Stain#
Initially, Spinner has complete and total respect for the hero killer. It was Stain's words that inspired Spinner to become a villain and join the League of Villains. As a sign of his appreciation for the hero killer, Spinner made his villain costume very similar to that of Stain.
Following Stain's incarceration, Spinner took it upon himself to continue Stain's quest to rid the world of false heroes. He openly stated that the League of Villains should keep Stain's principles in mind when planning to kill someone. When Spinner realized that the League was not following in Stain's footsteps, he was angry, but as his loyalty shifted toward Shigaraki instead, his dedication to Stain began to fade.
League of Villains/Paranormal Liberation Front#
Tomura Shigaraki#
At first, Spinner joined the League of Villains thinking that it would help him to continue with Stain's legacy, so he had no problem with Tomura, following his orders without questioning them.
However, as the time progressed, Spinner began to have doubts about Tomura's actions. When the League attacked a police convoy to get at Overhaul, Spinner expressed discomfort with attacking police officers, who had nothing to do with creating a true hero society. Tomura reassured Shuichi that it is a necessary sacrifice.[1]
Later, after the League had little benefit from other operations, Spinner finally lost his patience and began to shout at Tomura that he has little faith in him and his ability to lead the League of Villains. He openly questioned how Tomura and the League would help him bring Stain's goals to fruition.[2]
As time passed and Spinner observed Tomura's determination to defeat and tame Gigantomachia, he began to respect him as a leader in his own right, without the influence of Stain. He offered his opinion to Tomura during the fight against the Meta Liberation Army, and expressed an urgency in assisting and later rescuing him from the subordinates of the Army and Re-Destro. Upon witnessing Tomura's triumphant victory, Spinner was left in awe of his accomplishments and the enemy bestowing an army upon him.[3]
During the Paranormal Liberation War, Spinner once again expressed concern for Tomura, tending to him when he was injured and unconscious, and protecting him from the onslaught of attacks by the heroes. Mr. Compress leaves their escape and the fate of the Paranormal Liberation Front in Spinner's hands, noting that Spinner is the closest and most devoted of Tomura's followers.[4]
After the prison break at Tartarus, Spinner revealed that him and Tomura had bonded over video games, and realized that his leader was being controlled by someone else. He then questioned the imposter's identity, saying that he isn't the one he chose to follow. Spinner stayed by Tomura's at all times, acting as his bodyguard as he recovered.[3]
Prior to the Final War, All For One offered the League additional quirks for the upcoming battle, Spinner accepted this as he believed it was the only way he could be of any use to Tomura and the League, and resolves to do what is needed for the former's sake.
During Final War, Spinner is tasked with assaulting Central Hospital with the goal of freeing Kurogiri. While rushing into the Hospital, Spinner hallucinates himself in his normal form, thinking about how he always thought he was a nobody, but if by following Tomura, he will finally become "somebody", and is eager to show his leader just how many people are following him now, only to turn around and find no one is with him. Once Spinner has been taken down by Present Mic, it is his pure devotion to Tomura that allows the villian to rise back up and awaken Kurogiri.
After the war ended, Spinner was then visited by Izuku in the hospital, where he delivered Tomura's final words specifically to him. This caused Spinner to feel extremely emotional as he reflected on the depth of his relationship with Tomura. He revealed how the League's leader had given him a new meaning at life, how they bonded over a shared love of video games and how he had been his very first friend and hero. As Izuku left, Spinner also announced he'd be writing a book about Tomura, to never let his memories be forgotten.
All For One#
Although Spinner knew that All For One was the League's benefactor, the two did not come into contact until after the Paranormal Liberation War. They first clashed as they fled the battlefield, though at this time Spinner was unaware that All For One was possessing Tomura's body. Spinner expressed displeasure at leaving Mr. Compress, Gigantomachia, and Toga behind, concerns which All For One dismissed.[5]Later, upon realizing that Tomura was not in control of his own body, Spinner rejected All For One's presence, insisting that he was not the one he chose to follow.[6]
Spinner stayed with Tomura's body in the following weeks, acting as his bodyguard, though All For One spoke of this while referring to Tomura's body as his own, suggesting that Spinner was guarding him. However, Spinner's face expressed annoyance, suggesting that he was still unimpressed with All For One's control of Tomura and the situation. All For One was unbothered by this, suggesting that Spinner's history and past made him the ideal face of a growing movement, an inspiration to other mutant-quirked people who might rise up and follow him.[7]
Before the second war began, Spinner accepted the Body Bulk[8] and Scalemail Quirks from All For One.[9] although this was more out of wanting to be powerful enough to be of use rather than any loyalty to All For One.[8]
Vanguard Action Squad#
Himiko Toga#
Both Spinner and Himiko came to the League being inspired by Stain, however Spinner followed his ideals, while Himiko loves Stain in her twisted way and wants to 'become' him.
During their over a month-long battle with Gigantomachia, Spinner reflected on how the League no longer aligned with Stain's ideology. He questioned Himiko on why she was still with the League. She responded that she still loved Stain, Izuku Midoriya and Ochaco Uraraka too and that she wanted to 'become' them. Spinner noted how carefree she was and how nice it must be to have a reason to live.
During the Paranormal Liberation War, Spinner stopped Himiko from blindly going into the battlefield, telling her that she wasn't the only one upset about Twice's death. He reminded her that their group was what Twice considered a family, and although they were just a group of strays who managed to find each other, Tomura would probably like to see them stay together. He notes that although it has always been in their nature to only do what they want, she had better return to them. Himiko smiled at him in gratitude.
Their bond as a group is later shown when All For One in Tomura's body commands the Nomu to retreat, taking only Spinner (with Dabi and Skeptic in his scarf), only for Spinner to question that decision, saying that Mr. Compress and Gigantomachia shouldn't be left behind and that Toga hasn't returned yet, knowing that it's something Tomura wouldn't want to happen, only to be turned down by the annoyed All For One.
Dabi#
Dabi and Spinner shared similar interests in taking down the hero society as both were followers of Stain's ideology. However, Dabi seemed to disregard Spinner's presence like with most of his fellow League members. He complained about Spinner's driving skills to the point the latter would shout back with annoyance, and showed little respect for him, referring to Spinner as "Lizard".
Dabi often snarked at Spinner's expense and insulted him at any opportunity. When Spinner later revealed his motivations for joining the League of Villains to Tomura, Dabi mocked him by calling him a hollow cosplayer.
Spinner, like everyone else, was surprised to learn Dabi was the oldest son of Endeavor, noting how he never talked about it.[10] Furthermore, Spinner was shocked to hear that Dabi was defeated by Shoto during the second war, recounting that Dabi had everything that he didn't, such as power, a sense of purpose, and a goal that he wanted to reach. This shows that Spinner still thought highly of Dabi, despite the blue flame villain not seeing Spinner as much at all. This is also why Spinner accepted an additional Quirk from All For One, while Dabi rejected the offer.[11]
Mr. Compress#
Spinner and Mr. Compress appeared to be on good terms, though they rarely interacted with each other. Mr. Compress was also in the same regiment of the Paranormal Liberation Front as Spinner.
During the Paranormal Liberation War, Compress referred to Spinner as an associate, but later admitted that he loved the League as a whole. He noted that Spinner was the most loyal and devoted of Tomura's followers, entrusting him with the group's safety. Spinner was reluctant to leave him behind as he and All For One in Tomura's body were making their escape.[4]
Magne#
Spinner and Magne teamed up during Vanguard Action Squad Invasion, despite their difference of opinions. Magne wanted to kill openly, following Tomura's orders, while Spinner thought it important to think about who to kill and who to spare in accordance with Stain's code of conduct. Their different mentalities and ideologies clashes when Magne tried to kill Izuku. Spinner stopped her, knowing that Stain saved Izuku's life, therefore considering him worthy to be a hero, a decision that Spinner wanted to respect.[12]
After they were subdued by Mandalay and Tiger, Magne blamed Spinner for their defeats.[13]
Re-Destro#
Although Spinner and Re-Destro are rarely seen interacting, they worked together to name the Paranormal Liberation Front, suggesting that they have a stable working relationship with mutual respect for the other. Seeing Re-Destro's submissive nature towards Tomura, Spinner believed that he became a CEO by serving higher-ups the same way he serves Tomura.[14]
Trumpet#
Spinner viewed Trumpet as someone unfit for the front lines during the Revival Celebration, due to having a more supportive role in battle, while Trumpet looked down on Spinner for his weak meta-ability and lack of focused direction in life. Trumpet revealed a thorough knowledge of Spinner's background, and he openly declared that he did not see Spinner becoming a worthwhile person. Spinner argued that he already knew this, and that although he had no real direction in life, he was not ashamed to be someone who simply jumped on a bandwagon and followed others. He saw himself and his own role within the League of Villains reflected in Trumpet, who expressed disdain at the comparison.[15]
Ironically, Spinner's comparison was accurate, despite Trumpet's protests. While Trumpet believed that a person's worth was made up entirely from the utility of their meta-ability, Spinner recognized the blind loyalty within the Meta Liberation Army. He could see that Trumpet's devotion to Re-Destro was no different from his own dedication to Stain, and even later on, his loyalty to Tomura.
Class 1-A#
Izuku Midoriya#
Due to Stain not only sparing, but saving Izuku, Spinner held that same respect for him and his potential as a future hero. Spinner himself protected Izuku from being attacked by Magne, during the Vangaurd Action Squad Invasion.
After the war, Spinner's view on Izuku changed, labeling him as a murderer due to his role in Tomura's death. Eventually, when he decides to write a story about his best friend’s legacy, Spinner doesn’t see Izuku as an enemy anymore and gives him a message for Mezo Shoji to tell him to give life all he's got.