Todoroki’s Shocking Transformation in My Hero Academia

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Summary

  • Todoroki’s character growth from cold to compassionate hero is driven by his complex relationship with his father, and the help of his friends and family, like Deku.
  • Each pivotal moment in Todoroki’s journey, from the Sports Festival to Saving Dabi, reinforces his resolve and heroism.
  • The progression showcases how Todoroki navigates his family legacy, with key moments shaping his hero’s path.

One standout reason for applauding “My Hero Academia” lies in its exceptional character development throughout the narrative. Characters like Deku, Shigaraki, and even those on the sidelines undergo significant transformations due to their experiences within the series. This evolution gives depth to every scene, making the long-term storyline engaging and incredibly satisfying to follow.

One notable instance is Todoroki, who starts off dramatically contrasting from where he concludes the storyline. Initially, a frosty, intimidating figure transforms into one of the kindest and empathetic heroes in Japan. What sparked this transformation, and how did his reasons shift by the finale of the series?

Todoroki’s Introduction

Todoroki Makes an Icy Entrance

In the initial encounter during our first group mission with Class 1-A, I found myself face to face with a version of Todoroki unlike any we know today. His physical appearance and behavior were starkly distinct, with half his body encased in frost and a solitary fiery red eye peeking through. This enigmatic figure struck an awe-inspiring chill down the spines of his classmates. The enigma surrounding him was palpable, as they knew he concealed within himself the power of fire as well, but Todoroki consistently refrained from unleashing “that side.

Immediately following his overwhelming victory in the team-up match by turning the entire training ground into ice, and casually strolling past his rivals as if they weren’t there, we begin to grasp Todoroki’s power. However, the reason behind his reluctance to fully unleash it remains a mystery. At this stage, he appears satisfied with merely demonstrating that he doesn’t require full mastery of his abilities to be stronger than others.

Post Deku vs Todoroki

We Learn About Shoto Todoroki’s Origin

At the Sports Festival is where we discover why Todoroki prefers not to utilize his fire abilities, and it’s here that we first witness Shoto’s resolve to transform into a “hero.” Before their match, Todoroki confides in Deku, sharing various details but most significantly, his past. Crucially, he discloses that the scar on his body is a result of the physical abuse his father inflicted on his mother. Furthermore, Todoroki explains why he avoids using his other abilities: he aspires to become a hero without relying on his father’s fire-power.

After hearing this, Deku confronts Todoroki about his viewpoint, marking a significant moment in Todoroki’s story that is frequently mentioned later on. One of the most memorable scenes from the anime and manga occurs when Deku tells Todoroki, “That’s yours, it’s your quirk, not his!” This statement triggers a memory for Shoto, recalling the moment he decided to become a hero, watching All Might help others on TV much like Deku did. Overwhelmed by emotion, Shoto bursts into flames, wins the match, and undergoes a transformation that continues throughout the story. This pivotal scene marks the start or reinforcement of Todoroki’s hero journey, as indicated by the episode title, “Shoto Todoroki: Origin.

Pro Hero License Exam

Todoroki Realizes He Still Has Feelings He Needs to Address

During the Sports Festival, it seemed like Shoto was surpassing Endeavor, but during the Pro Hero License Exams, his strained relationship with his dad resurfaces, leading to a dispute with another student who harbors animosity towards him and his father. This distraction causes Shoto to fail the exam, necessitating a re-take. It becomes clear to Shoto that he needs to confront his feelings about Endeavor in order to become the best hero he can be. Although he acknowledges his own power, he is still tainted by Endeavor’s past, finding it difficult to establish his own identity as a hero. He recognizes that if he wants to achieve his dreams, he cannot dismiss his father and their history.

Endeavor Internship

Todoroki Makes the Most of His Situation

In the internship phase of MHA, Todoroki requests his father not only to acknowledge him but also Deku and Bakugo as interns. This is a significant move for Shoto, as he doesn’t forgive his father for his past actions, but acknowledges the positive impact he has made in the Hero world. Recognizing his father’s achievements, Todoroki aims to become the strongest hero himself, learning from Endeavor, whom he sees as a capable hero, despite his shortcomings as a father.

In this new development, Todoroki is pursuing his aspirations of becoming a hero more determinedly than ever before. Earlier, the thought of interacting with Endeavor would have filled him with disgust; however, now he initiates contact with his father and even requests his guidance. This is because he wants to utilize every resource at his disposal in order to achieve his goal.

Saving Dabi

Todoroki Uses Everything He’s Learned to Save His Family

Todoroki’s emotional journey concerning his father is put to the test anew when he discovers that Dabi, a villain with pyrokinetic abilities, is actually his long-assumed deceased brother, Toya. This revelation resurfaces all the shortcomings of their father and family, as well as the burden of carrying on Endeavor’s heroic legacy. Determined to make amends for these mistakes, Todoroki initially intends to rescue Dabi by himself. However, his family rallies around him, insisting they too have a part to play in helping him and Endeavor save Toya, reminding him that they are all united in their efforts.

In the final episode, it’s evident that Todoroki has undergone significant transformation throughout the series. His encounter with Toya, coupled with the revelation of his father’s continued failures, would likely have played out quite differently if the UA Sports Festival hadn’t taken place. Perhaps there was a point where Todoroki might have chosen to stand by Endeavor against Dabi’s flames. However, this time around, we witness how much Deku’s influence has impacted Todoroki. Deku’s encouragement spurs him yet again to confront Dabi and rescue the child within himself that Toya represents.

Todoroki’s storyline revolves around accepting past wounds and making the most out of the present. Initially, Shoto’s deep-seated anger towards Endeavor influenced his perception of his abilities. However, through Deku, All Might, his classmates in Class 1-A, as well as Endeavor and his family, he learns to transform into the hero he’s aspired to be.

You can stream ‘My Hero Academia’ on Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video (where available). Additionally, you can read the manga version of it using VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump App.

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2025-03-09 19:15