#afo get the hell away from my man

[wisteria-cherry]

forty days and forty nights (day thirty-nine!) (epilogue)

you perk up as those sweet little bells on the coffee shop door ring, 4:56 on the dot, and you quickly finish pouring mrs. hatsugawa’s tea, giving it to mia, who knew full well that you were the one who would serve your boyfriend of two years. you come out from behind the counter to greet your very own katsuki.

“hi, handsome.” you hum, going on tiptoes to press your lips to his cheek. katsuki’s hands automatically went to your waist, holding you til you broke away, much to his displeasure, to get his coffee.

“hey, loser.” he’d long since stopped paying for his medium black coffee; it came free to you as an employee. of course, that didn’t stop him from tipping.

“how was work?” you ask as you pour his coffee into a mug, setting it down in front of him.

“same as always. still working on that big case.” katsuki grunted, holding the mug in his big hands. “got some pr shit later this week.”

“you can come over once you’re done, if you want.” you offer, knowing how he hated pr meetings and gatherings of any kind, and would likely want to detox afterwards.

“only if we don’t have to watch that shitty romance movie again.” katsuki scoffed.

“deal.” you grin. “tell me more about the case. any new leads?”

“yeah. one of the main suspects is hiding his coward ass in kamino ward.” katsuki narrowed his eyes as he sipped at his coffee. “says he’s the next all for one.”

“too bad he’s got great explosion murder god dynamight on his case.” your grin widens.

“no shit.” katsuki smirks toothily. “this guy’s nothin’ compared to afo. ‘sides, that guy’s old news since i beat his creepy ass when i was a kid.”

“i think the biggest thing i did when i was seventeen was get a piercing behind my parents’ backs.” you remark. “looking back, i guess they should be glad i wasn’t trying to beat up the most dangerous villain in the world at the time.”

“i didn’t try.” katsuki snorted. “i succeeded. blasted his ass right back to the past where he belongs.”

“hey, that rhymed.” you snicker.

“fuck off, you know what i meant.”

“i watched you back then.” you reminisce. “from the ua bunkers. i saw you on tv. you know what i was thinking?”

“probably thinking what a badass i was.” katsuki’s smirk widened haughtily.

“no. i was thinking, ‘man, he’s ugly.’” you say, trying to keep your nonchalance but unable to hold back the laughter that came when katsuki immediately protested.

“fuck off!” katsuki barked. “you fuckin’ wish i was ugly!”

“yeah, maybe i do.” you laugh. “it’d sure make some things easier.”

“like?” demanded your indignant boyfriend.

“trying not to kiss you all the time.” you coo, kissing his cheek to emphasize your point.

“fuck off.” katsuki snorted, flicking your forehead as soon as you pulled away. “dumbass.”

“as you wish, o great-murder-something-something-dynamight.” you exclaim dramatically.

“great explosion murder god dynamight.” katsuki corrected with a scowl.

“right, of course.” you smile. “hey, listen, my boss said i can leave early. do you wanna do something?” the corners of katsuki’s lips twitched up into a smirk.

“yeah. you got anything you wanna do?” he asked, pretty red eyes trained on yours.

“let’s go eat, i’m super hungry.” you decide.

“my place, then. i’ll cook.”

“ohh, really?” you light up. leaving work early and katsuki’s cooking? the world is certainly working in your favor today.

“obviously.” katsuki rolled his eyes. “when’re you off?”

“right now.” you untie your apron. “i just wanted to stay til you could get your coffee. i could’ve left anytime after 3.” katsuki frowned as he stood up, waiting for you to clock out on the computer.

“the hell didja wait for, hah?” he snapped. “i could’ve gotten a damn coffee anywhere.”

“and be disloyal to your absolute favorite coffee shop? i don’t think so.” you huff, hanging your apron up. “mia, i’m leaving!”

“okay!” came a reply from the back. you come out from behind the counter, where katsuki met you. he wiped his palm on his pants and held out his hand expectantly. you automatically take it, smiling to yourself; it was the little things that he did— like the way he’d wipe the sweat from his palms before holding your hand.

“ready t’go?” katsuki grunted. you nod.

“ready.”

tags: @queenpiranhadon @jazzafayesworld @failingstudents-blog @stevenknightmarc @cherryblossomclarity @k0z3me @deathsmajestysworld @faerikitty

#katsuki bakugo #bakugou katsuki #bakugo katsuki #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #bakugou #bnha #mha #bakugo x reader #katsuki bakugo oneshot #coffee shop au #pro hero bakugo #pro hero bakugo x reader #dynamight

[dabislittlemouse]

Has Dabi ever killed a woman or child? In his broadcast he says he's killed over 30 innocent "people" but doesn't clarify any further. If he wanted more shock value he could have said something like "I've killed over 30 innocent people including a mother and her 3 children." Also in the alleyway scene where we see him burn 4 people alive they were all men. In the forest raid arc he goes after Aizawa and purposely avoids killing Aoyama who he knew was hiding. The hero Snatch he kills was also a man. He attempts to kill Hawks who is a man, but doesn't immediately try to kill Tokoyami when he intervenes. And yes, I know he's tried to kill Todoroki, but thats because of a personal reason. I feel like this speaks volumes to the type of person Dabi is. He doesn't kill indiscriminately or for the pure joy of it. He isn't like Shigaraki who will and has killed hoards of people regardless of age or gender.

Omg I’ve thought about this often and I actually agree with you!

*cracks knuckles*

It’s time for some Dabi analysis~

Firstly, we’ve only seen Dabi killing people when he was looking for new members, he’s killed thugs who he didn’t see fit for the LOV or fit for the society in general, lowlife villains who didn’t have a purpose and were overall just trash.

When Dabi came back to the hideout we see him saying “Am I the only one who’s looking to get us new members?”

And Twice says “You’re going around burning people to death!”

And Dabi replies “Not my fault nobody’s worthy”

Which results into me thinking that Dabi has actually killed plenty of thugs/ lowlife villains that he didn’t see fit for the gang, that’s all. I can see Dabi coming up to them, they either shoo him away and start acting tough, or after some talk Dabi sees that these people are not worthy, so he incinerates them all.

And also let’s not forget Dabi has burned plenty of people when they we’re fighting against the Liberation army in Deika city, after all they were attacking the LOV so Dabi had to fight too. I’m sure that’s where the body count reached higher.

We know Dabi participated in the summer camp attack against the students who were in fact still minors, but yet again, it’s clear that Dabi wants to kill all heroes out there, to him the society is full of fake heroes. After all the UA students aren’t little children anymore, they’re one step closer to becoming real heroes. I don’t see them being an exception to Dabi, he will still kill them if they get on his way.

Aoyama’s case was a bit different because SPOILERS: Aoyama was a traitor, a spy for AFO , and he told the LOV where the summer camp is, and Dabi knew that.

Also in Tokoyami’s case we don’t see Dabi instantly attacking him when he comes to save Hawks. We see Dabi in fact lecturing Tokoyami, trying to open his eyes about heroes, Dabi also says “they even got UA kids involved?” or something like that. He is kinda stunned that pro heroes had to involve students in a real war, meaning Dabi has to fight against them as well now. Because I don’t actually see Dabi priding himself at killing students.. he wants to go for the real deal, pro heroes.

I think at some point Dabi knows all UA students and many kids out there are some naive brats who blindly believe in heroes, because thats the society they grew up with. Dabi doesn’t hesitate to show them the truth, tell them how things really are.

But when Tokoyami still refused, Dabi then decided to finally attack, having no other choice.

So yeah from all of this I agree, Dabi doesn’t just kill people for the joy of it, I’m sure as hell Dabi has never killed small children or women, or a mother with her children, families etc. His killings have been focused on heroes, lowlife villains or random thugs in shady alleyways.

And even then, we see Dabi overthinking, the death of these people still haunting his mind and driving him insane…

Ordinary citizens haven’t been Dabi’s focus to actually kill. He didn’t do the TV Broadcast for no reason, because he could easily kill all of them. But no, he wants to use other ways, to convince them instead, open their eyes and show them how hero society really is.

#B’s inbox🦋 #helloimeiri #i love doing stuff like this #dabi #touya todoroki #mha dabi #my hero academia #boku no hero academia #mha

[pocketramblr]

Super late, but 5 hc ask game where Giran gets a kid showing up at his doorstep who says his name is Izuku and his mother recently died and he was given instructions by her to seek him out if anything happened to her. Giran recognizes his mother's name and remembers he had a relationship with her years ago. Upon further investigating he realizes this is his son.

1- It's not super unusual for teenagers to knock on Giran's door. Usually they're delivery boys or messengers, but sometimes they're customers in their own right or looking for recruitment. This kid, however, clearly has no idea who he is: "Um, hi, sorry to intrude, my- my mom told me that if anything happened to her, I should find you. I'm- her name's Midoriya Inko, I'm Izuku." (Giran initially wondered if he's the son of someone he placed who got in trouble there, but then he hears Inko's name, and she wasn't a customer. He waves the kid in and asks what happened.)

2- Izuku's been at a group home the last couple of weeks but slipped away after school today instead of going back. Giran listens, and asks what he wants- he could fake records, get Izuku sent somewhere better, or set up with a new relative, or his own place. Izuku doesn't have any other relatives on his mom's side and never knew his dad, so Giran eventually gets an apartment in "Midoriya Hisashi's" name and has Izuku moved out from the home. The place is really just for him, because he wanted to stay at the same middle school (he's only 13, and he's never had to move schools before). Then, Giran starts poking around to confirm the relationship before offering anything more.

3- But Izuku is lonely, and grieving, and quite depressed. On his fourteenth birthday, Giran comes to visit- a first since getting him moved in, and while they've got each other phone numbers they don't talk much. Giran admits to being his father, which Izuku had almost hoped for before he answered the door. Giran never wanted kids, but he has to admit Izuku's almost not a kid anymore, and since Inko did all the hard parts he isn't going to disrespect her work and throw the teen away. So, he asks Izuku what he wants, and Izuku admits he wants to be a hero, even though he's quirkless, even though he couldn't do anything to save his mom. Giran nods, then says "Ok. I'm sending you to your Uncle Oguro's for the rest of summer break."

4- "My What" Izuku asks, but Giran tells him that he helped save the man's daughter once, so he owes him, and besides, seems like he wouldn't mind Izuku anyway with the company he keeps. "And, your uncle is also quirkless. Tell him you want to be a hero anyway. C'mon, go get packed up while I call him."

It seems to be a very loud conversation from the other end, but all Izuku can hear is his father's easy, calm voice the whole time, still talking like the whole thing is a joke all while being completely serious. Izuku begins to wonder how the hell his parents met.

5- "C'mon, ask." Giran says on the train. Izuku does, nervously, and Giran tells him he won't find out things if he doesn't look and ask, and he should, he's got a good curiosity and a sharp mind. "That'll help at Oguro's. Oh, and if there's an emergency, call me right away, kay?" He's not particularly concerned with Izuku figuring out about the quirkless man being a former hero with a quirk, or learning about AfO that way - Oguro will make it clear Izuku isn't to look for the man or listen to any offers.

#giran's a networker he Knows A Guy or he Finds A Guy #need support items? he knows a guy who makes them and he'll get them to you #need info? giran knows a guy and he'll ask him the for info and fact check it before sending it to you #surprise son who is extremely lonely and without purpose? giran knows a guy who might be able to fix that and owes him a favor anyway #pocket talks to people #anon #ask game

[donkeys-waffles]

My head cannons about All for Inko

I always hear how AFO has Inko in a gilded cage, how he's possessive and controlling and how horrified Inko would be at the revelation. And I always liked the idea that those feelings are mutual between them. Maybe not the possessiveness, but the fear of abandonment, especially if the Inko Shimura theory is true.

Imagine Inko living her entire life in the system, not really knowing the love of her parents or even the love of regular adults. What if she never got adopted, taking into consideration the fact that the society we're given in MHA is one driven by quirks, the stronger the quirk the more desirable/respected the individual (looking at Bakugou getting away with verbal and physical abuse for nearly a decade without any backlash.) It's possible she wasn't adopted as a result of her weak quirk factor (you can kinda think of it as a measure of success, as utterly messed up as it sounds, it's possible that people wanted the kids with the strongest quirks first because of their potential for making billions as a hero later in life. Again, super messed up, but a thought coming from what we've seen throughout the manga.) A result of prejudice that ended with Inko never really feeling paternal love, or a consistent source of it.

What if AFO didn't fall in love with Inko just because she was kind, gentle, and loving. What if she was not only a supply of what he yearned for but also a mirror, someone he could actually relate to. Someone who had to look out for themselves their whole lives.

And if so, how would that potentially alter her perception of her own life. What if she knows she's in a gilded cage but him being her first real source of love (no matter how ugly or twisted,) keeps her there.

What if all I said about her backstory is true, it's not just AFO using her as his source of the unconditional love he never received, but it's completely mutual.

Now, I get it, he's a horrible husband, he's never depicted actually being there for either of them aside from a monetary provider. But this is the best part. She loves him, many people can't forget their first love and many others consistently make excuses for the actions or inaction of those they love. It's something you need to remember, you can throw a stranger behind bars, but it becomes incredibly complicated when that person matters to you.

He provides money, maybe the odd gift or letter, hell maybe even a phone call, and she tricks herself into believing he's still there.

She knows she's in a gilded cage, and logically she knows her husband is terrible, but leaving him or confronting the issue entirely would shine a light on her greatest fear, being abandoned again. Tricking herself into thinking that he's just busy and that's why he didn't even send a text when their son was in TWO WARS THAT RECIEVED GLOBAL ATTENTION.

AFO is afraid of being abandoned which would lead me to believe he isolated her on purpose, putting her into this gilded cage so she'd forever be taken care of by him and adored from a safe distance (kinda like Yoichi,) and she stays, tricking herself into believing that she isn't practically a single mother, out of fear of recognizing her own abandonment by the hands of a loved one.

Now what if she knew of his criminal history? It's easy to believe that she'd try to leave. And that's plausible. But I find it much more interesting it she didn't, for the first reason, he's the first man to show her kindness.

He's her husband, who probably bought her gifts, was a big quirk nerd who reads comics, was good with children, charming, handsome, and definitely the type to be kind (even though it's all so he can manipulate you later of course.) And that's not something I think she would find easy to forget. She would 100% set boundaries with him regarding Izuku and their life together. But I just find it interesting is all. Their love would be incredibly toxic and codependent and definitely obsessive.

And I would be lying if I said I didn't eat that crap up. :)

#all for one #bnha #izuku midoriya #dad for one #dfo #bnha all for one #afo #all for one is hisashi #mha #my hero academia #inko midoriya #character analysis #Me rambling #I hope this made sense #I'm really tired and realized I hadn't shared my takes on them yet. #I will forever poke fictional people with a stick.

[nonobadcat]

Imagine AFO stealing a bunny(not rabbit) Quirk, and giving it to his pretty little wife so he’ll not only be able to pet his wife’s soft dangling ears, but his wife will end up having the urge to *ahem* multiply like bunnies.Thought that he might do that since he stole that wolf Quirk.

For those that don't know: the stolen wolf quirk Yokai mentioned is from chapters 20 and 36 of my 18+ only Fem!reader x yandere All For One story - "A Hypnotic Nightmare".

So we're talking fuwa-fuwa bunny girls, right?

If we're going for "long dangly ears" I would vote for the French lop. English lop ears are so long I could see them getting in the way AFO's proclivities and I'm not sure a man who stands 225cm tall should be giving his wife a dwarf bunny quirk like a Holland lop. Even with a size kink, that sounds... painful.

In the context of a yandere AFO, a bunny quirk makes a lot of sense. Bunnies are a highly social species. It's recommended that they be pair housed and families should not to leave them alone much longer than 4 hours without a friend or activity. Isolating someone under the influence of a quirk like that would be very effective at breaking them down so he can mold them to his tastes.

That said, sexually intact rabbits aren't always super friendly when they get hormonal. Since you are clearly not spayed in this scenario, I see AFO getting bit/scratched a lot.

So here is this man who has the world's most touchable waifu and you (said waifu) are suddenly much more violent towards him.

Cue AFO on the Google at 2am reading this:

"...Interact with your bunny every day so that they become your friend and will not see you as a threat entering their territory. Remember, your bunny is not being naughty or nasty, they are just trying to protect themselves. The best training tip is to use reward-based training in these situations. Never punish a bunny as it is confusing as she is only doing what is natural in protecting herself and it is likely to increase aggression. If your bunny won’t come near you, you’ll have to persuade her that coming to you is a really good thing. The easiest way is with food rewards..."

Can you imagine how this is gonna go? (≧ε≦)

You buried yourself behind the comforter, knees pulled tight to your chest. Blood shot eyes stared blankly at the sight before you.

"What are you doing?"

Sprawled across the plush bedroom carpet, your demonic captor gazed up at you though half lidded eyes. Clasped between the tips of his fingers, a piece of dried papaya taunted you.

"It occurs to me that been very neglectful of your new body's needs, my sweet pet." He leaned forward, stretching out his thick arm towards your dubious scowl. The scratches you'd given him last night lay red and puffy across his pale wrist. "It's quiet understandable that you'd be upset with me."

Oh? He really though that was why you were upset?

Being kidnapped and locked away in All For One's apartment had been its own nightmare before he forced the bunny quirk on you. It'd been one week since you woke up to long, velvety ears and a burning desire to dig up the carpet. Seeing your new rounder, softer features in the mirror was bad enough without your captor's lecherous leer burning down your neck. Glancing brushes against your cotton tail sent shivers up your spine. Greedy fingers pinched your cheeks and rubbed your ears at every opportunity while their master cooed on and on about how utterly touchable you were.

Whenever he reached out to pet you, you clawed him for his hubris. However, the way his laughter chased you from room to room left you with the distinct impression the violence only turned him on.

Though it all, the sadistic All For One revealed in the hell he'd thrust upon you.

Sure... your new bunny tummy seemed at odds with your tongue. Yes, many of your favorite foods now brought nothing but cramping and pain. Of course you'd want something to eat that didn't feel like trial by fire.

...but if he thought papaya bribes would fix the problem, he had another thing coming.

Your nose twitched. "You cannot be serious."

The white haired man shuffled closer, bringing the fruit within snapping distance of your mouth. "Try it. It's deli~cious ❤," he insisted in a cheerful sing-song.

Fuzzy ears pinned back across your skull as your eyes narrowed. A deep, stomach growl rippled across the room. Heat filled your cheeks.

All For One's knowing smile stretched one tooth wider.

Tentative fingers crept out towards the glossy treat. Your fur bristled. Eyes locked on the predator, you pinched the papaya from his grasp and fixed him with a sideways stare.

Red eyes glowed with pleasure. "Go on," he purred. "Try it."

Brining the chewy fruit to your lips, you nibbled one corner of the slice. Tangy sweet burst across your tongue. Your eyes popped wide as the flavor set your salivary glands ablaze. Pleasure rippled down your arms. All at once, you shoved the entire piece into your mouth.

"That's a good girl," you captor purred, holding out a second piece.

The seductive lilt in his words sent a cold drop of sweat rolling down your neck. With a pinched throat, you barely managed to swallow the fruit. "W-what are you up to?" you demanded.

He waved the next piece. "Desensitization to my presence and counter-conditioning to your lack of trust in me."

You snatched it from his hand and stared at him from below your lashes. Voice soft, you pleaded with him again: "If you want my trust, then let me go home."

He cocked his head, the edges of his grin pulling taunt. "You are home, pet."

You shivered, turning your body away from his hungry gaze.

He hummed, rising to his feet with a languid stretch. "Well, three years on a stone, I suppose."

As demon lord opened the bedroom door, he turned back to you with a teasing sneer. "Rabbits are social creatures, so do let me know when you start to feel lonely again. I'll be happy to give you all the affection you crave." Crimson heat flashed in his eyes. "In fact, be happy to accommodate all of your new body's urges."

Before you could say a word, the door to freedom clicked shut.

#afo x reader #all for one x reader #yandere shigaraki x reader #yandere x reader #all for one bnha #yandere all for one #yandere bnha #shigaraki x reader #bnha all for one #yandere mha #a hypnotic nightmare #bunny quirk #tw yandere #yandere afo #fem!reader

[salvagesmha]

Some Vain Attempt At Giving Every Member of Class 1-A (plus one more) a 'Nemesis' Pt. 1 of 3 - Jailbreakers...and Slidn' Go.

Now this is something that's been on my mind since like, what, a year now? Back before this blog existed a comment from @stillness-in-green asked why I thought Tsu should have been Spinner's 'Nemesis' instead of Shoji...

However, due to a combination of shyness, scattered thoughts and business, not only did I pretty much hold off on giving my thoughts, I also got hit with an idea that I'm both loving...and deeply regretting!!!

"Say, instead of just doing why I think Spinner and Shoji aren't a good match-up...why not give legit everyone in Class A (and a certain someone else), a Nemesis. Because what I'm doing isn't hard enough to explain as is!"

So I did, and have practically everyone else mapped out. What you see below are basically, most of the tertiary squad of Class A get their due facing against a Villain that I feel would be roughly on par with them and still be a meaningful clash (though not as important to those that got the League/upper MLA executives).

In addition, I added pretty much how I would write their 'arcs' so to speak concerning their clashes with these Villains. Nothing full blown, but just a bit of concepts had in mind that I feel would make their last battle meaningful.

Now, concerning these pairs I did have some rules going in place (because I can't make it easy in myself, why...) First rule is that the Villains chose have to be members of the League of Villains or its alliances. For example, Paranormal Liberation Front or whatever the Hell the Final War villains are called, are game. That said, I can't use Villains from spin-off or movie material, and Nomu's aren't allowed either (the former due to just wanting to contain things to the manga as much as possible, and the latter is more for balancing reaons).

Also, on that note, concerning the likes of Dabi/Shoto, Toga/Ochaco, and Deku/Shigaraki, they aren't going to be listed since...well, they're pretty much established enemies in canon! No real need to re-state them here. Also, AFO is hard locked to All Might if you were wondering, so he's not making an appearance here either. Neither is Gigantomachia or the Advisors (except one), due to balance and just being way too easy to fill up the roster with.

So with that stated, here we go!

Slidin’ Go - Sato

It’s speed vs power with this one, a match between the traitorous Hero who can, ideally, weave himself away from heavy blows against someone who can be stronger to take him down, but has to find a way to get that solid hit in.

Character wise, I want to imagine this being a storyline where Sato becomes insecure over his Quirk’s weaknesses and how unreliable he feels it might be. In a class where people can harness the elements, shoot intense soundwaves, and warp gravity - having a Quirk with a cognitive drawback and intense fatigue + being yet another strength Quirk would actually be a good way to explore the inner doubts of feeling redundant or unneeded.

As a foil to Sato, Slidin Go could be a Villain with heroic intentions at one point. However, Slidin Go was eventually overshadowed by speed/mobility Quirks that were functionally better (like Ingenium) and his popularity dropped to the point he became borderline poor given how low he was in the Hero rankings. S.G. joined the MLA as their man on the inside, in exchange for promoting him to rise higher in the rankings. Because, at his lowest point, all he cared about was just being able to sustain himself. The price to pay for being seen as redundant and how he sympathizes with Sato.

Assuming this takes place in a timeline where S.G. is participating in the Final War, Sato thinks outside the box to best S.G. With the last of his cognitive strength, he shatters the ground to trip SG up before taking him out in one strike. Sure, his Quirk might be ‘redundant’ in the face of others, but what matters in the moment is not caring about one’s status but doing the right thing, in spite of it. A lesson that Slidin’ Go forgot long ago...though maybe, in time, after his arrest he can regain that spark?

Kunieda - Aoyama

Now this is one that, really, already played out in the manga, but will restate it here briefly since there is an interesting dynamic here, if brief. Aoyama and Kunieda offer a unique spin on the ‘loyal ally versus the traitor’ plot. Aoyama is the Traitor, a double agent for the Villains that goes against them for the bonds he made undercover and to make up for his wrongs. In contrast, Kunieda is someone actually loyal and grateful to All For One - his liberator (heck, one of the few that seems to genuinely be loyal to AFO in the Second War) and hates Aoyama for switching sides. It’s to the point Kunieda personally wants to kill Aoyama just to keep up AFO’s streak (which, to me, gives credence to Kunieda being a former associate to AFO and not just a random Jailbreaker).

In media, I always found it interesting when the heroes are people who betrayed their former allegiance for someone else, and their rival end up being someone fanatically loyal to their old group. I think its because, if alignments were reversed, it’d be easy to portray the Traitor as being self-serving and cowardly, compared to those who remain whose loyalty to their boss who would be seen as virtuous. Given both of their personalities, with Aoyama actually struggling with cowardice and Kunieda being fiercely behind AFO, its not an unreasonable thing to consider at all.

Here? It’s pretty much saying that not only is it okay to betray someone who you work for, if they’re as toxic and awful as AFO, but the virtuous thing in this instance is to go against them to save others, with loyalty to the ‘boss’ being a vice that’ll just bring you down. If I were to make their fight stronger storywise, perhaps Kunieda could have been someone that got the better end of AFO giving out Quirks. Perhaps, he was also Quirkless or had a weakish Plant Quirk before running across AFO one day. In exchange for the Quirk he currently had, he swore loyalty to AFO to be a supplier of corpses for him, before being arrested by Endeavor.

Gashly - Sero

At the time of this writing, Gashly is likely slated to be Sero’s opponent. Can’t really get into too much specifics since I don’t know how that’ll play. So I’ll just give brief thoughts on why I think they’ll work, how I’d write Sero to make it evern more appropriate, and what Gashly deal might be.

Sero is the laidback, witty guy of the Class A who provides support and levity to his allies. In contrast, I imagine Gashly to be the type that only wants levity for himself in the form of his crimes: making twisted stories that involve brutal deaths of kids. If I were to write Sero’s arc, I’d probably make his jokey side both his reason to be a Hero and a bit of a front for insecurities of people taking ‘the guy who shoots tape’ seriously (especially after Shoto beats him in the Sports Festival). His victory against Gashly is him proving to the Villain and himself that it’s far more of a threat than people give it credit for.

For the Top Ten that beat Gashly before, I want to imagine Ryukyu did the deed. A fantasy creature Hero beating a storyteller is just fitting.

"Fang"/2nd Hired Gun - Ojiro

Yep, its Ojiro against the second Tartarus Jailbreaker AFO sent after Deku…who got his ass beat so very quickly. Name and power? Nope - just a reminder that Deku is so OP now not many can compare, because that certainly helps brings out the threat of even escaped criminals. Distaste aside, Fang (for lack of a better name) was chosen because, design wise, I feel a gangster type contrasts well against Ojiro being a disciplined martial artist.

Ojiro always had to face people criticizing for fighting ‘plainly’  with his Tail Quirk, and his own arc here could be accepting that, yeah, while not as flashy, as his peers, his Tail is more versatile in its simplicity and incredibly effective. Fang, as a dark reflection, could be what could have happened if Ojiro had a ‘flashier’ Quirk and let the fame of it go to his head. Since he’s a Tartarus Jailbreaker, and had quite a bit of jewelry on him, I’m going to give him something like a Metal Absorption Quirk. Something that, in theory, could pose a problem to Deku (if Fang didn’t get his ass beat so quickly). Whatever metallic substance he touches, his skin reflects it. In this case, befitting his chain around his neck, he skin becomes gold. I like to imagine Fang was originally overconfident and based too much of his pride in his Quirk. So much so that he was a bully that turned to a life of crime as head of his own crime gang. A gang that I imagined was stopped by one of the Top Ten heroes like Edgeshot.

Fang’s downfall, assumign he made it to the Final War, could be that arrogance biting him in the ass. He’s so cocky he fails to realize that, while Ojiro can’t necessarily hurt physically due to his Quirk, he can still use his tail to take him out by other means. Such as restraining Fang and knocking him out by suffocating him with his tail. Is Ojiro’s Quirk flashy as the others? No way, but he doesn’t need for it to be flashy to be effective. He just needs a chance to make that ‘plainess’ work extremely well for him. Leading for Fang to once again be defeated by someone both more humble and creative than him.

Dictator - Hagakure

It’s everyones least favorite clown villain - Dictator! But now he gets to face off against our perky spy!

So what would Hagakure’s storyline be for this? Before Sato and Ojiro's dealt with issues of the world such as feeling of being Outclassed or Plainness. So I figured an interesting contrast for Hagakure is to deal with personality and powers not really mixing. Her arc could be struggling to be an efficient espionage Hero when she longed to be in the spotlight, getting praises and such from the crowd like her friends If I were to rewrite the story, Hagakure's personality would be tweaked to be more of a cocky type, inspired by her bout of overconfidence during her 1B battle.

Early on she'd be extremely boastul & playful concerning her invisibility, blinding her enemies and taunting them throughout her fights...up until people eventually wisened up either by paying close attention to her voice, laying traps to trip up Hagakure or just using AOE moves if they had it. I could see another change could be that she might volunteer to go after Mustard in the Training Camp attack but ended up losing because she overestimated her own ability and her cockiness gave him an opening to knock out her out. Following that, her training under Yoroi Musha could be to grant herself more discipline and find different ways to channel her mischeviousness into being a better spy - one that can get a victory worth celebrating for and cheers at that!

So how would this relate to Dictator? Well, given his Despot Quirk and clown theming, I’d expand on this short guy as him being a ringmaster that wanted to put on the best show in Japan…problem is that he forcibly recruited/enslaved those he saw potential in his ‘circus’ via his Quirk. He’d trained them to Hell and back under very dangerous performances, up until an investigation was enacted. Something that lead to him taking over everyone, cops who came to arrest him and panicking audience, until Crust defeated him. In short he’s a tiny fella that wants to be in absolute full control from start to finish.

A control freak to the core against someone whose a master of surprise, it works out surprisingly well. For their fight, and to show how Hagakure’s grown, she’d silently wallop Dictator who’d be in utter panic over getting hit by seemingly no one. Enough that he loses his grip on Despot and release his prisoners by accident. Thus, giving Hagakure enough time to blind him before knocking him out with an uppercut…and celebrating with an appreciative audience for good measure.

"Neptune"/Hired Gun No# 3 - Shoji

Finally, Shoji would have Neptune, for lack of a better name, as his Rival for the War fight. Now, why? Especially given that Shoji was meant to reflect Spinner. Now, on this end, I have said I disliked their pairing and I think that reason has to do with importance at the end of the day. Storywise, meaning. On Spinner's end, on the Villains side, he's had load of character development from his beginning as our lovable Stain cosplayer, to reluctant leader just trying to help out the one who cares about most. It's actually a remarkably clear and steady growth that leads up to his role in the Final War...

Yet, his Rival in this instance is Shoji. While Shoji's whole arc did have a few crumbs (such as his Pony fight), let's be honest he hasn't had any near enough importance or build-up in the story that really feels earned to be Spinner's Rival, nor do I feel that, given both of their roles in their respective groups, do I think they made even a natural match. Neptune here is meant to be a substitute for him that gives him a climatic finish and Spinner someone different to butt heads with (and will it be Tsu still?! Who knows!!!!)

Neptune here would be a mutant rights activist, though was dubbed a Villain after his protests involved taking a violent stance against those that harmed him and his shipping crew. In his case, I imagine Gang Orca was the one to defeat him, and given Gang Orca’s whole deal with being considered one of the scariest Heroes, Neptune might consider this a betrayal from someone in the same boat.

His role in the Final War arc would be assisting in the freedom of Kurogiri, and intercepting Shoji. Neptune would be the stance of physical rebellion - that change can not occur unless those affected fight back physically and showing their discontentment. Shoji would represent emotional rebellion - that change can not occur unless you show others by your character that you are different. Both aren’t really wrong  in their ideals or their feelings on the matter, but it's Shoji that recognizes that working under All For One, someone who has no one but his own interests in heart, is not going to give the Heteromorphs the better treatment that they yearn for.

For Shoji's character arc in particular, I would change things so that the Heteromorph discrimination would be more out in the open in UA, likely in a history class that covers the great Jeda purge or 6/6 incident, and him being a bit more vocal concerning the reputation of mutants. Have it be a case where the class, naturally, is disgusted by such genocide, but seemingly think that its just a case of evil in a bygone era…up until its Shoji who ends up doing a report on just how many Heteromorphs make up the majority of the arrests in Japan kind and victim reports out in the slums, boonies and even the case of the cities they thought were safe from such prejudice. He isn’t condemning them for not knowing, but it is his words that get them to consider how they’ve been acting towards those who were like Shoji so far (like Shoto and how he treated the police chief). Just something to help boost the plotline a bit more.

I also think Neptune just fits with Shoji given their sea animal/monster theme, too. As for their fight, I imagine it’d go similar to Spinner fighting against Shoji, although in this case, I imagine Neptune’s need for water might eventually make him lose a battle of attrition against Shoji in the end. Though compared to Dictator or Fang, he’d be a Nemesis that Shoji does actually succeed in getting him to stand down and possibly even get rehabilitated for the future.

-

But, yeah, this has been the first part of the series, so far. Hope its been at least an interesting read through, and these match-ups make sense from your views.

I was very conflicted when it came to giving these guys Nemesis since they didn't really fit/other people in the Class were more fitting to get the likes of the League or MLA guys. I originally was going to pair the likes of Sato, Ojiro, Hagakure and Shoji with the High End Nomu, but a combo of the realism concerning them facing one, and just feeling iffy on them had me scrap the idea and put up the Nomu rule in effect. I wanted the Villain they face to not really be a monster like a Nomu.

I also did toy around with the movie stuff, namely the Heroes Rising Villains coming into play, though it would have been just Shoji, Hagakure, and Ojiro going against Chimera, Mummy and Slice, but figured it'd be best to stick to just the manga.

If you're wondering about Slidin Go', he's like the only exception to the Advisors showing up here due to being a thing before the group. He also was supposed to be who remained of Sato, Ojiro or even Sero as like a filler choice if I couldn't find a suitable villain. Sato happened to get the short end of the stick. SG is also here because still writing about the MLA guys, who are next, and had his completed first.

I actually had Hagakure locked into facing Mustard, but once it hit me to use the Jailbreakers, thought it'd be best for Mustard to face someone with more story importance and who could be a better contrast too. Aoyama was considered to but it felt awkward for me.

Here's hoping the next part comes out soon...or at least this year!

#my hero academia #mha #mha villains #league of villains #paranormal liberation front #meta liberation army #slidin' go #mha kunieda #mha gashly #mha jailbreakers #mha dictator #lov #plf advisers #mezo shoji #rikido sato #ojiro mashirao #toru hagakure #sero hanta #yuga aoyama #class 1a

[grimalkinmessor]

Do you have any headcannons about omegaverse AFO and Yoichi? Because omega Yoichi takes up way too much of my brain space to be healthy.

Not until this moment I didn't! :D

Though tbh I tend to always think of them as either being both Omegas, or Alpha Yoichi/Omega AFO—just because their dynamic in canon is already so fucking unbalanced that putting them in the traditional set feels cruel to Yoichi 😭

But I think I'd like the traditional set (Alpha AFO/Omega Yoichi) more in literally any other universe than canon. Royalty AU? Beautiful. No Quirks AU? Let's GO. Roleswap AU? HELL YEAH. Just not canon, because again, making canon Yoichi an Omega to his Alpha brother is just grinding salt in the wound :') Not fond of it, unfortunately.

I can give you some hcs for it, however! (⁠ﾉ⁠◕⁠ヮ⁠◕⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠*⁠.⁠✧

Omega Yoichi's scent is a mix of mint, white raspberries, and nickel. Alpha Takashi's scent is ozone and chemical sugar. Both of their scents are sweet and harsh in turns, but in different ways that clash when put together :3 They both love the way they smell together though, even as everyone else cringes and shies away from it because it's simply too much.

Though most people (in my version of omegaverse) present in their early/mid teens, Takashi either likely presented far later than his teens, or far earlier, due to their extenuating circumstances. Argument for earlier is that the stress on his body might've caused him to present early so he could have a better chance at protecting himself and his territory, and the argument for later is that he already has PLENTY of tools to defend himself and his territory with, so his body never hit that high trigger point of "need to protect/defend" that most Alphas experience before their first rut.

Yoichi likely presents normally, though with the distressing add-on of having nowhere to nest and nothing to nest with. Takashi would monopolize providing for them, and blankets and soft things likely wouldn't be a priority for him until AFTER Yoichi presents, so Yoichi's first heat is probably spent with Takashi holding him really tight to imitate an enclosed, safe nest while Yoichi whines and quietly panics the whole time. It's awful for both of them, but especially Yoichi—though afterwards Takashi does start bringing home blankets and pillows and things to go in their space, but refuses to let Yoichi have them until he's thoroughly washed and scented them.

Speaking of nests!! Takashi does not heed any of Yoichi's warnings about entering his uninvited, much less just barging in. Takashi gets bitten more than once doing this shit, but he refuses to stop. Yoichi took a chunk of his ear once too; can't teach this man shit smh

The first time they have sex is, again, likely Yoichi's doing. Just because there's a point after he presents where his instincts urge him to start providing for himself so he can venture out and find a mate (caveman inner omega-speak), BUT Takashi never allows Yoichi to venture out or start providing for himself. So all of those trinkets and clothes and books and food and blankets start to register as courting gifts reeeaaal quick :) Takashi goes from 'main provider' to 'potential mate' pretty rapidly, and Yoichi deals with this by pushing Takashi down in a frenzy during his next heat and sitting on his dick ✨

Depending on which route you took for AFO's presentation, that could be the moment he presents, or the first time he pops a knot. Up to you :3

Though there's also something to be said for All For One presenting as a full adult, either right after Yoichi is vaulted, right after Yoichi is rescued from said vault, or in that moment Yoichi fucking exploded right in front of him and Kudou :')

Alpha AFO definitely has a breeding kink the size of Jupiter, but male Omegas are sterile! Win for Yoichi—he dodged the biggest bullet of all! ....But that doesn't mean he doesn't also have a slightly smaller breeding kink. Slightly. Venus instead of Jupiter. Just by basis of Yoichi feeling nauseous at the actual idea of it but also being desperately horny about it in bed and in his head. Takashi's kink is definitely an IRL desire though, unfortunately.

#asks #anonymous #afofa #nff #by nature of omegaverse aus lmao #bnha #boku no hero academia #abo au #alpha beta omega dynamics #shigaraki yoichi #first one for all holder #all for one #i make hcs for YOU anon 😘

[satancopilotsmytardis]

Birthday Angst

Pairing: Shigadabi

Rating: T

Contents: Angst, Angst with a happy ending, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, getting together

At least he's not homeless this year. 

That's the first thought that he has when Dabi slips from his bed and heads towards the bathroom to get ready for the day. At least he's not spending his birthday freezing on the streets again. No, this year he'll spend it in shitty meetings, and then training some shitty recruits, and then finally getting to lock himself back in this room and avoid the others for the rest of the night. 

He's pretty sure he used to like his birthday. When he was little and his mom made a cake and his dad always took off so he could be home to play with him and unwrap presents. And then he went wrong and those things slipped away. Mom still made cake, always did for all of their birthdays, but it would be a quiet, dower affair as she got more and more worn down from her treatment in the house. And Enji was never home for any of them. Not until Shoto. 

And then there had, of course, been the coma. He missed a few birthdays. Pretty sure he missed two when he'd woken up afterwards too. The first couple of years on his own were so survival- focused that he didn't think much about the date unless he had to. This is probably the best birthday he's had in years if only for the fact that he knows where he's sleeping tonight and that he'll be able to eat today. Hell, this may be his last birthday if Shigaraki's timeline comes to fruition. He pauses as he brushes his teeth, that thought rolling through his mind and leaving something... strange behind. He's never been sad about his inevitable end, but there's a weight to the thought that comes now that he's never felt before. He finishes up, rinsing his mouth like he can send that unpleasant heaviness down the drain with the minty foam. 

Whatever. It's just a day, and just like him, it doesn't matter anyway. 

///

The first round of meetings goes fine. He's kind of already in a shit mood, and apparently everyone else is too. Not that he can blame them, it's fucking freezing, and apparently they're gonna get hit with a hell of a snowstorm starting later tonight that's likely to shut down their operation for a day or so. Geten, the freak, is blowing off training the new recruits with him to go deeper into the range and get some of his own training in, which clears up Dabi's afternoon. Compress and Spinner can't do anything with their work while communication and supply routes are down, Ujiko is apparently trapped at the actual hospital so Duster's treatments are on hold, and Toga and Twice are more than happy for any excuse to call it a snow day and find something more fun to entertain themselves. But that means that he's left with nothing to do for the rest of the day to occupy his time. 

He waits until the others have mostly filed out of the meeting room before he pauses Shigaraki, "Hey, boss?" 

Shig stops, giving a curt glance at Re-Destro and getting him to scurry out of the room before he turns to address him. "What is it, Dabi?" 

He worries at a staple for a second before sucking it up, "Don't suppose you have any side projects I could work on while things are slowed down?" 

Duster raises a brow at him. "Not off the top of my head, why?" 

"Just looking for something to do." 

He doesn't love the scrutinizing look that he gets from the other man at that. "You do more than enough around here, Dabi. I would rather you take the day off, to be entirely honest." 

Which, that is kind of weirdly nice of him. He's been weirdly nice to all of them since Kamino, and Dabi really, really thought that was just because he didn't want them all to scatter to the wind without AFO's backing. But he's come to the unhappy conclusion that being around AFO just made Shigaraki worse. He was so volatile and childish when he was under his thumb, but the second he was out from it, he'd immediately grown the fuck up. Started acting like a leader. Become someone worth following. Someone... he may feel a little bit guilty about abandoning halfway through this fight, so he tries to ignore that. Keep him and the others at arm's length as they all seem to get closer and closer. 

"...Fine." He grabs his laptop. He'll find something else to do today if Duster's not gonna be any help there. He's rounding the table, ready to head out when Shig catches his sleeve and pulls him to a stop. 

"...Is something wrong?" 

He bristles slightly. "Why?" He almost misses Duster wearing the gross hands everywhere, but especially over his face. Because he feels like a pinned insect with those red eyes boring into him. 

"You seem more agitated than normal." 

"Nothing's wrong, it's just shaping up to be a boring as shit day." 

"Why don't you go do something you like? It's not like we've had a day off since summer." 

Really hates that those eyes see how that kind of makes his brain stop working because, fuck, does he even have anything he likes to do? Training? Working? Surviving? That's all he's done for almost a decade. He's pretty fucking sure he hasn't cultivated any interests outside of that. 

"...Dabi, what's actually going on?" Hates himself more because a few weeks ago he probably would have just told him to fuck off, maybe with a shower of sparks for good measure. But instead, today, because he's stupid and childish himself, he feels his throat going a little tighter and can't quite meet his eyes. 

"...It's my birthday." There's a slight pause and Dabi pulls his arm free of the loose grip Shigaraki had him in. "Whatever. It doesn't matter, I just would rather be busy." He turns and heads towards the door. "I'll find something else to do." He gives a forcefully lazy wave over his shoulder and keeps moving. 

It doesn't matter. He shouldn't have said anything. It's just another day. Last birthday or not. 

///

Dabi, unfortunately, doesn't find anything to do. Hawks is MIA because of the incoming storm. Skeptic, like the other non-League lieutenants, doesn't live on site, and left with the others before the weather got too bad, so he can't bother him about hacking into Endeavor's servers again to see what his dad and brother are up to during his internship. The rest of the League seems to be settling into the common area for games, food, and movies for the rest of the day. Toga comes and invites him to join in with a big smile and bright eyes. 

"Come on, we're all gonna wear our pajamas and have like a sleepover! I'll paint your nails black." 

He ignores how her expression falls when he tells her, "Not interested," and shuts his door on her before she can try again. He's not even sure if he wants to be alone today, but he also knows he doesn't want to pretend to be personable either. The others will have their fun without him and hopefully Duster will keep his mouth shut about what he said earlier. 

So Dabi smokes his last joint, gets food brought up to his room for lunch, and then promptly burrows back into his blankets to shut out the rest of the world for a little while. 

///

He wakes a few hours later, but not enough. Only ten o'clock. Fuck, damn near slept through this fucking day that's doing something unholy to his head, but he still couldn't even get that right. Knows immediately from how high his quirk has creeped that he's not going to be able to get back to sleep without cooling off for a bit first. Tempted to just go take a shower, but after a glance out the window, seeing the heavy blanket of white that's fallen since he was asleep, he pulls on his boots, digs out his cigarettes from his coat pocket before leaving that behind, and heads out of his room, up to the roof. 

He puts footprints into the four inches of snow that has already accumulated, more falling steadily around him and blanketing the mountaintop in white, as he heads over to the railing. His skin steams in the frigid temperatures, but it's not an uncomfortable sensation. His broken body was made for the cold after all. Dabi leans against the railing and shakes out a cigarette. Only two left, he'll have to get more if he doesn't want to bum the nasty brand that Twice likes off of him. Dabi lights up, letting the flame flicker on his finger for a bit too long, until it feels real as it starts to sting, and then he lets the snowflakes douse it. Smokes as his skin slowly cools down to a more comfortable temperature and just lingers in the silence. The sky is that ambient dark of deep winter, of heavy clouds, that bounces around and diffuses the hidden star and moonlight all around him, reflected off the falling snow. It brings a false warmth that he can just see by and if he were a different man, maybe he'd say that this was peaceful. Today it just feels lonely. 

He finishes his first cigarette, mars the white snow further when he puts out the butt and leaves a gray ash streak in it. Then he lights up again. Halfway through that one when the door creaks open. There's a slight pause and then fresh footfalls crunching through the snow towards him. He spares his unwanted company a glance and finds Duster, bundled up in his big coat, making his way over. 

Shigaraki doesn't say anything, just moves to stand a foot or so away, claiming his own spot on the railing and watching the snow fall. Knows the boss doesn't sleep much, thought he just would play his games or something when he wasn't. Didn't know he came up here. They stand and watch the snow quietly for a few minutes before there's a slight rustling, and Dabi sees Shigaraki place a modest gift bag on the space between them without comment. 

He snorts slightly, seriously? He finishes his cig and flicks this one off of the edge, tempted to do the same with the bag for nothing other than spite. But he doesn't. Instead he rolls his eyes and peeks inside. 

There are three things swamped in the black tissue paper, the pack of his brand of cigarettes is an immediate and welcome surprise. The little velvet jewelry box is a bit more concerning though as he reaches in to see what that is. He flicks it open and finds a new set of ear cuffs, black titanium with what looks like three bands of sapphire that mimic his staples set into them. Which, that's a pretty pricey gift, but given the unlimited plastic they were all given, he supposes it's not really that much to Duster. And, at the bottom, so it stayed flat and unjostled, is a slice of cake with mixed berries and a black candle on top. 

"...Didn't take you for such a sap, Duster." He takes out the piece of cake, finding a fork attached to the side of the box. 

"I don't think it's particularly sappy to try and show my second that I value him being around." Shigaraki tells him in the same even tone. 

"You didn't tell--"

"No." 

Silence stretches between them again and Dabi opens the cake, after a second he lights the candle with his pinky, letting the flame flicker for a moment. Then he blows it out. He doesn't make a wish. He doesn't think there's a single force in the universe that would give him something he asked for, but he knows that those same forces have been conspiring to take away the things he wants throughout his whole life. He won't offer up something else they can tear away from him. He sinks the fork into the cake and takes a bite. The sponge is light and airy, the frosting a whipped cream that's not nearly as sweet as he was expecting, and the berries bursting with a pleasant tartness. He didn't know that Shigaraki picked up on the fact he hates sweets, doesn't know what to make of the fact he'd brought him the perfect cake. 

He takes a bite and then offers the fork to Duster. His boss hesitates only for a second before he takes it and has a bite of his own. And they pass the fork back and forth as the snow falls until the dessert is gone. It's colder, later, and the snow is thicker than it was when they first came out. Both of their footprints have a fresh layer of snow filling them in when Dabi caps the empty container and puts it back into the bag. He wonders if it's late enough to not be his birthday anymore. 

"...Thanks." 

It was hard enough to make himself say that, he's glad that Shigaraki barely acknowledges it. "What did you wish for?" 

"Nothing." He tells the other man, actually turning so he can see how that lands. 

Duster meets his eyes, and his are... too sharp. Dabi knows immediately that Shigaraki has seen right through him. That he knows why he wouldn't make a wish, why he didn't tell any of the others, why he hid away and tried to pretend. And it's not pity in his eyes, not something that turns his stomach and makes him wish he'd been able to keep his mouth shut earlier. It's just... quiet. Maybe something close to... acceptance. Though maybe, maybe there is a little hint of something mournful in that look too. Or maybe Dabi's deluding himself. 

Shigaraki starts to move away from the railing, but this time Dabi catches his sleeve. Moves, slowly, but sure enough before he can think better of this. Presses a kiss to the very edge of Shigaraki's lips. Soft and light, quick, before he's pulling away, a little worried he might have sealed his fate of having this be his last birthday. But when he pulls away and lets go of his sleeve, Shigaraki doesn't look disgusted or annoyed, doesn't look like he's about to tell him that was inappropriate and that he crossed a line. 

Instead he reaches with very deliberate slowness, and Dabi lets him. Settles a hand against his cheek, the leather of his gloves cold, the one uncovered finger stroking gently along his skin, just above his staples. Red eyes watching him to see if he flinches, if he backs away, but he doesn't. And then Shigaraki leans in. His kiss is pressed against Dabi's lips. He wonders if Tomura's mouth always feels like shattered stone or if it's just because both of them have been standing in the cold for so long. It's a light press of their lips, and he starts to pull away just as quickly as Dabi had, but he catches the other's wrist and keeps him there. Moves in closer and parts his lips with a soft sigh. Already let him have so much today, maybe Duster will give him just a bit more. 

And he does. He presses back in and kisses him firmer, deeper, his tongue flicking over that parted seam of his mouth and slipping inside when Dabi invites him in. They both taste like berries and Shigaraki kisses him like he knows he's never going to get another chance. Like he's wanted to. Like he'll be... sad when Dabi's gone. It makes that heavy weight that's been hanging on him all day focus itself and shatter his chest into sharp fragments of bone that are cutting into him with every breath and each increasingly rapid beat of his heart. But he doesn't stop. He tangles his hands into Duster's hair and pulls him closer, kisses him a little hotter, a little hungrier, and Shig meets him there. Kisses him until Dabi's body is steaming in the winter air as his skin steadily grows warmer, but both of their breaths are filling the air with steam when they part. 

Red eyes on him again, a question in that look. Dabi pulls him back in. 

Okay birthday, he supposes. Though he was wrong about knowing where he would be sleeping tonight. 

#shigadabi #my writing #mha fanfiction #fanfiction #mha dabi #bnha dabi #touya todoroki

[marunalu]

Hawks: AFO has no emotions

Afo in recent chapter: *his face almost cracked due to emotions*

I wonder...why AFO hates All Might so much?

Do you think All Might will deafeat AFO in this fight? What will happen? What are your predictions?

Hawks was wrong so many times in the past, its mind boggling to me why so many people in this fandom still take everything that comes out of his mouth at face value. Just because a hero says something specific about someone else, doesnt mean they are right. Hawks doesnt understand afo. He is not an expert of afos person. Afo already debunked hawks words about him not able to feel human emotions because he has "no heart", long before he even stated them in the first place, in kamino.

The reason why afo showed less emotions back then was because as an adult he has them for the most part under control. The younger afo gets by rewinding himself and also by tomuras hate having an effect on him, the more emotional and reckless he becomes. The emotions afo shows now is who he deep down truly is, the person he is trying to suppress, because he sees it as a weakness. Thats why he is smiling all the time - because only the strongest can always smile. He is a man so full of hate and rage for the world he wants to steal everyones elses happiness, since it was (most likely) taken from him too.

We need to remember in what kind of time afo grew up in, people like him were hunted down and killed, how he lost the only person he loved (in his own messed up way) and IF dfo is true what was taken from him AGAIN. If our theorys are true and afo startet a family on his own accord to finally have some happiness in his life, its no wonder why he reacts to all might the way he does.

We saw hints of his hate and anger towards all might already in kamino, but back then he had it under control. Right now, he is letting everything out. Back in kamino he said: "while I killed your mentor, you took something away from me too. Thats why I want you to die in the most pathetic way possible." Its more or less confirmed that he wasnt talking about his empire here all might destroyed, because he explained to spinner that all might destroying his empire was "just a small lose" for him. Its not the reason why he hates all might so much. So if it has nothing to do with his empire, it has to be something as PERSONAL as killing nana was for all might - taking his most beloved person from him! It was nana for all might, his mother figure. Who is it for afo? Yoichi is dead afterall.

About my predictions: do I think all might will win? No, I dont think so. But I think it will at first look like it and he will give afo one hell of a fight. Do I think all might will die? Im 50:50 on it. Im still not convinced that afo is the villain killing all might in nighteyes vision. Nighteye knew what afo looked like, but even all might thought that if he didnt knew already he would never guessed that this "young man" is afo. So Im unsure how this will turn out. Do I think afo will win here? Yes, but not unscratched and most likely on the verge of death if not alone because of rewind. Will he make it to ua? Im not sure anymore to be honest, but we know he still needs to do something to make the fusion of tomura and his vestige complete and he needs to reach ua for that.

What do I want to happen? I want afo to go all out even more. I want his backstory to explain what the hell happend to this man to make him turn out like that! I want dfo confirmed in this fight out of afos own mouth, raging how all might destroyed his happiness the moment he was ready to leave his villain life behind him. I want him to use fire breath in this battle! Seriously if he uses fire breath I will run, jump and scream around my appartment like a maniac!

#bnha #bnha spoiler #bnha all for one #bnha dad for one #dad for one theory

[elle-cross]

the inheritance #bkdk

OH MY GOD I JUST HAD A BKDK IDEA AAAA SOMEDAY I WILL WRITE THIS FUCK

---------

Katsuki is written in his late master Yagi Toshinori's will. When Toshinori passed away, a bunch of lawyers in suits drop by Katsuki's apartment and tells him that Toshinori leaves him the most important inhertance of all.

To be honest, when Katsuki is told about inheritance, he was expecting like a small % share of his assets, because that would already be worth millions.

But instead, the lawyers give him a red envelope, with the letters "OFA" written with black marker on it. There's no note inside, but there is a key with the digits 1507 on one side and the letters "D-E-K-U" engraved on the other side.

Katsuki spends sleepless nights trying to figure out what this hell this means. The key doesn't look like an ordinary key for a door. It has round grooves on its neck.

Old man Toshinori was a recluse on his last few years and Katsuki had helped him keep the business running until the very end. The old man stayed in his mansion, tucked away from reporters and power-hungry businessmen who wanted to takeover his company.

Katsuki has been one of the last businesses apprentices of the Toshinori, learning and growing behind Toshinori's shadow and wisdom. After Katsuki, Toshinori didn't hire any one else to be his protégé.

He rolls to one side in his bed and huffs as he stares at the key. "What are you, DEKU?" and why does OFA sound familiar?

Oh, that's right. The dog. Toshinori used to have a dog, who for some wild reason, was named "All For One". The dog's collar had the initials "AFO" hanging on it. Toshinori had mentioned to Katsuki once that it was in memory of his son who he lost a long time ago. He said his son loved books and would love to have his own library someday.

Fuck. Katsuki catapults himself out of bed and grabs his laptop. He searches for "One For All"... and then just because he has good feeling about this, he adds the keyword "books".

Great... he gets the Three Musketeers books... and, wait. Hang on. The 5th result is a ... "Holy shit!" Katsuki stands up in excitement.

It's called "One For All Bookstore" and it's ... far away. But it's still in Japan, but it's in one of the southern-most islands of Japan, what the fuck.

Ahhh, fuck it. Katsuki needs to know. His master never does things without a reason. So he clearly planned for this happen. But why all the secrecy?

Because Katsuki has money and because his boss recently just passed away, he kinda has a lot of time to kill. He buys a ticket and goes to one of the islands in Okinawa, where OFA bookstore is located.

When he steps into the bookstore, tired and anxious, he immediately makes a beeline towards the information booth--

"Excuse me! Wipe your muddy feet, will you?" Someone apparently had the nerve to shout at Katsuki, the only living apprentice of Toshinori, who in the hell would have the audacity to--

Katsuki turns around, ready to shout back, but his breath is stolen away by this gorgeous, 'goodlordhowishereal', green-haired man. His cheeks are dusted with cute freckles and his eyes are so round and green.... his name tag says "I. Midoriya."

----------------------

#bkdk #fluff #identityporn

[anti-katsuki-lounge]

Couple of questions involving “The Detainment Rescue of Izuku”.

1. I have tried to find other alternatives to how this could have played out better instead of what we got in canon. And the only option I could have thought of was if instead of just vanishing on them, Izuku talked to them in person about his plan and make it clear that it was his choice and he wouldn’t falter from it, but he was open to ideas about how the others could assist. But the glaring problem would be that AFO would be in on what they were doing via Aoyama.

So I guess what I want to say is that this entire situation is garbage and ruins so many characters. If you had the choice to rewind the plot, how far back would you go to get to the part where you think the story could still be at the very least decent?

2. The Class 1-A vs Izuku had many characters come off useless, though I do want to acknowledge the few that I think were at least trying to tackle the actual issue: Todoroki, Shoji, Asui and Ojiro. I think simply relieving Izuku some burdens, even if it’s spreading out and keeping non essential villains from hurting innocents and keeping civilians safe.

But who are YOUR characters that you felt got bastardized the most? Where their actions or words are so…WTF and/or OOC?

For me:

•Sato: who the hell are you to stop someone from making SWEETS? And using ERI against him? Good lord, man!

Uraraka: I saw the back flash of everyone getting concerned for Midoriya. The entire thing. Yet that look on her face with what she said, “We were worried about you.”? I didn’t buy that for a second. That’s the face of, “FFS, We have to clean up after YOUR mess AGAIN.” Of course we see her back in character later, but still…

Kaminari: Absolute bullshit. You’re Bakugo’s lapdog, you always cater to make sure Bakugou is having fun and being with everyone when he clearly doesn’t want to. The last conversation I recall you having with Midoriya is you being jealous of possibly having sex with Camie DURING A TEST. I don’t see any resemblance of friendship between you two.

Tokoyami: I was completely expecting him to make a gothic and poetic comparison between how Midoriya currently is, and how Tokoyami was at the training camp, when Dark Shadow was going berserk. I was actually thinking Tokoyami would make a callback to that and that he wouldn’t forgive himself turning away someone suffering like he had. And what do we get? A reference to an inconsequential line from the freakin SPORTS FESTIVAL.

Yaoyorozu: Just…holy shit, this pissed me off. Look how they massacred my girl! Not only is she relying on the group of adults that, other than All Might, have pathetically supported Midoriya, and thinking they will do any good. But she also tried to knock Midoriya out chained up like he was a psychopath from Tartarus, where as a walking, murderous monster like Gigantomachia, she treats more humanely by simply creating canisters of the knockout gas and getting the heroes to get him to ingest. Just…I hated how Yaoyorozu came off as a bitch in this…and I hate using that word with her…

But I can’t be completely mad at her, she got her sources on how Midoriya is from the rat-face bastard “that knew him better than anyone else”. And he’s in a league of bullshit of his own.

Sorry that this dissolved into a rant, I just hate all of this SO much.

So for the first part, I'd rewind it to Kacchan vs Deku 1. Once Katsuki unleashes the explosion, I'll have All Might arrest him (yes, arrest, because that was excessive use of force and reckless endangerment, if not outright second degree attempted murder). With Katsuki gone, I can spend more time focusing on the other parts of MHA, such as side characters, the themes Hori failed to tackle, etc.

Second part, I honestly think everyone was bastardized for even agreeing with Katsuki, but I think Momo got it the worst because she created that freaking chair thing. Everyone else did also get extremely screwed though (except maybe Tooru because I genuinely think Hori forgot about her because I don't think she's even in any of the pages and Yuuga cause he's the traitor and all). Katsuki ends up being more insufferable but I wouldn't say he was bastardized because he was already an irredeemable shithead to begin with and this only confirms this moment. Tenya and Shoto do come out less damaged because what they say shows that they've grown due to their arcs, but they still are damaged for agreeing to Katsuki's plan.

#anti katsuki bakugou #anti bakugo katsuki #anti bakugo #anti bakugou #mha critical

[blackdagger456]

Lets Talk About MHA Chapters 370 & 371

Alright let’s take a gander and what went down these last two chapters.

Starting off we moved away from the main battle and into one in which the heroes are trying to defend both the hospital and Kurogiri from a mob of mutants flying under the PLF banner. We’ve always known that there was racism against these quirk types both with just the fans inferring correctly, Shojis info sheet in extras and MHAs version of the KKK being shown throughout the fandom and main storyline.

Here we get even more context with the PLF announcer listing off events that have happened in history which hypes up the crowd even more.

But that’s when we get our first look into what this mob really is when they attack Kouda.

They call him a traitor to his kind, stating and assuming correctly that he must have lived in a big city a comment we’ll expand upon later. The announcer goes on to hype Spinner who has become the face of ‘Mutant Change’ for the PLF. His presence serves to embolden their attack...but Spinner is barely even there.

The man is drooling for christs sake but the people don’t recognize that. They see their symbol there and go to fight for him and his message...but what are they fighting for? The obvious answer is for Mutant rights but what is their plan? What is their goal?

Shoji says it perfectly.

Heroes aren’t perfect. It’s a message we’ve seen and have been told in My Hero Academia multiple times. But at the end if the day heroes do protect people, heroes save lives whether its for money or something else they DO save lives.

These people may see themselves as heroes but what hero attacks a hospital? What hero fights alongside villains?

Whatever message these mutants want to send is going to be thrown out the window not only because they’re fighting with villains but even if they weren’t they’re attacking a hospital.

A HOSPITAL.

More than that as Shoji said they don’t have a concrete plan. All they are is an angry mob lashing out but none of them have a clear plan for after this is over. They call fellow mutants traitors for fighting them but those ‘traitors’ are trying to minimize damage and death that they are willingly condoning and adding too.

And once again they turn to Spinner for guidance because they cant be wrong right? They’ve been persecuted and abused and this is the right way right? Spinner has obviously thought this through and has a plan...

Except...he doesn’t.

Spinner doesn’t care.

Hell even before AFO gave him two extra wuirks and fucked up his head he didn’t even know he had become this symbol for mutants. That he was drawing them in.

No, no all Spinner cares about is his friends. He doesn’t give a damn about this war or the advancement of mutant rights anymore all he wants to do is not lose anymore of his friends.

The PLF announcer tries to spin his words to push these people forward but the seed of doubt has been placed and it gets even worse with Shojis next line.

This line hits me deeply because he is RIGHT.

Yes there is still discrimination and yes the people who attacked them are wrong but the way they’re going about is is wromg too. By doing this they are ACTIVLY making things worse and pushing back progress.

Make no mistake progress has been made, they scorn people like Kouda for growing up in cities but thats proof that things have/are changing. They even alude to it in the chapters, Nedzu being a principal more mutants being heroes and loved as such more mutants in positions of power.

Yes they’re in the cities but that is HUGE progress. Progress that they are all gonna to hinder but possibly make people retract on in the end.

But like I said, Spinner doesn’t care, he doesn’t have a plan for mutant kind and in the end both Shoji and Kouda has to take their stand.

#blackdagger 456 #lets talk #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #my hero academa spoilers #boku no hero academia spoilers #mha ch 370 #mha ch 371 #bnha ch 370 #bnha ch 371 #mha shoji #bnha shoji #shoji mezo #shouji mezou #spinner #mha spinner #bnha spinner #mha spoilers #bnha spoilers

[epickiya722]

REACTIONS TO EPISODE 23 - DEKU VS CLASS A

You know how it goes!

LAST EPISODE'S REACTIONS

I am so not prepared for this episode! 😃

That's right, Katsuki, call him out!

Whoa whoa whoa! Pause! Land Mine Blast... when can he do that?!

"You'd run away without even talking it out?" Yes! Sounds quite familiar... 👀

OH, KOJI KODAAAA!!! MY SUNSHINE!!!

Aaaaw, the flashback of Izuku and Hanta training together!!! Hanta's smile!! My heart!!

THESE KIDS ARE GONNA MAKE ME CRY!!!

Rikido using Eri though! "I won't lend you my food coloring for Eri's apple candy!"

"It's alright. Eri will be alright." NOT WITHOUT HER BIG BRO IZUKU THERE, YOU DAMN IDIOT!!!

That contraption Yaomomo made is by far the strangest ones yet and I must know how she even constructed that in her head.

A HYPNOSIS DEVICE!! How did he even know... wait, no, this is Izuku Midoriya I'm talking about. Of course, he would know.

This rabbit demon just broke the helmet... with force from his head... he headbutted the thing...

"Midoriya, let's take a shower!" THEY KEPT THE PART!!! 🤣🤣🤣 DENKI!!!

"But I sensed nothing at all." Because they're not trying to hurt you, they want you back, sweetie!

"So please... Stay away from me!" SEE WHAT YOU DID, AFO?! GOT MY GREEN SUNSHINE SEPARATING HIMSELF FROM THE PEOPLE HE CARES ABOUT!! FUCK YOU!!

Daiki Yamashita once again putting his heart into Izuku's voice. He sounds so hurt, so desperate. 😭😭😭

They're all doing a damn good job honestly, I'm very close to crying!

Here's Shoto with this giant ass ice wall!!

"Is your responsibility stopping you from shedding tears?" Yeah...

"You are our friend." Alright, Tsu got me. I'm crying now! 😭😭😭😭

Dictator... ugh that bitch.

Wait was this scene in the manga??

The kids just ran off because Izuku is important to them and that is so damn beautiful!

Look, Shoto, I know you're trying to keep him still, but... at this point you might give him hypothermia. Chill out... and I'm realizing the joke I did there.

ARE THEY PLAYING YOU SAY RUN?! THAT'S MY JAM!!!

YOU MISSED! HOW COULD YOU MISS?! HE WAS TEN FEET IN FRONT OF YOU!!

The class yelling "GO" together!!! No, folks, for real, I got tears!!

Katsuki!!! "Deku, I have things to tell you. There is something I must tell you! But right now, I'll let the guy who can withstand this speed do the talking first!"

GO, TENYA, GO!!!

THE HANDS!!! THE HANDS!!! 😭😭😭💙💙💙

"... it's those who will fight alongside him in the journey." The 2nd User gets it!! You damn right!!

"Let go." IZUKU, SHUT UP RIGHT NOW, YOUNG MAN!!

HE CRIED AT TENYA'S WORDS!!! HE CRIED!!

GAVE MY CLASS REP HIS TITLE SCREEN, HELL YES!! 💙💙💙

Oh, they put Katsuki's hero name!! NICE!!

NICE CATCH, KIRISHIMA!!! YOU GO, BOY!!

"But... I'm scared." Izuku... please...

Oh, Katsuki Bakugou walking up, I know where this is going. 👀

Ooooh, Katsuki, dude, man... you only said a single sentence and I'm crying a little harder.

He looks so soft...

"But I've always been the inferior." KATSUKI, PLEASE!!

Oh, the shots of them going from kids to teens... 😭😭😭

HE CALLED IZUKU!!! AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!

He ran to catch Izuku... I'm going to lay down after this.

Izuku just lets himself settle in Katsuki's arms... yeah, that's how I feel. DRAINED.

Okay, not the colors I had been thinking for Thirteen's real face and body.

DAAAAAMN. I did not think the barrier would be that big!!! NEZU GOT BANK FOR REAL!!!

"I wish I could return everyone's kindness." You've done enough, sweetheart.

Fuck every single one of those people who said Izuku can't come into the school THAT HE FUCKING ATTENDS!! YOU SONS OF BITCHES, HE'S BEEN PUSHING HIMSELF TO PROTECT YOU!!! FUCK YOU!

Known fact, my least favorite people on the whole series is the "civilians".

"Who is there to protect the hero?" Ochaco, you best girl for a reason! (All the girls are really.)

This episode just... I can't... it was beautiful!!

#kiya watches #kiya reacts #just kiya's thoughts #bnha #mha #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #bnha s6 #bnha season 6 #bnha spoilers #midoriya izuku #bakugou katsuki #class 1a #class a #deku #iida tenya

[pocketramblr]

So your Quirkless Aizawa AU... I have an idea... the idea is Grandpa Might. Or DadMight because I refuse to believe Yagi doesn't mentally adopt Aizawa or something in solidarity for quirklessness. Yagi shows up to the agency opening with coffee and snacks and Mic knows him as the nice blonde man who I can speak English to, Midnight sees tall chisled cutie and Oboro is like "why the fuck is All Might here and Aizawa is like "coffee! My hero!" Let Izu know Yagi before All Might.

Oh I definitely see Toshinori staying in Aizawa's life after they meet- I don't know about mentally adopting, because Aizawa Does Not Particularly Want another dad, but Toshi fully credits Aizawa and Shirakumo with being the reason he was able to kill AfO and not the other way around. So he does check in on them and wants them to do well, encouraging. Shirakumo utterly loves it, Aizawa doesn't mind as much as he bristles but he does threaten to never speak to Shirakumo if he says the words "We should totally scam All Might into adopting us" again.

But yeah, checks in a lot, and that's why he was comfortable asking Aizawa about taking OfA, and why Aizawa was comfortable enough to just say "hell no" and not like disappear to another country for a week to avoid him.

So when Izuku does roll up to the agency, All Might gets texts from all three of them like "hey jsyk we're training a kid now" and All Might is like "ah I understand,,,,, you'll be busier now and perhaps we should cancel our monthly lunch catch-ups,,, let me know if the kid would like anything I'll send it over right away" and then gets three more texts like "absolutely not you have better still be at lunch, he'll be so excited to meet you." And All Might is happy but he was expecting like a UA intern, not a whole child! So yeah as proud as Toshinori is of the young heroes, Izuku is the baby and will be absolutely spoiled to the best of his abilities

#there really wouldn't be such a difference from 'All Might' and 'Yagi' though #as he's not injured nearly as badly here due to his different strategy against AfO #and he's still going to be a workaholic whenever the rooftop trio or one of his other rare friends isn't insisting he take a break #anon #pocket talks to people

[justatalkingface]

What are your thoughts on Shigaraki as a character and his arc?

You have the best MHA takes. What did you think of how Shigaraki was going before the bait and switch? You spoke a bit about Tomura in a previous ask, but I wanted to get your full thoughts.

Whiplash.

In short? He's simultaneously some of the best, most engaging, most realistic character development I've ever seen, so good it took me from zero to a hundred on his character, and someone whose potential got dropped into the ground and smashed like an egg.

I didn't like him at first. Or at second. Or honestly, for years: he slowly grew in the series, like Izuku, but he still remained the same whiny man-child as he was in the first place, and I couldn't stand that. He was, for the longest time, my least favorite villain, the worst part of the League, yet, somehow, the point they all orbited around anyways, and his two or three seconds of menace never made up for how annoying he felt at times.

It felt... piecemeal, boring. Like, there was obviously a conclusion building up there, somewhere, a point where he'd be more, but it felt so far away at times. He'd learn one obvious ass lesson in common sense, then run straight into another situation with an obvious problem he somehow missed 'til it smacked him in the face.

More than that, though, he felt weak. Weakness in a villain, as Gigantomachia helpfully frames it, is a sin; why am I afraid if you aren't threatening? Why are you dangerous if you feel so harmless? Threat, one way or another, is at the core of a good villain: it helps define their character, and through them, it makes you care about the setting, the characters, about what happens next. Oh no, will our hero die? What will that monster do to the Best Friend?

Without threat, without menace , without fear, a villain will always seem less.

And sure, technically he was dangerous, but not villainous. He wasn't evil, he was an oversized baby someone handed a death ray and throwing tantrums with it. The thing is, for most of the time Shigaraki Tomura wasn't dangerous because who he was, he was dangerous because he won the murder lottery, nothing more. But at the same time, he didn't have to be anything more than a child, because AFO was covering his ass, taking that role for him, even with maybe two minutes of screen time... until Kaminio. And without AFO to hold his hand, he was toddling off into the wider world like the child he really was, and he felt so damn impotent as he was railroaded to Gigantomachia, still not knowing what to do, still with the actual adults holding all the cards.

And it's just... this is Izuku's foil? This is the new evil to replace AFO, the new Symbol of Fear? Izuku has ascended in leaps and bounds, and this idiot is still figuring out step one!

Then he steps away from the invincible giant, and we get the MVA arc.

And the character development; he becomes a different person, but at the same time, unlike so many 'wimpy character gets hard' arc, he's still Shigaraki at the end.

It something you see a lot in fanfic and such, a character being trapped into an endless combat hell like he was. The one that emerges from that, though, is always a new person, their interests and perspectives gone and replaced by the new, edgier ones, often explicitly rejecting their old life and talking about how different they are now. New Shigaraki, even with his dumb-ass cape and the artificial way his Quirk felt leveled up, was still Shigaraki.

It's the brilliance of that change I can't praise enough, where Shigaraki's character growth suddenly makes sense. It's not typical, one step coming before the other, like Izuku. The way he so haphazardly gained each little piece was like that because he was meant to use all of them at once, as foundations to a new stage. It's the difference between stacking blocks on top of each other, and getting a neat little tower, or standing up a handful of normal blocks to act as legs to hold up one giant block. Which leg came first didn't matter since it could only happen once he had all the pieces.

And that conclusion he eventually comes to? Magnificent. Oh, it's objectively terrible, obviously, and the logic is ass, but the thing is is that it's his logic. It is absolutely something I can see him saying, see him thinking, that he would end up with with his cripplingly small amount of insight into the world and how things work, with his long established habits of hatred and holding grudges and wanting to break everything that bothers him.

His goal, no matter how you cut it, is simply monstrous in a way that surpasses even his mentor. At best, he wants to destroy all of society. At worst, at his most literal (and Shigaraki doesn't really do deception) he wants to simply and purely destroy everything he possibly can. You know, except his friends. And whatever they like.

It's a child's view of evil, of change, like painting a picture where anything they don't want can just be... painted over, without any real consequence. It's malformed and incomplete, but all the more terrifying for that, because it's the malice of a child.

It's that juxtaposition, between the ignorant innocent that a child represents, and the darkness of their desire to kill, that makes evil children so disturbing, and Tomura's aims so malicious.

And then.. we get the War Arc, and I think anyone reading this knows what I think about that. And it's here, in the War Arc, where Hori turns to this beautiful horror he's just made, and starts frantically tearing it apart, and has continued to do so at every possible moment. You can almost hear him screaming, 'Wait, wait! I don't want this!'

There was so much... symbolism in Shirgarki's full hearted acceptance of villainy, how he Decayed his family, again, willingly. It was wonderful, a perfect sign about how he have finally moved past who he was as a child, and no longer needed to cling (or be clung to) by their memories. And the way he Decayed All For One during the War Arc (one of the few good moments), boldly declaring he'd surpass him? Chilling.

Too bad Hori decided to promptly throw all that out by having AFO take over. And then, after Shigaraki had explicitly killed off his past, moved beyond who he was as a child... Izuku sees Tenko inside him.

Later, when we get to the final arc, we see Tenko mindlessly make the family he explicitly rejected as security blankets.

All of that growth, all that development... thrown out, so that Deku, that empty shell of a character, can look at him and go, 'I need to save him!' Nevermind all the people had killed, nevermind everything he had destroyed, nevermind what he thinks of the man who haunted him ever since this story started, The Protagonist saw A Child and he needs to save him.

In theory, AFO taking over Shigaraki could have been great. After all that development, though, all that work to make him finally able to stand on his own as a threat? It feels like Hori frantically trying to regress him to an acceptable level of innocence, so that AFO can carry all the burden of guilt for him (and Dabi. And god knows who else by the time this is over....) so whatever redemption they end up with doesn't fall flat (it's totally going to fall flat). However he escapes that, he's no longer going to be who he was, he'll just be reduced to the regretful villain, who is better now, honest! ...That is, if the actual child isn't what he ends up as, and there's a non-zero chance of that.

Meanwhile, let's talk power ups. Shigaraki getting stronger was understandable. Him getting All For One was thematic. The fact that an incomplete version walks out of the tank, and tanks all heroes attacks without dying is just... way too much. And then he gets stronger, or rather Hori turned to the 'Power Up' button and spent every moment SFO was on screen slamming it.

Worst yet, his power ups and Izuku's power ups are this self perpetuating cycle that won't end until the story is over: Izuku is too strong so Shigaraki gets stronger, when means Izuku is too weak so he gets stronger, which means that Shigaraki needs to get stronger again.... they've already far eclipsed everyone else and I'm fully prepared for more upgrades to come as we reach the finale and throw away all logic for bigger, more epic explosions.

It makes so much of his fights seem empty, because you know he'll win. The big fight with everyone not named The Protagonist, all the tricks they brought out to face him, was pointless noise, because every other minute he seemed to take a new form for no reason, faced no challenge, no threat, from all the people attacking him and yet was still unable to do anything. The fact that he's reached a point where Erasure needs to be constantly in effect is just... Madara Syndrome all over again.

'Haha, I've made my villain so cool! He can do all these awesome looking things, and he's invincible, and... wait! Shit. He's invincible! Shit shit... what am I going to do... Oh, I know! I'll have the moon eat him station Erasure constantly in sight of him and yet have him never be willing or able to stop it even though he's basiclly a demigod!'

If you have to nerf your villain every time he appears to have your heroes survive him, you have a problem. Hori gave him all these toys, only to have them taken away so suddenly, before he could even use them, it makes you wonder why he even got them in the first place other than for hype.

Also, while I'm at it... let's talk about one of those toys: Decay. Or rather, 'Original Decay' or whatever. This getting powered up make sense, but the way it happened just feels like retroactive justification of Shigaraki as a villain. Plot wise, I get that it was great symbolism, and helped tie his backstory together, but the fact he was repressing it, and suddenly 'got it back' just sat badly with me. It feels like it'd make a lot more sense, in a 'realistic' sense for it to have just Awakened (which is definitely a thing that should have been talked about more before they started happening everywhere) to explain the sudden power up rather than him just nerfing himself this entire time and only suddenly realizing it. This is me just nitpicking, really, but it irks me.

So yeah, Shigaraki was great potential that become no potential in about two minutes flat, and I dread whatever end he gets at the close of the story, because it will never match up to what it could have been.

#ask #bnha critical #mha critical #mha shigaraki #plot not power ups #Madara Syndrome

[stillness-in-green]

Chapter 355 Thoughts

Herein: Endeavor, Jirou's big moment, and me lamenting the long-lost AFO With Nuance.

On Endeavor

 •   The discrepancy in Enji’s recollections of his sons is, in fact, completely great.  Shouto with the glare but the small sweatdrop of awkwardness, and Touya with the big happy deranged grin.  One of your sons is so happy to see you, Enji!  It’s also notable—as others have talked about at more length than I will—that Endeavor’s thinking directly about Touya for the first time since the reveal.  He’s previously shied away from it somewhat, using kanji/furigana mismatches to conflate "my son" with “a villain,” and being extremely vague every time Shouto tried to pin him down on the matter of going and doing something about Touya, but here his thoughts are aimed directly at both of them, "facing" them even if only in his mind.  A positive sign, I feel.

 •   I think it’s interesting that he lists “this fight” among the things he brought on himself.  The wound, sure; he slipped up and let AFO get that attack in.  But the fight itself?  Hawks and All Might planned those match-ups; the most Endeavor did was go along with it against his own misgivings and guilty conscience.  Should we take this to mean he’s now thinking he should have put his foot down and gone to face Touya instead?

 •   People (both in the fandom and in the chapter itself) seem very confident that Endeavor will be right back up, and they’re probably right?  But I wonder.  Endeavor tries to get back up, but he falls, and then there’s that close-up of all the blood in the grass, spreading ever farther.  It feels ominous. I don’t think Endeavor’s going to die, and frankly after all the hurt he’s taken in previous fights, it would feel a bit odd for one wound in his side to take him down.  The manga has ever been inconsistent when it comes to how much lasting effect any given injury is going to have, but since that inconsistency typically resolves in favor of “whatever’s going to make things more convenient for heroes,” Enji staying down because of this would be a swerve, and a welcome one.  I guess we’ll see.    

On AFO and “Extras”

I kind of hate this.  I’ve complained about it periodically before, and maybe it’s just sour grapes from having read him wrong, but late series AFO really is such a disappointment  This is a man who built an empire out of little people, one power exchange, one favor at a time.  At Kamino, he said he hated All Might for taking out his support network, for standing atop a pile of bodies of AFO’s allies.  He always recognized Tomura’s choices in allies.  His nemesis is One For All, a power built up through the lives of “small” people.  Hell, if you take Vigilantes as canon, it’s only been a few years since Koichi’s big finale, in which AFO explicitly recognizes the power of ordinary people to rise to the occasion in extraordinary circumstances and calls that a specific danger to him in modern times.  So why on earth is he so dismissive of “extras” now?

From a Watsonian perspective, I favor the explanation that he went kind of crazy in Tartarus; it’s also about the only explanation I don’t find exceptionally tiresome, but sadly one that is almost certainly not the intended read.  It’s just so easy, so unchallenging, so plodding.  And frankly, it makes AFO act stupid.  If he can’t imagine that little people could pose a threat to him, it leaves him completely flat-footed when they do, and that’s just the deadliest fuckin’ thing for his believability as a “mastermind”-type villain who can’t shut up about all the different paths and plans he has available to reach his ultimate goals.

He and his vestige have been trending this way for some time now—certainly since Jakku!—but it’s reaching new heights since the beginning of this arc.  It’s like I’m watching Horikoshi flanderize this man in real-time.     

Jirou and Friends (and AFO and Bakugou)

Man, I wish BNHA actually had the ensemble chops to land this moment.  But like, if we were really supposed to buy Jirou getting angry about her friends crying, maybe we could have had a) any more significant relationship between Jirou and Midoriya than him helping her organize her notes that one time and b) any relationship between Jirou and Aoyama at all.  

The most generous read I’ve got is that Midoriya and Aoyama were on Jirou’s mind because she’d been thinking mere seconds prior about how those two have been living with the terror of AFO’s looming threat,(1) but it would have hit so much harder if Jirou had had any significant presence in Deku or Aoyama’s arcs before, or had been shown as the type of character who’s overtly friendly with everyone.  Hell, what would be so wrong with letting her get up in arms for her own sake, wanting to prove she’s no extra, or that AFO is wrong to spit on the efforts of people like her just because he doesn’t think her quirk is duly impressive?

When you put it together with the A Band reunion back in Chapter 327 and the total lack of pay-off on that thread, it’s enough to make a blogger wonder if there was something else originally planned for Jirou and this is a hurried sub-in moment after that idea was scrapped.

You know who feels like he ought to be having this plot?  Mr. “Extras Should Just Get Out of the Way” himself, Bakugou Katsuki.  Honestly, with as over-the-top as AFO is getting with the extras talk, I very much wonder if Bakugou will end up having to fight him after all—maybe if Kurogiri gets sprung and shuffles the fights again?  AFO having nothing but derision for weak quirks and thinking that extras serve no purpose but to make him look cooler in their defeat feels so precisely calibrated to mirror early Bakugou that’s it’s hard to imagine it’s a coincidence.

This is not to say that I don't enjoy AFO getting ganged up on by relative randos! And that, too, is thematic in its way. Jirou (and maybe Tokoyami next chapter?) getting something like this is very cool. But I wish it could come in a context where I was more convinced by BNHA as an ensemble piece. With any luck, this will be a first step of the series finally properly turning away from the mentality the heroes still have, of using big "important" people to fight important fights.     

AFO and Vestiges (What’s New, Pussycat?)

Once again, AFO gets all the good vestige drama.  I ask you, gentle readers, why didn’t we ever get to see Deku have to struggle with vestige interference?  Why can’t Shigaraki get some assists from vestiges who hate AFO more than they have any opinion about this new kid?  When will we get to see Vestige!Ujiko?

This is another case, though, where it’s difficult to credit that this should be such a surprise to AFO.  Has he really never had a (non-New Order) vestige try to fight him before?  Would they not have contributed their efforts when All Might drove him into a corner in their backstory fight?  I largely like the idea of them banding together only when it seems that their efforts could make a crucial difference, but it would carry more weight if we had ever gotten to see their perspective before.

And there’s even an easy prospect for that!  AFO has Search, Ragdoll’s quirk, so why haven’t we ever once seen her in any of these vestige scenes?  Hell, she could even have gotten a line or two explaining why this is only happening now, maybe a flashback to what it's actually like to be a psuedo-sentient quirk ghost trapped inside AFO. She could be the one leading (or maybe coordinating, given the nature of Search) the charge, because that's one of the things heroes do: inspire others to take up the mantle themselves.     

Jirou’s Injury: Is It Sexist?

Here’s my opinion: The talk getting around about Horikoshi being a big gross sexist, possibly one with a fetish for brutalizing women, because of Jirou getting one ear jack blown off is not entirely without merit, but it is pretty oversimplified.(2)  Only two women have been irreversably maimed beyond simple scarring thus far: Mirko losing two limbs, and Jirou losing half her quirk.  Compare Aizawa losing an eye and the lower part of one leg, Mr. Compress an arm, Re-Destro both his legs, and Overhaul both his arms and his access to his quirk, and you’ve actually got twice as many men as women taking those lifelong, irrecoverable injuries!

Also too, that’s only talking about people who were significantly and, thus far, permanently impacted by their wounds.  If you expand the scope somewhat to people who were maimed with less severe impact on their combat effectiveness, you get people like Jeanist and his lost lung, and Hawks and all his lost feathers.  You also have to talk about people like Mirio or Shigaraki, whose maimings were severe but temporary, or Gran Torino, who didn’t lose an obvious limb, but who still doesn’t seem to be back in fighting shape, given that we still haven’t seen him out of a hospital bed.  

Virtually all the characters in these latter categories are men; the only female character I can think of that fits any of those particular bills is Lady Nagant, who at present seems to be in the Gran Torino tier.  Two women compared to four men, or three women compared to nine men: it’s not exactly the clear-cut damnation a lot of people talk like it is!  And Mirko bounced back like a damn jai alai ball, while Jirou still has enough oomph for supermoves, whereas Aizawa’s big contribution at the moment is holding hands with Monoma, and Overhaul can’t access his quirk at all!

That said, the numbers absolutely do get much worse when you start folding in deaths.  I would say that twice as many prominent/significant women have died in this series than similarly placed men—Nighteye and Twice compared to Magne, Curious, Star & Stripe, and Midnight.(3)  It looks even worse when you consider the percentages of women overall in the groups that lose them: three women versus eleven men in the UA staff; one woman and four men in the MLA; two women and six men in the League circa meeting Overhaul.  And so on; in all cases, men drastically outnumber women, but women die at exorbitantly outsized rates.

That ties into a further disparity, which is the gender balance on which characters are allowed to keep contributing to the plot after their injuries, versus which ones die or get booted off-camera.  

For the men, you once again have Twice and Nighteye, and I would add Overhaul as well—his brief return doesn’t see him doing anything remotely significant save giving Deku a quick moral trial.  You could possibly count Gran Torino as well, though he at least got to give Deku some words of advice for the road, and it remains to be seen whether he might make an appearance at e.g. the hospital Spinner’s currently attacking.  That’s four men significantly removed from prominence out of a list that I would probably say constitutes eleven men overall—add on Aizawa, Mr. Compress, Re-Destro, Best Jeanist, Hawks, Mirio and Shigaraki.

For the women, conversely, Jirou and Mirko are the only two who have bounced back, from a list that would in full include Lady Nagant, Curious, Star & Stripe, Magne and Midnight.  Fewer women on the overall list than men, but the men have much better rates of recovery.  There’s no getting around the fact that Aizawa wakes up in a hospital after chopping off his own leg like a badass while Midnight dies on her hands and knees.

Which also brings up the topic of how sexualized women’s injuries are compared to men’s.  Off the cuff, and without going back over all the relevant scenes in detail, I feel like there’s at least some measure of reflexive sexualization of women’s bodies going on there, stuff that is being read in a worse light than Horikoshi intended it.  I would call it a factor with Midnight and Mirko for sure, though, and I might think more with some research.  The only male counter-examples I’d even consider broaching would be Mr. Compress (shirtless, posing, dramatic reveal of his hair and unmasked face; it’s all very intentional and agency-having compared to the women) and Shigaraki, who we really do have to watch get brutalized, shirtless, at profoundly uncomfortable lengths and extremes; he does far more agonized floorbound writhing, for example, than Mirko, though their respective outfits mean you see a lot less of his thighs when he's doing it.

So, yeah.  The trouble isn’t the simple number of women taking bad injuries, nor even the extent of those injuries.  The trouble is how impactful those injuries are on the whole, and what percentage of women are taking them compared to the men.

That said, Jirou’s not out of the fight yet—again, she still had the oomph for that big supermove—and as a 1-A student, I don’t expect her to be bowed out of what remains of the plot entirely, at least not more gallingly than any number of the second string 1-A kids.  Her injury was not sexualized at all, and while it was somewhat graphic—that panel of her severed jack!—I wouldn’t say it was more graphic than, say, Shigaraki getting his fingers pinched off by RD, or pretty much anything going on with the remnants of Dabi’s face.  We’re also very early in this fight still; there’s lots of time for more students to take more injuries, so the full scope of how 1-A’s girls fare in this fight compared to the boys will not be apparent for some time yet.  

That all said, while I would call Jirou’s injury part of a larger pattern, I’m not prepared to jump to “Horikoshi was just sitting at his desk slavering at the chance to brutalize this teenage girl.”  Frankly, I’d far rather see girls out there taking an active role in fights against major threats like AFO and Near High Ends and taking their licks for it, like Mirko and Jirou, than girls sequestered in support roles on the sidelines and never getting anything interesting to do, like poor Momo.  And I will feel even happier about it if some boys—any boys—take some comparable licks too.

Stray Thoughts

 •   “I could tell from the sound of his breathing, which my feathers picked up on.”  Lawd, this is stilted.  Why would Hawks need to tell himself the bit about his feathers?  Surely he himself knows the method by which he detects Endeavor’s breathing?  Some of his lines here I could chalk up to him being a very methodical thinker in combat—as is the case with, “We go forward with that assumption!”—but some of it just feels like a combination of Horikoshi holding the audience’s hand(4) and C.Cook’s translation being awkwardly phrased.

 •   Dark Shadow asking after Jirou: what a cutie.  I like it when he interacts with other people—Tokoyami, of course, but the rest of the class as well.

 •   I’ve really enjoyed the dynamism of this fight.  I’m deeply tired of the BNHA fight scenes all boiling down to Deku punching and/or kicking something really hard, or people like Bakugou, Shouto and Endeavor all having these huge elemental-based attacks that might be distinguishable in color, but just aren’t very interesting in black and white.  Also, like, none of those people can truly fly; they can only propel themselves violently in a certain direction.  So the high maneuverability of a true aerial combat between AFO, Hawks, and Tokoyami-carrying-Jirou, with Hawks in particular zipping around with a pair of swords, and Jirou and AFO’s attacks tending towards more serpentine visuals, has been a welcome corrective.

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1:  Which is a fair cop for Aoyama, but is on thinner ice where Deku is concerned, seeing as he and AFO never had a direct encounter at Kamino, the Jakku encounter was AFO’s vestige rather than the man himself, and the post-Nagant material was spurred on entirely by a prerecorded video.  Deku had never met AFO face to face until literally the beginning of this combat.

2:  And, tumblr being tumblr, wildly over-accusatory.

3:  Counting all named deaths evens the raw numbers somewhat, but I categorically refuse to grant side characters and one-offs like Native, Majestic and Snatch the same prominence as arc-starring characters like Star & Stripe and prominent arc villains like Curious.  Crust comes the closest to making my cut, but he’s just such a one-joke character, completely lacking the slightest hint of interiority, that even though he’s in twice as many chapters as, say, Curious, he doesn’t have half of Curious’s motivation, personality and clear sense of history with her compatriots.

4: 1:  I wonder, sometimes, if Horikoshi was a little traumatized by that whole thing where he had everyone writing in to ask him about Deku using OFA One Million Percent against Muscular and having to explain that that was just Deku thinking 1,000,000% to get himself hyped up, not a literal representation of his power output.  The BNHA fandom is full of pedants, East and West alike, it seems.  (I say this as an unbelievable pedant myself, of course.)

#bnha #bnha 355 #chapter thoughts #todotalk #bnha afo #jirou kyouka #vestige drama