Unseen Heroes: The Underutilized Characters of My Hero Academia

Summary

Many characters in My Hero Academia are underutilized, missing out on more significant roles and development.
Characters like Manga, Curious, Pony, Ms. Joke, Ending, Momo, Inasa, and Star and Stripe deserve more spotlight.
These characters have interesting quirks and backgrounds that could have added depth and excitement to the story.

The narrative of My Hero Academia boasts an abundance of engaging and unique characters, but some, like Midoriya, Todoroki, and Bakugo, receive ample opportunities to evolve and progress, while others are not given the same spotlight. When a character is minimally used, it implies that they weren’t designed to hold as significant or pivotal a role in the story and battles as they potentially could have, especially when they initially appear intriguing upon their introduction.

Occasionally, some characters in “My Hero Academia” may appear to be somewhat undervalued, given their powerful Quirks should have led them to play more significant roles in the narrative. However, they might seem underdeveloped due to being overshadowed by other heroes and villains, resulting in limited screen time. In any case, these are characters who could use a bit more spotlight within Kohei Horikoshi’s widely acclaimed anime series.

8. Manga Fukidashi

The Creative Potential Of Manga Makes It A Crime That He Wasn’t Used More Often

First Appearance: Episode 16

Manga’s unique skill lets him convert spoken words into speech bubbles that then become real objects, as suggested by his name. While he is typically used for comedic purposes, his peculiar talent could have opened up interesting opportunities for Horikoshi to explore fourth-wall breaking if he chose to. Moreover, characters in the series like Mineta demonstrate the potential of seemingly worthless Quirks when properly trained. It would have been fascinating to witness how someone with such an unconventional ability might hone and utilize it effectively.

Similarly, it would have been delightful to see Manga employ his unique and imaginative language in various quirky and ingenious ways to counteract the opposition. Despite Horikoshi not making Manga a central character, which is reasonable given his focus on other characters, it seems that this student’s creativity was somewhat underrepresented within the narrative.

7. Curious

Seeing Curious Get To Interview Several Other Prominent Heroes And Villains Would Have Made For Some Great Scenes

First Appearance: Episode 108

Among the initial notable characters in the Meta Liberation Army, Curious was one of the first to make an appearance in the narrative. Unfortunately, she didn’t stay for long after her introduction. In fact, shortly after encountering Toga, Curious met a sad end at the hands of the villain. It’s a pity that she had such a brief tenure, as she could have made the story more lively and entertaining with her continued presence.

On one side, her intense passion for journalism and uncovering the truth might have led her to adopt a comedic persona, frantically attempting to extract the latest news from heroes and villains amidst their battles. Simultaneously, her lethal Landmine Quirk could have posed a real threat during the final war if given the chance to participate.

6. Pony Tsunotori

Despite Having An Interesting Background, Pony Is Largely Kept On The Sidelines

First Appearance: Episode 15

In simpler terms, Pony is a student from America who has moved to Japan. Her unfamiliarity with the Japanese language sometimes leads her to unintentionally use inappropriate words in Japanese conversations. Initially, Pony could have been a character used to introduce the concept of international heroes and global events, subtly hinting at characters like Star and Stripe who join the story later on.

Concurrently, her Horn Cannon Quirk is employed infrequently throughout the series, limited to just one or two instances, which is quite unfortunate given its potential for substantial destruction upon full-force discharge. As a whole, she’s an intriguing figure who, in the eyes of many fans, didn’t receive the spotlight she deserved.

5. Emi Fukukado

Ms. Joke Doesn’t Receive Anywhere Near As Much Attention As The Other Pro-Heroes

First Appearance: Episode 53

During the Provisional License Exam, Emi, also known as Ms. Joke, adds a lively and cheerful vibe when she sits beside the gloomy and lazy Aizawa. Her character is particularly beneficial in using her ability, Outburst, which makes individuals lose control of their emotions, causing them to laugh uncontrollably. This skill can be quite useful for subduing dangerous villains.

Even though Emi is a Pro-Hero, she rarely appears on screen, which is surprising given how entertaining it is to watch her as a character. For instance, during the final war, her role was limited to apprehending Skeptic, keeping her sidelined from the main battle for most of it. It would have been beneficial for the heroes if she had been involved when things began to spin out of control, and viewers might have enjoyed seeing more of her lively persona in action.

4. Ending

A Fascinating Endeavor Fanatic Who Only Appears For A Single Episode

First Appearance: Episode 105

In the Endeavor Agency storyline, there’s a somewhat underdeveloped antagonist named Ending who serves mostly as an obstacle rather than a significant threat. After he’s defeated, he disappears from the series entirely. It’s a pity that this character wasn’t utilized more, as his obsession with Endeavor and his conviction that Endeavor should consistently display his anger and ferocity through his actions could have made for an engaging contrast to the hero. Although his Whiteline Quirk might not be particularly captivating, it’s the depth of his character and his connection to Endeavor that holds promise.

The finale mirrors Endeavor’s mature character, yet underscores the simmering anger he harbored towards his family when his children were young. Overall, he’s an intriguing antagonist with potential for thought-provoking themes, making it disappointing that he was removed so abruptly.

3. Momo Yaoyorozu

Momo Should Have Had More Opportunities To Show Off Her Creative Quirk Ability

First Appearance: Episode 5

Initially, Momo gets a lot of attention in the series, particularly when she partners with Todoroki during the First Term Final Exam. However, as the story progresses, Momo seems less prominent than her classmates. This is noticeable because Momo’s Quirk, Creation, is incredibly potent and could be applied to a wide range of situations, such as rescue missions or defending against dangerous villains. Despite its versatility, Momo’s Quirk doesn’t seem to be utilized as much as one might expect.

It’s a pity that Momo, who has shown an impressive knack for crafting imaginative objects like rail guns and missile launchers, didn’t get a chance to display even more creativity, especially during the climactic war. Her unique ability, which piqued fans’ interest, made them eager to witness her playing a bigger role in the fight against Shigaraki and the other villains.

2. Inasa Yoarashi

Yoarashi Receives An Epic Introduction But Disappears For Much Of The Story Not Long After

First Appearance: Episode 52

In the Provisional Hero License Exam, Shiketsu High’s star student, Inasa Yoarashi, left a lasting impact with his debut. His overwhelming Whirlwind Quirk, which he used to dominate the competition, showcased a hero brimming with immense power and promise. However, it was perplexing that such a formidable character was frequently missing from the narrative’s unfolding.

Despite making an appearance during the final conflict, Inasa seems to be underutilized given his impressive introduction. Including a glimpse into his intricate bond with Todoroki through a flashback could have added depth to his character, offering insights into his personality and ideologies. This is particularly relevant as his background in the original narrative was rather brief and unceremonious.

1. Star And Stripe

America’s Number One Hero Was A Character Begging To Be Explored In More Depth

First Appearance: Episode 138

In the popular anime “My Hero Academia,” Star and Stripe is a captivating character, both visually and with her extraordinary Quirk ability. However, some fans believe that this character’s potential was not fully utilized within the storyline as she appeared only briefly in a few chapters and episodes. Given her status as America’s top hero, it might have been more effective to introduce her earlier in the plot, allowing for a better exploration of her character and her abilities.

It seems as though the author intended to delve deeper into Star’s connections with her friends and her admiration for All Might, but time constraints may have prevented this exploration. Consequently, some fans believe that if Star had been introduced earlier in the storyline, particularly before Shigaraki gained such immense power, she could have garnered significant popularity among readers. Additionally, introducing heroes from other countries through Star might have enriched the world-building aspect of the series.

2025-03-27 08:23