The battle between All Might vs All For One is one of the most legendary and emotional moments in My Hero Academia. It represents the ultimate showdown between the Symbol of Peace and the Symbol of Chaos, a fight that defines the fate of hero society. This matchup is more than just a physical clash — it is a battle of ideals, generations, and the burdens carried by two of the most influential figures in the series.
This article breaks down the build-up, abilities, strategies, turning points, and the emotional impact of this iconic confrontation.
Build-Up to the Final Encounter
The fight takes place during the Kamino Ward Incident, where All For One leads the League of Villains in a massive criminal operation. After Bakugo is kidnapped, heroes launch a coordinated rescue mission. All For One appears, severely injures several heroes, and reveals his long-hidden influence. Todoroki vs Bakugo – Strategy Explained
All Might steps in, knowing this could be his last battle. Their rivalry spans decades:
- All For One nearly killed All Might years earlier
- All Might crippled All For One in return
- This battle is their unresolved final chapter
Fans immediately understand:
This is a fight for the soul of hero society.
Quirks & Power Levels
All Might – One For All
- Raw superhuman strength
- Incredible speed
- Massive shockwave punches
-
Limitless destructive output (in Prime form)
But at this point, his power has weakened due to his old injury. His time limit is short, and his muscle form is unstable.
All For One – Multiple Quirks
All For One’s quirk allows him to:
- Steal quirks
- Transfer quirks
- Combine multiple quirks into devastating attacks
His arsenal includes:
- Air Cannon
- Impact Recoil
- Spring-Like Limbs
- Kinetic Boosters
- Rivet Stab
- Shock Absorption
- Multiplier quirks
Every strike from him is layered with multiple abilities.
Early Phase: All Might’s Struggle
All Might begins with powerful blows, but All For One counters with multi-quirk combinations, shattering buildings with ease. He fights purely strategically:
- Keeps All Might at a distance with shockwaves
- Converts mass destruction into battlefield manipulation
- Uses warp abilities to relocate allies and enemies
All Might quickly realizes he is running out of power. His right arm weakens, his muscle form shakes, and his punches lose impact.
Meanwhile, All For One remains calm, mocking him, attacking his confidence, and breaking down his will.
The Turning Point: All For One’s Taunt
The emotional core of the fight hits when All For One taunts All Might about:
- Nana Shimura
- Her death
- Shigaraki Tomura being her grandson
This psychological attack pushes All Might into emotional turmoil. But instead of breaking him, it reignites his resolve.
He remembers:
- The hopes placed in him
- Nana’s final wish
- His duty as the Symbol of Peace
This moment transforms the tone of the battle.
All Might’s Final Push
All Might’s power is nearly gone, yet he launches a final offensive.
His strategy:
- Get close enough so All For One can’t use ranged multi-quirks
- Target exposed weak spots
- Use every ounce of One For All in one final attack
But All For One counters with a combination of stats-boosting quirks and tries to finish All Might with a giant composite strike.
All Might catches the blow with his remaining strength — but his muscle form collapses, revealing his weakened body to the world.
Despite this vulnerability, the crowd cheers him on, giving him psychological strength.
United States of Smash – The Final Blow
In one of the most iconic moments in anime:
All Might draws on the last embers of One For All.
He lifts his arm.
His old master’s words echo in his mind.
The hopes of an entire nation rest on his shoulders.
He unleashes:
“UNITED STATES OF SMASH!”
The punch completely destroys All For One’s composite attack and crushes him into the ground.
The Symbol of Evil finally falls.
Aftermath & Consequences
For All Might:
- His power is fully depleted
- He can no longer transform
- His era as a hero ends
- He points to the camera, declaring:
“You’re next.”
Signaling the future to Deku
The audience sees the true All Might for the first time — thin, weakened, human. But instead of fear, they feel gratitude.
For All For One:
- He is defeated and imprisoned
- Yet he still smiles, confident in Shigaraki’s rise
His fall marks a turning point in villain evolution.
For Society:
- The Symbol of Peace retires
- Crime rates rise
- Villains become bolder
- The new generation is forced to step up
This fight marks the beginning of a darker era.
Why This Clash Is Legendary
This battle is iconic because it embodies themes of:
- Legacy
- Sacrifice
- Passing the torch
- The weight of expectations
- The cost of being a symbol
It isn’t just about strength — it is about purpose, responsibility, and the transition from one generation to the next.
All Might doesn’t win because he is the strongest.
He wins because he refuses to give up on hope.
Conclusion
The fight between All Might and All For One is one of the greatest hero-vs-villain battles in anime history. It represents the end of one era and the beginning of another, shaping the future of My Hero Academia forever.
All Might’s final stand, his last smile, and his final punch all remind us why he is the Symbol of Peace — not because he was the strongest, but because he inspired others to rise.