From Shame to Strength: My Hero Academia Characters Who Embraced Their Quirks

Summary

Quirks in My Hero Academia can be initially disliked but transform into powerful tools with practice and acceptance.
Shinso and Aizawa had to overcome self-esteem issues to embrace their quirks for heroism.
Characters like Shigaraki, Twice, Shoji, and Eri faced challenges but eventually accepted their quirks.

In the universe of My Hero Academia, when someone is born, they’re essentially rolling the dice to discover what kind of superpower (Quirk) they acquire. Unless their parents have arranged a Quirk marriage to ensure the passing down of particular abilities, the specific Quirk one receives is largely unpredictable. It often takes time for some individuals to adjust and embrace their unique powers, whereas others quickly adapt.

In the world of My Hero Academia, even seemingly insignificant or ineffective powers, known as Quirks, can be transformed into valuable assets with consistent training and commitment. Initially, some characters may have yearned for a different power, but given time, they came to appreciate and master the abilities they possess.

8. Hitoshi Shinso

Having A Villainous Quirk Lowered Shinso’s Self-Esteem

First Appearance: Episode 15

In essence, it’s essential to possess a unique trait, or “Quirk,” to become a hero. However, not everyone can have powers that spread optimism and happiness when activated. For instance, Shinso, who was once belittled and scorned due to his Brainwash Quirk during his youth, a quality more suitable for a villain than a hero.

In their early fight, Shinso tells Midoriya that he’s had to put in more effort than many others to establish himself as a hero. By the time he resurfaces before the final war, it’s evident that Shinso no longer feels humiliated or ashamed about his Quirk. Instead, his ability becomes an essential asset for the heroes, particularly when confronting the colossal beast, Gigantomachia.

7. Shota Aizawa

Wasn’t Always So Comfortable Using His Erasure Quirk

First Appearance: Episode 5

Initially, Aizawa didn’t particularly enjoy his Erasure Quirk; in fact, during his student days, he found it challenging to discover a practical application for it that wouldn’t be a hindrance to his teammates. However, now that he’s comfortable using it whenever needed, this might seem hard to believe.

Through some gentle motivation from Oboro, Aizawa came to embrace his Quirk instead of avoiding it, which ultimately propelled him up the ranks and led to him becoming a professional hero in full. This serves as a reminder that even powerful heroes might initially dislike their Quirks.

6. Tomura Shigaraki

The Weapon Used To Kill Shigaraki’s Family Becomes His Go-To Tool

First Appearance: Episode 8

Shigaraki experienced a very difficult and challenging childhood. A significant turning point came when he crossed paths with All For One, the evil genius who bestowed upon him the Decay Quirk unwittingly. Upon his return home, an unimaginable tragedy occurred where Shigaraki used the Quirk to take the lives of his own family members. Initially shocked and distraught, Shigaraki found solace and acceptance under All For One’s guidance, eventually learning to wield the power he had been gifted.

I, an observer, have witnessed Shigaraki harness Decay as a means to erase those who dared challenge him. Remarkably potent, he could summon its cataclysmic Awakening technique, capable of reducing whole structures to rubble with merely a touch. As he grew accustomed to his Quirk, few opponents remained standing before him.

5. Yuga Aoyama

Received His Quirk From An Evil Mastermind, & Struggled To Get Used To It

First Appearance: Episode 5

Despite the fact that most Class 1-A students seem to be consistently improving their Quirks, Aoyama often felt as if he was falling behind. To be frank, Aoyama’s Quirk, Naval Laser, can be quite challenging to use effectively because it requires the user to contort their body in a specific manner to ensure the beam is precise enough to inflict damage.

The primary cause of Aoyama’s unease with his Quirk stemmed from its origins, as it was secretly bestowed upon him by All For One following a request from his parents to avoid social ostracization at school. Despite being exposed as a traitor during the final war, Aoyama later embraced his Quirk as a means of atoning for his past wrongs, even unlocking its full power in the process.

4. Shota Todoroki

Initially Refused To Use His Power As A Way To Rebel Against His Father

First Appearance: Episode 5

Initially reluctant to fully utilize his potent ability that controls both fire and frost during the Sports Festival, Todoroki is hesitant due to his past. Growing up under a domineering father, Todoroki vowed never to employ the fiery aspect of his Quirk, which he inherited from Endeavor. Instead, he leaned on the icy powers bestowed by his mother.

Initially, I found that Todoroki viewed his Quirk as a reminder of his father rather than his own power. But once Midoriya convinced him to embrace it, things shifted dramatically. As the narrative unfolded, Todoroki not only learned to reconcile with his father but also grew to appreciate his Quirk – a formidable force that has defeated several villains.

3. Twice

Lets His Quirk Run Wild After It Tortured Him For Many Years

First Appearance: Episode 43

Pondering over his unique trait of duplicating anything he touches, Twice started to doubt his own identity as he spawned countless copies of himself. He wondered if he was the authentic Twice or simply another fake. With no one ready to assist with his mental turmoil, Twice chose a path towards villainy, all while understanding the destruction wrought by his very power.

Throughout the conflict against the Meta Liberation Army, Twice, having witnessed many of his fellow allies being defeated in battle, chose to fully utilize his Quirk for a devastating attack known as the Sad Man’s Parade. As his time ran short, Twice ultimately embraced his Quirk by surrendering to madness and allowing it to run amok.

2. Mezo Shoji

Victim Of Discrimination Due To His Mutant-Like Appearance

First Appearance: Episode 4

As a youngster, Shoji faced constant bullying and ridicule from those around him because of his unusual physical features, much like characters in the series My Hero Academia. In this universe, individuals with abilities that modify their appearance, such as Shoji and Spinner, are often subjected to discrimination and considered inferior compared to normal humans.

Regardless of the hardships he endured, upon entering U-A and making new friends who supported him, Shoji came to view his Quirk as something to be cherished rather than a burden. This was evident in his fierce confrontation with Spinner during the final war. However, beneath this acceptance lies a lingering anger towards the way he and others like him are mistreated. Yet, he has found tranquility with his power, and no longer sees it as a blemish on his personal identity.

1. Eri

Learns How To Control Rewind To Use It For Good

First Appearance: Episode 66

Though young, Eri boasts one of the most powerful abilities in the series – the Rewind Quirk. Regrettably, she inadvertently employed this power on her father just prior to her series debut, resulting in his demise. Subsequently mistreated by Overhaul, Eri viewed her gift as a source of shame. However, all that changed when she encountered Midoriya.

Following the application of Rewind to maintain Midoriya’s physical stability as he released his full power, Eri started viewing the ability in a significantly improved perspective. In truth, her comprehension of it grew so profound that she ultimately managed to rescue Midoriya during the final stages of the war by restoring his limbs. This demonstrates that she now feels much more at ease using the technique sparingly, showing her newfound confidence in its use.

2025-05-23 08:36