Dark Shadow

Dark Shadow
Quirk Information
Japanese Name	黒影 (ダークシャドウ)
Rōmaji Name	Dāku Shadō
Quirk Description
User	Fumikage Tokoyami
Quirk Type	Emitter
Quirk Range	Long-range
First Appearance
Manga Debut	Chapter 4
Anime Debut	Episode 4

Dark Shadow (黒影 (ダークシャドウ) , Dāku Shadō^?) is the Quirk used by Fumikage Tokoyami.

Description

Dark Shadow grants the user a shadowy, monster-like being from within his body that they can materialize and de-materialize at will.

Dark Shadow effectively acts like Fumikage's personal guardian, functioning as a living appendage that follows all of its master's commands. It is sentient, capable of speech, and loyally protects its host, regardless of the state it finds itself in.

Dark Shadow is always connected to Fumikage's body through an "umbilical cord" (as described by Shihai Kuroiro), even when it moves far away from him. However, Fumikage does not appear to share the same physical sensations as Dark Shadow, such as pain and weakness, or vice-versa, meaning that incapacitating just one of them will not prevent the other from acting out. It is somehow able to communicate with Fumikage telepathically, as well.

Dark Shadow appears to possess the ability to change shape to some extent, as it can apparently extend the length of its arms and neck if so desired. It's said to be made of "dark energy", despite being a solid entity that can interact with the material world, but said energy has a limit, and Dark Shadow will retract into Fumikage's body when said limit runs out. Certain actions can make this energy drain out faster, like making Dark Shadow take too many opposing hits or having it distance itself too much from Fumikage's body. To recharge Dark Shadow, Fumikage needs to keep it hidden from any source of light.

Weaknesses

"Weak, but docile in the light... powerful but unruly in the dark".

Dark Shadow's personality and offensive power depend on the surrounding brightness levels. Under strong light, Dark Shadow is small in comparison to when it is engrossed by darkness. Dark Shadow is docile when exposed to light, making it easy for Fumikage to control. However, it is also weaker and therefore less dangerous for the opponent in a fight.

Dark Shadow's personality under the influence of darkness is the opposite of when it's exposed to light, becoming far more powerful and vicious while attacking anything that moves or makes sound indiscriminately. The drawback is that Dark Shadow is also more unruly and rebellious, being more difficult for Fumikage to be able to control it efficiently.

According to Mezo Shoji, Fumikage's negative emotions (such as regret and indignation) can intensify this version of Dark Shadow, giving it enough power to defy Fumikage's commands and gradually take over his body with its expanding darkness. Once this happens, Dark Shadow is able to force Fumikage to move around against his will, leaving Fumikage with no control over his body.

Usage

Fumikage extending Dark Shadow to attack Mina Ashido.

Fumikage primarily fights from a distance, ordering Dark Shadow to move towards the opponent and fight on his behalf. Whenever he needs to defend himself, Fumikage lets Dark Shadow handle the opposing impacts for him. Dark Shadow also helps Fumikage with mobility, giving him or his allies support for climbing structures if necessary. Dark Shadow mostly attacks by stretching or growing both of its arms, using them to grab or slam the adversary while Fumikage stays out of danger. This grants Fumikage a huge advantage in one-on-one battles, to the point of being viewed as almost invincible.

Dark Shadow's berserk-fueled power.

Despite his weakness towards the light, Dark Shadow maintains extraordinary defensive skills, as it can still block light-creating Quirks, such as Explosion or Electrification, with some efficiency. Under little to no light, Dark Shadow becomes a large and ferocious beast with incredible offensive abilities. One of Dark Shadow's claw attacks can rip through dozens of trees with ease in this state. Moonfish, a veteran villain, ended up completely overwhelmed and defeated by Dark Shadow's powered-up form, having his own defenses obliterated in a single strike.

After his Hero Work-Studies with Hawks, Fumikage figured out a way to utilize Dark Shadow to simulate flight. As Dark Shadow is always floating and capable of holding its host, Fumikage becomes able to move through mid-air by letting his Quirk wrap around his body with its arms and carry him around.

Ultimate Moves

Black Abyss (深淵 (ブラック) 闇 (アン) 躯 (ク) , Burakku Anku?): Fumikage's special move (previously known as Abyssal Black Body (深淵闇躯, Shin'en Anku?)), he dons and equips Dark Shadow onto himself, wearing it like a suit of armor or an exoskeleton. According to Fumikage, equipping Dark Shadow onto himself mitigates his physical weaknesses.

Piercing Twilight Claws (宵 (よい) 闇 (やみ) よりし穿 (うが) つ爪 (つめ) , Yoiyami Yorishi Ugatsu Tsume?): Fumikage swiftly extends Dark Shadow's claw from his arm to attack from a distance.
Covert Black-Ops Arms (黒 (くろ) き腕 (かいな) の暗 (あん) 々 (あん) 裏 (り) , Kuroki Kaina no An'anri?): Fumikage enlarges both of Dark Shadow's arms and crushes his targets.
Sabbath (夜宴 (サバト) , Sabato?): While traveling through the air at great speed, Fumikage equips Black Abyss and uses two shadow claws to strike down his targets in a flash.
Light of Baldur (光明 (バルドル) , Barudoru?): Fumikage uses his Total Release and Black Abyss to unleash a powerful punch against an opponent. This attack is also empowered by Inasa Yoarashi's Whirlwind.

	Black Fallen Angel (黒 (くろ) の堕 (だ) 天 (てん) 使 (し) , Kuro no Datenshi?): It is a technique that Fumikage devised under the tutelage of the Pro Hero, Hawks. Fumikage wraps himself up in Dark Shadow's arms and allows himself to be carried by it, while Dark Shadow flies by flapping its arms like wings.
	Ragnarök (終焉 (ラグナロク) , Ragunaroku?): Fumikage willingly unleashes Dark Shadow in its berserker form. Dark Shadow grows to massive size in this state, but Fumikage appears to be able to control it. In one shot, Dark Shadow lunges forward and uses its incredible destructive power to blaze its way through any obstacle in his path.

Womb (胎 (たい) , Tai?): Fumikage summons an enlarged Dark Shadow towards an opponent, who then wraps around and swaddles itself around the target, preventing them from escaping.
Fleeting Blow (儚 (ぼう) , Bō?): Using Black Abyss to cover his body with his Dark Shadow, Fumikage channels the power of Ragnarök in his fist and hits his opponent with a massive claw attack.

Total Release (全 (ぜん) 解 (かい) 放 (ほう) , Zenkaihō?): Fumikage charges Dark Shadow using several sources of darkness, then unleashes its full power against his opponents.

Trivia

• Like several other Quirks, Dark Shadow has its own signature sound effect: "CREEP".
• The relationship between Dark Shadow and Fumikage could be in reference to the Marvel character Venom and his commonly associated host, Eddie Brock. Both share bodies with another being, both Venom and Dark Shadow are sentient beings, both care for their host/Quirk user, and both can become uncontrollable. The only difference between the two being Venom can separate from its host's body and find a new one if it so wishes.
• Dark Shadow may be inspired by Enenra, a yōkai with a body composed of smoke and shadows.
• Dark Shadow is the first Quirk shown to take the form of a sentient being, the second being Soul.