Spoiler Warning: This piece contains spoilers for My Hero Academia Season 7.
Shuichi Iguchi (Ryô Iwasaki), also known as Spinner, is a member of Tomura Shigaraki’s League of Villains. Frustrated with the world and inspired to action, Spinner has a complicated relationship with the group he is affiliated with. As the final battle between the heroes and Shigaraki’s forces draws closer, Spinner is primed to step into a much bigger spotlight than ever before. Whether he’s ready to or not.
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Who is Spinner in My Hero Academia?
Spinner is first introduced to viewers as a disillusioned man. Due to his quirk giving him a lizard-like appearance, he frequently finds himself looked down upon by much of society. When Stain’s message went out declaring superhero society corrupt, Spinner felt moved to take action. Donning an outfit similar to Stain’s, he decided to work to bring about Stain’s dream. This desire is what first draws him into contact with Shigaraki’s League of Villains.
Spinner initially finds Shigaraki’s goals towards society in line with his own. However, even from an early point, it was clear that Spinner held different priorities than many other League members. During the Forest Training Camp Arc, Spinner prevents one of his allies from hurting Izuku Midoriya because Stain acknowledges him as a true hero. Actions like this set him apart from other members of the league. As Shigaraki’s true intentions to destroy society are made known to him, Spinner begins to struggle with his place on the team.
The course that Spinner’s character arc takes him on through the middle of My Hero Academia‘s run is unique. The vast majority of characters we see in the series are steadfast and determined. Willing to go the distance for their dreams, they constantly push themselves to overcome any obstacle set in their path. Spinner is a different sort.
As the situation he now finds himself embroiled in grows larger and larger, we see many of Spinner’s original motivations and goals slip away. While he professes his loyalty to Shigaraki and his cause, it feels like this isn’t so much a choice for the man as a lack of options. Whether he believes in Shagarki’s goals and methods or not, society needs to change. If this is how it has to be, so be it.
In this way, Spinner feels like a far more average person among the larger-than-life heroes and villains that populate the series. When he first sets out to change the world, everything looks so clear to him. He would follow the teachings of Stain and make his inspiration’s dream come true. But like anyone who sets out to make a dream come true, Spinner learns that the world is never so cut and dry. Unable to keep up with all the complications and shifting factions, we see his focus wane as he comes to accept Shigaraki’s dream.
The other element of Spinner’s character that keeps him with the league is his comrades. We see numerous moments that indicate that Spinner has grown attached to several of the group’s members. Watching their backs in battle or wishing the safety as they depart to face a foe. This, again, makes Spinner feel extremely relatable. Most people, at some point, stay in situations they know are bad for the sake of those they care about who are also involved.
After the Paranormal Liberation Front’s battle with the heroes when Shigaraki awakens, Spinner finds himself held up as an inspirational figure himself. Others like him, known as heteromorphs, see him as one of their own, making a stand against a society that looks down on them. In the coming battle with the heroes, Spinner will be tasked with leading his growing followers into the fight.
Gifted with additional quirks by All For One for this purpose, Spinner becomes a far more intimidating force. However, the presence of these extra quirks quickly drains his mental capacity, causing him to lash out violently and without focus. As he battles the heroes, his followers soon lose faith in him, causing his moment as a leader to be a short-lived failure.
What are Spinner’s powers?
Spinner’s original quirk gives him a lizard-like appearance. Covered in green scales and the protruding mouth of a lizard, Spinner is easy to pick out in a crowd. The only clear ability we see him gain from his quirk is the ability to stick to walls like a gecko.
While his initial powers are not impressive, Spinner does prove himself a competent fighter. Wielding an oversized sword fashioned from numerous smaller ones, he holds his own against seasoned heroes, even getting the upper hand on Mandalay during the Forest Training Camp Arc.
When All For One gifts him with additional quirks, Spinner gains the ability to grow in size, as well as form a hard, external shell. As mentioned before, these abilities are formidable but come at the cost of his intelligence.
Despite largely being a bit player throughout My Hero Academia, Spinner goes on an interesting personal that stands out from most of the other characters. Many of his attitudes make him feel like a real person rather than an ideal in human form. This allows the side character to be relatable in a way many others aren’t in the series.
