Tomura Shigaraki/Synopsis

History
Tomura was born under the name "Tenko Shimura" to Nao Shimura and Kotaro Shimura, and had a sister named Hana Shimura.

When Tenko was a child, he had a fascination with heroes, but his father did not tolerate his acts and often punished him for them by putting him outside. Tenko did not seem to have a Quirk but he suffered from unknown physical changes to his body. However, his mother and grandparents were always there for him and encouraged him, as did his older sister who showed him a picture of their father and grandmother, who they learned was a hero.

Unfortunately, Tenko's father discovered this and punished his son, while also shaming heroes for protecting others and abandoning their families. Tenko's suffering was watched by his other relatives, who he begged for help but they could only witness it in horror. While outside, Tenko confided in the family dog of how he hated everyone for leaving him to suffer.

As he was clutching his dog, Tenko's Decay Quirk activated, causing the dog to crumble in his hands. Afterward, Hana came outside to apologize to Tenko for not standing up for him but proceeds to run away in fear after seeing their dog dead next to him. When Tenko tries to reach for her, he ends up disintegrating her by accident.

Tenko's grandparents and mother ran outside to see what was happening and Tenko ended up killing them when his Decay Quirk spread. When Tenko's father came outside and saw the chaos, Tenko ran to him for help but his father would grab some garden tools to protect himself. This time, an enraged Tenko charged at his father with full intent to kill him and touched his face; ultimately the spreading decay ended up destroying the entire house.

After the deaths of his family, an orphaned Tenko was left to fend for himself on the streets. People who passed by never offered to help him, because they assumed that a hero would take care of it, leaving him to be ignored. Tenko began to think this was punishment for his actions, as the memories slowly faded into the recesses of his mind. Eventually, a man named All For One saved him, blaming society for the reason he was not saved sooner.

All For One used this incident as a means of stimulating Tenko's newfound hatred for heroes and began grooming him as his adoptive son. Tenko was given his own room by All For One, and Daruma Ujiko "gifted" the young boy with the disembodied hands of his deceased family members. All For One taught Tenko to embrace the urge he felt whenever he felt it and Tenko did just that by killing two thugs and adding their hands to his look. All For One later renamed him Tomura Shigaraki and raised him as part of the League of Villains, to eventually become his successor of the organization.

U.S.J. Arc
Soon after All Might begins teaching at U.A., Tomura uses the media as a cover and destroys the school's barricade. Once inside, Tomura steals All Might itinerary and plans to attack in the coming days. When Class 1-A begins their rescue training at the U.S.J. the League of Villains invade the facility through Kurogiri's Warp Gate.

Tomura is disappointed to notice that All Might isn't at the facility even though the schedule said he'd be teaching the class. Eraser Head attacks the villains to give the students a chance to escape. Tomura commends Eraser Head's skill and says it's annoying when Heroes live up to all their name. Kurogiri confronts Thirteen and Class 1-A and warps them to the separate areas of the U.S.J. where the villains can fight them.

Eraser Head defeats the majority of the villains still in the central plaza. Tomura figures out that his hair gives away when he's using his Erasure Quirk and rushes him while counting the intervals between each erasure. Eraser Head notices Tomura is the final boss and sends his Capturing Weapon at him. Tomura catches the scarf and the Erasure Hero elbows him in the torso.

Tomura blocks Eraser Head's elbow and disintegrates it using his Decay Quirk. He taunts Eraser Head not to overwork himself or else he might just fall apart. Eraser Head forces Tomura back and the other villains attack him. Tomura mentions that Eraser Head's Quirk works better in covert ops rather than against big groups. Nomu suddenly crushes the hero and Tomura says that Bio-Engineered Anti Symbol of Peace is actually the final boss.

Tomura taunts Eraser Head by admitting that his Quirk is powerful but its weak against Nomu's overwhelming might. Kurogiri warps back to Tomura's position and reveals that although Thirteen has been incapacitated, a U.A. student managed to escape the facility to get reinforcements. This greatly irritates Tomura and he starts to scratch his neck. He starts to give up because their plans are dashed if dozens of Pro Heroes show up to stop them. He decides that before the Pros arrive, they should destroy All Might's will by killing his students. Tomura swiftly confronts Izuku, Tsuyu, and Minoru who were watching from afar.

Tomura nearly touches Tsuyu's face and kills her, but Eraser Head erases his Quirk in time. Tomura commends him before Nomu defeats him and Izuku attacks Tomura with a maxed out smash attack. Nomu takes the impact of Izuku's punch and absorbs the shockwave. Tsuyu tries to save Izuku from Nomu's clutches and Tomura attacks her. They all stop in place when All Might suddenly bursts into the facility.

All Might immediately saves Eraser Head and the students in a flash. He also knocks Tomura's mask from his face. Tomura picks it up and laments All Might's speed. Soon after, he realizes that All Might isn't as fast as he used to be and smiles. All Might tries to strike Tomura with a Carolina Smash but Nomu impedes his path and absorbs the attack. All Might engages Nomu in battle and Tomura boasts about Nomu's Shock Absorption ability.

All Might tries to slam Nomu and Kurogiri traps him halfway through a Warp Gate. Before he can cut All Might in half, Izuku rushes to his aid. Kurogiri intercepts him but Katsuki suddenly arrives on the battlefield and hits the Warp Villain with an explosion. Shoto freezes Nomu and Eijiro tries to attack Tomura but he evades.

Tomura admits he's impressed by the students and insults Kurogiri for getting pinned down by Katsuki. He orders Nomu to recover and it does so by breaking off its frozen limbs. Tomura explains that Super Regeneration is another one of Nomu's Quirks and then orders it to retrieve Kurogiri. Nomu attacks Katsuki but All Might absorbs the attack. Tomura claims that his actions are justified because All Might and the students are government sponsored instruments of violence. All Might sees right through Tomura's guise and says that he's only doing it because he enjoys causing destruction. Tomura admits that All Might has him figured out.

Tomura attacks the students but All Might and Nomu clash and the shockwaves keep everyone else away from each other. The Symbol of Peace channels all his power and defeats Nomu with 300 mighty blows. Irate, Tomura scratches his neck and says that All Might cheated. Tomura insults All Might and worries that his power hasn't decreased after all. He starts to panic but Kurogiri encourages him to go on the offensive because Nomu has clearly weakened him. Tomura agrees that they've come to far to run and they rush the weakened hero.

Izuku uses an incredible burst of speed to intercept the villains, surprising Tomura. Tomura warps his hand through Kurogiri's body to try and destroy Izuku's face. His hand gets abruptly shot from afar by Snipe. The Pro Heroes arrive at the U.S.J. with Tenya and attack the League of Villains. Tomura gets shot several times until Kurogiri protects him. Thirteen tries to capture them from a distance, but Kurogiri warps them away in time. Before they disappear, Tomura warns All Might that his days are numbered.

Kurogiri warps them both back to their hideout. Tomura lies on the floor bleeding and injured asking his master how their plan went so sideways. The master replies that the League of Villains weren't as prepared as they needed to be and they underestimated U.A. High. Tomura mentions there was a U.A. student who was fast like All Might and stopped them from killing the Symbol of Peace. The master tells Tomura to calm down and they need to gather villains to their cause. He says that next time Tomura will show the world the horror of his existence.

U.A. Sports Festival Arc
While recuperating from his injuries, Tomura watches the U.A. Sports Festival on a small screen. Izuku wins the Obstacle Race and Tomura notices that he's the same student who tried to save All Might during the villain attack.

During the finals, Izuku faces off with Shoto, another student who tried to save All Might. Tomura's master tells him to watch their duel closely because the two of them could grow into formidable adversaries to the League of Villains. Tomura replies that he's not afraid of a couple of kids and not to make him laugh.

Vs. Hero Killer Arc
The master advises the League of Villains to recruit the infamous Hero Killer: Stain during the height of his popularity. Kurogiri warps him from Hosu City to their hideout. Stain surmises that Tomura and Kurogiri are the ones who attacked U.A. and that they want him to join their party.

The Hero Killer asks about the League of Villains goal and Tomura says right now he just wants to destroy anything that he hates, like All Might and Izuku. He shows Stain a picture of Izuku from the sports festival and Stain is not amused. He regrets having allowed himself to be swayed and says the League of Villains have nothing to offer him. Tomura is surprised when Stain says he's the type of person Stain despises most of all. He draws his blades and Kurogiri asks the master if this was a bad idea. The master replies that its good because it will force Tomura to reflect on himself and stimulate his growth.

Tomura and Stain come to blows over their opposing views. Stain pins Tomura to the ground and cuts his shoulder open with one of his knives. Stain tells him that without conviction Tomura will always be an aimless weakling. Tomura orders Kurogiri to warp Stain away but the Hero Killer has already paralyzed him with his Bloodcurdle Quirk. Stain says petty villains and false heroes are targets for his purge and nearly cuts the handoff Tomura's face. Tomura stops him in time and decays his knife while threatening to kill him if he touches that hand.

Tomura claims he doesn't have anything as dramatic as a conviction or creed. However, Tomura admits that he desires to kill All Might and crush the society that worships him. Tomura attacks and Stain jumps off of him. He stands up and tells the Hero Killer that he was just starting to get over his injuries and that the villains don't have a healer in their party. Stain admits he misjudged Tomura and that he does have a sprout of conviction in him. Tomura demands that Stain leave and the Hero Killer reveals he attacked to expose Tomura's true motivations.

The Hero Killer says he'll allow Tomura's sprout of conviction to grow. Tomura calls him crazy and says he can't join the league but Kurogiri pleads with him otherwise. Stain asks they return him to Hosu City so he can purge the remaining false heroes. Tomura follows him to Hosu and Stain explains that he's going to reform the city. Kurogiri commends his efforts and Stain says he's the kind of guy who would understand. This annoys Tomura and he says he's tired of Stain picking on him.

Stain leaves to continue his purge and Kurogiri explains that Stain's methods are effectively making heroes work harder. Tomura mocks Stain's ideology and states that he can't get along with the Hero Killer so he'll destroy him instead. Tomura requests three Nomu from his master to destroy Stain and Kurogiri warps them to Hosu. Tomura states he'll destroy the "big bad Hero Killer's" pride, prestige, and self-worth.

The Nomu attack Hosu City and wreak random havoc. Tomura and Kurogiri watch from atop a water tower and the former comments that the Nomu make great playthings. Kurogiri asks if he's going to fight and Tomura replies that of course he isn't because he's injured and that's why he brought the Nomu. Tomura claims that by the end of the night the world will have forgotten about the Hero Killer.

Tomura uses binoculars to watch as each of the Nomu are defeated. He's especially angry when Stain kills the winged Nomu and expresses his irritation that nothing is going his way. After the remaining Nomu is arrested, Tomura disintegrates his binoculars out of anger. Kurogiri asks Tomura if the results of the attack on Hosu are to his satisfaction, but Tomura replies that the results depend on tomorrow's headlines. Kurogiri teleports them back to the hideout.

The news of the Hosu Incident and Stain's arrest take over the media. Tomura reads the newspaper and it mainly publishes Stain's feats and how his name will go down in history. Tomura is aggravated that the Hero Killer has managed to completely overshadow the Nomu attack. He throws out the newspaper and realizes that his effort to destroy the Hero Killer's name has completely backfired.

Final Exams Arc
At the League of Villains hideout, Tomura sits at the bar across from Kurogiri starting at his photo of Izuku. Kurogiri asks if Tomura is curious about the boy. Giran interrupts and enters the hideout to greet Tomura. He says the League of Villains are the talk of the criminal underworld since Stain's defeat. Tomura destroys his picture of Izuku and asks who Giran brought with him. Dabi and Himiko Toga enter the room and greet Tomura. Dabi insults him by calling his appearance gross and Himiko emphatically pleads to let her join the League of Villains.

Tomura doesn't even give them a chance and tells Kurogiri to get rid of the duo. He claims he can tell they're the type of people he hates because Himiko is crazy and Dabi is rude. Kurogiri pleads with him to give them a chance because Giran is so respected in the underworld. Giran introduces Himiko as a girl who's a suspect in a string of murders. She asks to join the league and Tomura responds that she's crazy. Dabi doubts the league is dedicated to the Hero Killer's mission and Tomura tells him to grow up and introduce himself properly. Dabi keeps his name hidden and only says that he needs to carry out the Hero Killer's will.

Tomura says he's tired of hearing about Stain and gets angry. He attacks both of the recruits but Kurogiri intervenes. Kurogiri reminds Tomura that the villains must increase their numbers and use Stain's ideology is the perfect way to recruit new villains while they're in the spotlight. Tomura storms out of the room and Kurogiri believes he left to find answers.

Tomura dresses in civilian attire and finds Izuku at the Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall. He approaches Izuku and asks for an autograph. He talks about Izuku's small fortune of fame during the Sports Festival and Hosu Incident. Izuku says the man sure knows a lot and Tomura responds by revealing that they've run into each other time and time again and it can't be a coincidence. Tomura wraps his hand around Izuku's throat and reveals his face with a wicked smile.

Tomura ventured to the mall to clear his mind but he's haunted by the words of the Hero Killer. He believes that people are ignorant for smiling while people somewhere are dying. He tries to understand how Stain gained sympathizers when they're both just trying to destroy things they hate. Wanting to learn the difference between them, Tomura asks Izuku to sit down and talk. He orders Izuku to calm down and if he tries to resist then he'll turn his throat to dust and kill nearby civilians afterward.

Izuku agrees to talk and they sit down. Tomura says that he hates everything but Stain irritates him the most at the moment. The Hero Killer has managed to upstage both the U.S.J and the Hosu Incidents and Tomura can't understand why. He asks what Izuku thinks the difference is between the two villains. Izuku replies that he can understand the Hero Killer because he's inspired by All Might. Stain's not like Tomura because he always held true to his beliefs and didn't destroy things just because like Tomura does.

Overjoyed, Tomura reveals Izuku's words have helped him realize something important. Tomura says their connection with All Might is why he hates Izuku and Stain so much. Tomura believes All Might is the reason people can smile ignorantly even though the world of Quirks is so dangerous. He gets excited and chokes Izuku harder while thanking him for helping him come to this realization. Stain's ideology and convictions have become a stepping stone for Tomura to grow.

Suddenly Ochaco appears and asks what's happening. Izuku yells for Ochaco to stay back and then Tomura lets him go. Tomura gets up and walks away but Izuku asks him what All For One is after. Tomura replies he doesn't know but adds that the next time he meets Izuku, he will likely kill him. As Tomura leaves, he thinks about how he's had a creed and ideals from the beginning but he just didn't know. The only difference is now he knows what he's working toward. He desires a world without All Might where the villains can reveal how fragile justice and peace really is.

Forest Training Camp Arc
With the League of Villains strengthened with a new creed and new recruits, Tomura sends Vanguard Action Squad to attack U.A.'s training camp. He remains behind at the hideout and stacks some playing cards while speaking to Kurogiri about how his master was easily able to figure out where the training camp was being held. Tomura agrees with Kurogiri that it was worth having the new recruits on standby.

Giran enters the hideout and confirms the black market union will have supplies for the new team to support the attack. He claims the union accepted Tomura's unreasonable request because everyone in the underworld has high expectations for the League of Villains. Giran states that the villains hiding in darkness will rise up and profits will rise for brokers like himself. Tomura replies that soon Giran will be so busy he won't be able to keep up. Giran leaves and Tomura states with a wicked smile that all his pieces and prey have been lined up, so its time to begin the games.

After the Vanguard Action Squad Invasion commences, Kurogiri asks Tomura if the team will be okay without him. Tomura compares their attack on the U.S.J. to an RPG where they challenged the final boss at level one. Instead, Tomura should be trying to use all his pieces to break through the higher ranks of his enemies first this. In order to do that, he needs to create fractures in hero society.

Tomura claims it doesn't matter if the Vanguard Action Squad succeeds because just their presence will scare the heroes. Kurogiri asks if they are just sacrificial pawns and Tomura rebuffs his claim. Tomura believes they are all strong comrades he can count on because he and Kurogiri are not the only ones oppressed by society’s rules.

Hideout Raid Arc
After the Vanguard Action Squad return from their completed mission, Katsuki is restrained and strapped to a chair. Tomura talks to Katsuki and asks him to become his comrade, but Katsuki vehemently tells him to drop the small talk and die since he wants to be a hero.

After Katsuki and the League of Villains watch a video clip of U.A.'s public apology, Tomura understands why society is criticizing U.A. for their failure and that is because the current Hero society is not just. Spinner agrees that the current hero society isn’t just since the modern Heroes are only doing their job for compensation and not out of selflessness. Tomura explains that the League of Villains are fighting for a just society and intends to win this battle. Tomura orders Dabi to remove Katsuki’s restrains, although Dabi is unsure since Katsuki might attack; Tomura wants to treat Katsuki as an equal and is aware that Katsuki knows he has no possibility of winning.

Dabi has Twice remove the restrains. As Twice removes the restrains, Mr. Compress apologizes to Katsuki for forcibly kidnapping him and explains that the League of Villains are not just a group of hoodlums perpetuating crimes nor did they casually abduct him; he goes on by saying that everyone in the League of Villains is shackled by the current society and hopes that Katsuki understands their discrimination. Katsuki’s restrains are removed.

As Tomura approaches Katsuki, Katsuki attacks Tomura with his Explosions. Katsuki tells the League of Villains that it is pointless to try and make him change his mind as he has already been won over by the way All Might looks when he wins. Katsuki says that from the beginning he has dreamed of becoming a Hero and surpassing All Might and nothing they say will change that. The smoke from Katsuki’s Explosions clears and Tomura sees that the hand on his face has been blown off as a result of Katsuki’s attack.

Kurogiri attempts to help Tomura, but he is silenced when Tomura fiercely glares, which stops Kurogiri and makes Katsuki tense. After picking up his hand and putting it on his face, Tomura understands that Katsuki will not be convinced to join them with mere words alone and realizes Katsuki’s importance. Tomura also knows that time is of the essence and decides to ask for the “force” of his teacher, All For One, to help him convince Katsuki. All For One, who has been watching Tomura on his computer, commends his apprentice for his wise decision.

Tomura orders Mr. Compress and Kurogiri to use their Quirks on Katsuki again. Suddenly, All Might breaks in with Kamui Wood swinging in and restrains Tomura along with the other League of Villains with his Lacquered Chains Prison. Tomura is annoyed that their hideout was discovered so easily after everything they did to capture Katsuki. Seeing that he has no choice, Tomura orders Kurogiri to bring in all the Noumus. However, Kurogiri is not able to since the Nomus are not at the portals, much to Tomura's surprise. All Might criticizes Tomura for underestimating the Pro Heroes, the Police Force and the unwavering spirit of youth; All Might declares that it is game over for Tomura and his League of Villains.

Tomura refutes All Might’s claim who says that it is the beginning for the League of Villains and they will extinguish the society All Might has created. Tomura orders Kurogiri to create portals so that they can escape. However, Kurogiri has fainted due to Edgeshot using his Quirk to paper thin his body enough to enter Kurogiri's body and knock him out from the inside. Gran Torino asks Tomura the location of All For One. Tomura becomes silent and begins reminiscing his past; he suffered in a terrible incident and no Hero came to save him. However, his teacher All For One was the one who saved him. The flashback of his childhood enrages Tomura, causing Tomura to scream out his hatred for All Might.

Suddenly, mysterious black liquid appears out of thin air with Nomus appearing out of the phenomenon which surprises the League of Villains and the Pro Heroes. The dozens of Nomus cause pandemonium for the Pro Heroes and Police Force. Tomura realizes that what is transpiring is the work of his teacher, All For One.

Tomura along with Kurogiri and the Vanguard Action Squad are teleported by the black liquid to the League of Villains' destroyed warehouse where All For One is. All For One sees that his apprentice, Tomura, has failed again. However, All For One is neither angry nor disappointed with Tomura and encourages Tomura to try again since he still has the Vanguard Action Squad and Katsuki whom he deemed important. All For One implores Tomura to continue trying as many times as he likes since everything is for his sake.

Suddenly, All Might appears and clashes with All For One. All For One creates a huge blast wave that sends All Might flying. All For One orders Tomura to escape along with Katsuki and comments that his black liquid warping Quirk won’t help Tomura and the League of Villains escape. All For One uses a Quirk that forcefully activates Kurogiri’s Warp Gate, which causes a portal to open. All For One orders the League of Villains to escape into Kurogiri’s portal. Suddenly, All Might reappears onto the battlefield, refusing to allow All For One to escape and charges at him. Before heading into battle, All For One tells Tomura that he can still grow stronger. Sensei and All Might clash again. Mr. Compress uses his Quirk on the unconscious Dabi and tells Tomura that they should escape while they can. The League of Villains prepare to take Katsuki while Katsuki prepares for battle.

As Himiko, Twice and Mr. Compress try to take Katsuki who fends them off with Explosions, Izuku along with Eijiro and Tenya appears in the sky. Eijiro yells at Katsuki to grab his hand; Tomura attempts to stop Katsuki, but Katsuki uses his Explosion to launch himself towards Eijiro and grabs his hand.

Tomura, the Vanguard Action Squad and All Might are surprised that Izuku, Eijiro and Tenya were in the area as well. Spinner, Kenji and Mr. Compress hatch a plan to retrieve Katsuki, but it is ruined due to Mount Lady's interference. Spinner and Kenji attempt to repeat the plan using Twice, but Gran Torino blitzes them and knocks them out.

Before Tomura can attack Gran Torino, he along with the Vanguard Action Squad is magnetically pulled into Kurogiri’s Warp Gate. The Vanguard Action Squad are forcefully sucked into Kurogiri's Warp Gate and is teleported away. As he is being sucked into the Warp Gate, Tomura calls out to his teacher concerned for his safety. Before Tomura teleports away, All For One tells Tomura to continue the fight. Tomura and the unconscious Kurogiri are teleported away by the Warp Gate, causing the portal to disperse.

Provisional Hero License Exam Arc
After All For One is arrested and All Might retires, Tomura goes into hiding and orders the League of Villains to disperse so that it makes it easier for them to hide from the Police Force while also ordering them to find new villains to join the League. In his new hideout, Tomura is sitting in the dark while Mr. Compress speaks to Himiko over the phone. Eventually, most of the League of Villains (except Dabi and Spinner), gather together again with Twice bringing a potential new villain to join them, Overhaul.

Shie Hassaikai Arc
Overhaul enters the League of Villains hideout, but is unimpressed with Tomura and his members as well as his unclean hideout. Overhaul explains to the League of Villains that with All For One's downfall, someone will eventually become the next ruler of the underworld. However, Tomura replies that he will become the next underworld ruler after he gathers more members and crush the current hero society. Overhaul asks Tomura if he has a plan, to which Tomura responds that he thought Overhaul wanted to join them.

Overhaul is disappointed that Tomura doesn't have a plan to achieve his objective and laments that he wasted the potential of Stain, Muscular and Moonfish. Overhaul reveals that he wants the League of Villains to join him so that he can teach them the proper way to run an organization and use them to gain financial capital so that he can get one step closer to becoming the next underworld ruler.

As Tomura orders Overhaul to leave, Magne takes offense to his proposal and magnetizes Overhaul, bringing him into her range. Magne hits Overhaul on the head with her weapon, to which Overhaul retaliates by touching Magne. Overhaul's physical contact causes Magne to explode, much to the League of Villains' shock. Overhaul blames the League for throwing the first punch, commenting on his dislike of blood. Mr. Compress charges forward and touches Overhaul but his Compression Quirk does not activate due to previously being shot in the arm with a bullet capable of disarming Quirks. Overhaul is enraged at being touched and explodes Mr. Compress' left arm.

Furious, Tomura dashes to Overhaul and prepares to decay him. There is another shoot agaisnt Tomura, but it miss, and Overhaul quickly calls for one of his men to shield him and Tomura's hand comes into contact with Overhaul's subordinate, causing him to disintegrate. Suddenly, Overhaul's other subordinates appear. Himiko and Twice want to kill Overhaul for murdering Magne but Tomura, seeing that both of their organizations have suffered casualties, refuses their request.

As Overhaul exits, he throws a business card at Tomura's feet and tells him to call him again after he has calmed down and thought about the organization he wishes to build. After the Shie Hassaikai left, Tomura recalls All For One's advice and even considers Overhaul's words to formulate a plan. Next time they meet, Tomura will demand a lot of repayment.

After their initial meeting, Tomura calls Overhaul, interested in expanding the influence of the League of Villains in trade of allowing Overhaul and the Shie Hassaikai to use the reputation of their name. Tomura is still wary of Overhaul, however, and only agrees to allow him to use the League of Villains' reputation if he learns the details of his plan. This request angers Chronostasis and Mimic of the Shie Hassaikai and they begin to threaten Tomura. He meets their threats with an equal anger, expressing that their lives were not equal to that of the deceased Magne's. Once Overhaul orders Chrono and Mimic to calm down, Tomura once again questions him about the bullet that can disable Quirks.

After Overhaul tells Tomura his plan he sets up a game of shogi, questioning if Tomura had ever played it before. Upon Tomura's disapproval of playing while in discussion, Overhaul uses the opportunity to teach him how to "appreciate the game." He uses the board to make a deal with Tomura, intent on having Twice, and Himiko or Kurogiri as temporary transfers. Tomura accuses Overhaul of wanting to chip away the mobility of the League of Villains, declaring that those Overhaul wants are vital to the League of Villains. Overhaul responds, stating that they must begin to build trust, and that the League of Villains and the Shie Hassaikai still have bad blood. Tomura gives in to Overhaul's request, trading Himiko and Twice to the Shie Hassaikai as temporary transfers.

Upon telling the League of Villains, Twice is in disbelief at the thought of teaming up with the Shie Hassaikai. Tomura, growing tired at repeating himself, states that Overhaul's plan is promising and that Himiko and Twice are now yakuza. When Tomura begins to explain Himiko and Twice's next movements, the latter loudly questions if Tomura has lost his mind. Twice rants that Overhaul and the Shie Hassaikai murdered Magne and took off Mr. Compress' arm. He states that his own carelessness led the Shie Hassaikai to the League of Villains. In a fit of tears, Twice takes off his mask and tells Tomura that he and Himiko are humans as well. Twice questions just what the members of the League of Villains are to Tomura.

Himiko then explains her motivation about joining the league and that, inspired by Stain, she wishes to make the world easier to live in in her own way, and that if there's any way to do that she would try. Himiko then hovers a knife over Tomura's left shoulder, asking why she and Twice have to "do such a painful, unpleasant thing." Tomura, taking off the hand that covers his face, tells a shocked Himiko and Twice that it is for the sake of he and the both of them. He continues, stating that the Shie Hassaikai wish to hamper the mobility of the League, win the both of them over, and that they don't view the League of Villains as their equals. Tomura then reminds Twice that he told him to take responsibility for his actions, and that this is the way to do it, stating that he believes in them.

After Overhaul's defeat at the hands of the Heroes, Tomura, Dabi, Mr. Compress and Spinner, with the help of Himiko, are able to locate the police transporting the apprehended Overhaul. A policeman soon recognize Tomura aboard the truck, with Dabi and Mr. Compress standing beneath him in the cargo hold. Spinner, who is driving the truck, questions what attacking the police has to do with creating a "True Hero Society." Tomura responds, telling him that it's a necessary sacrifice. Dabi then uses his Quirk to generate a vortex of black flames, aiming it at the police car. But, to Dabi's surprise, the car is covered by sand by the Sand Hero: Snatch. Telling Spinner to decelerate their vehicle, Tomura jumps, attacking the hero. Held by a cloud of sand, Tomura recognizes Snatch's Quirk as his natural opposite.

Mr. Compress releases a large rock under the police car, launching it into the air and helping Tomura escape from the Sand Hero's grasp and directly onto the patrol car. Using his Quirk, Tomura makes the vehicle crashes, as the other police cars colliding too due Mr. Compress rock. Snatch uses his Quirk to secure the safety of the police officers, but then he is attacked by Dabi, who throws flames at him. As the flames engulf the hero, Mr. Compress compresses the top half of Snatch, with Dabi stating that he believes the hero will die.

Tomura, taking Overhaul out of the police car, mocks him on his failure nad stating that he hates him because his arrogance. Overhaul expects Tomura has come to kill him, but what Tomura plans is much more sadistic. He lets Mr. Compress pay Overhaul back for the loss of his arm by removing his left arm with his Quirk, and then Tomura decays away the other arm and severs it before his power kills him. With both of his arms tore off, now he is incapable of activating his Quirk Tomura then steals Kai's Quirk-Destroying Drug and proceeds to taunt him and laugh in his face with the knowledge that the League of Villains will be the next overlords, not him, and instead of dying he gets to live — powerless and looking on with envy — while it happens.

Meta Liberation Army Arc
Less than a month before the Hero Billboard Chart JP, the League of Villains is in a sorry state. They're barely scraping by with no funds and have resorted to stealing from other criminal groups. Tomura leads Spinner, Twice, Compress & Himiko to the house of the Creature Rejection Clan where they interrupt a religious meeting.

The villains rudely start searching through the church for items of value. The clansmen demand the villains leave and rush at them. Tomura grabs one of the men by his head and tells him they'll leave once they're done. As the man disintegrates and the villains slaughter the other men, Tomura states that the clan shouldn't have intervene if they don't want guests overstaying their welcome.

The group hardly finds anything to sell and they return to a run-down building, where they hide out. Irritated, Spinner questions Tomura how long the League will live in filth. Tomura simply replies until their job is done and Compress adds that they'd likely live much more lavishly had they cooperated with the Hassaikai. Dabi rejoins the group and Tomura recalls that it's been about a month since Kurogiri was captured by the Police.

Kurogiri went to retrieve a secret weapon that All For One left behind, but he was captured by heroes and the League never received this power. The League also hasn't had contact with All For One's personal Doctor since All For One was defeated. Once again, Spinner asks Tomura where the League is going. He explains that he was inspired by Stain to live with new purpose, but the League of Villains aren't going anywhere. Before Tomura can give a clear answer, great rumbling shakes the hideout.

Tomura and the others go outside where a giant breaks through the ground while asking for All For One's successor. Tomura recognizes this is the power Kurogiri had alluded to. The giant claims he devotes himself to All For One and demands that Tomura prove he is worthy. The League of Villains is easily overpowered and the titan begins to wail and cry, upset at how weak Tomura has proven to be. A familiar voice echoes from the radio and Tomura realizes it's All For One's doctor.

The Doctor asks how Tomura and his allies have been and the latter sarcastically replies that they're fine. The giant crushes the hideout and cries out that he cannot accept his master's successor. Tomura asks why and the Doctor introduces the assailant as Gigantomachia, one of All For One's former bodyguard. All For One put Gigantomachia into hiding shortly after picking up Tomura, all so his dreams could live on.

A recording of All For One's voice plays from Gigantomachia's radio, soothing the giant into docility. Tomura claims he doesn't want this gift and the Doctor tells him to grow up. He transports all of the League into his secret laboratory, housing about a dozen High-End Nomu. Tomura says he's been seeking out the Doctor to reproduce the Quirk-Killer Bullets.

The Doctor introduces himself as Daruma Ujiko and reveals to Tomura that he brought the villains to his lair out of respect for All For One. However, this does not mean Doctor Ujiko will aid the League of Villains. He believes Tomura has accomplished nothing and must prove he's worthy. He asks Tomura what he and his band of young villains plan on showing him.

Tomura can't remember much before meeting All For One, yet every time he equips "his family", Tomura's rage boils out of control. He recalls meeting All For One and the Doctor revealing the remains of his family that he unintentionally murdered using a rare Quirk never before seen. Young Tomura's emotions ran out of control but his new master promised to teach him how to direct those negative feelings.

The fragments of his past are buried inside a hole in Tomura's heart that acts as an endless source of rage. Tomura believes that no matter what, he will always have this weight on his heart and that's why he hates everything. So in Tomura's eyes, why not destroy everything? Tomura promises to show the doctor the beautiful horizon lying beyond the destruction of everything.

Entertained, Doctor Ujiko agrees to help make Tomura's childish dreams come true. Himiko asks if he plans on destroying what she loves but Tomura says his allies are exceptions. The Doctor claims Tomura passed his test with flying colors and is impressed by how much he's grown. He plans on helping the League using the High-End Nomu and other research he's been preparing for Tomura.

The Doctor still believes the League is weak and they need to prove themselves. They will not receive his full support until Tomura gets Gigantomachia to submit. Tomura states the Doctor has provided them with a long enough tutorial. Dabi refuses to help, as he's on verge of recruiting new allies. Tomura approves and says he's excited to see who Dabi brings back. The Doctor recruits Dabi to help test one of the High-Ends and Tomura asks to be warped back to the giant.

Using Johnny, the Doctor warps everyone except Dabi back to Gigantomachia. Tomura claims the true king has returned and challenges Gigantomachia with his newfound confidence, while the giant gladly accepts his challenge. For the next month and a half into mid-December, Tomura fights Gigantomachia for 48 hours and 44 minutes straight before the giant rests for three hours. Tomura has hardly slept himself but as his life dances in the hands of a giant, all he can do is smile.

The giant has yet to accept Tomura, but after their most recent fight, Tomura truly believes Machia is slowing down and he will reign him in soon. Twice receives a sudden call from Giran, but it turns out to be someone else entirely. The mysterious voice tells the League to check the news, where they find out that Giran's fingers and personal items have been left in five different places where the League has appeared.

The man over the phone introduces himself as Re-Destro, Grand Commander of the Meta Liberation Army. Tomura says he's tired of old school groups like the liberation army and the yakuza popping out of the underworld. Re-Destro explains that they have Giran alive and that the army desires to destroy the status quo and allow people to use their Quirks freely. Tomura tells Re-Destro and his merry band of revolutionaries to liberate Giran and call back later after he's done dealing with Machia.

Re-Destro commends Giran's resistance and makes Tomura regret his comment. The Grand Commander boasts his army has 116,516 warriors ready to be called to action. He also claims to have a satellite camera locked on the villains and threatens to call the top heroes on them. Tomura sarcastically thanks him for the warning and asks what the Detnerat CEO is really after. Re-Destro explains that only Destro can be credited with the revolution that changes society, therefore the League of Villains must be eliminated to signal the rebirth of the Liberation Army.

As a declaration of war, Tomura is given the choice to bring the League to Deika City to face the Meta Liberation Army or do nothing and be captured by the heroes. If the League of Villains wishes to see Giran free, they must go to Aichi Prefecture in the next hour. Compress questions the League's next move and Twice emphatically demands they save Giran.

Tomura removes an erratic Twice's mask to shut him up and tells everyone he has a plan. He contacts the Doctor via a small com device in his ear. The Doctor has been listening to "villain radio". Compress suggests they use a High-End to attack but the Doctor refuses. Tomura reveals he wasn't about to rely on the Nomu and follows up with two questions: Where's Dabi and how long will it take for Gigantomachia to awaken.

They still have over two hours until Machia wakes up and Dabi is in a convenient location. Satisfied with the conditions, Tomura asks the Doctor to warp them all to Aichi. Spinner is concerned that they're charging into a trap but Tomura plans on using the liberation army's numbers to wear down Gigantomachia's insane stamina. Tomura returns Jin's mask and says the liberation army will never know what hit them.

The League of Villains arrive in Aichi and are guided into Deika City by Pro Hero Slidin' Go. As they walk through the abandoned town, Tomura realizes that the entire area has been turned against them. They meet face to face with Koku Hanabata and Chitose Kizuki, two top executives of the army. Koko signals the Meta Liberation Army's Revival Celebration to begin and dozens of warriors attack.

Tomura views Koku as a miniboss despite being a well-known politician. The leader of the Hearts and Mind Party reveals Giran is in the tower with the Grand Commander. Two citizens rush Tomura with their Quirks, but he turns them to dust in an instant and leads his squad toward the tower.

As the battle continues, Tomura begins to feel the exhaustion from his month-long campaign against Gigantomachia setting in. Stumbling through an alleyway as his surroundings blur, he suddenly has a flashback to his childhood when his sister found a photo of his grandmother Nana. When he asked her why she showed the photo to him, Hana cheerfully replied that despite what their father said, she was still on his side.

Tomura muses that despite having no memory of this, the emotions of the event still remain, and he laments that the flashbacks only show him fragments of his past instead of his whole history. Just as a swarm of liberation warriors charges at him, Tomura flips himself onto a wall and grabs one soldier by the face, causing a chain reaction that disintegrates all of the soldiers simultaneously.

Tomura and Spinner press on the attack and spot the tower in the distance but are unable to get through the waves of enemies. Tomura is saved from an enemy attack by Twice who he is surprised to see create copies of himself to help. Desiring an advantage, Tomura tells Twice to clear a path to the tower and announces his plan to let Gigantomachia handle the grunts. Twice agrees and tells Tomura to rest up for his showdown with Re-Destro.

With Twice's clones causing a distraction, Tomura is able to reach the tower and destroys it with a single touch. Seeing that someone survived the drop, Tomura realizes he was the leader and finally comes face to face with Re-Destro who he recognizes from the Detnerat commercial.

Tomura taunts Re-Destro on his army's dwindling numbers and asks him where his bravado when he called the league went. However, his foe activates his Quirk and increases his size while Tomura stands unfazed and charges him while his Quirk destroys his surroundings with his footsteps. Unfortunately, Re-Destro seizes Tomura's hand and starts to snap it, severing two fingers, for its part in killing many of his subordinates.

While being held by his foe, Tomura is taunted but when Re-Destro unknowingly starts destroying the hands on Tomura's suit. This triggers Tomura's instincts, allowing him to be able to decay part of his hand by using only two fingers. This phenomenon surprises and causes him to throw Tomura away immediately, Tomura was taken back by his new strength and how his feelings were stirred by one instant and starts to remember his more of his childhood. Tomura soon dashes towards Re-Destro, who is surprised at how he is far more nimble and quick then he was back at Kamino Ward and as such far more dangerous. Resolving to end the situation, Re-Destro decides he's done playing around and proceeds to bulk up his body at 80% Liberation, causing his body to contort and bulge until he becomes demonic like in nature. He then releases his Super Move Stress Output Burden that tears through several city blocks in an attempt to kill Tomura. The resulting attack sends Tomura flying.

However, Tomura managed to survive, as he touched and destroyed the attack. Tomura takes the preserved hand of his father out of his pocket, and tells Re-Destro that he is right about him, that he truly exists only to destroy. The commander of the Meta Liberation Army replies that he must die then, because it is impossible for there to be a future without creation, and bulks up even more all so he can destroy him. Tomura only asks him who needs a future, since he will bring it crashing down. This only serves to infuriate Re-Destro who prepares to attack, while Tomura begins to remember when he was Tenko Shimura.

After remembering his time alone and being found by All For One, Tomura finds resolve that those helped him become who he really is. Tomura then breaks away from his past trauma by crushing his father's hand.

With memories of his past returning, Tomura decides to break free of the shackles of his trauma and deems the hands unnecessary. As Re-Destro attempts to finish him with 100% of his "Stress" Meta Ability activated however, Tomura retaliates and disintegrates Re-Destro's energy tendrils with ease. This nearly destroys all of Deika City, crumbling most of the surrounding buildings entirely. Tomura mocks his foe by telling him that he understands the latter's motive for destroying whatever bugs him for fun. Re-Destro begins to panic as Tomura moves towards him with intention. After rebuffing Tomura's claim, Re-Destro proceeds to summon his support item to amplify his Stress. Now armored, Re-Destro prepares to use 150% of his power, in which Tomura doesn't seem fazed at all.

Tomura gleefully unleashes his full power with nothing holding him back anymore. His attack causes Re-Destro to struggle, as his Claustro armor begins to break apart with no effort. Re-Destro soon deduces that Tomura must have a limited range for him to counterattack. He then attempts to end the battle by launching missiles at Tomura but fails to notice the effects of Tomura's quirk has gone beyond its limits. Tomura laughs triumphantly with a desire to destroy anything that stands in his path.

The overall attack causes Deika City to finally meet its end while Re-Destro is forced to evacuate decaying armor but plummets straight to the ground with nothing supporting him. However, Re-Destro barely survives but is forced to cut his legs off with a piece of his armor to prevent Decay's effect from spreading on his body. A wounded Tomura approaches Re-Destro and tauntingly tells Re-Destro that he recalls the reason this battle happened was due to the latter challenging him to a fight. Trumpet, Spinner, and the remaining MLA soldiers arrive on the scene. Trumpet commands his soldiers to attack Tomura but Tomura intimidates them by giving an icy cold smile. Tomura watches Re-Destro hold off his subordinates, to avoid bringing about more meaningless casualties.

Re-Destro admits that his people weren't following his will but rather Destro's command. He then realizes that Tomura's leadership skills are better suited to lead his MLA army. With that being said, Re-Destro surrenders and lends the MLA's strength to the League of Villains. Everyone remaining on the battlefield watches with astonishment, as a spectating Gigantomachia finally acknowledges Tomura. Satisfied with Re-Destro's decision, a victorious Tomura asks him if has enough money to get the League some lunch.

In the aftermath of the battle, one of the hands is revealed to have survived the destruction and Tomura took that hand to wear as his trademark mask. Later on, Re-Destro holds a ceremony to the members of the Meta-Liberation army where he formally bestowed control of the army to Tomura, as the grand commander. Tomura only remarks on that his new coat is itchy while Re-Destro announces that Tomura will be aided by nine lieutenants, consisting of members of the League and Liberation Army.

The alliance becomes known as the Paranormal Liberation Front. Tomura then speaks up that names are decoration, as what only mattered was the change they bring. After the speech, he dismisses a submissive Re-Destro and collapses to his knees from his injuries. Tomura then talks with Daruma Ujiko, noting he exceeded his expectations with his victory and the latter agrees to aid him. Afterwards, Ujiko comments that Tomura will have to endure four months of intense pain to gain power even greater than One For All.