All For One (AFO) sought to create powerful vessels—subordinates molded or engineered to serve as hosts, tools, or possible successors to carry on his ambitions. Both Kai Chisaki (Overhaul) and Toya Todoroki (Dabi) were involved in versions of these plans, but both ultimately became failed vessels. Here’s a focused analysis, drawing directly from the detailed file provided.
All For One’s Vessel Strategies
AFO’s core vessel plan was to ensure his legacy and domination would persist, often by manipulating or “raising” gifted individuals to serve his agenda, or—if their Quirks and bodies were suitable—serve as hosts for his own power. This process included both careful psychological grooming and direct Quirk experimentation.
Overhaul (Kai Chisaki)
Background as a Vessel: Raised in an orphanage owned by Kyudai Garaki (AFO’s chief scientist), Chisaki was among children considered as potential hosts for AFO. His destructive perspective on Quirks (believing them to be a disease) and his Overhaul Quirk’s incredible reconstructive and destructive potential marked him as a prime candidate.
AFO’s Direct Intervention: AFO duplicated Overhaul’s Quirk (stripped of its restoration aspect) and gave this copy to Tenko Shimura (later Tomura Shigaraki), which would evolve into Decay. Overhaul himself was manipulated but never became a true vessel, instead pursuing his own plans for power via Eri and Quirk-destroying bullets, showing a dangerous independence.
Failure Reasons: Overhaul’s ideology and trauma isolated him, and he was unable to submit to, or be controlled by, AFO. He prioritized his own plan to restore the Yakuza and monopolize the Quirk market rather than work as AFO’s vessel. Eventually, his defeat, the loss of his arms (and Quirk), and complete psychological breakdown rendered him useless to AFO’s original designs.
Dabi (Toya Todoroki)
Background as a Vessel: Toya was “rescued” after his near-death experience by AFO and Kyudai, who rehabilitated and attempted to groom him into a subordinate. Physically rebuilt and emotionally fragile, Dabi was recognized as having extraordinary potential due to his powerful (and unstable) blue flames.
AFO’s Direct Intervention: Kyudai anticipated Toya would not survive long post-coma, but Dabi’s psychological grudge kept him alive. Despite attempts to brainwash and manipulate him as a weapon/subordinate, Toya rejected their control, insisting no one but his father (Endeavor) could be his guide. He fled, and AFO classed him as a failed project.
Failure Reasons: Dabi ultimately became self-directed, fixated on personal vengeance against Endeavor and the hero system rather than serving anybody’s ambition. His instability, obsession, and disregard for AFO’s actual plans made him impossible to control. He did not care for the broader goals of the League or AFO, only for hurting his family.
Pattern of Failure
Autonomy: Both Overhaul and Dabi had strong, trauma-driven personal agendas which prevented complete subjugation or loyalty to AFO.
Lack of Psychological Hold: AFO’s methods failed to instill sufficient mental control; Overhaul’s grandiosity and Dabi’s obsession led both off-script.
Physical Limitations: Overhaul lost his Quirk and arms; Dabi’s body was fatally incompatible with his Quirk, limiting their long-term viability as vessels.
Conclusion
AFO’s plans to raise vessels with overwhelming Quirks foundered on the unpredictable, volatile psychologies of his “candidates.” Both Overhaul and Dabi, despite their immense power, failed to become effective vessels or pawns, instead devolving into self-destructive antagonists whose goals sharply diverged from AFO’s vision.