Shigaraki was a hero all along in My Hero Academia, and the ending proves it

My Hero Academia constantly deals with the topic of what it means to be a hero. Most people usually associate heroes with morally good individuals, but the series never truly explores what that meant with villains. In this regard, author Kohei Horikoshi analyzes this concept through the character of Tomura Shigaraki, and his conclusion in the series proves what he was going for.

Throughout My Hero Academia, Shigaraki grows in influence and leadership, ultimately becoming a symbol for many villains in the story. In many ways, he becomes a dark concept of what All Might stood for in the series, thus showing that there are heroes even when it comes to villains, which is a concept that is a bit strange but does make sense.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series. Any opinion expressed here belongs to the author and not Sportskeeda as a publication.

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Explaining why Shigaraki was a hero to the villains in My Hero Academia

Shigaraki is a dark reflection of Deku and All Might (Image via Bones)

The series has shown that heroes are not only avatars of good and kindness but also idols for people across the moral spectrum to admire. This is clearly evidenced by the character of Tomura Shigaraki, who grows throughout the story to become a symbol for many villains. Perhaps the most prominent example is Spinner, who outright calls him his hero during the epilogue.

That status serves as a direct comparison to All Might, the definitive hero in the series whom everyone looks up to. Additionally, Shigaraki even grows to fight quite similarly to All Might, despite having many Quirks by the end of the manga, he still relies on physical combat, which is another similarity they share.

Furthermore, Shigaraki grows a lot in the manga, much like Izuku "Deku" Midoriya, becoming more intelligent and a better leader as the story progresses. In many ways, he maintains the idea he had as a kid named Tenko Shimura to become a hero but ends up as one of the villains, which is a very interesting distinction.

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More reasons to view Shigaraki as a villain

Shigaraki as seen in the anime (Image via Bones)

Another element worth considering is that Tomura Shigaraki displays care for his friends in the League of Villains, especially by the end of the My Hero Academia manga. He cares enough to ask Deku to give Spinner his final words about how he fought to the end, highlighting that he views himself as someone that people look up to.

Moreover, Shigaraki constantly mentions how pro-heroes tend to ignore the outcasts of society, pretending to become a symbol for those people. This is further emphasized when he decides to wear a cape and raise his fist during the first war, mirroring All Might. It is easy to see how his motivations are more complex than those of All For One, as Tomura's origin focuses on heroes and his goal of becoming one.

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Final thoughts

My Hero Academia explores many intriguing themes, and Shigaraki's role as the hero of the villains might be one of the most fascinating. It adds a complex layer to the concept of what a hero is and deepens the character's actions throughout the story, especially when it comes to his contrast with Deku and All Might.

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