In the world of My Hero Academia, hero society is in a constant state of conflict. The fight between heroes and villains is practically part of day-to-day life, to the point of being glamorized by the media. Much of this attitude is born from the absolute confidence that the heroes will always win – particularly when the Symbol of Peace, All Might, is there.
But throughout Izuku Midoriya’s journey as a hero, there are numerous battles that aren’t so one-sided. It’s not unusual for victories to happen through the timely arrival of allies or a last-minute effort that sees the character going “Plus Ultra.” Heroes and villains alike taste victory and defeat, but the tide can always turn in any confrontation.
10 The U.S.J. Attack Could Have Easily Ended With Numerous Casualties
The first appearance of the League of Villains, the attack on the U.S.J. sees Tomura Shigaraki break into U.A. alongside Kurogiri, his nomu, and roughly seventy other villains. Many of them are handled by Pro Hero Eraserhead, but he can do nothing against the nomu. The bio-engineered monster grievously injures him. It’s only through a massive show of willpower that he manages to save Tsuyu Asui when Tomura Shigaraki attacks her.
He is rescued by All Might’s arrival, but the nomu proves to be a challenge for the Number One hero. In the end, All Might prevails but loses hold of his muscle form. Izuku stalls Shigaraki just long enough for reinforcements to arrive, but Shigaraki comes very close to killing both the Symbol of Peace and his successor. It’s a minor miracle the incident ended with no casualties.
9 Ochako Uraraka Comes Close To Defeating Katsuki Bakugo During The Sports Tournament
The U.A. Sports Tournament pits students against each other to make a name for themselves in a fight to the top. Countless battles in this arc are memorable, but one of the most interesting confrontations is between Ochako Uraraka and Katsuki Bakugo. From the very beginning, it is obvious that odds are in Katsuki’s favor, as his ranged Quirk and his technique give him a significant advantage over Ochako.
But Class 1-A’s gravity girl isn’t an opponent to be underestimated, and her Meteor Shower Super Move takes everyone—including Katsuki—by surprise. It’s only Katsuki’s mastery over his Quirk that keeps him from losing, and Ochako would have likely prevailed against anyone else.
8 The Hero Killer’s Capture Could Have Gone Very Differently
After his brother Tensei is permanently paralyzed by the Hero Killer Stain, Tenya Iida tracks down the notorious mass murderer, wishing to avenge Tensei. The student is easily incapacitated by Stain and would have been killed if not for Izuku Midoriya’s prompt arrival.
Shoto Todoroki answers Izuku’s call for aid, and it is only through the combined effort of the three students that the Hero Killer is brought down. Things could have gone very differently, and if Izuku or Shoto had been just slightly slower, Tenya would have died in that alley in Hosu.
7 The Forest Training Camp Is Mr. Compress’ Triumph And Muscular’s Failure
While U.A.’s first years are training with the Wild Wild Pussycats, the League of Villains’ Vanguard Action Squad attacks once again. Their main target is Katsuki Bakugo. However, the villain Muscular tracks down Kota Izumi, whose parents—the Water Hose duo—he killed. Izuku Midoriya interferes, but One for All is a poor match for the villain’s Muscle Augmentation. It’s only through a desperate effort and significant injury that Izuku manages to defeat Muscular.
Izuku isn’t nearly so lucky with Mr. Compress. The villain makes him and his classmates believe they have managed to grab the marbles containing the captive Katsuki Bakugo and Fumikage Tokoyami, when, in reality, they are only decoys. A surprise attack from Yuga Aoyama gives the group the chance to rescue Fumikage, but Katsuki is kidnapped. It’s an outcome that could have easily been different.
6 The Fight Between All For One And All Might Pushes The Symbol of Peace To The Limit
Katsuki Bakugo’s kidnapping culminates in the Kamino Incident, during which All Might confronts his nemesis, All for One. The powerful villain proves to be a challenge for the Symbol of Peace, and All Might’s secret—his true form—is revealed to the world.
But All Might doesn’t give up. With the final embers of One for All, he delivers one last devastating attack and manages to take down the villain. In the aftermath, he is forced to retire, which may have always been what All for One intended. But things could have still gone differently, and All for One may have even been able to win.
5 The Outcome Of Izuku’s Fight Against Overhaul Relied On Countless Variables
Much of season four of the anime is dedicated to the Shie Hassaikai Arc and the fight against Overhaul. The ensuing raid on the Shie Hassaikai involves numerous heroes and villains. The faceoff between Lemillion and Overhaul leads to Mirio Togata losing his Quirk, and, in the end, it is up to Deku to take out the monstrous villain.
He manages to channel the full force of One for All with Eri’s help. But had Eri not been there or if things had been just slightly different, Izuku may not have been able to defeat Overhaul.
4 The League Of Villains Are Vastly Outnumbered During The Revival Celebration
The much anticipated My Villain Academia Arc shifts the focus from the heroes to the villains. When the information broker Giran is captured, the League of Villains is forced to confront the Meta Liberation Army. They are vastly outnumbered. Himiko Toga is almost killed by Curious, but, at the last moment, her Quirk undergoes an Awakening, and she becomes capable of using the abilities of the people she impersonates.
She kills Curious, but her injuries leave her vulnerable to an attack from Skeptic. Witnessing Skeptic’s attack on her forces Twice to push past his trauma. His Super Move, Infinite Doubles: Sad Man’s Parade, turns the tide of the battle in the League’s favor.
3 Tomura Shigaraki Seems At A Disadvantage For Most Of His Fight Against Re-Destro
While the rest of the League fight the Meta Liberation Army, Tomura Shigaraki takes on its leader. Throughout his fight against Re-Destro, Tomura seems like he’s at a disadvantage, as Re-Destro’s Quirk, Stress, makes him an incredibly challenging opponent. Pushed to the limit, Tomura remembers his past and the moment his Quirk first manifested.
Decay also undergoes an Awakening, and the ensuing wave of devastation crumbles everything in its wake without Tomura having to physically touch it. Tomura’s triumph leaves Deika City in ruins but could have easily never happened had Re-Destro not decided to prolong the battle unnecessarily.
2 Endeavor And Hawks Persevere In Their Difficult Fight Against Hood
After All Might’s retirement, Endeavor becomes the next Number One hero. While he isn’t the most likable person, his confrontation with the High-End nomu Hood is perhaps even more intense than All Might’s battle with All for One. He and Pro Hero Hawks are ambushed by the creature, and they soon find that it is not only intelligent but also endowed with advanced regeneration that makes him the perfect counter for Hellflame.
He is even capable of spawning other nomu, which he uses to distract Hawks. Endeavor attempts to defeat the nomu with Prominence Burn but fails to completely obliterate it, and it regenerates. Endeavor takes a bad eye injury and is almost defeated. He gets back up, and with a boost from Hawks’ feathers, he delivers a devastating attack that finally takes down Hood.
1 Flect Turn Could Have Easily Succeeded In His Plan
While many battles in the main arc contain plenty of twists and turns, the movies have their exciting moments too. In My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission, the villainous Flect Turn plans on taking down hero society itself through the use of bombs targeting everyone with a Quirk. Izuku finds himself having trouble against Flect Turn’s Quirk, Reflect.
He is ultimately able to defeat the leader of Humarise, but it is his civilian friend Rody Soul who stops the bombs. It’s an incredibly close call, particularly because Rody is injured at the time. If Rody had been just slightly less determined or wounded worse, Flect Turn would have succeeded in his plan.
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