8 Things My Hero Academia Does Better Than Demon Slayer

In simpler terms, Kohei Horikoshi’s “My Hero Academia” and Koyoharu Gotouge’s “Demon Slayer” emerged as two highly successful and captivating action series for young audiences during the mid to late 2010s. It goes without saying that fans of this genre were thrilled to have access to not one but two outstanding series, offering compelling stories, endearing characters, and awe-inspiring action scenes, all at once.

Over time, people naturally started evaluating these two series against each other to determine which one is more outstanding. It’s important to note that both series have significantly influenced the industry and are of high quality. Nevertheless, My Hero Academia excels in several aspects compared to Demon Slayer, and the eight examples provided below are just some of the most commonly recognized instances of this superiority.

This version attempts to make the text more conversational while maintaining the original meaning and tone. The use of “naturally started” instead of “inevitably began,” “evaluating” in place of “comparing,” and “outstanding” rather than “superior” aim to make the language more natural and easy to understand for a broad audience.

World Building

MHA Actually Shows The Audience What’s Happening Outside Of Japan

It’s quite typical for well-known manga/anime series to be set in Japan, given their primary audience is usually from there. However, it can be a letdown when these narratives fail to give us glimpses of events beyond Japan and how those fictional elements influence other nations. For instance, the entirety of Demon Slayer unfolds during the Taisho Era in Japan, and its power system and visual aesthetics are deeply rooted in this specific setting.

It’s clear that the story of Demon Slayer is captivating and rich in Japanese culture, but it doesn’t clarify whether demons exist or have appeared in other regions. On the other hand, while My Hero Academia also unfolds in Japan, it consistently illustrates how the emergence of quirks has impacted societies worldwide and features International Pro Heroes such as Star and Stripe, Captain Celebrity, Salaam, Big Red Dot, and numerous others.

Protagonist

Deku Is A Much More Interesting Character Than Tanjiro

In a notable transformation of the action shonen genre, shows like “My Hero Academia” and “Demon Slayer” stand out due to their protagonists exhibiting a more compassionate and thoughtful demeanor, contrasting the rougher, sillier, and self-centered characters that were common in earlier generations (such as Goku, Naruto, Luffy). This shift towards more relatable heroes has been warmly embraced by viewers, resulting in large fan bases for Izuku Midoriya and Tanjiro Kamado.

While Tanjiro and Deku share likability and kindness, Tanjiro’s character appears more straightforward and less complex in contrast. His development mainly revolves around his physical growth and combat against demons, whereas Deku undergoes significant character evolution. Throughout the series, Deku’s interpretation of heroism is repeatedly tested, causing profound changes to his personality and decisions. By the end, Deku remains kind-hearted but has also matured into a more serious and responsible individual.

Power System

Quirks Are Much More Clever Than Breathing Styles And Blood Demon Arts Combined

It’s commonly the case that the appeal of an action shonen series is closely tied to its unique power system, and that certainly holds true for these two shows. “Demon Slayer,” for instance, showcases various breathing techniques used by characters to channel immense sword-wielding prowess. The reason being, the demons in this series can employ Blood Demon Arts, making them extraordinarily dangerous and unpredictable foes.

In the narrative, these two power systems function well, particularly when they intertwine, yet they tend to be quite commonplace and don’t seem to significantly influence the world beyond demon slayers and demons who employ them. On the other hand, in the series My Hero Academia, the central focus is almost exclusively on its power system: quirks. These genetic mutations grant individuals diverse superhuman abilities that not only led to the emergence of both heroes and villains, but they also shaped history, culture, and politics globally. Moreover, quirks are significantly more versatile than breathing styles, enabling Horikoshi to explore a multitude of distinct character designs and extraordinary powers.

Character Designs

MHA Characters Usually Look A Lot More Distinct

In the realm of “My Hero Academia”, quirks not only grant extraordinary powers but can also profoundly change one’s physical appearance. Consequently, a multitude of characters in this series boast intriguing and distinctive looks, particularly those labeled as Heteromorphs – individuals with Mutant Type quirks that have persistent visual alterations on their bodies. Additionally, given that “My Hero Academia” is a tale about superheroes, the main characters often sport meticulously designed hero costumes, reminiscent of classic American comic books.

In addition to its captivating storyline, Demon Slayer boasts impressive character designs for human characters. Characters like Inosuke, Nezuko, and Tanjiro particularly stand out. Yet, some of these human characters can appear rather commonplace and uninteresting, primarily due to a lack of narrative elements that could significantly alter their appearances. However, this observation is limited to the humans; the demons in this series are notably bizarre, unique, and intimidating. Nevertheless, they don’t compare to the truly unsettling villains found in My Hero Academia.

The Villains

MHA Spends A Lot Of Time Fleshing Out Its Antagonist (Before They Die)

It’s truly fortunate that fans of anime and manga have been treated to some of the most exceptional antagonists in the industry by both “My Hero Academia” and “Demon Slayer”. Standout villains from these series include Tomura Shigaraki, All for One, Dabi, Toga, Rui, Akaza, Kokushibo, and Muzan Kibutsuji. While both shows dedicate time to developing and showing the humanity of their villains, it’s worth noting that “My Hero Academia” tends to excel more in this regard compared to “Demon Slayer”.

Essentially, the series Demon Slayer seems to lack well-developed villains compared to some other popular anime like My Hero Academia. In Demon Slayer, many villains are simply evil demons that meet a quick end, and those with more depth usually have their backstories revealed at the last moment, leaving little time for the audience to truly appreciate them. Conversely, in My Hero Academia, villains like Shigaraki, Dabi, or Toga possess compelling backstories, clear motives, and a drive to become stronger in pursuit of their ambitious goals. This complexity makes these characters just as beloved by fans as the heroes themselves.

Real-Life Messages

MHA Actually Tries To Say Important Things About The Real World

The “Demon Slayer” narrative focuses on family values, determination, diligence, and the extraordinary power within humans – themes that are truly motivational, giving this series an enduring quality compared to many of its peers. However, these concepts can sometimes appear straightforward or commonplace due to other well-known shōnen series having previously addressed them with greater complexity and originality.

In addition to exploring themes like diligence, camaraderie, and bravery, the series “My Hero Academia” delves into aspects of its storyline that mirror real-world issues, such as the prejudice faced by Heteromorphs and the mistreatment Endeavor inflicted on his own children. While it may not have been flawless in conveying these messages, it’s clear that Horikoshi aimed to make a lasting impression on its readers, a goal not all manga authors can claim to achieve.

Length And Pacing

Demon Slayer Ended Way Too Soon

Although Demon Slayer started serialization two years after My Hero Academia, and they both gained popularity during the late 2010s, Demon Slayer concluded in 2020, which is four years before My Hero Academia ended. This indicates that Demon Slayer has significantly fewer chapters (only 205) compared to the extensive number of chapters (431) in My Hero Academia’s final volume.

Absolutely, having more chapters isn’t always better, but the extra 200+ chapters in “Demon Slayer” have given author Horikoshi the space to fully express his vision without hurrying the narrative. Many fans acknowledge that while the Infinity Castle Arc is thrilling and enjoyable, some characters like Rengoku, Uzui, Tokito, and Kanroji had too little time to truly shine, either before or during this arc. It’s peculiar that characters such as Himejima, Iguro, and Shinazugawa received minimal screen time in the story, which made them seem less compelling compared to their counterparts.

Supplemental Material

Vigilantes Is One Of The Best Spin-Off Series In The Industry

When a widely recognized manga series gains global popularity, its creator and publishing house often swiftly approve multiple new versions, or offshoots, created by different writers and artists. For instance, there are humorous and light-hearted spin-offs like “My Hero Academia: Smash!!” and “Kimetsu Gakuen!”, which have entertained fans for quite some time.

In terms of more substantial, storyline-focused spin-offs, My Hero Academia undeniably outshines Demon Slayer. Although Demon Slayer does have a couple of brief stories focusing on Rengoku and Tomioka that are quite engaging and help develop these characters, they’re not particularly exceptional. Conversely, there’s the captivating 126-chapter spin-off series My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, which delves into the intriguing universe of unauthorized vigilantes and introduces a fresh batch of endearing characters that enrich the core themes of the franchise. The original Vigilantes manga was already well-liked, but its animated adaptation has added to its appeal, making it one of the finest spin-offs in the action shōnen genre.

2025-08-31 17:36