My Hero Academia: Top 8 Scariest Character Designs

Summary

Nomu’s giant exposed brain with eyes is a chilling visual that sticks with fans long after they’ve seen it.
Gang Orca’s humanoid orca design is terrifying to gaze at.
Toga’s sinister smile and eerie design invoke fear in the reader or viewer since there’s no telling what she’s truly thinking.

One significant factor contributing to the widespread acclaim of My Hero Academia is not only its captivating storyline and memorable characters, but also the exceptional design work. Author Kohei Hirokoshi demonstrates his mastery in character creation by crafting both lively and engaging appearances for his heroes, as well as designing eerie and terrifying looks to accentuate a character’s hidden powers or sinister intentions.

As I ponder over the diverse array of characters in the My Hero series, which has recently concluded, I find myself intrigued by those individuals who exude an uncanny level of fear despite their heroic roles. Though they may not harbor evil intentions, their imposing presence alone is enough to strike terror into the hearts of many. Let us delve into the most chilling of these characters from a strictly visual perspective.

8. Nomu

A Hulking Behemoth That Looks Like A Science Experiment Gone Horribly Wrong

First Appearance: Episode 8

In the series, while several Nomus have been introduced, the one debuting in the U.S.J arc stands out as particularly unsettling due to its design. The distinctive feature of Nomu is the large, exposed brain, with an eye connected to each side of it. This immediately creates a very unnerving image.

Additionally, what amplifies the intimidation of Nomu’s appearance is his towering stature, standing approximately twice as tall as All Might, who is already considered colossal by human standards. His massive muscles and imposing physique, combined with those unsettling eyes that always seem to lock onto his next target, make Nomu a truly terrifying adversary to behold.

7. Gang Orca

The Humanoid Killer Whale Looks As Terrifying As It Sounds

First Appearance: Episode 57

Although Gang Orca is a hero responsible for safeguarding society, he might initially seem like a villain due to his menacing appearance. After all, as his name suggests, this Pro Hero resembles a humanoid killer whale with the head of the animal and a body more similar to a regular human. This unique design can appear slightly odd and quite unsettling, especially when Orca becomes agitated.

In tense situations, an Orca may reveal its formidable teeth, and when fixated on its target, its eyes might transform into spirals – a sign of intense focus before making a strike. Unlike other animalistic humanoid characters in the My Hero series that are often depicted as adorable and harmless, Gang Orca does not fit this description.

6. Juzo Honenuki

Despite Being A Promising Hero, Juzo’s Design Is Pure Nightmare Fuel

First Appearance: Episode 15

In the Attack on Titan series, many viewers have noticed a resemblance between Juzo’s face and Eren’s Attack Titan form. While they do share some similarities, it underscores just how eerie and unsettling Juzo’s visage can be. When he’s dressed in his regular academy uniform, there’s nothing particularly extraordinary about his appearance. However, it’s his facial characteristics that make him a truly terrifying sight to behold.

With eyes that seem perpetually wide and revealing only a single black pupil, reminiscent of gazes piercing into souls, Juzo’s appearance is further enhanced by his constantly bared fang-like teeth. Contrary to appearances, however, Juzo isn’t as fearsome as he appears; instead, his menacing visage effectively deters any feeble villains that cross his path.

5. Himiko Toga

Toga’s Spine-Chilling Facial Expressions Make It Hard To Guess What’s Going On In Her Twisted Mind

First Appearance: Episode 26

scarcely does Toga, a menacing member of the League of Villains, appear without a wicked grin on her face. In several aspects, Toga’s appearance seems to have been crafted by Horikoshi as an ordinary schoolgirl, yet he skillfully incorporated subtle elements to make her look as chilling and ominous as possible. The result is a character who instills fear in others merely by her looks.

The design subtly gives an uneasy impression about Toga, instead of portraying her as an obvious villain. This subtlety makes the character more terrifying, particularly when she breaks out in a grin of delight upon discovering a possible new ally.

4. Tomura Shigaraki

The Creepy Hands Cover Shigaraki’s Body, Paired With His Emotionless Expressions, Make Him A Sinister Fellow To Look At

First Appearance: Episode 8

Throughout the storyline, Shigaraki frequently changes his appearance, but it’s his initial design—where he conceals his face and most of his body with detached hands—that stands out as the most striking and unsettling. The only visible part of his face in this design is a solitary eye, which can seem either expressionless or menacingly malevolent when focused on his next target.

In rare instances when Shigaraki chooses to uncover his mask during the initial storylines, the chilling grin that adorns his face, like when he approaches Deku in the mall, amplifies his menacing presence. It’s remarkable how fearsome Shigaraki seems, despite not being physically imposing, which demonstrates Horikoshi’s exceptional character design abilities. By eliciting such dread from readers while maintaining a weak image in hand-to-hand combat, he skillfully creates an emotionally impactful character.

3. Stain

The Sadistic Hero Killer Possesses An Eerie Appearance That Invokes Fear In The Eyes Of Anyone Who Dares Cross His Path

First Appearance: Episode 30

Stain’s sloppy and disheveled look symbolizes his place in society. He’s not a hero by any means, but he doesn’t identify as a villain either. Instead, he views himself as targeting heroes who, in his opinion, don’t deserve the title. Though he shares some characteristics with heroes, such as wearing a mask, he is heavily armed from head to toe with swords and blades, and has long red and white tails trailing behind him.

With his eyes, which frequently shone ominously in the darkness, adding to an overall chilling aesthetic, this character truly conveyed how formidable and dangerous he could be. Initially, Stain presented a more laid-back image throughout the series, but when he adopted his ‘hero killer’ persona, there was always an undeniable sense of intensity that accompanied him.

2. Deku (Vigilante)

Deku’s Horrific Vigilante Design Would Be A Stark Contrast To His Traditionally Vibrant Costumes

First Appearance: Episode 132

Towards the end of the tale of “My Hero Academia”, Midoriya chooses to depart from the academy and his companions, adopting a role similar to that of a ‘night watchman’ while assuming a more serious demeanor and an entirely transformed appearance. This new image exudes such an intimidating power that it’s almost terrifying, featuring black flashes of lightning swirling around Deku as he dons a makeshift costume reminiscent of something a villain might wear; far from fitting the image of a hero.

Initially appearing as a playful and guileless mask, it now lies in tatters, revealing Midoriya’s eyes that glow an intense green. This transformation, quite unlike anything anticipated in the series given his heroic, genuine character, left fans astounded. Yet again, Horikoshi delivered an unforeseen portrayal that exudes both badass swagger and unsettling eeriness.

1. Moonfish

An Unnerving Design Which Looks Like Something Ripped Straight Out Of A Horror Manga

First Appearance: Episode 41

Despite Moonfish having less screentime compared to other villains, he undeniably left a strong impact on fans thanks to his peculiar and rather unsettling appearance. Given that Moonfish is an escaped death row inmate, his entire figure appears encased within what seems like a pitch-black straightjacket, with only his mouth being visible.

Despite the fact that Moonfish never appears to smile or show any signs of happiness, his face often gives the impression of intense agony due to the hooks embedded in his mouth. This only serves to intensify the terror associated with this sinister character. Even when Moonfish remains motionless, he can be quite unsettling to observe. However, it’s when he wriggles in his suit and releases his tentacles from his mouth that he transforms into a truly terrifying spectacle.

2025-01-20 13:34