Why All for One Ignored Overhaul’s Powerful Quirk in My Hero Academia

Summary

All for One probably avoided the Overhaul Quirk due to his narrow focus on his ultimate plan.
He likely refrained from capturing Overhaul’s Quirk to minimize risks and maintain secrecy.
All for One dislikes Quirks with learning curves, which may have prevented him from stealing Overhaul’s Quirk.

In the anime titled “My Hero Academia“, it’s depicted that All for One has a strong desire for powerful abilities, or Quirks, and will go to great lengths to acquire and distribute them throughout his life. Interestingly, the Overhaul Quirk, which belonged to the antagonist by the same name, was one that he never attempted to obtain.

In the anime “My Hero Academia,” the power known as Overhaul appears exceptionally potent, enabling its wielder to take apart and put together virtually anything they desire. It’s puzzling that All for One, who appears fixated on accumulating the strongest Quirks for his own purposes, never attempted to seize Overhaul for his plans. Can you explain why All for One refrained from capturing this Quirk, considering its immense potential in restoring his deteriorating body?

All For One’s Focus Was Narrow

He Was All-in On His Shigaraki Plan

In many parts of the anime series “My Hero Academia“, All for One remained concealed while meticulously gathering components for his scheme to retaliate against All Might and reclaim his previous influence over Japan. It’s plausible that All for One was aware of Overhaul and his abilities, but he didn’t see a need for the Quirk in his intricately designed strategies.

He had previously chosen a Quirk for Tomura Shigaraki, and All for One tends to grow impatient when his schemes deviate from their intended course. Even if Overhaul’s Quirk could potentially aid his plan, he might be less inclined to try to acquire it because it would involve a departure from how he envisioned the events unfolding. All for One may have believed that introducing too many uncertainties could have been detrimental, opting instead to concentrate on refining Tomura’s strategy, a commitment he had nurtured over several years before the series began.

All For One Is Extremely Careful

It’s Possible Going After Overhaul Wasn’t Worth the Risk

Beyond just working on his Shigaraki scheme, All for One took great precautions following his earlier defeat at the hands of All Might. The leading hero assumed he had perished, and All for One wished to maintain that illusion for as long as possible. If All for One acted too recklessly in the shadows, it could reveal his intentions prematurely.

The potential danger might have outweighed the benefits for All For One, as attempting to seize Overhaul’s Quirk could have endangered his entire existence, possibly causing instant destruction with just one touch. Given such high stakes and the uncertainty surrounding the outcome, it may have seemed too risky a gamble, even if the Quirk could have potentially restored him faster or more effectively.

All For One Hates Quirks With Learning Curves

The Villain’s Pettiness May Have Prevented Him From Stealing It

As an ancient character and one of the earliest users of Quirks, All for One carries himself with a sense of superiority, viewing himself as residing on a higher plane that allows him to critique other Quirks. This lofty perspective instills within him an unwavering air of arrogance, leading him to frequently comment on the Quirks his adversaries employ against him, as if he were already in possession of every known Quirk in existence.

The unforeseeable nature of Mirio’s Quirk, it doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t tolerate surprises in a fight.” – All For One expressing his discomfort regarding Mirio’s Quirk while inhabiting Shigaraki’s body in Episode 126.

A recurring pattern in All for One’s rulings is his distaste for Quirks that demand specific skills or rigorous training to utilize effectively, as well as those with potential side effects that could compromise the collection of other Quirks he values.

In simpler terms, “I understand now. What makes you powerful isn’t just brute force, but the result of practice and practical experience. I don’t require your special ability; it wouldn’t complement Tomura’s personality.” (All for One after effortlessly defeating Best Jeanist in Episode 48.)

One possible interpretation is that All for One might have chosen not to attempt capturing Overhaul’s Quirk because he found its level of complexity unwelcoming. He already possessed a destructive Quirk tailored for Tomura, and while a reconstructive effect could have been beneficial for healing his injuries, he may have decided against exerting the effort required to master it effectively.

My Hero Academia can be streamed on Crunchyroll and Hulu.

2025-05-25 20:36