My Hero Academia showcases an impressive array of Quirks, each significantly influencing the characters’ capabilities and their journeys as heroes or villains. Some individuals possess remarkable Quirks that equip them to excel in combat through exceptional strength, speed, or tactical superiority. These potent abilities often set certain characters on a path toward heroism, allowing them to achieve great feats.
Nevertheless, not all Quirks are created equal. Some abilities prove to be either lackluster or impractical, often presenting significant drawbacks that overshadow their potential benefits. Whether due to limited functionality, significant limitations, or a lack of offensive capabilities, several Quirks in My Hero Academia fail to uphold the standards set by their more impressive counterparts.
8 Navel Laser
Held by Yuga Aoyama, Also Known as Can’t Stop Twinkling
Yuga Aoyama, the flamboyant student from U.A. Class 1-A, is recognized for his vibrant personality, relentless need for attention, and love for all things dazzling. His flamboyance often draws the eye, yet he grapples with self-doubt and seeks validation from his peers, adding depth to his seemingly superficial character. Despite his occasional moments of bravery, Aoyama’s contributions in battle often pale compared to those of his more powerful classmates.
Aoyama’s Quirk, Navel Laser, permits him to fire a concentrated energy beam from his stomach. While initially intriguing, the drawbacks limit its practical usage. Prolonged use leads to severe stomach pain, rendering it ineffective in prolonged conflicts. Additionally, its straight-line trajectory and limited ability to be redirected make close combat situations particularly challenging for Aoyama. Despite its flashy nature, the effectiveness of Navel Laser is heavily diminished by these significant limitations.
7 Telescopic
Held by Tatami Nakagame, Also Known as Turtle Neck
Tatami Nakagame is a student from Ketsubutsu Academy, first introduced during the Provisional Hero License Exam. She embodies a tactical fighter’s spirit—emphasizing teamwork and strategic finesse over raw strength in combat. Unlike her peers, her Quirk’s restricted nature influences her approach, as evasion becomes her primary strategy.
Her Quirk, Telescopic, allows her to retract her head and limbs, mimicking a turtle withdrawing into its shell. While this ability facilitates avoidance during skirmishes, it lacks offensive potential, presenting an inherent disadvantage in fights. Given her physical stature, Tatami does not possess substantial durability, necessitating a defensive strategy that leans heavily on evasion rather than engagement. The minimal everyday applications of Telescopic further diminish its value when compared to more multifaceted Quirks.
6 Pop Off
Held by Minoru Mineta, Also Known as Grape Juice
Minoru Mineta stands out in Class 1-A, both for his short stature and questionable behavior. Known for his cowardice and peculiar antics, Mineta exhibits surprising intelligence and adaptability, often relying on his wits to navigate tricky scenarios. Despite his lack of combat prowess, he demonstrates resourcefulness and an ability to support his classmates strategically.
His Quirk, Pop Off, allows him to produce detachable purple spheres from his head and affix them onto surfaces or opponents. This capability enables him to create traps or climb obstacles effectively. However, it is critically limited by the absence of offensive capabilities, making it challenging for Mineta to face potent adversaries head-on. The significant drawback of scalp bleeding during use further constrains how extensively he can employ his Quirk. Although Mineta finds creative applications for Pop Off, its overall impact is undermined by its limitations and lack of visual appeal.
5 Soul
Held by Rody Soul
Rody Soul is introduced in the movie My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission, emerging as a resourceful young man with quite a contrasting background from his U.A. peers. Taking care of his younger siblings through precarious jobs, Rody navigates life using his street smarts and charisma. Although he embodies courage and adaptability, his Quirk is arguably unsuitable for someone in his line of work.
Rody’s Quirk, Soul, manifests as a small bird named Pino, which serves to reveal Rody’s emotional state. This makes him incapable of deception, utterly lacking any combat enhancement. In many situations, Pino can complicate things more than assist, as emotional transparency may expose Rody’s vulnerabilities. Although beneficial for honesty, Soul ranks low among Quirks, often proving more of a hindrance than an asset.
4 Sugar Rush
Held by Rikido Sato, Also Known as Sugarman
Rikido Sato, one of the more reserved personalities in Class 1-A, often stays under the radar despite his formidable presence and strong physique. While he demonstrates kindness and support towards his classmates, his lack of standout qualities prevents him from reaching the heights of his peers.
The Quirk Sugar Rush enhances his strength based on the amount of sugar he consumes. However, this ability is burdened with significant shortcomings. The duration of the power boost correlates directly to the quantity of sugar ingested—ten grams yield a mere three minutes of enhanced strength. The downside to this Quirk is its detrimental effect on cognitive function after the boost expires, leading Sato to feel sluggish and drowsy.
3 Permeation
Held by Mirio Togata, Also Known as Lemillion
Mirio Togata exemplifies the idea that natural talent must be coupled with hard work to achieve greatness. As one of the top students among U.A.’s Big Three, his relentless training has honed his abilities to perfection. Mirio’s dedication and charismatic leadership set him apart, crafting him into one of the most skilled individuals in his class.
His Quirk, Permeation, allows him to phase through solid objects. Though it appears powerful, the hazards associated with this ability are substantial. Activating Permeation leaves Mirio blind, deaf, and unable to breathe, creating a high-stakes scenario where a lapse in concentration could lead to dire consequences. Despite these risks, Mirio’s remarkable skill and determination enable him to utilize this Quirk effectively, standing as a testament to his exceptional character.
2 Bubble
Held by Kaoruko Awata, Also Known as Bubble Girl
Kaoruko Awata, known as Bubble Girl, serves as a professional hero and esteemed aide to Sir Nighteye. Renowned for her sharp demeanor and ability to remain composed under stress, she excels in her supporting role. Yet, her Quirk presents limitations that detract from her otherwise strong capabilities.
Her ability, Bubble, allows her to create scented bubbles, which can confuse foes with pleasing or overpowering aromas. Unfortunately, this Quirk carries minimal defensive or offensive functions. In a combat-centric profession, relying on scent is often too situational and effectively reduces Bubble’s contribution during critical encounters. Additionally, she finds limited practical applications for Bubble beyond the battlefield.
1 Tail
Held by Mashirao Ojiro, Also Known as Tailman
Mashiro Ojiro is recognized for his straightforward nature and robust moral compass within Class 1-A. His background in martial arts equips him with an arsenal of hand-to-hand combat skills, yet his Quirk, Tail, does not provide him with meaningful advantages compared to the diverse powers of his peers.
Tail functions as an extension of his body—enabling him to strike adversaries or enhance his agility during conflicts. While it complements his combat proficiency, it ultimately lacks excitement and potential when juxtaposed with the more dynamic Quirks possessed by other characters in My Hero Academia. Despite his impressive martial skills, Ojiro’s reliance on a tail makes it difficult for his Quirk to shine in the presence of more extraordinary abilities.