Key takeaways
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All for One’s strategic brilliance and scheming make it unpredictable, constantly putting the heroes on edge.
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All for One’s iconic episodes capture emotionally charged moments that highlight his legacy as a villain.
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All for One’s intense battles with the heroes, psychological warfare, and shocking revelations shape the heroes’ society.
my hero academia‘s All for One is a Machiavellian villain who is always one step ahead of his adversaries and skillfully manipulates people for his benefit. Their strategic brilliance and far-sighted plans make it extremely unpredictable to foresee their next move, constantly putting the heroes on edge. All Might’s archenemy has planned some of the most ruthless attacks on hero society and, as a result, has left a lasting influence that continues to inspire villains to follow in his footsteps.
As the show’s main antagonist, All for One has appeared in some of the most exciting and emotionally charged moments that have cemented his legacy as one of anime’s most iconic villains. In this article, we mainly focus on the main episodes of All for One that capture some of its most iconic moments from the series.
Warning! Spoilers ahead!
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Season 7, episode 17: “Hopes”
The heroes try to stop everyone for one
- IMDb rating: 8.7
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The Demon King plans to put a stop to Shigaraki’s consciousness
In the Final War arc, All for One realizes that the plan to merge his brain with Tomura Shigaraki’s to create a new personality wasn’t a great idea. He underestimated his apprentice’s propensity for destruction and decided to inject his quirk factor to take over his consciousness.
However, when All for One decided to flee Gunga Mountain Valley, the heroes quickly realized what the villain was planning. Led by Hawks, they attack him, desperate to ensure that the Demon King does not escape and reunite with his protégé. “Hopes” captures the chaotic drama that unfolds as All for One single-handedly fights Keigo and his allies in an attempt to reach Shigaraki as soon as possible.
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Season 7, Episode 18: “It’s a Small World”
All for One defeats the heroes and rushes to meet Tomura
- IMDb rating: 8.9
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The Demon King steals the gift of the Falcons
Desperate to stop All for One, the heroes throw everything and everyone at him. But despite their valiant efforts, the collective attacks fail to cause any significant damage as the Demon King becomes stronger the younger his body becomes under the influence of Rewind.
All for One easily manages to defeat one enemy after another until facing Hawks one on one. As a result, the number two hero is injured and weakened, and is unable to fight against the Demon King’s threatening powers. All for One grabs Keigo by the neck and taunts him before stealing his Fierce Wings quirk. “It’s a Small World” is a melancholic episode that revolves around the triumph of the forces of evil and its momentous repercussions. All for One stands out as a chilling force that seems invincible.
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Season 3, episode 10: “Symbol of Peace”
The number 1 hero faces all against one
- IMDb rating: 9.4
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All for One comes to the defense of his apprentice
In the Hideout Raid arc, All Might leads the operation to rescue Bakugo from the clutches of the League of Villains. Although the mission was well planned, no one anticipated that All for One would arrive on the scene and derail the entire rescue effort. The Demon King defeats the number 3 hero, Best Jeanist, without breaking a sweat and turns the tide of the battle in favor of the villains.
As soon as All Might realizes his archenemy is there, he wastes no time confronting him. The two rivals engage in an intense, high-stakes battle as Japan watches with bated breath, knowing it will redefine the future of hero society. “Symbol of Peace” is an impressive episode that sheds light on All for One’s rivalry with All Might while also highlighting the burden the number one hero had been carrying all these years.
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Season 7, Episode 10: “Wounded Hero, Burning Bright and True!!”
All For One cheats death once again
- IMDb rating: 9.1
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Endeavor’s burning of prominence fails to stop the Demon King
In the Final War arc, All for One is isolated from his most powerful allies by being transported to Gunga Mountain Villa by Monoma. Endeavor and Hawks are entrusted with the responsibility of facing the Demon King in the hopes that they can defeat the greatest villain who ever lived. In “Wounded Hero, Burning Bright and True!!” The two main heroes are joined by Jiro and Fumikage as they collectively attack All for One.
With the will of the quirks he has stolen trying to stop him, the Demon King is pushed onto his back foot. Endeavor seizes the opportunity and uses his ultimate move, Prominence Burn, hoping to end All for One’s reign of terror once and for all. But despite being burned to ashes, the Demon King still manages to remain conscious and proclaims that villains are scarier when they’re hurt. While the episode doesn’t reveal the trick up its sleeve, the monumental fight with emotionally charged flashbacks makes “Hero wounded, burning bright and true!!” a pleasure to see.
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Season 3, Episode 11: “One for All”
All For One fights against all powers
- IMDb rating: 9.8
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Two archenemies face each other for the last time at their peak
As All Might’s battle with All for One in the Hideout Raid arc reaches a fever pitch, the latter turns to psychological warfare to demoralize his adversary. The Demon King mocks All Might’s predecessor, Nana Shimura, and forces him to let his emotions cloud his judgment. However, he doesn’t stop there. All for One then reveals the shocking truth that Tomura Shigaraki is Shimura’s grandson.
All Might is overwhelmed by the shocking revelation and imagines how painful it would have been for his mentor if she had been alive. All for One’s psychological deception breaks All Might’s resolve to fight as he struggles to accept the harsh reality. It becomes clear that the number one hero is overwhelmed and the civilians begin to cheer him up. The trust and love of the people help All Might overcome his emotional turmoil and regain his confidence.
The two enemies pursue each other in a dramatic battle that shapes the heroes’ society in complex ways. All for One loses the fight and ends up in Tartarus, but effectively ends All Might’s career in the process, leaving Japan without the protection of its Symbol of Peace. “One For All” is an impressive and captivating episode that delivers a climactic showdown by combining raw emotions with well-choreographed fight scenes, making it one of the most memorable moments of the series.