The world of My Hero Academia (Boko no Hฤซrล Akademia) is one that many fans fell in love with, for a good reason. This series has it all: action, adventure, compelling characters, phenomenal villains, the works! It’s a fantastical world in which superpowers are made real, courtesy of the quirks people can be born with. Sure, itโs still luck of the draw, and not every quirk is going to be fun or flashy. However, for every hero of this world, there is seemingly at least one criminal or villain. Enter one of the most underrated villains to hail from My Hero Academia: Kai Chisaki.
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Kai Chisaki is probably better known as “Overhaul,” the (now former) leader of the Shie Hassaikai Yakuza. This villainโs arc felt like it came out of nowhere, hit readers (or viewers) where it hurts, and then faded away into nothingness. Perhaps itโs the sudden arrival followed by disappearance, but Overhaul is easily the most overlooked villain from the world of MHA. This villain hit the nail on the head when it comes to menacing, and we still canโt get over the potential this villain brought to the table.
The Villain Known as Overhaul
Overhaul is a terrifying villain who wants to obliterate quirks from the world. While some fans still love arguing about point (more on that in a moment), itโs his method that gives most people pause. He figured out a way to manufacture a quirk-erasing drug, and all he had to do was torture one child to get what he needed. If that isnโt a villainโs move, we donโt know what is.
Another thing that proves Kai Chisaki is a villain is his slightly hypocritical mentality. He hates quirks and wants to rid the world of them, so that makes it acceptable for him to use one. His quirk (Overhaul) lets him disassemble and reassemble anything he makes contact with. That includes living beings, as evidenced by what he does to Eri and his minions.
Since Overhaul was at the forefront of the Shie Hassaikai Arc, we canโt pretend that this villain didnโt get the center of attention. His villainous plan brought dozens of heroes together for the same project; thatโs not something you get to see every day, though Shigaraki makes one think otherwise.
Foil to Shigaraki
On the subject of Shigaraki, he and Overhaul couldnโt be more different, and thatโs by design. Overhaul is Shigarakiโs foil; heโs meant to stand in stark contrast to Shigarakiโs ideals. Shigaraki wants to embrace his quirks and become stronger, leaving his mark on the world. Naturally, Overhaul wants to do the exact opposite. Ironically, both want to make their goals the worldโs problem, and thatโs probably the biggest thing they have in common.
To put this into perspective, Shigaraki is seeking to obtain freedom (his) through destruction (the world). Conversely, Overhaul is striving for order through control. Two very different approaches to villainy, and that shines through in every detail and aspect of their lives. Chisaki canโt handle even the implication of something being unclean, hence his breaking out in hives while fighting.
When it comes to their quirks, Overhaul and Shigaraki have more in common than they would like to admit. Both of their quirks allow them to destroy. Shigarakiโs decay tears through the world, while Overhaulโs likewise breaks apart, but to rebuild. Itโs almost like the narrative is trying to highlight that Overhaul plans for an additional step after the destruction he aims to cause, whereas Shigaraki is in it for the sake of destruction itself.
A Complex Ideology & Plan
Itโs easy to look at Overhaul and think his goal is one-dimensional. However, this villain has a surprisingly complex ideology, starting with his indoctrination with the Yakuza. He sincerely believes that quirks are the biggest threat to that way of life, and eradicating them will put the Yakuza back to the status they previously held. In other words, Overhaul wants to make the world manageable again. When life and society donโt have to worry about thousands of random factors, thanks to quirks, things are easier to plan and process.
While it is somewhat hypocritical that Chisaki uses his quirk in his quest to eliminate them, it also highlights his determination. He would be ultimately willing to sacrifice his own quirk, of which he can see the value, to achieve his goals.
Finally, itโs important to remember that Kai Chisaki cannot distinguish between a quirk and a virus. In his mind, they are one in the same, and thatโs not hyperbole. He believes that quirks were previously undiscovered viruses that mutated. Itโs not hard to understand how Chisaki in particular would find that notion alarming.
Sidelined Too Soon
Over the course of one MHA arc, Overhaul came in swinging. He put many beloved characters at risk, introduced new ones, and left his mark on the world. He pushed Midoriya farther than we could have anticipated, and then he was gone. Okay, he didnโt literally disappear, but his threat has effectively been neutralized.
Shigarakiโs actions against Overhaul ensure that Chisaki will never pose the same threat or concern again. So even when Chisaki appeared once again, courtesy of Lady Nagant, he pretty much feels like a different character. Itโs a shame to see his potential gone so soon, but the pacing of the MHA required the story to leave him in the dust.
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