Back

Radio Waves

Character

Denpa is one of the many powers All For One took from an unnamed victim, later inherited by Tomura Shigaraki. It floods an area with electromagnetic pulses, killing electronics and severing Hero communications, but its stranger application is quieter: broadcasting signals that rouse and steer the Nomu.

Kanji: 電波
Quirk Type: Emitter
Debut Anime: Episode 119
Debut Manga: Chapter 275
Quirk Range: Long range
Anime Visual: Black lightning sparks outlined in purple around the arms and palms
Text Size

Overview

Written as Denpa, Radio Waves is a long-range Emitter ability that All For One stole at some point from an unidentified original owner, and it eventually became part of Tomura Shigaraki's arsenal. It first appears in Chapter 275 and Episode 119. A separate Quirk carried by the EMP Bombers and Number 6 shares the English name but not the Japanese spelling.

Text Size

Mechanics

The user releases an electromagnetic pulse that scrambles electrical devices and knocks communicators out of service. Because the ability can also push signals through an induced current, it doubles as a transmitter, capable of waking Nomu and issuing them orders directly. The emissions carry genuine physical force as well, enough to parry heavy attacks or shove opponents backward without effort. The anime renders activation as black sparks edged in purple crackling around the user's arms and palms.

Text Size

Notable Users

Tomura paired it with Air Cannon for a sweeping blast that cut the Heroes off from their communications and, as a side effect, roused several unfinished Near High-End Nomu he had staged nearby. Commanding them was beyond him, since his inexperience left him unable to shape precise instructions through the current.

All For One had no such trouble. Operating out of Tomura's body, he used the Quirk to marshal the surviving Near High-End Nomu, ride them off the battlefield, and force his way into Tartarus, wrecking the prison's defenses from both inside and outside so he and the inmates could break loose. The same channel let his vestige and his original body talk across long distances. Against Star and Stripe, Radio Waves joined Air Cannon and Heavy Payload to produce an enormous energy beam, and it was later fired on its own at the fighter jets escorting her.

Share this resource

Frequently Asked Questions

What do radio waves do in MHA?

Tomura Shigaraki's Radio Waves Quirk releases an electromagnetic pulse that scrambles electronics and knocks out communicators, and it can also transmit signals that wake and command Nomu.

What is the radio wave Quirk?

Radio Waves is a long range Emitter Quirk that All For One stole from an unnamed original owner and later passed down to Tomura Shigaraki as part of his stolen power collection.

How powerful are radio waves?

Beyond disabling electronics, Tomura Shigaraki's Radio Waves carries real physical force, enough to parry heavy attacks, and when combined with Air Cannon and Heavy Payload it helped produce a massive energy beam used against Star and Stripe.

Who did Tomura Shigaraki's Radio Waves Quirk originally belong to?

Radio Waves originally belonged to an unidentified victim before All For One stole it and eventually passed the Quirk on to Tomura Shigaraki.

What does Radio Waves look like when it activates?

In the anime, activating Radio Waves is shown as black lightning sparks outlined in purple crackling around the user's arms and palms.

Sources & Information

Looking for more on Radio Waves? The Dragon Ball Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.

View on Fandom

This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Dragon Ball anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.

Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:

  • Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Toei Animation and Shueisha.
  • Game pages: official box art, credited to Bandai Namco, Atari, and other publishers.
  • Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Akira Toriyama.

Help Us Keep This Wiki Accurate

Daddy Jim Headquarters maintains this encyclopedia. If you spot an error, a translation issue, or something that doesn't look right, let us know.