The Hero Public Safety Commission (HSPC) in My Hero Academia has long been portrayed as a flawed, often corrupt organization tasked with overseeing heroes, managing public safety, and handling high-threat villains. Their decision to imprison All for One (AFO) in Tartarus rather than execute him after his defeat by All Might at Kamino is a prime example of their shortsightedness, overconfidence, and potential ulterior motives. This choice not only undermines All Might's sacrifice but also directly contributes to the catastrophic Tartarus breakout, the release of countless dangerous villains, and the emergence of dual AFO threats (the original body and the vestige within Tomura Shigaraki).
1. Overreliance on Tartarus as an "Inescapable" Prison
Tartarus is designed as a maximum-security facility for villains deemed too dangerous for standard incarceration, where conditions are intentionally harsher than death—solitary confinement, constant surveillance, and quirk-suppressing measures. The HSPC views it as a fate worse than execution, punishing criminals by forcing them to "reflect" on their crimes indefinitely.
However, this ignores the obvious risks: AFO is a master manipulator with centuries of experience, vast quirk knowledge, and a network of loyal followers (including the League of Villains and Nomus). Even the remotest chance of escape should have been unacceptable, especially since AFO's defeat was public and his survival could inspire villainy. Fan discussions highlight how the HSPC's faith in Tartarus blinded them to AFO's ability to plan breakouts remotely, as seen when he commands Nomus to free him shortly after the Paranormal Liberation War.
Resulting idiocy: The breakout not only frees AFO but also triggers mass escapes from six other prisons, plunging Japan into anarchy. This invalidates All Might's final use of One for All, as AFO regains power and merges his influence with Shigaraki.
2. Hypocritical Stance on Executions Despite a History of Extrajudicial Killings
The HSPC has no qualms about authorizing assassinations without due process. They groomed agents like Lady Nagant to eliminate threats—corrupt heroes, villains, and even political figures—to preserve the heroic facade. Nagant was tasked with secret killings to "maintain public trust," showing the Commission's willingness to bypass laws for "greater good." They even imprisoned Nagant in Tartarus (rather than executing her) after she rebelled, to silence potential leaks about their corruption.
Yet, with AFO—a villain responsible for generations of chaos—they opt for imprisonment. Why? One key reason is publicity: AFO's battle with All Might was broadcast nationwide, making him a high-profile case. The HSPC conducts dirty work in secret to avoid scrutiny, but executing AFO publicly (or even quietly) could spark rumors, backlash, or questions about their authority, especially if Japan’s legal system in the MHA world mirrors real-life delays in death penalty cases. Political pressure from groups (e.g., those tied to Re-Destro) advocating against prisoner executions may have also played a role.
Moronic element: This hypocrisy exposes their incompetence. They execute lesser threats covertly but spare the greatest one due to optics or bureaucracy, despite having the tools (e.g., quirk-based assassins) to end him while he's unconscious post-Kamino.
3. Underestimation of AFO's Threat Level and Potential for Immortality or Escape
AFO's quirk arsenal includes possible immortality or regeneration abilities, making conventional execution risky—he survived All Might's full-power attacks twice. Fans theorize he might have quirks that activate upon death or allow revival, rendering killing him ineffective without thorough study. The HSPC likely delayed execution to interrogate him for intel on his quirk-stealing empire, stolen powers, and the Nomu program, prioritizing information over immediate elimination.
However, this assumes they could contain him long enough, ignoring his history of ruling from shadows and deep government ties (speculated in fan circles as reasons he wasn't killed outright). The Commission's corruption—treating people as disposable tools—may have led them to view AFO as a potential asset for quirk research, similar to how they might have imprisoned Nomus for experimentation rather than destruction.
Resulting fallout: AFO's escape proves their arrogance; he not only breaks free but empowers Shigaraki, creating a "two AFOs" scenario where the vestige amplifies the physical threat. This chaos could have been averted with swift execution while he was vulnerable.
4. Broader Corruption and Ulterior Motives Fueling the Decision
The HSPC's corruption runs deep: They manipulate heroes (e.g., recruiting child agents like Hawks), abet corrupt ones (like Endeavor's abuses), and prioritize image over safety. After Kamino, they underestimated the League's growth, focusing on optics rather than decisive action.
Your speculation about using AFO for their own ends aligns with fan theories: The government/HSPC might have wanted to harness his quirk-duplication knowledge or study captured Nomus (AFO's bio-engineered soldiers, some of which were imprisoned rather than euthanized) for military advantages. Keeping him alive could enable experiments on returning stolen quirks or countering quirk singularities—self-serving goals that backfired spectacularly.
Why moronic? This reflects the HSPC's pattern of short-term thinking and moral decay. They sacrifice long-term stability for potential gains, as seen when their downfall during the war leaves Japan without coordinated hero support. Post-series, Hawks' takeover hints at reform, but the damage from AFO's survival is irreversible.
In summary, the HSPC's choice reeks of incompetence: They had the precedent, means, and opportunity to execute AFO but chose imprisonment due to overconfidence, legal excuses, and possible corruption-driven agendas. This not only wastes All Might's legacy but unleashes unprecedented destruction, proving the Commission's "safety" mandate is a facade. Fan consensus views it as plot-driven for tension, but in-universe, it's a glaring failure of leadership.