My Hero Academia: The Best Hero And Villain Rivalries In The Series, Ranked

This list contains spoilers for My Hero Academia

In the world of My Hero Academia, it’s clear from the beginning that heroes and villains are sworn enemies, with heroes being trained to protect citizens from the criminal gangs and troublemakers who roam the streets. Despite the expected animosity between the two groups, there are certain individuals who have developed personal rivalries with one another.

There are numerous explanations for why a hero and villain might develop intense rivalries, such as their ongoing attempts to outdo each other in combat or some pre-existing bond that dates back before the main narrative begins. To delve deeper into these intriguing and passionate conflicts within the world of ‘My Hero Academia’, let us now examine the most compelling and fiery feuds and explore the underlying causes for their inception.

Endeavor & Dabi

Family Members Who Are Forced To Duke It Out Numerous Times In The Story

In much of the anime series “My Hero Academia”, the character Dabi is portrayed as a mysterious villain. Although it’s evident that his Blueflame Quirk allows him to inflict massive damage in just a few seconds, he only shows any form of emotion when confronting Endeavor. This leads to multiple intense encounters between them before it’s disclosed that Dabi is none other than Toya, Endeavor’s estranged son who fled their home at a young age due to feeling overlooked by his abusive father.

In this rephrased version, Endeavor earnestly endeavors to help Dabi regain composure, hoping to rekindle their once strong father-son relationship. However, Dabi yearns for vengeance against the man he perceives as the source of his anguish and misery. This sets the stage for a profoundly emotional familial conflict that persists until the conclusion of the story.

Deku & Muscular

Passion And Willpower Versus Overwhelming Brute Strength

In the anime “My Hero Academia”, while many villains have their motives for their evil deeds, Muscular stands out as an exception. He’s driven by an unyielding desire to kill as many heroes as possible, using his formidable strength from his Quirk. However, during the Forest Training Camp, he encountered Deku, a hero who challenged Muscular both physically and philosophically. Their battle, known as one of the most thrilling in the series, saw Deku attempting to convey the idea that being a hero is about selflessness and honor, which directly clashes with Muscular’s twisted ideology.

In the narrative, their conflict didn’t conclude at that point. Later, when Muscular escaped from prison, he met Deku again, who had significantly increased his powers since their first encounter. Regardless of how often Deku defeated Muscular, the villainous figure was always eager to engage in another bout immediately, leading to an engaging dynamic between hero and antagonist that continued for a significant portion of the series.

Overhaul & Mirio

Mirio’s Fateful Duel With Overhaul Is One He Will Never Forget

Initially, Mirio had no solid evidence against Overhaul when they first encountered each other. But from the start, he sensed something troubling about him. It wasn’t long before they discovered that Overhaul was exploiting a young girl named Eri, utilizing her Rewind Quirk for his personal ambitions. Deku played a significant role in capturing Overhaul when they stormed his hideout. However, Mirio, who became the victim of an unscrupulous attack by Overhaul that stole his own Quirk using a Rewind bullet, developed a deep-seated animosity towards the villain.

In contrast, Mirio’s extraordinary strength was proving challenging for Overhaul as well. Their fierce encounter tested both to their maximum capacity. Given his lifetime dedication to master his unique ability, losing it so effortlessly left a profound emotional impact on Mirio, ensuring he would forever remember the vile villain, Overhaul, by face and name.

Toga & Uraraka

Two Girls Who Form A Strange Bond That Changes Throughout The Story

In the world of “My Hero Academia”, Uraraka and Toga’s relationship seems oddly unique. Upon their initial meeting at the Forest Training Camp, it doesn’t take long for Toga to develop an intrigue towards Uraraka, coupled with her personal feelings for Deku. Initially appearing friendly, Toga is far from harmless. She’s ready and willing to kill anyone who dares to obstruct her or the League of Villains, making her a constant participant in fights throughout the series, many of which involve Uraraka.

As the narrative unfolds, the two young characters gradually develop an unusual yet empathetic bond that transcends on an emotional plane. Due to Toga ingesting Uraraka’s blood and gaining her ability, she experienced an odd sense of attachment towards the student, although ultimately, they were compelled to part ways when it appeared as though their rivalry was evolving into a deep, enduring friendship.

Hawks & Dabi

Hawks’ Main Rival When Working Undercover Was Dabi

Initially, Hawks’ covert operation within the Villains League progressed smoothly for some time. However, despite his best efforts, there was a villain, Dabi, who remained wary of Hawks. Even though Hawks was prepared to demonstrate his devotion to their cause by supplying them with Jeanist’s corpse, Dabi always appeared to view him with suspicion.

Due to this situation, a competitive dynamic formed between the two, where they were always seeking chances to outsmart each other, avoiding direct confrontations as much as possible. However, this peace lasted only until Hawks revealed his true self. In response, Dabi swiftly retaliated by setting Hawks ablaze with his Blueflame Quirk, making it clear that anyone who crosses Dabi’s friends can expect to face him at some point.

All Might & All For One

Longtime Arch-Rivals With So Much History Between Them

The vast majority of rivalries discussed on this list originated within the main storyline of My Hero Academia, but the animosity between All Might and All For One stretches back for an extended period. All For One, now a malevolent mastermind, has claimed numerous hero lives since his transformation, among them was Nana, a previous mentor to All Might. After gaining the One For All Quirk, All Might had found the necessary power to confront All For One directly. However, it was evident that overcoming him would still prove formidable.

In the early stages of their epic confrontation within the main narrative, their encounters reverberated through the entire city with immense force, thanks to their colossal power and might. Even though All Might had lost his unique ability, he was eager to face All For One during the Final War, arming himself with Support Gear to ensure his survival. It goes without saying that no matter how much they may weaken or lose vigor as they age, they will always be seen as arch-nemeses, ready to seize any opportunity for a rematch.

Deku & Shigaraki

The Protagonist And Main Villain Of The Story Have Been On Quite a Ride Together

As an observer, I’ve noticed that Deku and Shigaraki, being the central characters with contrasting roles, it was only a matter of time before their paths collided in a heated rivalry. However, it took some time for this dynamic to fully develop. Initially, Deku found himself intimidated by Shigaraki due to his fear and the fact that he wasn’t yet fully adept with his new Quirk. He realized that if they ever clashed, he would be no match for him.

But things started to shift as Deku gained multiple Quirks from the previous One For All users. Simultaneously, Shigaraki was subjected to Dr. Garaki’s experiments, enhancing his powers significantly, especially with the acquisition of One For All.

The series culminates in their colossal, climactic confrontation during the Final War. Despite their intense animosity towards each other, they harbor a complex bond due to all they’ve experienced together. Deku is driven by an insatiable curiosity to fathom why Shigaraki turned into a villain initially and seeks to extract him from the depths of despair he now resides in. Although they have inflicted severe harm on each other numerous times, destiny repeatedly brings them back together, leading Deku to believe that this is a villain whose redemption will solidify his status as the most exceptional hero.

2025-09-05 16:39