You Won’t Believe the Villains Who Found Redemption in My Hero Academia!

Summary

  • Nagant shows personal growth by saving heroes and rebelling against the Public Safety Commission.
  • La Brava shifts from recording crimes to hacking for heroes, aiding in the fight against Shigaraki.
  • Bakugo seeks redemption by apologizing to Midoriya, risking his life in battle to make amends.

In a story, a redemption arc signifies a character who strives to correct their past mistakes by taking actions that atone for their wrongdoings. In the universe of My Hero Academia, where one misstep can transform an individual into a villain, it represents characters with criminal pasts who later seek redemption by championing heroism and justice.

Indeed, author Kohei Horikoshi excels at crafting complex characters with shades of gray, making it interesting to explore how these heroes grapple with their past wrongdoings and strive for redemption. As we delve deeper into the world of My Hero Academia, let’s examine the characters who have embarked on their own redemption journeys and determine which storyline has captivated us the most.

5. Lady Nagant

From Dangerous Traitor To Life-Saving Hero, Nagant Goes On Quite The Personal Journey

  • First Appearance: Episode 128

Initially, Nagant’s aspirations to be a hero were fulfilled, but she discovered that she was merely being manipulated by the Public Safety Commission. The organization compelled Nagant to ruthlessly eliminate numerous villains to preserve their power covertly. This cruel task left Nagant disenchanted with her role, leading her to assassinate the commission’s leader and ultimately align herself with All For One.

Despite initially intending to eliminate Midoriya during the Dark Hero storyline, after suffering a severe beating, she reappears in the climactic war with honorable intentions. On the brink of Shigaraki touching the surface, which would have caused mass destruction among heroes due to Decay’s immense power, Nagant managed to shoot him just as he was about to make contact, averting disaster. Although her screen time is limited, Nagant’s character arc significantly enriches her persona and transforms her from a mere one-off villain.

4. La Brava

A Devious Rogue Villain Who Eventually Puts Her Hacking Skills To Good Use

  • First Appearance: Episode 73

Initially, La Brava is depicted as an accomplice to the enamored Criminal Gently, diligently documenting his malevolent activities for public consumption. Although her crimes are relatively minor compared to the other formidable villains, her affectionate quirk remains a persistent annoyance for Midoriya. Just before they aimed to disrupt the U.A School Festival, which would have precipitated another villainous assault for the students to handle.

When it becomes clear that every member is required to thwart Shigaraki’s plan to devastate the nation, La Brava is released from her confinement to lend her technical expertise to the cause. It’s safe to say that La Brava played a pivotal role in the conflict: she successfully breached Skeptic’s headquarters and provided Gentle with the motivation he needed to keep the floating U.A. airborne, preventing it from colliding with the ground.

3. Gentle Criminal

Gentle Is Finally Able To Use His Quirk To Protect Rather Than To Cause Harm In The Final Arc

  • First Appearance: Episode 73

Gentle is a character who symbolizes the unjust nature of hero society. Originally aiming to join their ranks, Gentle once employed his Elasticity Quirk in an attempt to rescue a man dangling from a building. However, his actions inadvertently obstructed another Pro Hero, leading to the victim sustaining severe injuries from the fall and Gentle being shunned by society. As a result of this treatment, Gentle would eventually resort to using his unique Quirk for petty crimes, acting as a rejection of the society that cast him out.

Later on in the narrative, Gentle makes a reappearance during the climactic battle between the heroes and Shigaraki on the hovering U.A platform. As the platform plummets towards the ground, it’s none other than Gentle who miraculously appears to construct a colossal cushion, lessening the impact and saving countless lives in the process. Although he initially appeared as a temporary villain, Gentle’s personal struggles with self-doubt, rejection, and ultimately, his transformation into a hero, make him a character that is effortlessly endearing due to his relentless determination to prove himself worthy.

2. Katsuki Bakugo

Bakugo Eventually Comes To Realize Why He Bullied Midoriya So Relentlessly For Much Of Their Lives

  • First Appearance: Episode 1

Right from the get-go, it becomes evident to both viewers and readers that Bakugo is a relentless bully, particularly towards Midoriya. Going back to their childhood days, Bakugo has consistently tormented Midoriya due to his lack of a Quirk. However, throughout the central narrative, Bakugo undergoes a significant shift in perception towards Midoriya and the world at large.

Following his self-imposed guilt over All Might losing his Quirk, Bakugo grows fixated on measuring himself against Midoriya in terms of strength, marveling at the incredible power he had developed through his own Quirk. However, Bakugo ultimately breaks down and apologizes for the hurt he inflicted upon Midoriya, even willing to risk his own life during the final battle to support him against Shigaraki and All For One. Although Bakugo initially came off as a one-dimensional character at the start of the series, Horikoshi skillfully developed his character, particularly in his quest for redemption from his past bullying behavior, which longtime fans will cherish fondly.

1. Endeavor

Endeavor Desperately Tries To Find A Way To Atone So That His Family Doesn’t Need To Suffer Anymore

  • First Appearance: Episode 4

In the popular anime series “My Hero Academia,” it’s widely acknowledged that Endeavor is exceptionally well-written, given his intriguing character arc. As a Pro Hero, Endeavor initially sought only to surpass All Might as number one, and he had numerous children, hoping they could accomplish what he couldn’t. Unfortunately, this led to several of his kids experiencing neglect and abuse. This dark past would weigh heavily on him throughout his life.

Upon achieving the top spot, Endeavor attempts to make amends with his son, Todoroki. At first, their relationship improves, but Endeavor comes to understand that he can’t escape his past when Toya, one of his believed-dead sons from childhood, is revealed as the villainous Dabi.

Among many fans, the intriguing subplot of Endeavor’s struggle to find peace after years of self-centeredness has been particularly captivating, serving as a testament to Horikoshi’s exceptional storytelling. Initially, this narrative follows Endeavor’s quest for redemption; however, it gradually transforms into a tale of atonement as he realizes the path towards being a better father. The climax arrives when Endeavor confronts Dabi in a one-on-one battle, setting the stage for the Todoroki family to begin rebuilding. This marks the conclusion of Endeavor’s arc, signifying his decision to relinquish his hero role.

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2025-04-12 02:39