Warning: Contains spoilers for chapter #427 of My Hero Academia.
Summary
Shigaraki's humanity is highlighted in the latest chapter of My Hero Academia, making his tragic character all the more sympathetic. The manga's subtle approach to morality and complex villains, like Shigaraki, is commendable. Shigaraki's character serves as a reminder to hero society to be wary of those suffering like he once did.
My Hero Academia outdid itself once again with the ending, making its conclusion even more bitter than before with the latest chapter just by a simple interaction. As the final fight proved, Shigaraki is not a heartless monster bent on destruction, despite what he believes himself to be, and the latest chapter once again emphasizes this point in the saddest way possible.
My Hero Academia Chapter #427 reveals that Spinner actually survived the final war thanks to research conducted on Nomu, giving Deku the opportunity to convey Shigaraki's final message to him. The chapter beautifully contrasts the media and public image of Shigaraki with the League of Villains' image of him.
Spinner heartbreakingly describes Shigaraki as his ray of hope and hero, while at the same time, the people of other places describe him as a monster who only wants to destroy. The most evocative part of this scene is when Spinner states that Shigaraki loves video games and plays them with him, which oddly personifies him and once again reminding readers of this character's bittersweet feelings.
My Hero Academia's Subtle Approach to Villains Is Shown Through Shigaraki
Created by Kohei Horikoshi Chap #427 “Who is Tomura Shigaraki Really?”
My Hero Academia has always approached the character of Shigaraki with great nuance. The series' approach to morality has never been completely black and white, but rather ambiguous. This moral ambiguity is a trait that many admire in other manga like One Piece, and it only makes My Hero Academia's ending all the more beautiful.
Even something as simple as Shigaraki's love of video games is a painful reminder that at the end of the day, Shigaraki is just a manipulated kid who just wants to be accepted along with the rest of his friends. So it's hard to forgive Shigaraki for the destruction he caused and the many lives lost and ruined in the process, but it is can't hate him either.
In just a few chapters of the final battle, Kohei Horikoshi somehow made Shigaraki's character so tragic that it's hard not to feel bad for him and even sympathize with him since his entire existence and every misfortune that befell this character was orchestrated by All For One.
Shigaraki is a great villain and his complexity makes him fascinating.
It's hard to label Shigaraki as a tragic hero or even an anti-hero because, at the end of the day, he's a complete villain with a bit of humanity. Shigaraki is certainly cruel and bitter, but he has good reason to be, which makes him a compelling villain.
There are certainly villains as evil and irredeemable as All For One that one can both love and hate, but rarely is there a villain as well-constructed as Shigaraki, whose motives, actions, and words are easy to sympathize with but difficult to make absolute judgments about.
Some characters in My Hero AcademiaLike the old woman who appeared in the latest chapter, it also seems that there must be a reason for Shigaraki's actions, and hopes that the next generation of heroes will also be wary of those suffering like Tenko so that hero society doesn't create more monsters like him. While only Deku and the heroes who participated in the final battle will remember Shigaraki for who he truly was and the hero he wanted to be in his own twisted way, even that small number could be enough to change My Hero Academia's quirk society for the better.
My Hero Academia Available on Manga Plus and Viz Media.