My Hero Academia Just Confirmed Its Most Tragic Villain (& It’s Not Who You’d Think)

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I’ve been following the My Hero Academia universe, and even though the main series finished in December, the story continues with the Vigilantes spinoff. Recently, Vigilantes Season 2 has been focusing on characters we know from the original series, like Shota Aizawa. And through Aizawa’s backstory, the show really makes it clear who its most tragic villain is – and surprisingly, it’s not Shigaraki, despite how likely he seemed. Be warned, this is a spoiler for Season 2, Episode 7 of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes!

When Aizawa encounters Koichi while he’s rescuing a kitten, it reminds him of a stray kitten from his past and the friend who saved it – Oboro. Thinking about his time with Oboro and Yamada at U.A. High makes it clear which villain in My Hero Academia has the most tragic backstory. The recent chapters of Vigilantes actually revisit and intensify that painful story.

The Latest Episodes of Vigilantes Confirm Kurogiri as My Hero Academia’s Most Tragic Villain

Fans of My Hero Academia already knew that Oboro Shirakumo died during an attack and later became the villain Kurogiri. This, combined with the heartbreaking realization of Aizawa and Yamada, led many to believe Kurogiri’s origin story was incredibly sad. But recent chapters of the Vigilantes manga have confirmed just how tragic his past is, solidifying his place as the series’ most sympathetic villain.

Shigaraki’s past is incredibly tragic, arguably even more so than some others. He suffered abuse as a child and never experienced the peace that Oboro knew. When his powers developed, he accidentally killed his entire family, which made him vulnerable to All for One’s influence. It’s understandable why Deku is so determined to save him. However, Shigaraki’s final actions show he still has control over his own path. Despite finding a new ‘family’ in the League of Villains and becoming powerful, he actively chooses to inflict pain on others. While his upbringing doesn’t excuse his actions, he lets it continue to negatively impact him.

Unlike some villains, Oboro didn’t choose his fate. He was transformed into a Nomu against his will and forced to fight those he once considered friends and teachers. This puts him in the same category as tragic villains like Shigaraki and Toga. While it’s easy to recognize the tragedy of his situation, remembering what Oboro was like before his transformation makes his story even more heartbreaking.

Seeing More of Oboro Makes My Hero Academia’s Kurogiri Twist Much Worse

Honestly, the recent episodes of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes really got to me. They show Oboro as this incredibly vibrant and energetic teen – a total contrast to the more stoic Kurogiri. He’s just so full of life, and it’s amazing to see how he could even bring a smile out of Aizawa! It really highlights his loyalty and genuine desire to do what’s right. Knowing what a good person he was makes his early death even more tragic…especially when you consider how horrified he’d be to become what he eventually does. It’s just… heartbreaking.

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2026-02-18 06:10