Who is the Bad Guy in My Hero Academia? An Analysis of Shigaraki and All For One

The primary "bad guy" in My Hero Academia is Tomura Shigaraki, the leader of the League of Villains and the central foil to the protagonist, Izuku Midoriya. However, he is mentored and manipulated by All For One, the ancient "Symbol of Evil" and the series' ultimate overarching antagonist who seeks total world domination.

In the narrative landscape of My Hero Academia, villainy is not a monolithic concept. While the series features dozens of antagonists, the core conflict centers on two generational figures representing the "Symbol of Evil." To understand who the "bad guy" is, one must look at the duality between the raw, destructive impulse of Tomura Shigaraki and the cold, calculated megalomania of his master, All For One. As of 2026, with the series having reached its definitive conclusion in both the manga and the animated adaptation, we can fully dissect the arcs, motivations, and legacies of these iconic characters.

The Face of Modern Villainy: Tomura Shigaraki

Tomura Shigaraki, born Tenko Shimura, serves as the most prominent antagonist for the majority of the series. Unlike many traditional villains who begin their stories with a clear, ideological manifesto, Shigaraki starts as a "man-child"—a term used by All Might to describe his impulsive, tantrum-driven approach to destruction.

Origin and the Decay Quirk

Shigaraki’s descent into villainy is one of the most tragic backstories in the Shonen genre. As the grandson of Nana Shimura (All Might’s mentor), Tenko grew up in a household where the mention of heroes was strictly forbidden by his traumatized father. This suppression, combined with the delayed manifestation of his Quirk, Decay, led to a catastrophic event where Tenko accidentally disintegrated his family and his home.

The nature of his Quirk is fundamental to his role as a villain. Decay allows the user to break down anything they touch with all five fingers into dust. Initially, this required physical contact, but as his hatred grew and his Quirk "awakened" during the battle against the Meta Liberation Army, Shigaraki gained the ability to spread the destruction across surfaces, leveling entire cities in seconds. This power serves as a physical manifestation of his desire to "destroy everything that annoys him," representing the pure, unadulterated rage of those society has failed.

Growth and Evolution

What makes Shigaraki a compelling "bad guy" is his growth alongside the protagonist, Izuku Midoriya. Just as Deku learns to master One For All, Shigaraki learns to move past petty destruction toward a grander vision. He transitions from a leader of a small band of outcasts to the Grand Commander of the Paranormal Liberation Front, an army of over 100,000 soldiers. By the time the final war arc concludes, Shigaraki has evolved into a symbol for the "unseen"—the people discarded by a hero-centric society that assumes someone else will always step in to help.

The Puppet Master: All For One

If Shigaraki is the face of the conflict, All For One is the architect. As a man who has lived for over a century, All For One is the historical antithesis to the lineage of heroes. His goal is not the destruction of society, but rather its complete subjugation under his thumb.

The Quirk: All For One

His namesake Quirk is the most powerful ability in the series’ history. All For One allows the user to forcibly take Quirks from others and distribute them as he sees fit. This created a cult-like following during the early, chaotic years of Quirk emergence, where he acted as a "dark savior," removing unwanted powers from some and granting strength to others in exchange for their absolute loyalty.

The "Demon Lord" Philosophy

All For One does not view himself as a villain in the traditional, emotional sense. Instead, he views the world through the lens of a comic book "Demon Lord." He is motivated by a narcissistic need for control and a twisted affection for his younger brother, the first user of One For All. All For One’s villainy is systemic; he created the very conditions that allowed the League of Villains to flourish, manipulating Tenko Shimura from childhood specifically to hurt All Might and secure a new, younger vessel for his consciousness.

Comparing the Primary Antagonists

The relationship between Shigaraki and All For One is one of the most complex mentor-student dynamics in fiction. While they share the title of "the bad guy," their methods and ultimate endgames differ significantly.

The League of Villains: A Collective Antagonist

While Shigaraki and All For One hold the spotlight, the "bad guy" in My Hero Academia is often viewed as the League of Villains as a collective. This group represents the "rejects" of the super-powered world, and their individual stories provide a critique of the series' hero society.

Dabi (Toyo Todoroki)

Dabi serves as one of the most personal villains in the series. As the eldest son of the No. 1 Hero, Endeavor, Dabi’s villainy is a direct consequence of "hero-breeding" and domestic abuse. His blue-flame Quirk, Cremation, is more powerful than his father’s but burns his own body, symbolizing a self-destructive quest for revenge. Dabi’s presence shifts the narrative from a simple "good vs. evil" fight to a public reckoning of the heroes' private failures.

Himiko Toga

Toga represents the failure of Quirk counseling and societal norms. Her Quirk, Transform, requires her to ingest the blood of those she "loves." In a world that prizes "heroic" powers, Toga’s biological needs were labeled as "deviant" and "villainous" from childhood. Her role as a "bad guy" is defined by her struggle to live authentically in a world that refuses to accept her nature.

Twice (Jin Bubaigawara)

Twice is often cited as the most sympathetic member of the League. His Quirk, Double, allowed him to create clones of himself, eventually leading to a mental breakdown where he didn't know if he was the "original." Twice didn't want to destroy the world; he simply wanted a place to belong. His death at the hands of the No. 2 Hero, Hawks, served as a turning point in the series, highlighting the moral ambiguity of the heroes' "preemptive strike" tactics.

Societal Themes: Why the Villains Exist

To truly understand who the "bad guy" is, one must look at the Hero Society itself. Series creator Kohei Horikoshi uses the villains to highlight the flaws in a world that relies too heavily on a "Symbol of Peace."

1. The Bystander Effect: Because "Heroes" exist to solve every problem, the average citizen in the MHA world often ignores those in need, assuming a professional will handle it. This is exactly why a young, bleeding Tenko Shimura was left alone on the streets.
2. Quirk Discrimination: Characters like Toga and Spinner (who faced prejudice due to his heteromorph/lizard-like appearance) were driven to villainy because society offered them no path to legal success or social acceptance.
3. The Burden of Legacy: Both Deku and Shigaraki struggle with the weight of what their mentors left behind. Shigaraki’s villainy is, in many ways, an inheritance of All For One’s ancient grudges.

Key Battles and Turning Points

The definition of the "bad guy" shifts during several critical arcs:

• The Kamino Ward Incident: This was the final showdown between All Might and All For One. It marked the end of the "Symbol of Peace" era and forced Shigaraki to step out of his master's shadow.
• My Villain Academia (Deika City): This arc was revolutionary as it focused entirely on the villains. Shigaraki’s victory over Re-Destro and the Meta Liberation Army solidified him as a global threat, independent of All For One’s direct oversight.
• The Final War: This multi-stage conflict saw the literal and metaphorical battle for Shigaraki’s soul. It revealed that All For One had been attempting to "overwrite" Shigaraki’s personality, turning the "bad guy" into a victim of a even greater evil.

Verification of Facts and Narrative Conclusion

By the end of the series (concluding in 2024 and fully adapted by 2026), the narrative resolves the "bad guy" question with nuance. All For One is depicted as the Ultimate Evil—a man incapable of change or empathy who must be completely eradicated. Tomura Shigaraki, however, is framed as a Tragic Antagonist.

While Shigaraki's actions were irredeemable (responsible for thousands of deaths), his final moments involve him reclaiming his identity as Tenko Shimura. He ultimately assists in the destruction of All For One from within, proving that while he was a "bad guy," he was also a human being shaped by a broken system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shigaraki related to All Might?

No, Shigaraki is not related to All Might by blood, but they are linked through Nana Shimura. Nana Shimura was All Might's mentor and the 7th user of One For All; she was also Tomura Shigaraki's biological grandmother. All For One specifically chose to groom Tenko Shimura (Shigaraki) to spite All Might, turning the legacy of his mentor into his greatest enemy.

Who is the strongest villain in My Hero Academia?

All For One is technically the strongest due to his century of accumulated Quirks and strategic genius. However, during the final arc, "Apex" Shigaraki (with the completed All For One Quirk and his awakened Decay) reached a level of physical power that surpassed nearly every character in the series, rivaling the prime strength of All Might.

Does the "bad guy" win in the end?

No. In the final confrontation, the combined efforts of the UA students and the remaining Pro Heroes lead to the permanent defeat of both All For One and Shigaraki. However, the villains "win" in a philosophical sense, as their actions force society to change. The post-war world in My Hero Academia is one where the "Hero System" is rebuilt to be more inclusive and less reliant on a single "Symbol," addressing the grievances that created the villains in the first place.

Who is the "Traitor" among the heroes?

For many years, fans speculated on a "bad guy" inside UA High School. It was eventually revealed that Yuga Aoyama was the traitor. He was not a villain by choice but was blackmailed by All For One, who had given him a Quirk when he was born Quirkless, threatening his parents' lives if he did not provide intel.

Why does Shigaraki wear hands on his body?

The severed hands Shigaraki wore early in the series belonged to his deceased family members (his father, mother, grandparents, and sister). All For One recovered these remains and turned them into "Father" and the other attachments to keep Shigaraki's trauma and "itch" for destruction active, ensuring he remained tethered to his past rage.

Practical Recommendation for Readers

If you are looking to explore the depth of the antagonists beyond the surface-level "bad guy" tropes, it is highly recommended to read the "My Villain Academia" arc (Manga Chapters 218–240). This section of the story provides the necessary psychological context to understand why Shigaraki and his crew are viewed not just as criminals, but as a revolutionary force against a flawed social order.