6 My Hero Academia Manga Moments That Outshine the Anime

In the world of My Hero Academia, most people are born with superpowers called “Quirks”. Izuku Midoriya, nicknamed Deku, is one of the rare few born without a Quirk. However, his life takes a turn when he meets All Might, the world’s top hero, who chooses to pass on his powerful Quirk, One For All, to Deku. With this incredible ability, Deku begins training at U.A. High School with the goal of becoming a hero himself.

The world of My Hero Academia is full of action and heartfelt moments as Deku and his friends battle villains, particularly the League of Villains. While the anime is great, some scenes truly stand out in the original manga. Here are six of the most impactful moments from the My Hero Academia manga.

6. Dabi’s Dance

More Clear Facial Expressions

Manga panels show uncomfortable movements
Close-ups on Dabi’s face
Gives a sense of unease

In the anime My Hero Academia, Dabi reveals a shocking truth: he is Toya Todoroki, the son of the famous hero Endeavor. He announces this during an odd and unsettling dance. While the dance itself is strange, it feels more like a dramatic performance than a genuine emotional outburst. The scene uses typical anime techniques, like quick cuts to the shocked reactions of other characters and over-the-top movements, to heighten the impact.

When readers experience Dabi’s story through the manga panels, they have time to fully absorb the emotional weight of his past and the impact his family had on him. The art style, with its rough lines, effectively conveys his inner turmoil and discomfort. The panels make it clear how hopeless Dabi feels about his future.

5. Dark Deku’s Appearance

More Frightening Look

Shows Deku’s struggle with mental health
Dark Deku has a much more terrifying appearance
Attempts to erase his previous self

In the anime My Hero Academia, Deku’s transformation into Dark Deku highlights his mental health struggles, but the change feels more like a disguise than a genuine shift in who he is. As he becomes increasingly stressed from fighting and the pressure of leaving U.A. High School, his physical appearance dramatically changes due to lack of food and rest.

The manga portrays Dark Deku as significantly more frightening. It visually represents a deep inner darkness within Deku, depicted with harsh, unsettling lines. Readers can clearly see how his mental state has affected him, as he’s shown with a hunched, animalistic posture. Overall, the manga does a much better job of illustrating Deku’s transformation.

4. Twice’s Death

Sacrifice to Save Himiko Toga

Villain with complicated personality
Had a deep bond with Himiko
Was loyal to his friends until the end

Twice, a character from My Hero Academia, was a villain with a difficult past and complex relationships. Despite his own emotional struggles, he was deeply loyal to his friends and always prioritized their safety. His death, while protecting Himiko, felt rushed in the anime, leaving viewers little time to fully process the emotional impact of the scene.

The manga goes into detail with Twice’s emotions, particularly showing his initial uncertainty and eventual peace. He smiles, realizing he’s found himself and is prioritizing his friends’ safety. His death, as he’s held by Himiko, is depicted in a way that truly emphasizes how heartbreaking it is.

3. Spinner’s Development

Spinner’s Change as a Character

His life as an ordinary civilian to villain
His portrayal as a “background” character
Spinner’s desperate need for belonging

In the anime My Hero Academia, Spinner is shown as a deeply lonely person who joined the League of Villains hoping to find a sense of belonging. He develops a strong bond with Tomura Shigaraki and is devastated by his death, even breaking down in front of Deku. Unfortunately, the anime doesn’t delve very deeply into Spinner’s backstory or how he grows as a character.

Looking back at the manga, it’s really clear how alone he was before he connected with the League of Villains – you can still see it in how he’s drawn. He often appears smaller than everyone else, usually hanging back in the background, which really speaks to his insecurity. The manga also shows us, through what he says, how desperately he wanted to feel like he belonged, even though he wasn’t even sure he agreed with the League’s goals.

2. Shigaraki’s Awakening

Shigaraki’s Increase in Power

Becomes a true villain
Sees his memories return
Shows the trauma Shigaraki suffered

The anime My Hero Academia briefly shows the massive destruction caused by Shigaraki’s awakening, with buildings and heroes completely destroyed. We also see hints of his memories returning as he clutches his head in pain. However, the manga delves much deeper into the significance of this moment.

The manga depicts Shigaraki’s awakening with raw intensity, showing the full extent of the harm he inflicts without any censorship. His increasingly unsettling expressions and vivid flashbacks reveal his transformation into a villain as he confronts his traumatic past, visually representing the overwhelming power of those memories.

1. Bakugo’s Apology to Deku

A New Friendship Formed

Bakugo accepts the damage he caused to Deku
Shows Bakugo expressing concern for Deku
Gives the two proper closure to their relationship

Bakugo and Deku have a complicated history in My Hero Academia, stemming from Bakugo’s childhood bullying of Deku. This was particularly fueled by Bakugo’s envy of Deku’s growing power. The anime shows a key moment where Bakugo, humbled, apologizes and quickly rushes to support Deku when he starts to fall.

The manga effectively conveys the strong emotions between Deku and Bakugo. It lingers on Deku’s internal conflict as he reverts from his Dark Deku form, visually representing it with striking imagery of shadows on his face. This leads to a powerful scene where Bakugo apologizes, depicted beautifully as they stand together in the rain. The manga truly captures the raw, immediate feelings of this moment.

2026-02-06 01:05