Top 10 Best My Hero Academia Characters

What makes a hero truly super? Is it their flashy Quirk, their unwavering determination, or their ability to inspire hope in others when everything around them is going full disaster mode?

In the world of My Hero Academia, these questions are explored through a vibrant cast of characters, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and gloriously complicated emotional baggage.

From brave young heroes and battle-tested mentors to terrifying villains and unforgettable supporting characters, the series gives fans plenty to argue about. Politely, of course. Mostly.

Who deserves to be crowned the ultimate hero, the most compelling villain, or the most captivating supporting character?

The Top Ten

Shoto Todoroki

This guy is something else. He is somehow really funny without trying sometimes. I love Shoto because:
1. His hair has an outstanding contrast.
2. I have a feeling he might be slightly autistic.
3. His powers are cool.
4. Daddy problems (yea, I know, harsh).
Trio: Bakugo, Deku, and himself

The moment I saw him, I knew he would be my favorite character, and he is. He's my comfort character, and I adore him. Some may argue that he lacks emotion or personality, but that's because he's one of those characters who reveal themselves over time, a quality I find appealing.
Shoto is cute, funny, and incredibly kind. He's considerate of others' well-being and is skilled at understanding people. His bluntness might come across as rude, but I love that about him. In fact, I love every single thing about him!
He's smart yet oblivious, reassuring, and mentally strong. I can say this confidently because I relate to him a lot. Among all characters, he has the most compelling arc. He's the only one who is actively shown to change, learn, and grow in a clear way.
Izuku Midoriya

Izuku "Deku" Midoriya is a fictional character and the protagonist of My Hero Academia, a manga series written and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi. The story is set in a world where most people possess superpowers, called Quirks, and follows Midoriya, who is born Quirkless but dreams of becoming a superhero... read more

Love this guy. He is really funny and is smiling all the time. He's selfless and thinks of others before himself, and that makes him a super loyal, trustworthy person. Even with an unstable past.
Trio: Bakugo, Shoto, and himself

Izuku is the most selfless and caring person in the entire series. He's intelligent and an incredibly developed character. His instinct to put others before himself greatly motivates his dream to become a hero. The story holds many well-developed and interesting characters, but Izuku is the perfect protagonist.
He's not your typical jock, nor the mysterious quiet boy with the dramatic childhood (we all know who that is). He's the shy, determined underdog that no one really expected to kick so much ass. The boy proved everyone wrong when people doubted his capabilities, and it's simply because it was his dream since he was a child - an element of innocence, which is rather refreshing.
He saves the people who doubted him, who bullied him. He saves whomever he can because that's what's most important to him. But he can also be a badass, powerful hero when he wants to be - it's the perfect balance. He fights at the cost of his body, going out of his way every time to save others. Shouto is a great character, no doubt about it. But how can people say he's a better character than Izuku? I have no idea.
Katsuki Bakugo

Bakugo had been a bully at first, and I didn't like it. But later, his character started to improve, and he's also apologized for his behaviour toward Deku. Sure, he can be aggressive and can be a loudmouth, but he is still a determined, kind-hearted (in his own way), and great character.
Me love Bakugo.
Trio: Shoto, Deku, and himself

Katsuki Bakugou is definitely complex. I have to tell you, when I first started the series I absolutely hated him. I hated how he would bully Izuku, etc. But he began to change a lot, and I could see the way he was growing as a character.
Sure, he can be an absolute loud, aggressive jerk, but think about it. Flaws make us who we are, and no one is perfect. Besides, he has plenty of pros too. He's smart, confident, strong, and even if it's not easy to see, he sort of has his own ways of being nice. I can find many examples of him being kind in his own loud ways.
The point is, this character has grown and grown, and it should be so clear to anyone how much he has changed.
Ochako Uraraka

I've seen a few comments saying that she's nothing more than a fangirl over Deku, but that's really not the case. Uraraka doesn't necessarily "fangirl" over Deku. Liking him was natural for her. She's a teenager. It's normal. What people are missing is the point that she thought her feelings were affecting her hero training and decided to suppress them. This shows true character development for her and tells us that she's serious about becoming a hero.
I've also seen comments claiming she's a good-for-nothing character with poor development. I understand why people might think this. She was largely overlooked after Season 2, which is upsetting. This lack of screen time could make her seem useless, but trust me, she gets better. I've read a bit of the manga, and she's a complete badass! She wants to be useful to Deku, and that makes her stand out.
Overall, I really like Uraraka and hope she gets more screen time in the future!
Toshinori Yagi

All Might won't be surpassed as a hero. Midoriya will come close, and maybe he will reach his level, but at this point in the story, All Might is the best. He is the shining Symbol of Peace, the strong pillar that has held up the world.
He is a mentor to Deku, and maybe even a father too. His selfless attitude is what made him the hero he was in the first place. The pain he experienced with his time limit is absolutely crazy, and he still pushed forward.
And then there's Nighteye - who predicted his death. All Might did exactly what we expected him to do: decide to mold fate into his own. And until Midoriya is ready, he will decide his fate.
Tsuyu Asui

Tsu is my favorite female character and second favorite out of the series, after Kirishima. She's never afraid to talk about what she thinks about a situation and always shares her opinion. She's a quick thinker, which is hard to be even when many things are happening at the moment.
SPOILER AHEAD: She even thought she didn't deserve to have fun with the class after Bakugo got rescued. SPOILER ENDED.
She's such a cinnamon roll, and you can't change my opinion! If she were real, I'd want her to be my best friend!

I really admired the comment Tsu made about Deku and Mineta during the USJ attack: "You're amazing, both of you!" She can appreciate the value and potential of Mineta's quirk despite him being so infamous among the class.
Someone who can think with minimal bias is always special. The same goes for that OVA when it delved into the story about her and that snake girl. She welcomed and accepted her for who she is.
Eijiro Kirishima

I have always loved Kirishima's personality and character. I had already read the portions of the manga where he started to really get some much-deserved attention, as well as Mina. Man, do I ship them! It has finally come out through the anime now, so I am pumped!
He has mentioned his insecurities about his quirk very little until season four. There, he revealed just how self-conscious he is about his quirk and what his abilities are. By the way, thumbs up to both Toshiki and Justin for their portrayal of him. They both captured the emotion of his scenes from season 4 episodes 8 and 9 so well! He is finally coming to grips with the fact that he can be a hero if he works hard enough.
I just love this character so much! I hope we get more development as the manga and anime continue.
Shouta Aizawa

Aizawa, in terms of strength, is really powerful. I mean, he can steal the quirks of other people just by looking at them, and he has the combat skills to go along with it. Plus, Aizawa is really kind. Some people might think of him as some strict teacher - and he does have a strict side, when it is revealed that he is known for expelling his entire class - but he also has a kind side too.
This is shown when he lets Momo Yaoyorozu carry out her plan in order to let her and Todoroki pass the exam. I think he is the strongest teacher in U.A. (excluding the I-think-is-a-little-overrated All Might). Plus, I love how he loves to sleep in a sleeping bag in the middle of a class he himself is teaching! I always get a good chuckle from that.
Momo Yaoyorozu

She is very intelligent and is by far one of the most unique characters out there. Yes, she may be a bit blunt, but it's only because she wants her classmates to improve. She possesses great talent and abilities, having worked hard for them because her quirk is quite complex. She has to understand the molecular structure of an item, which would be very difficult for someone who isn't as dedicated as she is.
She is the No. 1 student in the class in both the quirk apprehension test and the first-term final exam. This is very impressive, as there are many capable students in her class. She can play the piano very well and also remains calm under any circumstances.
So, in my opinion, Momo Yaoyorozu is one of the best people out there.
Tenya Iida

It's a shame he is put so much on the sidelines among the main characters. Sure, I'm not one for rich types, but he was raised right! He has let anger take over his morals, but it was for a good reason. Tenya is definitely underrated, as well as some of the villains.
In season 3, when Ochako leads the boys who saved Bakugou to Asui, he realizes she is crying. He felt guilty and started apologizing immediately, saying they won't ever do stuff like that again. Tenya really is very sweet, as well as extremely smart.
He cares for his classmates and peers so much and feels upset when something goes wrong. He feels he is responsible for everyone's safety, being the class rep. During his battle with Stain, he didn't want Izuku and Todoroki to get hurt because of his foolishness. When he found out about his arm injury, he didn't take the surgery to fix it. He kept his arm the way it was because he knew he made a mistake and wanted to show he can be selfless. Tenya's reason for not fixing his arm is loyal and shows he is so much more than a smart, rich boy who acts machine-like.

The Newcomers

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Shuichi Iguchi

He's an interesting guy (or lizard) who went from being your stereotypical comedic relief character to someone much deeper. He's incredibly loyal to Shigaraki, and Compress even said that he was the most devoted to the League of Villains.
He's always been extremely underrated, and I hope we get more information on him in the future!
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Kota Izumi

I feel that when he gets older, he will be super strong and amazing at fighting.

The Contenders

Denki Kaminari

Denki is definitely one of the best boys in Class 1-A! While he is often the butt of his classmates' jokes and known for his lightheadedness, he is kind, devoted, and caring towards his classmates. His hero name, Chargebolt, is by far one of the coolest in the bunch.
Once he can finally master and control his quirk well, there's no doubt he will become a great pro hero in the future. He's just so quirky and goofy that it's hard to hate him or be annoyed with him for long. He also has a certain charm that makes you want to forgive him for all of his mistakes, if you get my drift. Overall, he's a charismatic character that everyone should notice more! I hope he'll get more character development soon.
Tomura Shigaraki

Tomura is my little boy. He's too precious, and I can relate to him in some sort of way. No matter what, he'll always be my favorite. I don't care that he's a villain. He's the best villain ever.
I don't care what people may say about him because he is the best. I also vote for him because he has a sad backstory, and if I were in the world he's in, I'd be by his and Nurogiri's side forever. Best character ever.

Shigaraki and the rest of the league, by extension, are unique in the world of Shonen. Like the protagonist, Izuku, Shigaraki starts out incompetent and useless. As the story goes on, Shigaraki turns into a villain to surpass All For One. Just like Deku has to become a hero to surpass All Might.
Fumikage Tokoyami

Tokoyami is one of the strongest characters in Class 1A, and his quirk can be used for both offense and defense. If he learns to manage his Dark Shadow at nighttime, as well as increase its endurance during the day, he might become stronger than the pro heroes.
He is fast, a quick decision-maker, and a mid-range attacker, which gives him an advantage over physical attackers. Not to mention, Dark Shadow's only known weakness is fire or light. I hope the mangaka gives him some attention and love.

Tokoyami is the only person from Class 1A who is not entirely human but not entirely bird. He might also be one of the strongest characters in the whole school if he can control his quirk, "Dark Shadow."
In my opinion, he is the most handsome one out of all Class 1A. The only way he can become the most popular character is if he had more screen time. That's all I ask for my Bird Boy.
Himiko Toga

She is very pretty and unique. Instead of planning revenge or whatever the other villains want to do, she is out there calling people her type and stuff. Now, I know she doesn't mean they are actually her type, but it's cute in a way and gives her much more personality than all the other villains.
Sometimes, I don't get why there are other villains because they don't show emotion. Are they depressed or something? I mean, no hate, and I'm not trying to offend anybody, but I don't get why the others are so important.

She's such a lovable character! Her whole style and personality are so perfect! I just really hate how some people are putting her on shirts as if she's making fun of herself.
The worst part is that some people don't even know her character but still put her in those aesthetic vibe edits.
Mina Ashido

She's fun, easy-going, and the best female character in My Hero Academia.

She's funny, cute, and my absolute favorite character in My Hero Academia.

Such a sweet, pink cinnamon roll! She's an epic fighter too! I hope to see more character progression for her. Plus, she's the one who inspired Kirishima to become a hero. Can you ask for a more amazing thing to do than inspire people to be better?
Toya Todoroki

He's definitely one of those characters who barely gets any screen time in the beginning of the story but later gets their backstory revealed. Interesting and mysterious, I think he's definitely going to have a huge arc based on him that will reveal his motivations and how he got those scars.

He is cute, and his quirk is awesome. He also kind of reminds me of Todoroki. I believe that they are brothers.
I can't wait until his real name is revealed. He is my anime crush. Just look at him - he is hot. But this is just my opinion.
Kyoka Jiro

She is a character with a ton of depth despite being mostly relegated to "side-character" status until season 4. She is an anime character with real human feelings, such as feeling inadequate compared to her peers, which only adds to the depth of her character.

Her Quirk is awesome in multiple ways (stealth and brute force), even though it's unexpected. She's a good person who wouldn't let anyone mess with her, and the way she deals with situations (like USJ and her final exam) makes her an amazing hero.
Mirio Togata

He is the hero figure. Honestly, I prefer Mirio over Izuku to become the main character. He is so hardworking to work through his Quirk, which was initially poor and pretty useless at the beginning. He's so chill and heroic in saving Eri too. He's honestly underrated.

I fell in love with Mirio the first moment I saw him. His appearance is very unique, as is his Quirk! I adore his confidence and his being the social one. Definitely my number 4 spot!

Tintin is the best. He worked really hard. I hope he becomes the number one hero for now, since it's unfair if the kids surpass the adults so easily.
Tamaki Amajiki

He's such an awkward little bean! And yet, he totally deserves his position in the top three. He has obviously worked through some serious issues, trying to control his quirk and emotions and keeping himself from falling into a depressive state.
I also just love his appearance. He looks so cool! (Don't ask me why he reminds me of Riku from Kingdom Hearts. I don't know.)

To be honest, he has one of my favorite quirks in the entire series. I also feel like he may have a mild form of autism, which is not a bad thing, making him feel even more relatable.
Mei Hatsume

What I love about Mei is that she is never ashamed of her mistakes. I don't think I've seen her not smile once in the series either. She's so outgoing, happy, and cheerful all the time! It's crazy how she can do that. It even makes me happy seeing her smile!

She's probably one of the smartest, if not the smartest, character in MHA. She was able to manipulate people and come up with a genius strategy to promote her inventions. I respect her quite a lot.

You just have to admire her confidence and her inability to lose to failure. Instead, she uses it to pick herself back up.
Hitoshi Shinso

He is determined, intelligent, and quite frankly the character that I can relate to most. Even after he loses to Midoriya in the sports festival, he still refuses to give up on getting into the hero course.
Plus, his quirk would be ideal in an interrogation because he could make the suspect or bystander tell the truth. Hitoshi Shinso is underrated and a very well-written character.

Good boi. He tries to be a hero, even with all the people saying he's much more fit to be a villain. He took his quirk, which wasn't fit for any type of combat, and figured out how to use it in his favor.
He even made it to the tournament in the sports festival, goddamnit, even better than most of the two hero classes (who were specifically trained for this).
Eri

I love her smile, and though she blames herself for a lot of things, she shouldn't. It was never her fault or her desire. She never meant for it to happen.
Overall, she's an adorable cinnamon roll and deserves the whole world. You can't change my mind.

She's an adorable little bean! Even though she blames herself for a lot of things and is sad a lot, her smile is adorable. She's like a little sister.

I feel like she's so powerful and has gotten through so much. She's so strong and really deserves a better life now.
Keigo Takami

Hawks is the best! His personality is so chill, his voice is so hot, and his character design looks good. How can you not love those red wings? I hope he gets more screen time. I mean, he's the number 2 hero, and we only see him for about 20 minutes.

As well as with Dabi, Hawks is also a mysterious character. His backstory has not been fully revealed, so it will be interesting to see. I like how he blurs the line between hero and villain without becoming an actual villain.

I cannot wait for him to become a main part of the anime! I read the manga and he just gives me chills. My dude's going to be higher up real soon. Chicken wings deserves love.
Sorahiko Torino

Gran Torino is the best person to stay by All Might's side.
Yuga Aoyama

Pretty boy! So I personally think Aoyama has to be my number two favorite. Sure, lots of fans find it creepy when he stares into the camera and acts all full of himself, but I love it. He's one of those characters who truly expresses himself with no shame, unlike most anime characters, and that's the kind of development I admire very much.

I've seen people say that he is annoying and selfish. He just likes to feel like he's wanted, and in season 3, you can see his true personality. I've liked him since the beginning for some reason. To add to all of that, I think he is a funny character because of how many times he breaks the fourth wall!