My Hero Academia returns with it’s seventh season on May 4th. While the series has its ups and downs, it remains a requistie comfort viewing and it’s highs are extrodinary enough to make some of the sleepier arcs more pallatable. Studio Bones continues to deliver strong animation, something necessary as we move into the back end of the story created by mangaka Kōhei Horikoshi. As the war between heroes and villains amps up in the anime, we look back at the best My Hero Academia fights to date. From small, personal battles to all-out wreckage, here are the 20 fights that stand out as the anime at its very best.
20. Momo Yaoyorozu vs. Eraserhead
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Despite her perceived skill and insight, Momo Yaoyorozu hasn’t had as many chances to shine as her male counterparts. This is true for many of the female characters in My Hero Academia. That said, Yaoyorozu does have moments where her talent and intellect persevere. This is most notable in Season 2 Episode 35. She overcomes her insecurity and wins by working with Todoroki to defeat their teacher, Eraserhead. It highlights the significance of planning in battle rather than relying simply on brute force.
19. All Might vs. Nomu
Despite being the number one hero, it takes time for viewers to witness All Might’s sheer power. However, at the end of season one, we watch as All Might engages in battle with the many overpowered Nomu terrorizing Class 1-A, and it’s both a formidable display of strength and Studio Bones’ artistry. Notably, it also highlights why the students would revere All Might as the Symbol of Peace as he pushes himself to the brink to save them, making it one of the best My Hero Academia fights.
18. Suneater vs. Villains
One of the greatest aspects of My Hero Academia is its effortless ability to bring new and supporting characters into the fold. With its expansive cast of colorful characters, it would be easy to introduce new heroes and villains that move the plot from point A to point B. Tamaki Amajiki, aka Suneater, is proof of this. One of the Big Three third-year students, he isn’t given the same star plotline as his classmate Mirio Togata, but his fight is a standout regardless.
Overcoming crippling self-doubt and inspired by his friends and mentors, he uses his considerable power to help aid the search and rescue of Eri. With a visually distinct quirk (anything he digests can manifest through his quirk into battle-ready tools,) the fight scene viscerally captures all it would entail.
17. Mt. Lady and Villa Backup vs. Gigantomachia
Similar to Suneater, Mt. Lady is yet another character who is easy to dismiss. Introduced in the very first episode, throughout most of the series, she’s comedic relief. The fight between Mt. Lady and Gigantomachia is proof of her inherent heroics and formidable strength. We feel the bruising battle that sees Mt. Lady as a last form of defense to stop Gigantomachia from his tireless, destructive rampage.
Her perseverance in weathering his raw power allows for Class 1-A and other heroes, such as Kamui Woods and Midnight, to counter with their attacks. It also highlights how out of their depth the students are and that no hero can take out Gigantomachia alone. They need every force they have; even then, it’s barely enough.
16. All Might vs. Deku and Bakugou
Midoriya and Bakugou’s relationship is rough for most of the first three seasons. Their differences and Bakugou’s antagonist past create friction, bleeding through in class and competitions. In their final exams, the two are paired together to battle All Might in a pass-or-fail style format. Their fight against the hero demonstrates their poor communication and how they hinder one another’s growth. Despite this, they’re able to overcome through willpower, both showcasing the building blocks they’re introduced with: Deku’s ideology of “save to win” versus Bakugou’s “win to save.” It’s a deliberately frustrating, character-based battle that showcases all the room in which the duo must grow despite their apparent strength as fighters.
15. Eraserhead vs. Shigaraki and Nomus
From his introduction as Class 1-A teacher and underground hero, Aizawa Shota (Junichi Suwabe), aka Eraserhead, carves a place as a fan favorite. During the U.S.J arc, his rescue training is infiltrated by Shigaraki and his group of villains and nomus. This is the first time we see the full force of Eraserhead’s skills, both in his “erasure” quirk and combat abilities.
By the time he’s beaten and bloodied with Shigaraki muttering a now iconic line of “you’re so cool,” it’s impossible to disagree. Watching someone as all-powerful as All Might brawl it out with Nomus is one thing. It’s an entirely different type of adrenaline rush to see someone more seemingly fallible and human duke it out against impervious foes.
14. Kirishima and Fat Gum vs. Rappa and Tengain
In another series, Kirishima would easily make for a strong protagonist. Instead, he is one of the many fantastic supporting players in My Hero Academia. The first cour of season four offers a strong outing for Kirishima who is on a mission to help track down Overhaul and save Eri. In his fight alongside Fat Gum, we see how much the young hero has grown physically and mentally. More than any other moment, this feels like the actual debut of his hero moniker ‘Red Riot.’
The animation of his quirk is uncomfortable to watch, all jagged and rough lines that work with the kinetic, buzzing energy of the direction. He and Fat Gum make for a substantial team-up, both able to withstand and deliver powerful bursts of energy that fail to dent their bodies or spirits. It also beautifully sets the stage for when Kirishima (and Ashido) will have to face one of their bigger adversaries two seasons later.
13. Endeavor and Hawks vs. Nomu
Endeavor is, rightfully, a divisive character. It is what makes his fight alongside Hawks in the Season 4 finale against a superpowered Nomu so impactful. It’s less so that we’re actively rooting for the character and more so that his journey is so well-written that it’s hard not to want to see him progress. The animation is also beautifully done, energized, and punchy in a way the back half of season four lacks. With Hawks making his combat debut, the scene allows the hero world to expand beyond All Might’s legacy further.
The two make for a dynamic pair, with Hawks holding some level of idolization for the hero despite his sardonic attitude. With the aid of Hawks’ feathers, Endeavor can weaponize his pain-induced alertness and flames to annihilate the Nomu. The moment gets the added emotional punch as Todoroki watches on, his complicated feelings toward his father muddying the moment. This, along with a strong score that emphasizes Endeavor’s plight, is a sequence that indicates the darker new direction the series is taking.
12. Bakugo vs. Uraraka
It takes a while for Bakugou to grow out of his pest stage fully. That said, while his most significant development takes until Season 3 and beyond, the foundation is set much earlier. Namely, in the fight between him and Urakaka during the Sports Competition. He treats her like a genuine threat, and for good reason. While Urakaka never gets the same level of spotlight as the male characters, her growth is staggering, and the beginning of her trajectory and combat skills start during this fight. Despite their polarizing personalities, both characters meet on equal footing during this fight. It’s an illuminating battle that gives greater depth to two characters who, until now, had been surface-level.
11. Mirko vs. Nomu
Once again, My Hero Academia launches a new character onto the scene with blazing energy. Enter Mirko, the 5th-ranking pro-hero. She establishes herself quickly as a strong fighter with animation that hones in on her innate athleticism. Beyond the bone-crunching glee of her fight against the nomus, the most engaging aspect is the character’s energy and personality to the battle. There are hints of Bakugou as she delights in seeking out and pummeling her targets, all to find Shigaraki. It’s a bruising fight scene as we watch how far she’s willing to push herself to complete her mission.
10. Deku vs. Todoroki
Shoto Todoroki is a bit of an enigma when we first meet him. Aloof and standing apart from the rest of his classmates, it takes until the sports festival for him to open up fully. We learn about his traumatic past at the hands of his father, pro-hero Endeavor, and this energy channels itself into the showdown between Todoroki and Midoriya during the Sports Festival. The animation of the fight scene is explosive — literally — as Midoriya all but breaks himself to try and spark the competitive spirit in Todoroki.
It’s the first time that Todoroki embraces both sides of his quirks due to the inspiration of the fight, finally accepting them as his power and not just the remnants of his father’s legacy. It’s an emotionally driven fight scene that beautifully builds on what we know about Midoriya’s selfless spirit. It also establishes Todoroki’s personality and ruthless fighting style. The image of the two forces clashing together is one of the most robust animations of the series, as it shows the fire and ice melting and molding to Midoriya’s sheer power.
9. Lemillion vs. Overhaul
In many ways, Mirio Togata/Lemillion is another vestige of who Midoriya, or, instead, All Might’s successor, could’ve been. This is made explicitly clear in Nighteye’s championing of him. Despite their differences, their mutual need to rescue those who seek protection bonds them. It’s part of what makes Lemillion’s fight with Overhaul so devastating — here’s a hero who readily put himself in harm’s way, sacrificing his potential future for the sake of saving the life of a little girl.
The fight structures itself through a countdown as the quirk-erasing bullet aims. But even once Lemillion loses his quirk, he doesn’t lose his will to protect. It’s demonstrative of his pure heart, good intentions, and sheer power that’s made him the head of the Big 3 at U.A. High School. His fight cements himself as one of the most formidable characters in the series. It’s a devastating sequence on the whole and works because the momentum and tension have us dreading the moment the bullet strikes and the subsequent, desperate battle that ensues.
8. Deku vs. Shigaraki and One For All
To say this is purely Deku’s fight undermines the emotional catharsis this battle ignites. It’s the culmination of episodes of fighting between different sections, all of which build to the breaking point. From Eraserhead’s brutal decision to hold the full might of Shigaraki back to Bakugou’s subsequent sacrifice, where his body “moves on its own” to protect Deku, there’s no shortage of extraordinary, character-building moments. However, there’s no denying the thrilling wreckage of watching Deku unleash his full, feral, raw power against a Shigaraki at the top of his game.
The result is dizzying violence, as Deku utilizes all his tools, such as the power of ‘Black Whip,’ to his advantage. One of the more exciting parts of Deku’s character is how often his hero look can verge into something ominous — something villainous. We see this here after he watches Gran Torino, Eraserhead, and, most notably, Bakugou almost die. He doesn’t win this battle, not in the slightest. But it’s a testament to how much he’s grown since the start of My Hero Academia, and it is one of the best fight scenes because it builds on everything we know about our protagonist, his rage carrying him. With stirring, adrenaline-inducing visuals and significant consequences, it’s a pivotal moment for the series as a whole.
7. Todoroki, Iida, and Deku vs. Stain
As is the case with the best My Hero Academia anime fight scenes, the one with Todoroki, Iida, and Deku vs. ‘Hero Killer’ Stain possesses layers. It’s one of the few instances where Iida truly shines as a flawed, heroic character. Enrgaged and influenced by a need to seek revenge for his injured brother, whom Stain severely hurt, Iida goes against all of his logical, orderly belief systems. The result is brutal, and he’s saved by Deku, who puts out a swift call for any nearby classmates who can help.Enter Todoroki.
His inclusion helps further cement his place alongside his classmates, and combining the three skills creates powerful displays of kinetic energy. Stain remains one of the more interesting villains of the series, consumed with the notion of what it means to be a “true” hero. There’s something immensely satisfying about watching the three young heroes go up against him. It’s one of the first significant battles they have with little outside help, the outcome determined by their abilities and quick-thinking. So much of the series is about how the greatest heroes don’t work alone. This is clear in the fight where Stain is taken out by a combination of Iida’s desperate fight and Deku’s considerable power.
It also has the poignant line from Deku about how ‘meddling when you don’t have to’ is the essence of what it means to be a hero. It’s a sentiment that, seasons later, Iida would repeat to Deku in a vital moment. (see below.)
6. Class 1A vs. Deku
“Meddling when you don’t have to…that’s the essence of being a hero, right?”
Cour 2 of Season 6 deals heavily with the fallout of the public learning about the nature of One for All. Deku, in typical would-be hero fashion, worries about the safety of his friends due to his proximity to them and decides to turn full vigilante. Acting as something as bait for All for One with the help of Hawks, Endeavor, and Best Jeanist, Deku sets out on his journey separate from Class 1-A. He doesn’t account for their stubbornness and the fact that they, too, are heroes in training, meaning they can’t leave one of their own to suffer.
Their showdown is tremendous. It highlights the significant amount of power Deku has amassed in a short period due to the awakening of the other vestiges, and the students’ overall mentality. There are some standout moments, of course, in this emotional standoff. Dark Shadow, Kaminari, and Shouji work together in a call-back sequence, and Tsuyu Asui and Mineta (of all characters) appeal to him through their friendship.
But it’s all eclipsed by the final team effort, with the combined quirks of Mina Ashido, Uraraka, Todoroki, and Bakugou working together to propel Iida through the sky towards Deku, leading to the aforementioned line. It again highlights the generation of heroes willing to work together and thrive because of it. The fact that the fight sequence ends with the long-anticipated apology from Bakugou to Deku makes it all the more significant.
5. Deku vs. Overhaul
Like his evident admiration for characters such as Spider-Man, sometimes Kōhei Horikoshi’s apparent reverence for One Piece shines through. There’s much to love about the culminating fight between Deku and Overhaul. There’s the pulsating, dynamic score and Eri’s emotional moment of choosing to be saved by leaping into Midoriya’s arms. Then, there’s also Midoriya’s realization that he can heal himself in real time with the assistance of Eri’s quirk. This revelation allows him to break his bones and heal to have the upper hand against Overhaul.
But the real magic of the fight itself and the counterbalance of the two forces being able to regenerate, upping the stakes, is how, as Deku, Midoriya becomes threatening. The direction captures this as he looms over Overhaul. His fighting style becomes more heightened, with the clear One Piece punching style reminiscent of Luffy’s Gomu Gomu no Gatling, as Deku’s hits pour out of the sky. It’s a terrific piece of animation that allows Deku to be imposing even as he hurtles himself against the man who would hurt a little girl, willing and able to break his bones to protect her.
4. Hawks vs. Twice and Dabi
This is the moment when sh*t got real. There’s no denying the darkness that permeates its way throughout My Hero Academia. There’s no shortage of characters with traumatic backgrounds. But the fight between Hawks, Twice, and Dabi is a tone shifter. Because, for once, someone with a longstanding presence in the series dies — and it’s at the hands of a hero. Having earned Twice’s trust, Hawks delivers the killing blow, making his seeming betrayal all the more haunting, even if viewers can understand the moral complexities of his decision. It’s especially brutal due to how tragic the character Twice is.
The moment is further impacted by Dabi’s arrival, who uses Twice’s death to air out his general grievances against heroes. He’s hardly grieving, but still, Twice’s death and Hawks’ decimation as he lays helpless to Dabi’s flames beautifully, tragically sum up the entire first arc of Season 6. This time, there are consequences, and they’re going to hurt.
3. Deku vs. Bakugou
The relationship between Midoriya and Bakugou — or Deku and Kacchan — is fraught from the moment we meet them. And it will remain so long past their fight in “Deku vs. Kacchan, Part 2.” But this is the fight that helps pivot them from their troubled background of bully and would-be childhood friends to rivals on equal footing. It’s a kinetic, cohesive fight scene that wonderfully telegraphs their moves, the direction following the flow with grace as we watch each bruising impact of a punch or kick meet their target. But, like the best fights in the series, it enhances itself with the emotional throughline.
Bakugou blames himself for All Might losing his powers and resents Midoriya for being chosen by their shared hero. Midoriya is frustrated that Bakugou continues to see his admiration as pity. Their contrasting personalities and histories culminate in this sturdy, expertly choreographed standoff that highlights their differences and similarities in battle. They’re hardly friends yet, but they stand on common ground, even if said ground is left in ruin from their traded blows.
2. Deku vs. Muscular
A potentially divisive pick, the first fight between Deku and Muscular is a significant turning point for Deku as a hero, as he stands alone to help protect Kota. Musular’s quirk and character design poses a considerable threat, despite Deku’s power and no matter his tenacity in a fight. Despite his best efforts, Deku can’t seem to get the upper hand until the last moment due to an assist/distraction from Kota. The scene showcases Deku’s ability to think on the spot, his baseline strength, and, most importantly, his selfless, heroic desire to protect.
Daiki Yamashita’s voice performance is superb, capturing the desperation that gives way to the determination Deku is experiencing. The direction, too, finds new, creative ways to convey Muscular’s oppressive quirk, making the fighting space claustrophobic despite being outdoors. We know on an intellectual level that Deku isn’t going to lose — our protaganist isn’t going to die here. But the direction and writing make us, momentarily, believe there’s a genuine threat to his life. This feeling makes Deku finally dispatching Muscular all the more impactful. What he goes through to achieve this moment is herculean, both mentally and physically, and we’re just as breathless as he is by the time it arrives.
1. All Might vs. All for One
The fight between All Might and All For One remains the best-animated fight scene of any My Hero Academia sequence. A vital moment for the overall series and All Might’s character, the battle is raw and fueled with tension. The heavily defined linework establishes the power that goes into every blow, especially in the final moments when All Might lands his final hit as The Symbol of Peace.
But it, like other best My Hero Academia fights, instills itself with emotional moments beyond the battle itself. It’s All Might incorporating some of Midoriya’s style of fighting while declaring he can’t give up until his training is done. It’s the bittersweet farewell to the One For All power while beckoning in a new era of heroes. It’s the fact that, despite this being his last stand, he fights the horrors of All for One with a bloodied smile on his face. There’s a reason he’s the hero a generation looks up to, and this fight doubles down on his lasting impact. There is no way this doesn’t make the number one spot on our best My Hero Academia fights list.
My Hero Academia Season 7 premieres May 4 on Crunchroll. Seasons 1–6 are now available to stream in Japanese and English.
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