Overview
- Midoriya faced formidable adversaries like Shoto and Muscular, challenging his limits.
- He was compelled to harness One For All, employing all seven Quirks against Shigaraki.
- Despite facing daunting challenges, Midoriya’s determination and faith in his abilities led to his ultimate triumph.
The journey to becoming a distinguished hero has not been straightforward for Midoriya, the tenacious main character of My Hero Academia. While the examinations alone are intense, Midoriya has also encountered numerous powerful villains. Relying on the extraordinary One For All, he often found himself grappling with how to wield its vast power effectively.
This necessity has driven Midoriya to confront various foes throughout the My Hero Academia saga, compelling him to tap into his innate courage and resolve to achieve victory. In this piece, we will reflect on Midoriya’s most significant battles, highlighting the challenges he faced and his strategic maneuvers that led to his success against the odds.
This article contains spoilers for the entirety of My Hero Academia, including details on the original manga’s conclusion!
8. Hitsohi Shinso
Midoriya’s Close Call Against Shinso
- Episode 20
Within the world of My Hero Academia, Shinso is often underestimated due to his Quirk, which enables him to hypnotize others, a power some might consider suited for a villain. However, when matched against Midoriya, it becomes evident that Shinso’s ability is formidable in direct confrontations.
As the fight unfolds, Midoriya scores some hits, but soon falls under Shinso’s mental influence. The only way for him to regain control is through the assistance of One For All, which periodically appears to free him from Shinso’s grip. Ultimately, Shinso’s unrelenting pressure puts Midoriya on the defensive throughout much of their brief bout.
7. Katsuki Bakugo
Facing a Rival: Midoriya vs. Bakugo
- Episode 61
The showdown between Midoriya and Bakugo during the Provisional License Exam encapsulates their emotional struggles. For Bakugo, this battle reveals his growing guilt over his actions that sidelined All Might, while acknowledging Midoriya’s considerable power. For Midoriya, it represents a chance to demonstrate his training progress with One For All.
Bakugo’s relentless speed and explosive Quirk pose significant challenges for Midoriya, who, despite being outmatched, demonstrates growth and resilience throughout the engagement, collecting invaluable combat experience along the way.
6. Shoto Todoroki
Todoroki’s Ice: A Tactical Challenge for Midoriya
- Episode 23
During the Sports Festival, Midoriya encounters Todoroki, still mastering the intricacies of One For All. He quickly learns that optimal use of his power is essential to counteract Todoroki’s formidable ice attacks. As Todoroki unleashes massive ice formations, Midoriya pushes himself to his limits, even injuring his fingers to combat the assault.
Choosing to endure rather than concede defeat, Midoriya’s resolve during this match serves as a pivotal moment in his development as a young hero, marking an important evolution in his understanding of his Quirk.
5. Gentle Criminal
The Unpredictable Gentle Criminal
- Episode 84
Thanks to his mid-air Air Force technique, Midoriya proves his adaptability during his encounter with Gentle Criminal. Gentle’s Quirk, allowing him to manipulate elasticity, grants him incredible speed, initially placing Midoriya at a disadvantage. However, he quickly innovates, using air blasts to disrupt Gentle’s momentum and regain the upper hand.
This confrontation challenges Midoriya on multiple levels, but he ultimately prevails, demonstrating both growth and creativity in his combat style, bolstered by the addition of his powerful St. Louis Smash.
4. Lady Nagant
Overcoming the Marksman: Midoriya vs. Lady Nagant
- Episode 134
In the Dark Hero arc, Lady Nagant presents an extreme challenge for Midoriya, renowned for her unmatched marksmanship. Engaging her in combat proves perilous, as her bullets move at incredible speeds, requiring Midoriya to employ the Fourth’s Danger Sense Quirk and perform strategic dodging maneuvers.
To successfully combat Nagant’s aggressive tactics, Midoriya harnesses all available Quirks to enhance his speed and power, demonstrating resourcefulness against a highly skilled opponent.
3. Overhaul
Midoriya’s Clash with Overhaul
- Episode 76
Overhaul, a villain adept in strategy, proves to be a deceptive foe as Midoriya tries to save Eri. By this point, Overhaul’s received considerable damage from Mirio, yet he retaliates by merging with a subordinate to become a fearsome, monstrous entity.
Midoriya’s confrontation requires him to push One For All to its limits, utilizing Eri’s rewind Quirk as a safeguard against self-inflicted harm. This battle is a testament to his capacity for growth and his resilience against overwhelming odds.
2. Muscular
Midoriya’s Early Encounter with Muscular
- Episode 42
Midoriya’s early confrontation with Muscular during the Forest Training Camp arc tests his capabilities shortly after he acquires One For All. Facing off against a colossal villain, Midoriya quickly learns the gravity of the situation as he struggles to respond to Muscular’s overwhelming strength.
In a desperate attempt to safeguard Kota from Muscular’s violent rampage, Midoriya taps into the full extent of One For All, resulting in a physically devastating encounter that will forever impact his understanding of his Quirk’s limitations.
1. Shigaraki
Confronting Shigaraki: The Ultimate Test
- Episode 150
The climactic battle between Midoriya and Shigaraki towards the end of the series stands as one of the most exhilarating encounters in the anime. Realizing that standard hero tactics fail against Shigaraki’s regenerative abilities and lethal Decay Quirk, Midoriya recognizes that he must fully unleash the potential of One For All.
Using all seven Quirks, Midoriya maneuvers through Shigaraki’s devastating attacks, yet the conflict reaches a breaking point. Ultimately, Midoriya must resort to a dramatic solution involving the transfer of One For All into Shigaraki, showcasing his evolution from a novice to a hero willing to confront the darkest aspects of his powers.