Furthermore, the potential connection between All For One and Shigaraki's Decay quirk raises questions about the nature of quirks themselves. If All For One can bestow quirks upon others, does that imply that quirks are not inherent but rather transferable? This could open up new possibilities for character development and power dynamics within the My Hero Academia universe. Overall, the article has ignited my curiosity and excitement, and I eagerly await further developments in the story that may shed light on this intriguing theory.