Like many contemporary shōnen manga, My Hero Academia has inspired fans to develop countless theories about various aspects of the story, ranging from the true nature of Quirks to the relationships between characters like Deku, Ochako, and Himiko. Upon my revisiting the series several months after its conclusion, one fan theory stands out as a particularly intriguing narrative twist to one of the story's most shocking surprises.

One of the biggest questions during the second half of the saga was the identity of the All For One mole within Class 1-A. This mystery sparked a plethora of My Hero Academia theories, ranging from plausible to absurd, none of which ultimately proved correct. However, the most noteworthy fan theory appears to be a concept that creator Kōhei Horikoshi, the creator, actively considered.

The Ties That Bind: Fan Theory Suggests There Was Another My Hero Academia Traitor

Yuga Aoyama's Betrayal Never Sat Right With MHA Fans

Ultimately, as revealed in My Hero Academia Chapter 335, All For One’s mole in Class 1-A was Yuga Aoyama—aka the Shining Hero: Can’t Stop Twinkling. While Aoyama's tragic backstory made his betrayal heartbreaking, many fans argue that the reveal lacked the hallmarks of a classic "whodunit". Indeed, unlike the best "traitor among us" narratives, which thrive on complex characterization, subtle foreshadowing, mounting tension, and high emotional stakes, Aoyama’s traitor arc felt surprising, primarily because few suspected him. The twist relied on shock value rather than a carefully constructed buildup, leaving some viewers wishing for a more dramatically satisfying payoff.

According to a Reddit post by My Hero Academia fan @Rozonth123, Yuga Aoyama might not have been the originally intended mole. Based on two s from a My Hero Academia chapter, @Rozonth123 argues that creator Kohei Horikoshi initially seemed to be considering a different character. The s in question show police detective Naomasa Tsukauchi wearing a striped tie, while another in the same chapter depicts Kurogiri wearing an identical one. In @Rozonth123’s analysis, this shared detail linking two otherwise unconnected characters is unlikely to be a coincidence.

The Alternate Traitor Would Have Been A Great Tweak To The My Hero Academia Narrative

Kurogiri As The Traitor Allows For More Intrigue

Whatever the validity of the theory, the idea itself is quite compelling and would have added much more intrigue to the mole storyline. It presents a far more intricate plot—one that is both engaging and satisfyingly complex. It introduces the fascinating concept of a villain impersonating a police officer, while the real officer remains an active member of the team working to bring down the criminal. This twist would introduce a constant sense of suspense and tension, as the risk of Kurogiri being discovered would make every spying moment feel incredibly high-stakes. That kind of atmosphere was completely absent in Yuga's mole story.

There’s also the interesting backstory it would have to tell. To be sure, while Kurogiri’s warping ability gives him the perfect means to slip in and out of situations where Tsukauchi might be found, such as an operations planning meeting, there’s the obvious challenge of his ever-present shroud of dark fog. How he would manage to take on Tsukauchi’s human form would certainly require overcoming significant obstacles, but if anyone is up to the task, it’s Horikoshi.

Regardless of the issues the "Kurogiri-as-Tsukauchi" mole story might present, it undeniably holds more suspense, narrative tension, psychological depth, and complex storytelling

Still, regardless of the issues the "Kurogiri-as-Tsukauchi" mole story might present, it undeniably holds more suspense, narrative tension, psychological depth, and complex storytelling, even in its raw form, than what we ultimately received. Its inclusion in the narrative could have made a world of difference for My Hero Academia fans.

Source: @Rozonth123