The best fights in My Hero Academia

Important takeaways

• Endeavor and Hawks vs. Hood displays power and teamwork in a decisive, high-stakes battle.
• Mirko's fight against High-End Nomus shows raw power and resilience.
• Muscular vs. Deku reveals the ethos of the protagonist with raw determination and high stakes.

In My Hero Academia, heroes take on villains in a battle over whose version of society will win the day, continuing to shape the lives of the next generation of property users. Characters prove themselves and what they believe in through the fights they have, willpower clashing through action. Because of this, the series is packed with interesting fights.

These battles advance the plot, showcase our favorite heroes and villains at their best (or worst), and are, at a baseline, interesting to watch unfold. One thing is for sure, it just wouldn't be the same series without these key battles.

11 Endeavor And Hawks Vs. Hood

With so much build up behind both hero number one and hero number two, it's satisfying to see the two flex their abilities in a true fight to the death. The Endeavor unleashes massive amounts of firepower against the incredibly resilient Hood, while the Hawks use their unmatched speed to minimize damage and back him up.

After the fall of All Might, these two have huge shoes to fill, and the stakes couldn't be higher to prove to the public that they can do it. It's a tense fight that ends with giant, flaming wings in a very cool combo move. What's not to love?

10 Mirko vs. High-End Nomus

With a display of raw power, Mirko demonstrates why she is the number five hero in her battle with several of the type of Nomu that nearly took out Endeavour. Leaving everyone else behind, she goes straight to the source, and she does so while displaying an indomitable personality that turns what should have been a weaker quirk into a powerful one.

Even though it's split between other scenes, the flashes we get of Mirko's work are still electrifying. One of the most memorable takedowns in the show is her using only her legs to take out a Nomu after getting up close.

9 Stain vs. UA students

In the midst of training, a group of UA students get a taste of real combat in their battle with Stain, who challenges not only their powers but their bonds with each other. Not only is this fight one that challenges Deku's ability to strategize on the fly, it also furthers Shoto's and Iida's character arcs through action.

Besides life and death, what is at stake in this fight is what it means to be a hero. Deku is growing into his role as an inspiration to his friends, and this fight is an important, early example of how he will evolve with the people who will stop supporting him.

8 Kirishima Vs. Rap

There's something so satisfyingly simple about strength vs. stamina, and that's exactly what this fight is all about. Kirishima must break past his insecurities to withstand the power that Rappa can dish out. Although short, the fight is a great bit of character development for fan favorite Kirishima.

In a series where mind can triumph over power, where the characters' determination gives them strength beyond limits, this is a perfect example. Of all the sub-battles that happen in Overhaul's compound, this one is the most compelling of them for that reason. We can relate to Kirishima's doubts and rejoice in his triumph despite them.

7 Bakugo vs. Midoriya

An emotional battle that marks the turning point of their relationship and Bakugo's character, this battle is crucial to the shape of the plot going forward. The fight is a physical manifestation of the two finally seeing each other clearly: Midoriya is able to explain why he looks up to Bakugo, and Bakugo comes to terms with the flaws in his worldview that have made him a bully.

It's not the flashiest fight in the series, but it's very satisfying to see these two begin to become the two sides of All Might's legacy they were meant to be. They leave this fight and see each other as equals and move forward.

6 Aizawa vs. The League Of Villains

This is the battle that not only introduces the stakes the story will tackle, but also showcases the abilities of some of the pro-hero teachers. After all his lectures on what it means to be a pro, Aizawa walks the walk in this fight, combining his quirk, support items, and experience to take on multiple opponents by himself.

He rushes into battle without thought but keeps his students alive, and his wits save several students from certain death against almost impossible odds. In Shigarki's words, Aizawa is really just too cool.

5 Bakugo vs. All for one

There's a lot to love about this confrontation that wraps up many of the revelations that Horikoshi had been teasing for hundreds of chapters. We get the promised scene where Bakugo finally takes Deku's hand, we see him embrace his nickname the way Deku has his, and we finally see him take on the role of the mentor he felt responsible for quitting.

Also, seeing Balugo rise from the dead to answer Deku's plea for someone to save his hero, who was destined to die, is an incredibly satisfying way to shine the spotlight on such a beloved character.

4 All-Might vs. All for one

This emotional battle not only showcases the levels of power that UA students are expected to live up to, but also brings us the heartbreaking end of an era. We get a glimpse of the epic fights that All For One and All Might had leading up to the events of the manga.

Even more than the final showdown between Deku and All For One, this fight is extremely personal, and it's hard not to get caught up in this feud with the intensity that both fighters bring to the table. Despite all that stands against him, All Might manages to use what remains of his ability to still keep his promise to be the Symbol of Hope. He embodies what it means to be Plus Ultra!

3 Review vs. Deku and LeMillion

During the balance of power in My Hero Academia, the overtaking battle comes at an important stage in Deku's development as a hero. He has gained better control over his ability, but he still cannot stand against such a powerful opponent on his own. That's where the support of LeMillion comes in, both fighting to save Eri.

The fun of this fight lies in the extent of quirks used, especially Overhaul's extremely powerful transformation quirk. Given this, along with the emotional backbone of protecting someone innocent, it's a fight that perfectly balances what makes My Hero Academia so inspiring.

2 The League Of Villains Vs. Deika city

Where the heroes are constrained by a moral code that limits harm and prohibits killing, League of Villains has no such qualms. That means their fight in Deika City is an over-the-top explosion of violence and action that we can't look away from. Struggling to free their friend, Giran, the League is pushed to its limits in this struggle, developing both as characters and as a team.

Dabi battles the ice user Goat; Twice takes on his own fear to fight Skeptic's puppets; Toga unleashes his potential in his battle with Curious; and Shigaraki meets Redestro. There's something so satisfying about seeing our favorite villains win, just once.

1 Muscular vs. Deku

There is no fight in My Hero Academia that better showcases the protagonist's ethos. Deku is not yet the overpowered hero we see in his fight with All For One, nor is he backed up by an army of others with an arsenal of support items. He only has the glow of his unstable quirk, his willpower, his high pain tolerance, and his determination to protect someone.

Every other fight in the series is based on his actions in this fight, where no one else comes to save him, and he is the last line between a child's life or death. This rawness makes it the most compelling fight in the series, even without the build-up.