My Hero Academia: The Dark Side of Being a Hero

Summary

My Hero Academia heroes face immense physical and emotional challenges in their quest for justice.
Some heroes, like Ragdoll and Mirko, suffer significant losses due to their abilities being taken away.
Characters like Shoto, Uraraka, and All Might endure emotional turmoil and family struggles despite their heroic roles.

In the realm of My Hero Academia, it’s customary for individuals who choose heroism to be prepared to risk their physical and emotional health to aid others. Some find tasks like cleansing the streets of dangerous villains and safeguarding civilians relatively simple, particularly those with robust and dependable Quirk powers. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that not everyone has a smooth journey.

In stark contrast, numerous heroes have faced immense hardship and agony due to their roles, yet they persist in their fight for justice. Witnessing such individuals who’ve braved the depths of despair, only to continue giving their all against the villain, is always awe-inspiring. This description aptly applies to the following characters from “My Hero Academia,” but be warned: this list includes spoilers up to the end of season 7.

9. Ragdoll

A Young And Bubbly Hero Who Had Her Quirk Snatched Away In An Instant

First Appearance: Episode 41

During the Forest Training Camp storyline, Ragdoll is unveiled as a member of The Wild, Wild Pussycats, a lively band of heroes. Though she takes pride in her heroic role and readily assists students in understanding their duties as future heroes, sadly, Ragdoll falls among the many casualties at the hands of All For One – a malevolent mastermind who seizes Quirks for his own power augmentation.

Due to no longer having her special power, Ragdoll had to step down from active duty. The joy she once exuded transformed into a quiet sadness as the other Pussycats continued their crime-fighting endeavors, leaving her only able to watch from the sidelines. Although Ragdoll was fortunate enough to survive All For One’s grasp, it’s undeniable that losing the power she needed to become a hero was not an easy pill to swallow.

8. Mirio Togata

Mirio’s Unique Quirk Has Been Both A Blessing And A Curse For The Aspiring Hero

First Appearance: Episode 62

A recurring idea in the story of My Hero Academia is that any ability, even if it appears worthless at first glance, can be valuable when its user invests enough effort into mastering it. One of the most compelling illustrations of this concept is Mirio, a highly capable hero who tirelessly works to understand his permeation power, which grants him the ability to become completely intangible.

To put it plainly, becoming a hero wasn’t easy for young Mirio even at its best, but losing my Quirk to one of Overhaul’s Quirk-destroying bullets was truly heart-wrenching. I tried my hardest to maintain a positive outlook throughout the ordeal, but deep down, it felt like my very essence had been ripped away when they took my Quirk. Though I eventually regained it towards the end of our tale, it was still an incredibly difficult pill to swallow after all the effort I’d invested up until that point.

7. Ochaco Uraraka

Uraraka Continues To Fight Against The Odds, Despite How Much She’s Been Through

First Appearance: Episode 3

Throughout the series, Uraraka initially appears as a gentle and innocent hero. However, by the climactic final arc, she undergoes such profound changes due to her hardships that she seems like a completely transformed individual, demonstrating the intensity of her experiences. Given that Uraraka had feelings for Deku early on, she was compelled to witness his repeated self-destruction as he harnessed his newly acquired Quirk.

When Deku chose to act independently and leave UA, his frequent exposure to danger deeply affected Uraraka, but it wasn’t the only challenge she had to confront. The death of Toga was particularly hard for her to bear, as she felt a certain bond between them by the time they clashed in the final battle.

6. Endeavor

Endeavor Tried To Repent For His Actions, Though This Was Far From Easy

First Appearance: Episode 17

As an observer, I can’t help but notice a recurring debate: some believe that Endeavor, given his past actions affecting his family, is a character who should endure hardship. Yet, when he climbs to the top hero position, there’s a hint of change as he begins to grapple with his mistakes. Endeavor yearns for reconciliation with his family, but the process of atoning for his sins and understanding his actions proves challenging, indeed.

As Endeavor was starting to mend things with Shoto, he is suddenly confronted with the shocking revelation that one of his presumed deceased sons, Toya, is alive and working as a villain with the intention of killing him. Although Endeavor has a less than stellar past, it’s evident that he has endured significant emotional turmoil in his pursuit to change.

5. Shoto Todoroki

Todoroki Is Forced To Watch His Family Fall Apart

First Appearance: Episode 4

It’s an understatement to say that Shoto had a challenging childhood. In fact, Shoto was one of many children born to Endeavor, who aspired to create offspring capable of eventually surpassing All Might. Being perceived as the ideal child, Endeavor subjected young Shoto to grueling training regimens. As the family grew increasingly estranged, Shoto endured such severe abuse that he even received a scar from his mother’s lash during one of her outbursts.

From the narrative, it becomes clear that Shoto consistently avoids utilizing the fire aspect of his Quirk, as it was bestowed upon him by his cruel father. Throughout the storyline, he encounters numerous challenges, including the revelation that his estranged brother is a member of the Villain League. This eventually leads to one of the most emotionally charged battles in the entire tale, where he must confront this brother directly.

4. All Might

Japan’s Pillar Of Strength Has Lost A Lot Of People In His Career

First Appearance: Episode 1

Despite maintaining an ever-present smile and projecting an image of inspiration, All Might’s career history reveals a man who has endured immense hardships. Physically, the toll that One For All has taken on him is staggering. While he often appears unfazed by attacks, flashbacks reveal that he tends to overexert himself at times, which can have catastrophic effects on his body.

All Might endured significant emotional turmoil, particularly following the passing of his cherished mentor Nana. Her memory was repeatedly tarnished by All For One posthumously. Given his long-standing role as a top hero, it’s no wonder that All Might faced immense hardship in his dedication to protecting Japan. This selfless effort is likely why villains like Stain regard him as one of the few genuine heroes.

3. Mirko

The War Ended Up Taking A Pretty Heavy Physical Toll On Mirko

First Appearance: Episode 87

Mirko is a valiant Pro Hero, always eager for combat, and with her unique rabbit-given abilities like extraordinary strength and speed far surpassing that of ordinary humans, she’s well-equipped to subdue even the most formidable foes. However, during the Paranormal Liberation War, she might have bitten off more than she could handle when she encountered a massive swarm of Nomu.

In my fervor for the series, I can’t help but share my thoughts on Mirko’s incredible journey. Although she succeeded in defeating numerous adversaries, it came at a heavy cost – she ended up losing multiple limbs along the way. This trend continued throughout the following arcs, to such an extent that it became a running joke among fans about how many appendages she would lose by the end of the story. Despite her ever-optimistic demeanor, there’s no denying that physically, she’s faced more hardships than most heroes in this series.

2. Hawks

From Cheeky Pro Hero To Vilified Agent, Everything Went Wrong For Hawks

First Appearance: Episode 87

Growing up, Hawks ascended through the ranks within the Public Safety Commission, leveraging his unique Fierce Wings Quirk to secure a Pro Hero position swiftly. This made him the youngest Pro Hero ever, which he typically portrays as a composed and confident individual. However, trouble wasn’t far behind for this charming hero.

Following Dabi’s revelation that Hawks had coldly murdered a villain, his previously lofty reputation started to spiral downwards, marking just the beginning of his troubles. In the climactic battle, Hawks chose to courageously confront All For One, however, after enduring a barrage of powerful strikes, he ultimately lost his wings and his Quirk permanently. On a positive note, Hawks does ascend to the position of President for the Public Safety Commission in the end, but it’s not the destination he had envisioned at such a young age.

1. Nana Shimura

Nana’s Attempts To Protect Her Family Turned Out To Be In Vain

First Appearance: Episode 24

To start the plot of My Hero Academia, the individual who held the power known as One For All was once a renowned hero named Nana Shimura. Aware that she was being pursued by the incredibly powerful villain, All For One, Nana took the challenging step to leave her loved ones behind so they could enjoy a peaceful and carefree life, separate from the tumultuous world of hero work.

Nana faced immense struggles as she couldn’t defeat All For One and learned her efforts to protect her family were futile. This led to her son harboring intense hatred for all heroes, which eventually influenced Shigaraki to become a destructive villain. Despite enduring so much pain, Nana’s ability to put on a smile and lift others’ spirits even in their darkest hours highlights her as a truly inspiring hero.

2025-07-04 08:35