My Hero Academia: Stains Unique Fighting Style, Explained

Highlights

Stain, the Hero Killer, stands out as an iconic villain in My Hero Academia with a unique fighting style and relentless pursuit of justice.
His motivation stems from his admiration for All Might and his belief that fake heroes stain the world with their actions.
Stain’s tools for hunts include his quirk, Bloodcurdle, and an array of sharp weapons, used strategically in solo attacks.

As a seasoned assassin and a ruthless villain, I, Stain, have spent my entire life honing my skills to become the ultimate hunter of Heroes. My quirk may not be as flashy or powerful as some of my counterparts, but it’s the element of surprise that makes me truly dangerous.

In the anime “My Hero Academia,” Stain the Hero Killer might not appear as frequently as other antagonists. However, he has left a significant impact on viewers, making him a beloved and iconic villain. Although his actions are condemned, many can empathize with his reasons and admire his unyielding commitment to his unique form of justice.

When discussing the Hero Killer, there are numerous intriguing aspects to explore. In this article, however, we will zero in on what makes Stain truly captivating: his exceptional fighting technique. Unlike many heroes and villains, Stain doesn’t solely depend on his quirk to succeed. Instead, his approach to hunting unsuspecting heroes is filled with intricacies. Before delving into the specifics of his methods, let’s first examine what drives him.

Reason to Fight

My Hero Academia: Stains Unique Fighting Style, Explained

Instead of being motivated by greed or violence like many villains, Stain’s reasons for becoming a Hero Killer are unique. His transformation began when he tried on the hero persona briefly.

A Brief Stint as a Vigilante

Growing up, Stain deeply admired Japan’s undisputed number one hero, All Might. He dreamed of becoming a hero just like him. However, due to the limitations of his quirk, Stain was unable to pursue a career as a professional hero. Instead, he could only fulfill that role informally as a vigilante.

During his time as the enforcer of justice on the streets, Stain went by the name of Stendhal. He was successful in dealing with criminals during this period. However, he eventually came to understand that there were larger issues at play that surpassed the importance of dealing with villains. It was then that Stendhal’s transformation into Stain took place.

All Heroes Must Follow All Might

As I grew older, my admiration for All Might evolved into an all-consuming obsession. In my mind, All Might represents the epitome of what a true hero is. At first, this wasn’t a bad thing. But as time passed, my fixation on All Might transformed into something dark and twisted within me, Stain.

He discovered that many so-called heroes fell short of All Might’s expectations and appeared to exploit their hero status for personal gain and recognition. In his opinion, these heroes represented the major flaw in society. At this point, he resolved to tarnish the world’s reputation with the blood of those insincere and shameless heroes, earning himself the name “Stain.”

As a faceless entity in this gaming world, I embody the idea of acting without truly being present. I’ll paint this landscape crimson red, tracing a path that follows behind me. My footsteps mark a trail for others to follow. This bloodstained path is an indelible testament to my journey, and it will never fade away.

– Stain, My Hero Academia: Vigilante; Chapter 55

Tools For the Hunts

After discussing Stain’s background and beliefs, let’s shift our focus to the instruments Stain employs during his hunts. His weapons are an essential part of this toolkit, but since Stain’s quirk is inherently linked to hunting down heroes, it can be thought of as just another tool in his formidable collection.

Bloodcurdle

Stain’s unique ability is named “Bloodcurdle.” By consuming someone’s blood, he can momentarily immobilize them. This power might seem advantageous for a murderer, but remember the term “momentarily.” The longest Bloodcurdle can render an individual immobile lasts only eight minutes.

I’ve encountered some rather peculiar abilities throughout my time as a villain, but none have been as frustratingly limiting as this one. You see, not only does the effectiveness of my paralyzing touch depend on the individual’s blood type – with type B lasting the longest and type O the shortest – but I’m also restricted in who I can stun at any given moment.

Swords, Knives, and Spikes

Due to Stain’s unique ability that makes him consume his foe’s blood before engaging in battle, his combat approach centers around inflicting the initial wound. Consequently, he carries an extensive collection of sharp weapons and employs them with the purpose of causing injury instead of instantly ending lives. In essence, this method resembles Hidan’s fighting style from Naruto.

In his battle with Deku, Todoroki, and Ingenium, Stain primarily wields a standard katana. Moreover, he carries various smaller blades such as daggers, throwing knives, and folding knives. To add to the threat, the soles of his boots are equipped with sharp spikes, enhancing the likelihood of inflicting harm on his adversaries when he strikes them.

Plan of Attacks

Let’s discuss Stain’s history as a vigilante, his unyielding code of conduct, his distinctive ability, and the tools he employs during his pursuits. Now, let’s shift our focus to the hunt itself and explore Stain’s exceptional fighting technique and intriguing tactic for engagement.

Lone Wolf and Dark Alleyway

Stain recognizes that his unique ability isn’t particularly powerful, so confronting multiple foes puts him at a significant disadvantage. Thus, he prefers to focus on taking down one opponent at a time. Once he selects a hero as his next target for elimination, he meticulously gathers information about their typical routine in order to plan his attack effectively.

After accumulating sufficient data, he bides his time and ensures his quarry is secluded. He then entices them into a dimly lit alley, his favored terrain. Often, he achieves this by injuring an unsuspecting bystander mildly enough for the hero to hear their distress call. Essentially, Stain resembles a stealthy assassin who meticulously tracks down his foe before striking fatally from concealment.

Draw First Blood

As a gamer, when I lure my enemy into my hidden lair, I pounce unexpectedly, wielding a multitude of deadly weapons. This surprise strike can significantly weaken them. Let me tell you, even the strongest hero can’t help but falter when ambushed by an unseen adversary lurking in the shadows, buying me precious seconds to land my hits.

In just a few swift moments, Stain can draw first blood and trigger his quirk by licking the wound. Once he has obtained blood from his victim, they will be left immobile and helpless. At this point, Stain will either deliver a fatal blow to their heart or slit their throat, bringing an end to the encounter within minutes. A more fitting term for this rapid sequence of events would be an execution rather than a fight.

Relentless Barrage of Attacks

Story arc name: Vs. Hero Killer Arc
Manga chapters: Chapters 45–59
Anime episodes: Episodes 26–33

Occasionally, if other heroes manage to save the day before Stain completes his attack on his primary target, he will switch gears and display his extraordinary speed, flexibility, and exceptional combat skills, overpowering most heroes in the process. This is exactly what transpired when he came across Ingenium, Deku, and Todoroki.

Stain’s body is conditioned to deliver an assault from every angle. He hurls knives at his foe, compelling them to dodge, but then rushes towards them, brandishing a katana pointed at their throat. If the adversary successfully dodges or blocks this sword, they’ll be met with a swift kick from a spiked boot coming from an unexpected direction. It’s extremely challenging to avoid injury amidst these relentless attacks, especially if one is unaware of Stain’s unique ability.

The menacing quality of Stain lies in his unyielding persistence. He never gives up, charging relentlessly towards his foe, his movements erratic and unpredictable. Worse still, an icy rage fuels him, spreading a palpable sense of fear around it that can leave even the most battle-hardened heroes quaking in terror.

During the Hero Killer arc, Stain was at a disadvantage due to the fact that he had to face off against three opponents instead of one. Despite this handicap, it was ultimately the Hero Killer’s own accumulated injuries that led to his defeat. Time and time again, the Hero Killer was struck with critical blows, yet he managed to get back up, growing more enraged each time. It is this terrifying resilience and determination that makes Stain such a formidable, ominous, and memorable character.

My Hero Academia is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

2024-07-23 20:34