How All Might’s Quirklessness Became One For All’s Hidden Superpower!

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Summary

  • All Might’s lack of quirk was a saving grace for One For All.
  • One For All diminishes the lifespan of most wielders, making quirkless Toshinori an accidental, huge asset to the quirk’s lineage.
  • Toshinori was the right person at the right time to become the 8th holder.

In the universe of “My Hero Academia,” Toshinori Yagi, better known as All Might, ruled supremely as the strongest hero for a considerable period. Remarkably, he achieved this feat despite being born without a quirk naturally. This aspect of his life was kept secret from the world, along with the extraordinary quirk he inherited, One For All. Previously, bearers of One For All possessed additional quirks alongside it, but this custom evolved when Toshinori became the eighth holder.

In contrast to other bearers, Toshinori didn’t possess his own quirk but instead, his lack of a quirk played a crucial role in preserving the quirk and protecting the world from All For One’s villainy. The reasons behind being quirkless proving beneficial for All Might are initially disclosed in Season 6 of the anime series “My Hero Academia”.

The Perfect Vessel

Why All Might as the 8th Wielder Was Almost Fate

In episode 131 of the series, Deku learns during a meeting with the remnants of previous users that the quirk “One For All” can have harmful effects on individuals who already possess their own quirks. As One For All becomes more powerful with each passing generation, the strength it holds can negatively affect a regular person’s body and potentially reduce their lifespan.

I’m quirkless. Born without a role.

It was uncovered that the 4th holder, Hikage Shinomori, had died young at 40 due to natural causes and old age, as shown in his autopsy report. To dodge the potent All for One, Shinomori opted to seclude himself during his tenure, intensely training his quirk before passing it on. Unfortunately, his body began deteriorating prematurely, a side effect that would likely worsen if additional quirk holders were selected as successors.

Unaware to the owners of One For All, they made an extremely fortunate decision by selecting Toshinori as the next bearer. If Toshinori had possessed a quirk, his lifespan would have been shorter due to its inherent risks, and he wouldn’t have had 40 years to become the world’s symbol of peace. Instead, Toshinori’s tenure as All Might paved the way for All For One’s eventual downfall. Moreover, Toshinori played a crucial role in supporting his successor during the final battle.

At Deku’s encounter with the vestiges, Toshinori is depicted as an ideal carrier for One For All’s peak power manifestation. His extraordinary physical abilities, even without a quirk, make him capable of securely holding the quirk and utilizing it at full capacity without any negative consequences, which Deku cannot accomplish in the same way.

A Twist of Fate

Why One For All Would Eventually End

As I observed, the power known as One For All, despite being skillfully transferred through numerous individuals, had a finite lifespan. This was primarily due to its propensity to become overpowering for ordinary humans to wield. The only hope of utilizing it effectively lay in the hands of an individual devoid of a quirk, and even then, such a person needed to possess extraordinary innate power. This is why it was fortunate that All Might came to hold it at the time he did. If this power had been bestowed upon another quirked individual instead, even for a single generation, there’s a chance it might never have found its way into the hands of a quirkless person again. This could have potentially meant the end of its lineage before All For One could be subdued.

I believe you’re worthy… of inheriting my power!!

In episode 131 of “My Hero Academia”, it is hinted that Deku will probably be the last bearer of One For All, given the increasing scarcity of quirkless individuals and the growth in power of One For All. As the power of One For All increases, it might surpass anyone’s ability to wield it effectively. Although he wasn’t initially selected as a wielder with this in mind, Deku’s quirklessness played a crucial role in preserving the timeline and the quirk One For All long enough for it to fulfill its initial mission of defeating All For One.

My Hero Academia can be streamed on Crunchyroll and Hulu.

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2025-04-13 04:06