You Won’t Believe the Dark Truth Behind All Might’s Twisted Doppelganger, Knuckleduster

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Summary

  • All Might and Knuckleduster have similarities as mentors but differ in background and approach to justice.
  • All Might is a well-known symbol of peace, while Knuckleduster is a violent vigilante with a strong sense of justice.
  • Both characters lost their quirks to All For One and continue fighting crime with different methods, reflecting a common purpose.

It’s evident in the spin-off series ‘My Hero Academia: Vigilantes’ that All Might, the previous Number 1 Pro Hero, and Knuckleduster share some striking similarities. Both characters take on the role of mentors to their young protégés, offering tailored guidance and wisdom based on their individual strengths.

I’ve noticed that both of them possess unique backstories and ambitions that set them apart. Yet, it’s undeniable that they are individual champions in their respective spheres. But the question remains: How deep do these similarities run between All Might and Knuckleduster? What does ‘justice’ signify to each of them?

The following contains spoilers for the My Hero Academia: Vigilantes manga.

The Differences Between Knuckleduster and All Might

The Two Former Heroes Are Like Night and Day

My Hero Academia Entrance Exam Arc
Vigilantes Vigilantes Beginnings Ac

In the world of My Hero Academia, All Might is a renowned and greatly admired Pro Hero who’s served for many years. He’s become the embodiment of peace in Japan, and while he was in America, he started his heroic journey. Throughout his career, every action of All Might has been captured on camera, closely watched, and critically analyzed. This constant public eye means that he must always be mindful of his actions to ensure the people’s faith in the Symbol of Peace remains unwavering.

A Symbol of Peace who saves people with a smile… must never be daunted by evil.

In contrast, Knuckleduster, also recognized as Oguro Iwao, was famously called “High-Speed Hero: O’clock”. Although his fame didn’t match All Might’s, he was quite popular in China, earning the nickname “Ciupan Sekikyun: Hyper Quadfist”. Despite their varying levels of renown, they were both respected figures. However, this respect dwindled when O’clock mysteriously disappeared from the hero circuit due to All For One’s interference.

One significant distinction between All Might and Knuckleduster lies in their demeanor. All Might, being a Pro Hero, must maintain an image, but sometimes heroes may exhibit behavior that seems unjust, such as Endeavor’s stern personality. In contrast, Knuckleduster, having transitioned to a Vigilante, embraces the liberty of vigilantism. Their personalities might be considered polar opposites. While All Might aims to wrap up battles with villains promptly, Knuckleduster enjoys roughing up villains and using force excessively, which can lead to a hero being suspended, as demonstrated in Episode 2 of the anime.

It’s evident that Knuckleduster is a far more aggressive character compared to All Might. Yet, despite his violent nature, Knuckleduster maintains a deep commitment to justice and persists with vigilante work even after losing his ability. In contrast, All Might is known for flashing a smile when he rescues others, which instills hope and trust, making those being saved believe that their savior is the strongest. Though both display smiles during combat, Knuckleduster’s grin differs from All Might’s iconic smile.

One key distinction lies in the responses of Knuckleduster and All Might following significant setbacks. While Knuckleduster succumbed to despair after losing his Quirk to All For One, leading to a downward spiral of alcoholism and family disintegration, All Might chose a solitary life, opting out of marriage or having children. This was due to his awareness of the potential danger All For One could pose to any family members, as evidenced by Shimura Nana’s sacrifice of her son and the transformation of Shigaraki Tomura from a protegee into the Symbol of Fear. Despite suffering personal losses, such as witnessing Shimura Nana’s death and accepting his own demise as predicted by Sir Nighteye, All Might remained resilient and did not give up.

  • Knuckleduster’s wife was previously hospitalized for an unknown condition; however passed away.
  • During this time, Knuckleduster had an argument with his daughter, leading her to run away and become entangled with the Villain Factory.

A notable contrast between them lies in their behavior in public settings. All Might tends to avoid public attention, possibly due to an injury sustained during his fight against All For One. However, he has always maintained a composed demeanor and often assumes a heroic persona, particularly when around the younger generation. In stark contrast, Knuckleduster is not known for upholding law and order; he resorts to violence swiftly and was even seen smoking in the presence of Koichi and Pop Step.

Similarities Between All Might and Knuckleduster

As the break of dawn approached, better known as High Speed Hero o’clock, I, Oguro Iwao, transformed into the formidable Vigilantes Knuckleduster. My lean physique was a reflection of my relentless pursuit of speed. Yet, destiny had a different plan for me when I lost my Quirk, Overclock, to All For One. In its place, a newfound muscularity emerged, symbolizing my unyielding resolve to subdue my adversaries.

This transformation not only altered my appearance but also established me as a mentor figure to Koichi, echoing the likeness of All Might. Yet, the methods we employ in guiding others couldn’t be more distinct. I am Knuckleduster, the Vigilante with an unconventional approach to justice and mentoring.

It’s worth noting that in the twilight of their years, they found themselves mentoring a protege and apprentice, shaping the future heroes. For All Might, the courage displayed by Midoriya Izuku ignited his resolve, leading to his suggestion of passing on his Quirk to Deku, without much hesitation or second thoughts from either party. In contrast, Koichi and Knuckleduster had a different dynamic. As portrayed in “My Hero Academia: Vigilantes,” Haimawari Koichi, a 19-year-old man, had abandoned his dreams of heroism due to his perceived weak Quirk. When offered apprenticeship by Knuckleduster, he refused, citing that he wasn’t cut out for professional work. Although Knuckleduster had his own motives for approaching Koichi, their methods of mentorship varied greatly.

Both All Might and Knuckleduster, being heroes, are deeply committed to upholding justice. While All Might had already been battling crime for decades prior to inheriting the Quirk: One For All from Shimura Nana, their shared dedication to fighting crime remains unwavering. Even after sustaining severe injuries in his battle against All For One and while considering who would be the next recipient of the Quirk, All Might continued to put others’ safety first. Similarly, Knuckleduster, though driven by revenge following his loss of his Quirk and the distribution of Trigger drugs, has dedicated himself to combating crime. Despite his sometimes brutal methods, he remains steadfast in his mission. In Chapter 75, Knuckleduster began to question the flaws within the hero society after his encounter with All For One, leading him to recognize that changes were necessary.

In a fascinating twist, much like myself, Knuckleduster and All Might find themselves Quirkless today. While All Might voluntarily passed on his powers to Deku, Knuckleduster was robbed of his by All For One. Yet, both characters share this villainous figure as a common adversary, though for different reasons. To All Might, All For One was the arch-nemesis who once held the legendary Quirk, One For All. On the other hand, Knuckleduster sees All For One as the thief of his Quirk and the creator of the Trigger drug that entangled his daughter in its dark web.

Guess you forgot that… I’m here.

It’s been noted that Knuckleduster and All Might share both similarities and differences in significant ways. Interestingly, it seems that Knuckleduster intentionally mirrored All Might in some aspects. A distinctive characteristic of All Might is his announcement “I am here!” to signal his presence. Unlike Oguro Iwao, who was O’clock and needed to maintain stealth for his mission, he didn’t use catchphrases. However, upon meeting Koichi and recognizing his admiration for All Might, it’s possible that Knuckleduster began using the phrase “I’m here!” intentionally, as a way of signifying that he is the embodiment of All Might in his vigilante role.

Do They Value the Same Kind of Justice?

At Their Core, They Are Heroes Through and Through

Regardless of their distinct characteristics and shared traits, they both uphold a similar concept of justice. Following Knuckleduster’s loss of his power and descent into despair, this new identity could be seen as a tool to continue dispensing justice in the same fashion. While he might have noble objectives, such as eradicating the Trigger drug from society and apprehending villains and troublemakers in the process, his methods are excessively harsh, possibly due to no longer being under the public spotlight and needing to maintain his popularity on the Hero Billboard Charts. Conversely, All Might’s mission is to preserve peace, offering hope and reassurance to the populace.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

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2025-04-26 18:14