My Hero Academia: 6 Class 1-A Characters Horikoshi Should Have Focused on Instead of Mineta

While My Hero Academia centers on Deku, his classmates in Class 1-A are incredibly important to the story. Characters like Bakugo and Todoroki have significant roles and get opportunities to demonstrate their abilities at key moments. Other members of the class provide valuable support and contribute to the overall narrative.

Mineta from Class 1-A has always been a controversial character with fans. Many find his personality unlikeable, and he doesn’t stand out as much as other students, either in terms of personality or his abilities. Though never a central figure in the story, some believe the author could have developed other characters more fully instead.

Mashirao Ojiro

Ojiro has a really unique look, even within the already vibrant group of students in Class 1-A. Though he’s visually memorable, he tends to be quiet and doesn’t often take center stage throughout the series.

Throughout My Hero Academia, Ojiro is shown to be a skilled martial artist, and his Tail Quirk makes him effective in hand-to-hand fighting. However, he often works as part of a team and doesn’t get many opportunities to stand out. While he might not be as powerful as characters like Bakugo, Todoroki, or Ida, it would have been fantastic to see him have a significant moment in the spotlight, similar to Kirishima’s during the Shie Hassaikai Arc.

Mezo Shoji

I’ve always been drawn to Shoji’s design – he really stands out in Class 1-A! I always thought he had the potential to be a super compelling character, but it’s a shame because he never quite got the development he deserved. It felt like there was so much more to explore with him!

The series touched on Shoji’s identity as a Heteromorph, but it felt like the author, Horikoshi, didn’t fully explore the topic. While My Hero Academia showed some of the prejudice Heteromorphs experience, it often seemed secondary to the main plot. Some viewers have noted that this storyline had potential but could have been developed further with more attention.

Kyoka Jiro

I’ve noticed Jiro is a really popular character in the series – a lot of people seem to recognize her, especially among the Class 1-A students. She can come across as a bit indifferent sometimes, but she actually gets along well with most of her classmates and is someone you can always count on when things get tough.

Jiro is a unique character thanks to her passion for music, and her Quirk, the Earphone Jack, has proven useful on many occasions. By the end of My Hero Academia, she’s achieved success as both a professional hero and a musician, even mentoring Eri in her musical pursuits. Though she didn’t always take center stage, Jiro would be an excellent lead for a more lighthearted spin-off series in the future.

Mina Ashido

Mina isn’t always in the spotlight compared to other students in Class 1-A, but she’s a standout character among the supporting cast. Her positive and cheerful personality always makes scenes more enjoyable, and she’s proven to be a key player in keeping everyone’s spirits high.

Mina is a cheerful and likeable character, but she’s also proven to be a promising hero. She’s courageous and selflessly helps others, and her strong relationships with her classmates allow them to work well as a team. While she’s had some standout moments, many viewers likely wish she’d had more opportunities to shine throughout the series.

Toru Hagakure

Throughout much of the series, Toru Hagakure of Class 1-A didn’t get much focus. With so many students in Class 1-A having strong personalities, it was difficult to give everyone a chance to shine, especially early on. However, the main reason Toru didn’t stand out as much likely comes down to the nature of her Quirk.

Toru Hagakure’s Quirk, which made her invisible, unfortunately led to her being overlooked by many fans. While her costume provided some visibility, she often felt like a minor character for much of the series. Giving her more screen time and development would have been great for rounding out the personalities of Class 1-A.

Hanta Sero

Sero was a lively and enjoyable member of Class 1-A, and though he consistently contributed to the team, he didn’t often get the spotlight. His Tape Quirk wasn’t the strongest, but he used it in clever and imaginative ways – so much so that the series creator, Horikoshi, has said it’s one of his favorites.

I always felt Sero had a lot going for him, a real chance to be something special. It was a shame, though, because he never quite got the focus or development he deserved. He wasn’t a bad character, not at all, but he felt a little underdeveloped, like there was more to his story that we never really got to see.

2026-01-30 18:43