Tomura Shigaraki, the main villain of theMy Hero Academiafranchise, is by far one of the best antagonists of recent years. His backstory, power set, and even personality make him a character that is hard to forget. Nonetheless, if there is one thing that can be pointed out about Tenko, it is how simplistic his early design was.
The creator of the series, Kohei Horikoshi, might have believed something similar, as he has recently released a new original drawing in which Shigaraki was completely reimagined. The illustration gives the main villain a look worthy of a Symbol of Evil,one that makes Shigaraki look straight out of a horror manga. If this version had been included in the anime, Tenko would surely have left a lasting mark on viewers since his first appearance.
Shigaraki Embraces Fear in New Official Illustration
Horikoshi Once Again Proves His Talent for Horror
On June 22, 2025, Horikoshi published an original illustration on his X (formerly Twitter) account. The image depicts Tomura Shigaraki standing alone in the dark, seemingly looking directly at the spectator. What shocked fans so much about this is the new design the author of the series decided to give his main villain. The antagonist’s hair, which looks unkept and dirty, is significantly longer than in the manga, reaching his lower back. Instead of his usual casual outfit, Tomura wears a personalized coat that covers his entire body.
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Hanging from the garment are the severed hands of his family members, decorations that would usually be present at the sides of his arms. The only recognizable feature of the design is the hand that covers his face, acting as a mask for the villain. This unsettling appearance, combined with the somber atmosphere of the background, turns Shigaraki intoone of theMy Hero Academiafranchise’s scariest villains. This is an amazing example of the talent Horikoshi must create characters and panels that could easily belong in a terrifying manga.
This Version of Tenko Would Have Completely Changed the Anime
Shigaraki Could Have Been a Terrifying Villain
Shigaraki’s latest alternate form gives fans a good idea of what theMy Hero Academiamanga series could have been if it was not targeted at a younger audience. The villain, who was already quite disturbing in his canon forms, can make any viewer feel uncomfortable just by standing still. The hands that adorn his belt are no longer odd ornaments included in his costume; they now act as threats to Tenko’s victims. Overall, the atmosphere caused by this version of the villain is far tenser and darker than the original.
If this version of the villain had been included in the series, both the hero students and the viewers would have reacted differently. Tenko would not be a short-tempered teenager throwing a tantrum and trying to destroy the world on a whim. He would be a dangerous criminal willing to do anything to achieve his goals. His appearance would effectively sell him as an unstable villain who cares about nothing more than his dreams. The anime would have been more somber, with allMy Hero Academiaepisodes involving the villain instantly being considered the darkest.
Horikoshi is an outstandingly talented artist, a fact that he will likely keep remindingMy Hero Academiafans of stunning illustrations such as Tenko’s new look. While these art pieces might never be included in the original manga, imagining what could have been if they were could lead fans to find inspiration of their own.
