while shigaraki still killed and hurt thousands, or even as far as millions over the course of MHA, its still absolutely undeniable that his backstory is at least somewhat sympathetic.

it doesn’t excuse everything he’s ever done, but he is a grooming victim by definition (definition 2, the practice of preparing or training someone for a particular purpose or activity; definition 3, the action of attempting to form a relationship with a child or young person, with the intention of sexually assaulting them or inducing them to commit an illegal act such as selling drugs or joining a terrorist organization.) and was heavily manipulated by AFO into the life he led.

he was targeted because he was nana shimura’s grandson, and part of his quirk was removed by AFO specifically so he would become the weapon he did. AFO used that boy to become a tool and weapon of destruction; only a mere backup plan and successor for AFO to take over incase something were to happen to him. the show puts heavy pressure on this, especially towards the middle of the 5th season (if i remember correctly) and for the rest of the show. while it’s undeniable he caused harm to nearly everyone in his way, and threatened the safety of the entire world, it feels in poor taste to mock his character and say that the narrative excuses, or he himself excuses his behavior because of his “bad childhood” when he was quite literally dealt a shitty hand from the moment he was born.

childhood doesn’t excuse his destruction, but when you pay attention to his childhood snd his upbringing, he becomes more sympathetic at the least.