10 best My Hero Academia fights, ranked
Kohei Horikoshi/BonesMy Hero Academia has finally ended, which means this is the perfect time to take a look back at some of the best fights in the series.
Like every battle-shonen manga, My Hero Academia has plenty of exciting fights to offer. The story’s power system, Quirks, allows an extensive range of variety in battles – from big punches to shooting lasers, Kohei Horikoshi’s series has everything.
While most fights in the superhero anime and manga are exciting and well-choreographed, some leave a stronger mark than others. These few fights are not just adrenaline-inducing and thrilling but also leave a lasting impression on both characters and fans.
For our list, we’ve selected the 10 My Hero Academia fights that have the most impact on the story and are the most well-presented, both visually and plot-wise. However, if you aren’t caught up with the manga yet, then be warned, a spoiler alert is in full effect!
10. Deku vs. Shoto
Kohei Horikoshi/BonesChapters: 38 – 40 (Episode 23)
The U.A. Sports Festival is one of the most entertaining arcs in My Hero Academia, and a big reason behind that is the Deku vs. Shoto match. Before this fight, we’d seen very little from Shoto; we just got a brief glimpse of his complicated relationship with his father.
When the match begins, Shoto is resolute in defeating Deku without using his fire, while Deku is determined to make his classmate accept himself. Thus begins an emotional and intense match between the boys that has everyone at the edge of their seats.
There are many great things about this fight. It allows both boys to show off their Quirks’ powers and has a strong emotional weight behind it. Seeing Deku enduring unspeakable pain for Shoto is both gut-wrenching and incredibly inspiring.
9. Deku vs. Bakugo (second fight)
Kohei Horikoshi/BonesChapters: 117 – 121 (Episode 61)
Deku and Bakugo have an extensive history between them. Starting as childhood friends who adored All Might, Bakugo ended up becoming Deku’s bully for years and it seemed like he hated the green-haired boy.
But behind his apparent hatred, there was only insecurity. Bakugo always felt inferior to Deku, and that feeling increases when the One For All user rescues him from the League of Villains, leading to All Might retiring after his fight against All For One in Kamino.
Brimming with guilt and insecurity as well as the understanding that Deku got his Quirk from All Might, Bakugo confronts Deku after the Provisional Hero License Exam. This leads to an explosive clash between the former friends that changes their dynamic forever.
8. Endeavor vs. High-End Nomu
Kohei Horikoshi/BonesChapters: 186 – 190 (Episodes 87 – 88)
Probably the grayest character in My Hero Academia, Endeavor is no simple hero. After envying All Might’s position as the number-one hero for years, he finally gets his wish when the former retires.
By this point, we’ve already learned the past sins of Endeavor and begun to hate him. But Kohei Horikoshi has crafted his character so brilliantly that we can’t help but cheer for the man when he faces the Nomu after becoming the new number one.
In this brilliant fight, Endeavor does everything in his power to protect the citizens from the Nomu. Visually stunning, incredibly exciting, and heart-wrenchingly emotional, this is Endeavor’s first step toward redemption.
7. All Might vs. All For One (final)
Kohei Horikoshi/ShueishaChapters: 396 – 404
All Might may have taken a step back after his retirement but he doesn’t fail to deliver when needed. This is seen once again when the man provides one of the best fights in My Hero Academia in the Final War Arc.
Since the war’s start, All For One has been wreaking havoc all over the battlefield. That is until he’s confronted by his old nemesis: the person who caused the most damage to him. However, All Might is no longer the strongest hero he was before.
Even then, the former Symbol of Peace challenges the villain with the aid of support items, becoming ‘Armored All Might’. Using the copied Quirks of his students, the hero resolutely keeps fighting until he’s finally defeated.
6. Deku vs. Overhaul
Kohei Horikoshi/BonesChapters: 156 – 159 (Episodes 75 – 77)
The Shie Hassaikai Arc is arguably the darkest storyline in My Hero Academia. What Overhaul, aka Kai Chisaki, did to Eri is unforgivable. That’s why it’s so satisfying when Deku finally gives the villain the beating of his life.
Overhaul is a very powerful opponent. His Quirk is like the complete version of Shigaraki’s Decay. While Decay can only destroy, his Quirk can deconstruct and reconstruct at the same time.
Like most My Hero Academia fights, it’s also emotionally charged, especially when Deku keeps fighting even when Eri’s Quirk continues to destroy him. But while the manga portrays it very well, the anime version elevates it to greater heights.
5. Ochako vs. Toga (final)
Kohei Horikoshi/ShueishaChapters: 375 – 376, 380 – 382, 389 – 395
Most battles in the Final War are notable, but some are exceptionally impactful to the plot. Ochako’s climactic fight against Toga is one of those few. It’s also undoubtedly one of the most beautifully drawn My Hero Academia fights.
Ochako and Toga’s final fight is important on many counts. Toga is not only one of the main antagonists but she also causes the most trouble to heroes everywhere with her Twice Army. After Ochako defeats her, the clones finally disappear, allowing the heroes their victory.
During this fight, Ochako also experiences Quirk Awakening and finally reaches Toga’s heart with her selfless empathy. However, she also ends up badly wounded, prompting the villain to sacrifice herself to save the young hero’s life.
4. Todoroki family vs. Dabi
Kohei Horikoshi/ShueishaChapters: 387 – 390
The Todoroki family’s subplot is among the best storylines in My Hero Academia. Not only is it tragic but it has a very satisfying conclusion. What’s more, every character in that messed-up family has been written very well.
Dabi’s true identity has always been an open secret, so we’ve been waiting for him to face his father and brother. He does face them both during the war. But what comes as a surprise is how the rest of the family joins the battle to stop Dabi’s destruction.
After fatally burning himself and losing his sanity, Dabi keeps going just to destroy Endeavor. But when the hero is ready to burn alongside the villain, Rei appears, cooling her wayward son. Soon, Fuyumi and Natsuo join, too, until Shoto comes and puts an end to the fight.
3. Bakugo vs. All For One
Kohei Horikoshi/ShueishaChapters: 405 – 410
Bakugo has gone through the most character development in My Hero Academia, endearing him greatly to fans. While this can be found in small, subtle moments, it’s glaringly obvious during the war.
After being killed by Shigaraki, he’s revealed to be alive several chapters later, thanks to Edgeshot. Still, his body is too damaged to even stand straight, let alone defeat the most powerful villain out there.
Yet Bakugo proves why fans love him and gives All For One a hell of a fight. What’s more, he enters the battle by saving All Might from the villain at the last moment. If that doesn’t justify his spot on this list, what will?
2. All Might vs. All For One (Kamino)
Kohei Horikoshi/BonesChapters: 89 – 94 (Episodes 48 – 49)
Prior to My Hero Academia’s beginning, All Might was the strongest hero out there. That didn’t change even after his fight against All For One destroyed most of his inner organs. But it leaves him in a pretty sorry stage and unable to continue in the long run.
As a One For All user, All Might’s primary goal is to stop All For One’s reign of terror. And he continues to do so even after giving his Quirk away to Deku. What follows is a fight so iconic that it has us all proud and tearful at the same time.
Using the last embers of One For All, All Might fights All For One and eventually defeats him, stopping his chaos at least for a short while. Following this, the Symbol of Peace reveals his true state to the world and retires, passing the baton to Deku.
1. Deku vs. Shigaraki (final)
Kohei Horikoshi/ShueishaChapters: 379 – 380, 384, 398, 402 – 404, 410 – 418
To nobody’s surprise, Deku vs. Shigaraki’s final fight wins the title of the best My Hero Academia fight. And not just because it’s between the protagonist and the primary antagonist, but because this fight delivers everything it promised throughout the years.
As this is the main attraction of the Final War Arc, this battle has been dragged out for some time. But when it finally begins, it doesn’t take long to become intense. From destroying everything around them to Deku ending up Quirkless, it has everything.
What’s more, the last standoff addresses Deku’s determination to save the victim inside Shigaraki. He learns Tenko’s past and empathizes with the man fully, finally achieving the long-sought understanding between them. Though its ending is shocking and abrupt, it remains the best of the bunch.
There are our picks for the 10 best My Hero Academia fights. In honorable mentions, we have Deku vs. Class 1-A students and Deku and Bakugo vs. Nine from the second My Hero Academia movie. Both of these fights are exceptionally thrilling and very important to the plot. However, we found these 10 just a bit better.
For more on these superheroes, check out our explainer on My Hero Academia ending. You can also learn more about Deku’s father and the major character deaths in the series. If you’re looking for something different, check out our take on why the ending was true to the theme, yet disappointing.