My Hero Academia Fights That Are Better In The Anime

Key Takeaways

The My Hero Academia anime elevates key fights with impeccable animation, voice acting, and soundtracks.
Standout battles include Deku vs. Todoroki, All Might vs. All For One, and Deku vs. Bakugo.
Some encounters, like Shigaraki vs. Star and Stripe or Uraraka vs. Toga, were completely redeemed when compared to their original iterations from the manga.

As someone who has grown up with the manga and anime versions of My Hero Academia side by side, I can attest to the transformative power that the animated adaptation can have on even the most lackluster battles from the source material. The dynamic animation, immersive music, and exceptional voice acting have breathed new life into some of the series’ previously overlooked confrontations, elevating them to new heights.

In no time, My Hero Academia soared in popularity among shōnen action series due to numerous factors, but one of the key reasons was its frequent thrilling battles. Author Kohei Horikoshi has a knack for crafting gripping confrontations that truly challenge his characters’ skills and abilities.

The original “My Hero Academia” manga is outstanding, yet there have been numerous instances where the Bones-animated series excels in adapting certain battles, even surpassing them with its exceptional animation, voice acting, music, and other elements. Numerous such cases exist, but the following eight fights stand out as the most striking examples of this phenomenon.

8 Izuku Midoriya vs. Shoto Todoroki

An Incredible Battle That Changed The Show’s Reputation

My Hero Academia Fights That Are Better In The Anime

Chapters 38 to 40 (Manga) Episode 23 (Anime)

The anime series “My Hero Academia” started strongly with its first season, matching the quality of the manga. However, it was in Season 2 where the show really left a significant mark on the industry. The highlight of this season was undoubtedly the intense fight between Deku and Todoroki during the U.A. Sports Festival, which stood out as the most memorable moment across all episodes.

In the manga, the confrontation between these two fierce competitors was already deeply affecting, but when it came to animation, Bones outdid itself with exceptional voice acting, a powerful soundtrack, and above all, breathtaking animation. To this day, the climactic scene in which Todoroki uses Flashfreeze Heatwave against Deku remains one of the most remarkable moments in the entire anime series, six years after its initial broadcast.

7 All Might vs. All For One

The Finishing Move Alone Cemented It As One Of The Best Fights In All Of Anime

Chapters 89 to 94 (Manga) Episodes 48 and 49 (Anime)

For quite some time, audiences were led to believe about the looming rivalry between the Peace Symbol, All Might, and the Evil Symbol, All For One. However, it wasn’t until All For One made his official entrance into the narrative during the Hideout Raid Arc that the tension seemed authentic. Instantly, he demonstrated just how formidable he could be.

The clash between these two icons of the past generation was as exciting as it was emotional, with All For One making use of his numerous stolen quirks and All Might wielding the final remaining embers of One For All. Seeing the #1 Pro Hero keep fighting despite his poor condition was really inspiring, and it all culminated with his amazing final attack: United States of Smash. The fluid animation of this move, combined with Kenta Miyake’s breathtaking performance, cemented this moment as one of the most incredible in all of My Hero Academia.

6 Izuku Midoriya vs. Katsuki Bakugo

Closing Off Season 3 With An Amazing Final Battle

Chapters 117 to 121 (Manga) Episode 61 (Anime)

The latter part of Season 3, centered around the Provisional Hero License Exam storyline, wasn’t exactly poor, but it fell short when it came to providing a major emotional conflict compared to the initial half. However, viewers were surprised when they witnessed a heated confrontation between longtime adversaries, Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo, in one of the season’s closing episodes.

In this second battle between Deku and Bakugo, the animation is exceptionally fluid, stunning, and even awe-inspiring – arguably the best animation seen in all of “My Hero Academia.” Interestingly enough, this fight was initially overshadowed by other more extravagant conflicts depicted in the manga. However, Nobuhiko Okamoto’s outstanding portrayal as Bakugo adds a powerful emotional depth to their encounter that truly elevates it.

5 Izuku Midoriya vs. Overhaul

An Epic Battle Against A Giant Kaiju

Chapter 156 to 159 (Manga) Episodes 75 to 77 (Anime)

Towards the climax of the Shie Hassaikai Saga, the primary villain, Overhaul, utilized his formidable ability to merge with several underlings, transforming into a terrifying colossal creature. With Eri and her quirk, Rewind, Deku activated One For All to its maximum capacity, squaring off against this fearsome entity at peak strength. This encounter was already significant in the comic, but the animated version took it up several notches.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, the animation in this scene was mind-blowing! Watching Deku unleash his full strength, soaring through the air and dismantling Overhaul’s monstrous form, was an absolute thrill. The final barrage of punches he threw? Nothing short of flawless. It perfectly captured the fear in Overhaul when defeat was imminent. What made this fight even more immersive was that you could almost feel the raw power radiating from Deku, something not always easy to grasp in a manga format.

4 Endeavor vs. Hood

A Fiery Clash That Changed Endeavor Forever

Chapters 186 to 190 (Manga) Episodes 87 and 88 (Anime)

For quite some time, enthusiasts harbored doubts that the top Pro Hero, Endeavor, could match All Might’s esteemed legacy. However, their skepticism was quashed when he was compelled to battle and vanquish the High-End Nomu called Hood. The artists at Bones skillfully brought to life every flaming attack from Endeavor, making them both aesthetically pleasing and potent. Furthermore, his teamwork with Hawks produced some stunning synchronized attacks.

However, it’s Tetsu Inada, the voice actor behind Endeavor, who truly steals the show in this fight. With his signature exclamation of “Plus Ultra!”, he defeats Hood using his Prominence Burn. This moment signified Endeavor’s embrace of U.A. High School’s motto, marking a significant milestone in his character’s growth. The anime creators masterfully built suspense at the end by skillfully using silence and music, making us wonder who emerged victorious before revealing that it was indeed Endeavor.

3 Izuku Midoriya vs. Lady Nagant

The Intense Climax Of Deku’s Dark Hero Arc

Chapters 312 to 315 (Manga) Episodes 133 and 134 (Anime)

Without a shadow of a doubt, the Dark Hero Arc stood as one of Izuku Midoriya’s most challenging and emotionally intense experiences. To underscore just how far he had progressed, it demanded an extraordinary, climactic confrontation. Fortunately, this is exactly why his battle against Lady Nagant was incorporated into the storyline, and it proved to be a fitting culmination of events.

In this battle, there were two primary objectives: First, to showcase Deku’s extraordinary mastery over his newly acquired One For All quirks, and second, to highlight Lady Nagant’s formidable sniping prowess. The animation made the action more dynamic, allowing viewers to grasp the location of each character with greater clarity compared to the static manga version. Lastly, Deku’s Manchester Smash was magnificently animated, appearing even more awe-inspiring in motion than it did in the comic book.

2 Tomura Shigaraki vs. Star And Stripe

Kicking Off Season 7 With A Mind-Blowing Battle

Chapters 330 to 334 (Manga) Episodes 139 and 140 (Anime)

The clash between Tomura Shigaraki and Star and Stripe, a duel that had been notorious among manga enthusiasts for several years, was primarily known for its short span and the shocking demise of the top American Pro Hero after such extensive anticipation. Despite Kohei Horikoshi’s art reaching its peak during this entire confrontation, it failed to salvage its tarnished image. However, this negative perception was mostly overshadowed by the anime adaptation.

Season 7 of My Hero Academia started with this fight, and it was so incredibly adapted that most fans felt it was completely redeemed. This was mostly because of the impeccable animation that was not only used to better explain Star and Stripe’s complex New Order quirk but also translated her over-the-top attacks into some of the most epic set pieces in the entire show. The music and voice acting also helped improve this fight a lot, especially at the end when Cathleen Bate sacrifices herself in order to heavily weaken Shigaraki, which hit way harder in the anime.

1 Ochaco Uraraka vs. Himiko Toga

One Of The Weakest Parts Of The Final War Arc Became One Of The Strongest Ones

Chapters 391 to 394 (Manga) Episodes 158 (Anime)

As a gamer immersed in the thrilling world of The Final War Arc, I’ve been eagerly anticipating each intense showdown. However, the climactic clash between Ochaco Uraraka and Himiko Toga didn’t quite live up to my expectations compared to other battles within this arc. It wasn’t a letdown per se, but it simply lacked the intrigue and excitement that other fights delivered.

Despite initially being seen as a weak point, this fight was dramatically improved and is now highly regarded in the anime series. The application of vibrant colors, captivating music, and even elements that typically detract from an anime’s quality, such as CGI animation and recurring flashbacks, significantly enhanced its impact. The meeting between Uraraka and Toga seems more expansive and ambitious in the anime version, with voice actresses Ayane Sakura and Misato Fukuen delivering exceptional performances, capturing both their characters’ struggles and aspirations. Lastly, the scene where Uraraka activates her quirk to make an army of Twice clones float was enchanting in the adaptation.

2024-10-09 21:24