Summary
Kohei Horikoshi’sMy Hero Academiaintroduces viewers to a world where heroes are entrusted with the responsibility of shaping the moral compass of society and protecting civilians from the threat posed by villains. The story explores the roots of villainy, the challenges of heroism, and the dark side of ambition.
While the anime certainly features heroes who stick to their principles in the face of insurmountable odds, there are also villains and former pro heroes who betray their peers, driven by their vendettas. This topic discusses some of the most shocking and polarizing traitors inMy Hero Academiaand sheds light on their motivations.
5Dabi
Endeavor’s Son Who Went Rogue, Consumed by Revenge
Dabi, a.k.a. Toya Todoroki, is the estranged son of Japan’s current No. 1 hero, Endeavor, who was once a hero-in-training but turned his back on the hero society following a series of unfortunate events. Born with a promising quirk, Toya was subject to a ruthless training regimen and emotional abuse by his father as he got consumed by his desire to surpass All Might. Desperate to impress his father, Toya once went to frightening lengths that culminated in an accident in which he was presumed dead.
You must’ve thought, “As long as I face the future, I can be better.” I can tell you’re at a loss for words, so here’s the answer! The past never dies! Get it yet!? Y’reap what you sow! Let’s tango, you and me—Enji Todoroki!! A dance with your son, here in hell.
In the following years, Toya underwent a miraculous recovery and eventually tried to get back to his family, only to realize that news of his death had failed to change his father’s heart, who remained cold and abusive toward his family. The heartbreak transformed the once-young hero-in-training into Dabi.As Endeavor eventually changed as a person, unbeknownst to it all, Dabi was consumed by a desire for revenge and betrayed the heroic ideals he once learned and admired as a kid.
Dabi’s rejection of hero society primarily stems from childhood trauma he experienced. His anger and frustration with Endeavor are understandable. But his rejection of the hero society has had far-reaching consequences that are unjustifiable, as they have impacted the lives of innocent people. Furthermore, his siblings and his mother experienced the same abuse by Endeavor but never went against each other. Dabi not only betrayed the hero society but also went against family members who probably needed him just as much as he needed them.
4Kurogiri
Promising Hero Student Turned Into a Nomu
Oboro Shirakumo was once a classmate of Voice Hero Present Mic and Eraser Head. But during Hero Work-Studies, he tragically passed away while fighting a villain. In a dramatic turn of events, his body was discovered by All for One, who turned him into a Nomu named Kurogiri. Following his rebirth, he became Tomura Shigaraki’s caretaker andthe League of Villains’trustworthy warp gate user.
Kurogiri’s existence is a heartbreakingexample of biological warfare and brainwashing unleashed by All for One. But in an even more twisted sense, Kurogiri represents the downfall of a promising hero who has been corrupted to betray the ideals and values he once held. As a servant of evil, he now wages war against the hero society he once took pride in and wished to fight for. While the betrayal of his former self and the heroes is certainly not Oboro’s conscious choice, his traitorous actions following his brainwashing are certainly painful for the people he loved and looked up to.
3Lady Nagant
The Pro Hero Disillusioned by Hero Society
After Lady Nagant became a pro hero, she was optimistic about making the world a better place. However, her optimism soon turned into frustration and hate as she was exposed to the evil underbelly of the hero society. Her superiors at the Hero Public Safety Commission manipulated and trained her to assassinate villains and corrupt heroes instead of following the legal process. Under the guise of the greater good, Nagant committed crimes that pushed her into depression.
I’d been stained by darkness and lost faith in the light, until you and my successor came around to remind me of how I felt back then, with my bright and shining hopes. And of my reason for being.
Lady Nagant’s life changed forever when she saw children admiring her without realizing who she truly was. Afraid of passing on the legacy of bloodshed to the children, she decided to resign from her post. But when her superior threatened her instead of honoring her for all the sacrifices she had made for the Hero Commission, she reached a breaking point and killed him.
The trauma that she had undergone pushed her toward forces of evil as she wished for the downfall of the hero society. Her betrayal of heroic values and her former optimistic self is tragic and paints her as a mere victim of circumstances who genuinely wanted to do good when she became a pro hero.
2Hawks
The Pro Hero Who Befriended Villains
The No. 2 hero, Hawks, a.k.a. Keigo Takami’s betrayal inMy Hero Academiais an emotionally charged one that shapes the hero-villain conflict in complex ways. Raised by the Public Safety Commission, he has been a dependable and skilled hero who prioritizes the greater good even in the face of insurmountable odds. So when the law enforcement agency senses the threat posed by the League of Villains, they turn toward Hawks to infiltrate the evil organization.
Keigo’s mission involves gaining the trust of Dabi and his peers so that he can leak sensitive information to the Public Safety Commission when the League of Villains is about to make a move. Followingthe formation of the Paranormal Liberation Front, Hawks learns about the large-scale attack on hero society that is being secretly planned by the villains.
If everyone, if all of us, are even a little bit capable of seeing each other as united as one, then, I see a future where heroes have time to kill. One so bright, we can’t help but grin.
Hawks' intel eventually helps Endeavorin leading a coordinated preemptive strike which saves countless lives. However, his selfless action and devotion to the greater good push him to betray the people he befriended in the League of Villains, especially Twice. Hawks' actions shed light on the ethical dilemmas that heroes have to deal with and also highlight how complicated it can be for the chosen ones to reconcile their feelings with their missions.
1Yuga Aoyama
The Quirkless Boy Manipulated by Circumstances
Yuga Aoyama is an eccentric student of Class 1-Awho enrolls at U.A. High School with the hope of someday becoming a hero. Although on the surface, he may appear flamboyant, his exterior facade is deliberately crafted to mask his diffidence and guilt. Yuga was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but his family’s wealth made little difference to his childhood experiences as his quirklessness made him insecure.
Concerned for his well-being, Yuga’s parents wanted to ensure their son lived a normal life and did not face any discrimination. In their desperation, they got in touch with All for One, who gladly gave himthe Navel Laser quirk. However, All for One’s help puts the Aoyama clan in a lifelong debt, forcing Yuga to work as the villain’s double agent. The U.A. traitor leaked sensitive information to All for One and his peers in several instances that got his friends from Class 1-A in trouble.
Yuga’s betrayal is unlike any other in the series, as he and his parents are under the ever-present threat of being killed if they disobey or backstab All for One.In the Quirk Training Camp arc, he even saves Fumikage, which points to an inherent inner conflict that Yuga has to struggle with. Deep down, he seems to deeply care for his classmates, but All for One’s fear and love for his parents force him to tragically betray the hero society. However, Yuga eventually betrays All for One during the Final War to help the heroes defeat the dangerous villain and put an end to the seemingly endless conflict between heroes and villains.
