In My Hero Academia, the present world has become filled with people who possess special powers called "Quirks". Izuku Midoriya, also known as Deku, is Quirkless, but soon meets the world's greatest hero, All Might, who changes his life. He passes down his Quirk, One For All, to Deku, who then enrolls in U.A. High School to become a hero.
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As Deku and his classmates work to defeat the villains of the world (especially the League of Villains), there are many intense and emotional scenes that occur. However, some of these scenes are more properly expressed in the manga rather than in the anime. Here are the top six scenes that shine in the My Hero Academia manga.
6 Dabi's Dance
More Clear Facial Expressions
- Manga panels show uncomfortable movements
- Close-ups on Dabi's face
- Gives a sense of unease
In the My Hero Academia anime, Dabi proceeds with a strange and uncomfortable dance, and declares his true identity: Toya Todoroki, the son of Endeavor, one of the greatest heroes. In the anime, the depiction of his dance is certainly strange, but it just feels theatrical rather than emotional. In typical anime fashion, it has dramatic cuts to the other characters' surprised facial expressions, and exaggerated movements.
However, when readers see the panels in the manga, they have more time to sit with the strange dance that Dabi is performing and just how much his life was negatively affected by his family. The panels show his body with scratchy strokes, giving a more perfect expression of his uncomfortable nature. It's easier to see just how much Dabi has given up on his future.
5 Dark Deku's Appearance
More Frightening Look
- Shows Deku's struggle with mental health
- Dark Deku has a much more terrifying appearance
- Attempts to erase his previous self
Deku's change into Dark Deku in the My Hero Academia anime, while it certainly shows how much Deku is struggling with his mental health, it looks more like a costume than an actual change in character. As he slowly starts to crack and struggle with the stress of fighting and leaving U.A. High School, he physically changes dramatically as he under-eats and barely gives himself a break.
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In the manga, however, Dark Deku is much more terrifying to look at. It shows a true darkness in Deku's heart, and his appearance is drawn in a jagged and unsettling way. Readers can truly see the effects of his mental state, with his posture appearing hunched and similar to an animal rather than a human. The manga gives a much better expression of Deku's change from who he was before.
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4 Twice's Death
Sacrifice to Save Himiko Toga
- Villain with complicated personality
- Had a deep bond with Himiko
- Was loyal to his friends until the end
Although Twice was a villain in the My Hero Academia series, he had a complicated history with his personality and friendships. He was always loyal to his friends, and wanted to make sure they were safe, even if he was struggling emotionally. When Twice dies in the anime to protect Himiko, the scene moves too quickly, and viewers don't get enough time to emotionally absorb the weight of the situation.
In the manga, however, there are panels specifically dedicated to showing Twice's facial expressions: showing uncertainty, and eventually, acceptance. He smiles, as he knows he has finally discovered himself and is putting his friends first to keep them safe. As he dies in Himiko's arms, readers can really see just how devastating his passing is.
3 Spinner's Development
Spinner's Change as a Character
- His life as an ordinary civilian to villain
- His portrayal as a "background" character
- Spinner's desperate need for belonging
Spinner is portrayed as an incredibly lonely character in the My Hero Academia anime, having joined the League of Villains to finally feel like he belonged somewhere. He becomes very close with Tomura Shigaraki, and even breaks down in front of Deku after Shigaraki's death. However, his role in the League of Villains and his character development isn't explored as much in the anime.
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In the manga, you can visually see just how isolated he was from others before joining the League of Villains, as it is still expressed in his panels. He is often visually small compared to the rest of his friends, usually appearing in the background due to his insecurities. He also gets quite a few lines in the manga that show just how much he wanted to belong, despite not actually knowing if he believed in the cause of the League of Villains.
2 Shigaraki's Awakening
Shigaraki's Increase in Power
- Becomes a true villain
- Sees his memories return
- Shows the trauma Shigaraki suffered
As Shigaraki's awakening occurs in the My Hero Academia anime, viewers get a short glimpse into the total destruction it causes: with buildings and heroes being completely shattered into oblivion. There is also a short glimpse of Shigaraki's memories slowly returning to him when he visually shows himself grabbing his head in pain. However, the true weight of this moment is better explored in the manga.
When Shigaraki awakens in the manga, there is no censorship to hide the true damage that he causes. His expressions are also much more disturbing, showing his true change into a villain when he begins to remember his past. There are many more visuals of his memories as well, symbolizing his mind being invaded by his tragic past.
1 Bakugo's Apology to Deku
A New Friendship Formed
- Bakugo accepts the damage he caused to Deku
- Shows Bakugo expressing concern for Deku
- Gives the two proper closure to their relationship
Bakugo and Deku's relationship in My Hero Academia has always been rocky, with Bakugo bullying Deku since they were kids. Bakugo especially became jealous of Deku when his strength was shown to be far superior. In the anime, the scene is expressed with Bakugo hanging his head low and apologizing, with Bakugo quickly running to help Deku up when he begins to collapse.
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In the manga, however, the panels allow readers to spend more time with the intense emotions that the two of them are feeling. As Deku releases himself from his Dark Deku form, there are panels showing an intense shadow clouding his face, symbolizing his internal struggle. This is when Bakugo decides to give him his apology, bowing his head in a gorgeous panel of the two of them standing in the rain. The manga shows the raw emotions that the two of them are feeling in the moment.
My Hero Academia
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- 2016 - 2025-00-00
