All For One's final quirk in My Hero Academia could be the oldest in the series

Modified Dec 29, 2024 11:30 GMT

My Hero Academia's All For One (AFO) had been shrouded in mystery for a considerable bit of the series. As the story progressed, more was revealed about him, and it only went to show that he was truly evil from the core. His ability to steal and bestow Quirks, coupled with his immense power, made him a nearly invincible antagonist in the series.

Now, with My Hero Academia complete, several observations can be made. One of them is that AFO's final Quirk could have been the oldest one in the entire series. This refers to when, during the Final War Arc, he reverted to an infant and in a desperate attempt, used a particular power. Presently, when reflecting upon it, it could have been one of the series' earliest.

My Hero Academia: AFO's final Quirk might have been the oldest ever

As mentioned, the Quirk AFO used when he was in infant form could have been quite an old one seen in the series. Two references must be made to provide context. Firstly, reference must be made to AFO's origins. Born before Meta Abilities or Quirks, AFO possessed the ability to steal other Quirks. Upon breathing his first, he stole his mother's Quirk (Spearlike Bones) while consuming her body.

It was a year after this that the Luminescent Baby was born and subsequently, those born with Quirks began to be recognized as an enhanced subbranch of humanity. AFO's Spearlike Bones Quirk was on full display when he approached a squadron of masked Anti-Meta soldiers.

Despite receiving sympathy from them and being recognized as "an exceptional child", his innate hubris and disrespect took over. They wished to leave him but he activated his Quirk, sprouting an array of Spearlike Bones which killed them instantly.

All For One as an infant (Image via Shueisha)

Secondly, the appearance of the Quirk— during the Final War Arc. Due to Rewind being used on him, his body was rolling back the years. Though this made him a major issue for the Heroes, it was only a matter of time before he could be beaten. In essence, he was getting younger indiscriminately. As the battle progressed, he soon became a child, before eventually turning into an infant.

At that point, face to face with Katsuki Bakugo, infant AFO panicked and shot a Spearlike Bone from his mouth at the blonde Hero. But it was futile as the latter caught it in his mouth and blew it up. Realizing the situation he was in and that he had allowed his emotions to overrun his judgment, AFO was enraged.

That rage consumed him as he began to cry and whine, helpless to prevent his body from reverting to that of a fetus. Resultantly, the Quirk Factors within him began to vanish and AFO further rewound into an egg cell before fading away.

Putting it all together, AFO's character came full circle, in terms of his Quirk. During his lifetime, he stole countless Quirks from others to make his own, but in his final moments, he was compelled to use what he began his life with. Even that wasn't his own, as it was really his mother's Quirk, who was likely unaware of her powers at the time.

Final thoughts

All For One’s tale in My Hero Academia concludes with a poetic irony that condenses his character and ultimate undoing. From his very first breath, defined by selfishness and domination, to his final seconds, where he clung to a Quirk that was never truly his, AFO’s story is a testament to the cyclical nature of his greed.

His using the Spearlike Bones Quirk— a remnant of his mother— underscores how his immense power was rooted in theft and destruction. This had left him devoid of anything truly his own. In the end, what he had thought would be a trump card, ultimately led to his ruin.

Rewind stripped him of his stolen quirks as well as his grandiose identity. His cries and rage at the end were a stark contrast to the overwhelming fear he once commanded. My Hero Academia's AFO regressing into nothingness fits his character, who would only take from others, only to be left with nothing.