If we look at Seiji Shishikura’s “more than meets the eye” factor, the case is that—while at first glance he comes across as a rigid, pompous elitist—there are deeper psychological layers and contradictions that complicate him:
1. Surface Persona vs. Hidden Motivations
Surface: He’s obsessed with dignity, tradition, and “weeding out” heroes he deems unworthy. He talks like an old-fashioned noble, keeps impeccable posture, and holds Shiketsu High’s ideals like sacred scripture.
Underneath: Some of this is a coping mechanism tied to his upbringing and personal loss—his father was a Tartarus guard murdered by All For One. His need for order and propriety may stem from a desire to protect the image and stability of hero society after personal chaos.
2. Moral Rigidity vs. Emotional Complexity
His rigidity leads him to antagonize and insult others (Bakugo, Kaminari, Camie), which makes him seem judgmental and arrogant.
Yet, he’s capable of empathy—showing concern for Camie after the Toga impersonation, saving Hawks in the Final War, and choosing not to give in to revenge despite wanting to kill All For One for his father’s death.
3. Idealism vs. Blind Spots
Seiji claims to act “for the good of the hero system,” but fails to self-reflect. Teachers and peers see Stain’s influence on his views, but he denies it outright—showing a blind spot about how ideology can creep in subconsciously.
His failure in the Provisional License Exam was as much about his unwillingness to adapt and collaborate as it was about skill.
4. Tactical Brilliance vs. Strategic Shortcomings
In battle, he’s clever and dangerous, using his Meatball quirk in creative ways for offense, defense, and crowd control.
However, his focus on “teaching lessons” rather than winning or advancing the mission sometimes undermines him—like prioritizing punishing “unworthy” students over passing the exam.
5. Reputation vs. Reality
To outsiders, he’s the “stiff Shiketsu senpai” obsessed with propriety. But in the Final War, he proves adaptable, cooperative, and capable of self-restraint, showing that the pompous exterior hides a disciplined and reliable combatant in the right circumstances.
In short—Seiji is a case study in how strong ideals, if unchecked by humility, can become a personal weakness, but also how those same ideals, when tempered by lived experience, can make someone a resilient and principled ally.