While My Hero Academia boasts a large roster of intriguing heroes, few carry a history as poignant and multifaceted as Shimura Nana. Known for her unwavering smile and for mentoring the greatest hero of the era, All Might, Shimura Nana’s own life was marked by loss, secrets, and an iron resolve. In this article, we’ll delve into some lesser-known episodes drawn from her background—from the tragedy surrounding her son to the fateful decision that planted the seeds for one of the series’ most infamous villains. Read on to learn how this steadfast heroine became not only a source of hope but also the core of an unintended darkness.
A Mentor Beyond Compare
Transforming an Idealist into a Legend
Before he became the Symbol of Peace, All Might was a quirkless teenager named Toshinori Yagi. Shimura Nana, as the seventh wielder of One For All, saw in him a heart brimming with empathy and desire to protect. She chose to pass down her quirk—knowing full well it might become a target of the notorious All For One. Countless times, she reminded All Might to keep smiling, because as she famously said, “Whoever can smile in the face of fear is the strongest.”
Inspiring the Signature Smile
According to several references, Shimura Nana’s own cheerful disposition shaped All Might’s signature habit: arriving with a reassuring grin, proclaiming “I am here!” Even when the outlook was grim, she insisted that a hero’s smile could uplift allies and terrify foes. That simple but powerful belief ignited the spirit of heroism in Toshinori and, later, in Izuku Midoriya.
A Mother’s Sacrifice—and Its Consequences
Hiding Her Son from All For One
Behind her seemingly boundless optimism lay a mother forced to protect her child at any cost. Fearing All For One’s relentless pursuit, Shimura Nana decided to give up her son, Kotaro, for adoption rather than risk him becoming a pawn—or worse, a casualty—in the battle against evil. She even warned her close confidants, Gran Torino and All Might, not to get involved with Kotaro if tragedy struck her first.
A Downward Spiral of Resentment
Tragically, her selfless intention fueled an anger that twisted across generations. Kotaro—who interpreted his mother’s choice as abandonment—grew to loathe the hero world. This scornful perspective later influenced his own son, Tenko (better known as the dreaded Tomura Shigaraki). Ironically, the woman who nurtured the greatest hero inadvertently set in motion the making of the series’ most dangerous villain.
Float & One For All: Her Dual Quirks
The Power of “Float”
Although she carried One For All’s cumulative might, Shimura Nana’s original quirk was “Float,” enabling her to hover freely in the air. This ability, while seemingly straightforward, synergized with superpowered force in ways few expected. According to hints in source materials, she teamed up with her ally Gran Torino—who had his own flight-based movements—making them a formidable aerial duo.
A Legacy That Continues
In the manga and anime, Izuku Midoriya eventually inherits the ability to harness previous users’ quirks, including Float. This power becomes especially crucial when evading large-scale destruction or facing foes whose ground-bound attacks simply can’t match floating maneuvers.
Heroics and Heartbreak: Key Episodes
The Fatal Confrontation
One of the most significant events in Shimura Nana’s story was her final battle with All For One when All Might was just 18. Caught in a desperate clash, she fought valiantly but ultimately fell to the supervillain’s ruthless power. Some reports—hinted at in bonus manga content included with the first My Hero Academia movie—offer glimpses of this fateful duel. Her death not only cemented All Might’s vow to surpass his master but also revealed the true peril older successors faced every day.
Cameo in the First Film’s Special Comic
Though she doesn’t appear extensively in the main storyline, fans got a rare window into Shimura Nana’s last fight through limited-edition side comics bundled with the franchise’s first movie release. Accounts of her final stand highlight her dogged endurance, refusing to yield as long as a shard of hope remained for the next generation.
The “Hidden” Identity Riddle
In Japan, name-based wordplay often hints at quirk ties. Shimura Nana’s name, with “Nana” meaning “seven” and referencing her role as the seventh successor, also appears linked to alternative readings that imply “empty sky.” Whether it’s pure coincidence or subtle foreshadowing, it elegantly wraps her flight-based quirk and her place in One For All’s lineage into a single motif.
Reaching Beyond Death: Her Ongoing Influence
Revered by Allies, Feared by Foes
Even in death, Shimura Nana remains a recurring presence in the series—particularly in All Might’s memories and in the moral dilemmas faced by Midoriya. Warriors on both sides of the conflict acknowledge her strength, some with admiration, others with bitterness. The tension between forging new heroes (like All Might) and fueling new evils (like Tomura Shigaraki) is a central theme that her story threads through My Hero Academia.
The Emotional Struggle in Midoriya’s Mind
As the current wielder of One For All, Deku occasionally glimpses past successors in his subconscious—where Shimura Nana appears alongside other forebears. These encounters offer deeper insight into her regrets about family, her unwavering wish to see evil defeated, and her hopes that someone might finally save the grandson she was forced to abandon.
Shimura Nana is neither a mere footnote nor a generic mentor figure; she’s a woman whose life reveals the harsh price heroes sometimes pay. Her unwavering smile and unstoppable resolve inspired the greatest champion the world had ever seen. Meanwhile, her desperate decision to shield her son inadvertently spawned a new wave of destruction. Seen from every angle—mentor, mother, hero, and tragic catalyst—Shimura Nana remains a cornerstone of the My Hero Academia lore. Her short but unforgettable presence continues stirring powerful questions about heroism, sacrifice, and the deep bonds that tie family to fate.
