My Hero Academia is an anime that is loved and adored by many, with heroes that are idolized and look up to as role models. However, as with any story, there are always two sides to the coin. In this case, we discover the dark sides of heroes that are usually hidden from public view. Here are five examples of the darker side of heroes in My Hero Academia:
1. The Dysfunctional Todoroki Family
Endeavour, the second-ranked hero, may be a respected figure in society, but his personal life is far from perfect. Despite having children purely for the sake of continuing his legacy and surpassing All Might, he neglected and emotionally and physically abused his family just for his selfish ambition. When Dabi, his estranged son, revealed the truth to the public about his father’s misdeeds, society lost faith in heroes.
2. Hawks’ Unethical Action
Hawks, the current ranked second hero in the series, was forced to take unethical action when he recognized the danger that another villain, Twice, possessed. He made the decision to kill Twice to prevent the villain from causing destruction that could endanger lives. Although this action was taken to protect the people, he was criticized for his methods as it made him no better than the villains themselves.
3. The Questionable Background of Hawks
Despite his status as a popular hero, Hawks’ mysterious and questionable background is not widely known. He grew up in isolation with his mother, as his father was a criminal who was on the run for committing murder. To keep their location a secret, Hawks’ mother was forced to go through the ordeal of raising him alone. To make matters worse, he was forced to undergo secret agent training. Had this information been made public, it would have put Hawks’ reputation as a hero at risk even further.
4. The Tragic Past of Tomura Shigaraki
Tomura Shigaraki, the leader of the League of Villains, is one of the most dangerous villains in the series. Shigaraki developed his quirk, Decay, at an early age, which caused him to unintentionally kill his entire family. When he sought help from the authorities, he was abandoned by society and left to fend for himself. Feeling misunderstood, he eventually fell into the hands of the villain All For One. Society’s neglect towards Shigaraki shows the failure of heroes to help those in need and a prime example of a son of a hero who went astray.
5. Lady Nagant’s Betrayal
As revealed in the War Arc, Lady Nagant – a former pro-hero who was respected by many, was instructed by the Public Safety Commission President to execute corrupt heroes and terrorists. However, when she grew mentally broken after committing more and more violent acts, she was ordered to execute more corrupt heroes. When she refused, she was threatened, and when she had no other choice, she was forced to assassinate the president. The public held a different perspective and Lady Nagant ended up being portrayed as a villain.
In conclusion, the world of My Hero Academia is not as perfect as it seems, and it’s always good to remember that there are multiple sides to every story. While the series portrays its heroes as individuals who strive to achieve the greater good, they are still humans with flaws. Not all heroes are perfect and their past traumas and decisions can result in dark consequences.
