Happy Black Cat Day!!

the illusion of free will

people say shigaraki is responsible for the deaths he caused, and while i don’t completely deny that, it’s way more complicated than just “free will.” what people miss is that he was groomed from the age of five, when he was at his most vulnerable until he finally broke free from afo’s grasp. afo deliberately took him in at a point where he was completely dependent on others for guidance, then shaped him into the perfect successor.

to shigaraki, his master wasn’t just a villain, he was his savior, the only one who “understood” him, the only one who gave him a sense of purpose after the world abandoned him. and that’s exactly how manipulation works. afo didn’t just take him in, he rewired his entire mind, fed him lies, reinforced his hatred, and conditioned him to believe that destruction was his only salvation. shigaraki never had a chance to form his own worldview because afo made sure to mold it for him.

look at shigaraki’s reaction when he was separated from afo, it wasn’t just anger, it was pure desperation. that’s the reaction of someone who has been so deeply conditioned that he doesn’t know how to function outside of his abuser’s influence. shigaraki was entirely dependent on afo, and when you’re raised under constant manipulation, you don’t suddenly “wake up” and realize you’ve been controlled your whole life.

it doesn’t work that way. when he saw all might trying to save bakugo while attacking the league, he felt betrayed by the world all over again. to him, it was proof that heroes will never save people like him. but that idea wasn’t his, it was something afo planted in his mind for years, reinforcing it over and over until shigaraki believed it as an absolute truth. so when afo was no longer there, what was left? nothing but the doctrine his master forced onto him. if he wasn’t groomed, if he wasn’t brainwashed into thinking destruction was his only option, then he would have taken another path. but that was never an option for him because he never had the freedom to choose in the first place. as afo himself admitted, shigaraki never had free will. none of his choices were ever his own.

compare this to dabi and toga. they were abused, but they never had an outside force controlling them like afo did with shigaraki. they became villains on their own terms, dabi out of revenge, toga out of rejection from society. but shigaraki? his entire ideology was forced onto him. if afo had gotten to shoto instead, then shoto would have ended up just like shigaraki.

and here’s the worst part; nobody in the story even questions it. if horikoshi wanted us to humanize the villains, then he should have given them a humanizing death, something that forced people to acknowledge what they went through and how they ended up like this. but instead, nobody even stops to ask why afo had to groom a child into being his successor. nobody wonders why japan’s greatest villain was so reliant on manipulating a mentally ill, traumatized young man into doing his bidding. they just see shigaraki as a monster.

shigaraki never had a choice, but the world acts like he did.

Can u please draw tomura getting bullied and like his elbows down on a table while cheezeburgers get thrown at him

i can’t make this stuff up what kind of request is this 😭😭😭

tomura shigaraki isn’t the type to be shy around someone he likes. all for one didn’t raise him like a normal child, and it shows. he’s straightforward about what he wants, needs, and hates.

so if he wants something from you, expect him to be vocal about it. if something itches him, he’s going to express it. he doesn’t hold back or shy away from what bothers him. while he doesn’t vocalize love easily, he’s not afraid to show admiration or respect when he feels it.

embarrassment and shame? not in his vocabulary. tomura strikes me as someone who embraces his feelings and desires without hesitation, especially when it comes to expressing what he respects or admires about others, what he hates and wants from them.

doodles of my two babies

I LOVE IT!!! thank you so much for making those hc’s 🥺🥺💕💕💕🫶

hello! i love your shigaraki hcs so would you mind making an hc of shigaraki with an s/o that’s sassy & bitchy? they’ve known other for 6-7 years. it’s an intp x intj dynamic. they are too comfortable with each other.

(i’m okay with nsfw.) 💕

Headcannon: Tomura Shigaraki With a Sassy & Bitchy S/O

A/N: Love the concept. Love the art. Love a bitchy S/O. I definitely got a little carried away with this one. I'm so glad you like my work. I tried to get a little suggestive with this. I'm not tooooo confident in it, but I don't think it's the worst thing I ever wrote, but I hope you enjoy this.

Your relationship with Shigaraki is filled with biting sarcasm and snarky comebacks. It’s like a second language between the two of you, with each of you pushing the other’s buttons in a way that no one else could dare. While others might take your sass as disrespect, Shigaraki loves it—it’s your unique way of showing affection, after all.

Your back-and-forth sarcasm often leads to a buildup of tension between you and Shigaraki. What starts as playful insults and teasing turns into heated eye contact, the room suddenly feeling smaller as you inch closer to each other. You’ll mutter something snarky, and he’ll respond with a low growl, “You think you’re so clever, don’t you?” His eyes darken as he pulls you against him, the sarcasm in your voice melting away as the heat between you two builds.

Sometimes when you’re mid-argument, you find yourselves standing way too close—your chest almost brushing his. The heat from the bickering shifts into something more when you realize just how close you are. His breath will ghost over your lips, and there’s a silent dare in his eyes, challenging you to push him away or lean into him. You don’t back down easily, though, leaning in with a smirk, “Is this your way of surrendering?”

You don’t let Shigaraki get away with anything. He could be mid-rant about something trivial, and you’ll roll your eyes, muttering, “And you think I’m dramatic?” He’ll scowl at you, but deep down, he enjoys that you’re not afraid to speak your mind.

Your INTP-INTJ dynamic means you both thrive on deep, analytical conversations, though they often lead to debates. Whether it’s about strategy, philosophy, or something mundane like which game is better, you’re always challenging each other’s viewpoints. Sometimes the debates get heated, but that’s what keeps things interesting.

There are moments when Shigaraki will catch you completely off-guard. In the middle of a debate or when you’re being particularly sassy, he’ll cut you off by pulling you into a heated kiss, fingers digging into your hips as if to remind you that you might outwit him verbally, but he knows how to make you crumble. It’s a game of dominance between you two, and you both know exactly how to push the right buttons.

You’re brutally honest with each other, and it works. If Shigaraki’s plan is reckless, you’ll tell him without sugarcoating. In return, he’ll give you the same treatment, often responding with a deadpan, “You’re so annoying,” but he never wants you to change. He finds your bluntness refreshing, knowing there’s no pretense between you.

Shigaraki’s love language may be unconventional, but physical touch is his way of connecting with you. After an argument or playful exchange, he’ll make sure to leave you breathless. His hands, scarred and rough, know exactly where to touch you, whether it’s to calm you down or rile you up. He has a habit of wrapping his fingers around your waist possessively, pulling you into his lap and reminding you exactly who’s in charge.

When Shigaraki’s in one of his brooding moods around the League, you’re the only one who dares to make fun of him. “Wow, someone’s cranky. Did you run out of gamer snacks or something?” His glare is ice-cold, but you’re immune to it by now. The League members either laugh awkwardly or stay silent, completely in awe of how you handle him.

In quieter, more intimate moments, when the League is out of the way, you two find solace in your private space. The banter becomes softer, more of a game between you two. You’ll push his buttons just enough to get a rise out of him, knowing he enjoys it when you push boundaries. Shigaraki’s hands will find your hips, pulling you against him with that smirk on his face, loving how much you get under his skin.

Despite being sassy and bitchy, you’re fiercely protective of Shigaraki. If anyone in the League even thinks of undermining him, you’re the first to step up with a biting retort. “Didn’t know we were taking opinions from people who barely contribute. Sit down.”

Shigaraki can get a little possessive after intense moments between you two. He likes to remind you, in his own way, that you’re his—whether that’s by leaving subtle marks on your skin or keeping a hand on you in public to ward off anyone else. He might not say it outright, but you can feel the intensity in his gaze every time you challenge him, knowing that the fire between you two will always burn brightly.

You both roast each other constantly, and it’s always in good fun. If he’s slouching more than usual or complaining about something ridiculous, you’ll quip, “You look like a disgruntled noodle.” And when you’re being overly analytical or distant, he’ll hit back with, “You’re thinking so hard I can hear the gears grinding from here.”

Sometimes, your playful bickering takes an intense turn. You’ll have one of your usual snappy exchanges, and suddenly Shigaraki’s hands are in your hair, his lips crashing against yours to silence whatever snarky remark you were about to make. He knows you can’t resist matching his energy, and that only fuels the fire between you two.

Shigaraki loves to take advantage of your sassiness during more intimate moments. After you’ve had a particularly witty comeback, he’ll pin you to the wall, his lips trailing along your jaw as he murmurs, “You talk too much.” He knows how to make you squirm with the lightest touches, his fingers brushing over sensitive spots while teasing you about how you always have something to say—until now.

After particularly heated arguments (or heated moments), you’ll both lie there, tangled up in each other, the tension still lingering in the air. You’ll make some sassy remark, still unable to resist, and Shigaraki will respond with a smug grin, pulling you closer. “You like pushing me, don’t you?” he’ll murmur into your ear, his voice low and full of challenge. The post-argument glow only fuels the fire between you two, and it won’t be long before things heat up again.

For all your sass and bickering, you and Shigaraki share an unspoken bond that allows you to sit in silence comfortably. After an exhausting day, you’ll both retreat to your corners, him gaming, and you doing your own thing. No words are needed, but the presence of each other is more than enough.

Your energy matches perfectly—both of you can be cynical and detached from the world, but when you’re together, there’s a sense of camaraderie. Shigaraki never has to explain himself to you, and you don’t have to tone down your sass. You’ve both learned how to exist in each other’s space with an effortless flow that baffles outsiders.

The unspoken tension between you two is what keeps the relationship exciting. Even in the middle of a crowd, when you’re throwing snarky comments his way, there’s always that underlying desire simmering just beneath the surface. No one else understands the way you and Shigaraki communicate—both verbally and physically—but you wouldn’t have it any other way.

Your affection for Shigaraki manifests in playful insults rather than mushy sentiments. “Wow, you’re actually kind of cute when you’re not trying to destroy everything,” you’ll tease, and Shigaraki’s lips will twitch with a rare, fond smile. He responds in kind with his own version of affection: “You’re insufferable, but I guess you’re tolerable.”

Your sense of humor lines up with Shigaraki’s dark and twisted one, even if he doesn’t laugh easily. Your dry, sarcastic comments always get a smirk out of him, and he secretly loves how sharp-witted you are. Whenever the two of you witness someone being overly dramatic or incompetent, you’ll exchange a knowing glance that says it all.

When Shigaraki’s feeling down, you don’t sugarcoat things or coddle him. Instead, you’ll give him a swift kick in the ass (metaphorically speaking) with some tough love. “Quit moping, you’ll figure it out. You always do.” He appreciates that you don’t treat him like he’s fragile; you understand his strength and push him forward.

Despite the sass, you both have soft spots for each other. Shigaraki won’t admit it outright, but when he sees you working late on something, he’ll silently drop a drink or snack next to you. And while you may not laugh at his jokes or offer compliments, the little things you do—like adjusting his hoodie when he’s not paying attention—reveal how much you care.

Your relationship almost feels like a rivalry at times, with each of you trying to outwit the other. But it’s less about actual competition and more about mutual respect. You know exactly how to challenge Shigaraki, and he thrives on that tension, knowing you’re the only person who can keep up with him mentally.

Beneath the layers of sass, there’s a genuine understanding between you two. You push each other to be better—not just in terms of strategy or intellect, but emotionally as well. Shigaraki has softened slightly around you, allowing himself to feel more vulnerable, and you’ve learned to be more open, trusting him with sides of yourself that no one else gets to see.

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Masterlist

he is so done with her

Shigaraki • Development

Backstory

(Note: Tenko was Shigaraki’s childhood name.)

First things first: Shigaraki’s backstory is probably meant as an allegory. The house his father built is a microcosm of society, his father Kotaro represents people with power, Tenko represents people without it, and the other family members are bystanders. The power imbalance and communal emphasis on harmony enables Kotaro to take out his baggage on Tenko while Tenko is required to repress his. Resistance, even if it’s minor, causes Tenko to be shunned and beggared, as Kotaro locks Tenko out of the house in the backyard, in the dark, unfed, without even a roof over his head.

Edit: @codenamesazanka​ has an excellent reading of this allegory!

Theirs is a household that prioritizes unity and a façade of happy domesticity over Tenko’s wellbeing. His mom and grandparents treat him gently, reject him kindly, and refuse to admit to him just how terribly Kotaro treats him. Though the three adults understand that Kotaro is the problem (they criticize him in private or cry out futile protests during an incident), they are unwilling to disrespect Kotaro to Tenko’s face. Doing so would mean facing their victim and owning up to their own culpability, too.

So, throughout Shigaraki’s backstory, Horikoshi intersperses black panels with increasing grains of white. This references Shigaraki’s “wound in his heart.”

The first black panel appears when Tenko is crying to his mom, Nao, about his dad; the second appears when he is similarly comforted by his grandparents.

Keep reading

itchy scratchy little goober

IM SORRY I JUST HAD A VISION

some random headcanons of tomura that i thought of

just like ochaco, he sleeps either with gloves on or bandages on his pinky fingers

i’ve seen many people say tomura would listen metal or heavy metal but i really think he’d prefer game OST’s over anything>>>

blasts bury the light at 3am

he’d call kurogiri at 3am just to tell him about his plans to kill all might

apparently he’s awake all day, having anxiety attack cuz he drank monster on an empty stomach

i think he’s the type of guy to meticulously plan everything only to have it ruined by bad luck

he’d occasionally pick on his flaky skin/lips

he has a habit of collecting figures, only to leave on at the shelve without looking at it again

if you’re close to tomura, he’d invite you to eat something tasty and then tell you that he destroyed one of your items

tomura is not the type to use bar soap but rather dispenser soap…that’s if you’re lucky enough he used one

he doesn’t use his quirk much and he’s used to only using 4 fingers

very competitive and mean when he plays against you in a PvP game

too mean he’s not giving you an ounce of hope to win

you got upset and he decided to switch to simulation games instead (he doesn’t admit this but he plays animal crossing to relax)

say goodbye to your personal space, this man knows no boundaries

he’s not shy, he’s just like a cat that doesn’t know how to express its feelings to you

*gets jumpscared in a horror game* “fuck all might, fuck endeavor, fuck hawks, fuck—“

your man is the type to pick his food off the floor :(

shigaraki is the type of guy to buy you the most luxurious & beautiful black nightgown while he stays on his creeper boxers

tomura doesn’t like to shower on his own, he likes the feeling of your fingers brushing through his hair 🚿🛀

(NSFW below this point:)

expect him to talkshit about all might mid-sex

i really think his hatred for all might surpasses his sex drive

prefers receiving and will be mean about it, he just likes making a mess of you

degradation & slight breeding kink

your boobs are his favorite pillows

he likes fucking you with the skirt on—

missionary & doggy 👑

call him sweet names during sex and he’ll melt under your arms

doesn’t like shower sex but a blowjob will do

i think he would be into somnophilia, only if you’re fine with it