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The show is known for its numerous characters, particularly the villains and Pro Heroes of the series that stand out for their interesting powers and compelling motives. Though there are many characters with intriguing Quirks and massive potential in a fight, there are some heroes who are a league above the rest. Here’s the top ten Pro Heroes of My Hero Academia, in terms of raw strength and capability, at their best.
1) All Might
This list can’t exclude the hero who kick-starts Midoriya’s journey in My Hero Academia, the iconic Pro Hero All Might. Toshinori Yagi was the Number One Hero in Japan, nicknamed the Symbol of Peace by citizens and media. During his prime, All Might was easily the strongest of the Pro Heroes, viewed as a pillar of hope that couldn’t be beaten or kept down. His competency as a hero, along with his charisma and endless smile, were trademarks of All Might’s saves. Despite later losing his Quirk in the anime and retiring, All Might returns to fight All For One with an armored suit, standing beside his pupils and comrades a final time in battle.
All Might is the eighth Vestige of the powerhouse Quirk, One For All, which he passes to Midoriya at the start of the anime. His powers include extreme strength, speed, durability, and advanced reflexes that exceed most other heroes. Unlike past users, All Might is said to have mastered One For All with little aid, and is more proficient with the Quirk than past users, to the point of manifesting a different physical form when fighting with the Quirk. He is one of the only heroes to have defeated All For One in one-on-one fights twice, proving his strength and prowess on the field.
2) Endeavor
Endeavor is initially listed as the Number Two Hero in Japan, later becoming Number One when All Might retires in the anime. Enji Todoroki has the highest record of resolved cases among any hero in history due to working overtime to surpass All Might. Consumed by his dream to become the best hero in the country, Endeavor pushes himself to be better and stronger, later focusing his obsession on raising Shoto to become the strongest and finally overtake All Might.
Despite his flaws as a person, there’s no doubt Endeavor is incredibly strong and tactical in a fight, something noted multiple times by characters like Midoriya, Hawks, and even All For One. His Quirk, Hellflame, produces bursts of flame that Endeavor uses in offensive attacks in a number of creative ways. We see Endeavor go up against numerous Nomu throughout the show, along with battling high-grade villains like All For One and Shigaraki. Even if Endeavor didn’t personally defeat either of the villains, he was crucial in aiding the fight and beating them back for the time being.
3) Hawks
Hawks, or Keigo Takami, rested at the spot of Number Three Hero, taking the Number Two spot after All Might retired. It’s stated that he rose to the top ten heroes when he was still a teenager, earning the title of the youngest Pro Hero to reach such a ranking and so quickly. Despite his carefree appearance, Hawks is shown to be hard-working and serious when it comes to training his Quirk, Fierce Wings, and maintaining his image as a competent hero.
His first save on a high scale actually took place when Hawks was still a child, intervening to save lives in an automobile crash, which garnered the attention of the Hero Public Safety Commission. Hawks was taken in by the Commission and brutally trained for years to become a strong hero and a double agent who would later infiltrate the League of Villains. Not only is Hawks one of the most efficiently trained of the Pro Heroes, but his usage of his detachable feathers as offense and support makes him a versatile fighter.
4) Best Jeanist
Best Jeanist, otherwise known as Tsunagu Hakamada, is a character that so easily could have been played off as a joke due to the nature of his powers. His Quirk, Fiber Master, allows Best Jeanist to manipulate the threads of nearby fabric, especially denim. Typically, Best Jeanist utilizes this Quirk to restrain villains and easily overtake them. While superpowers over denim might not seem terribly strong or interesting, Best Jeanist is shown to take complete advantage of them, earning himself a spot as the Number Four Hero, later taking Number Three after All Might’s retirement in the show.
Best Jeanist’s manipulation of the fibers on his own body and his enemies is strong enough to detain multiple powerful villains at once. He’s key in holding back Nomu with his threads during the “Kamino Incident Arc”. During this same fight, we see him temporarily restrain All For One, a feat considering the supervillain’s might and general strength. In the final battle, he’s powerful enough to use his Quirk to hold back Shigaraki, Gigantomachia, and other members of the League.
5) Edgeshot
Pro Hero Edgeshot, or Shinya Kamihara, was the Number Five Hero in Japan, later rising in the ranks to claim the Number Four spot. The ninja-based hero was shown to be competent, analytical, and reliable in the times he’s shown in the anime. Edgeshot’s Quirk, Foldabody, allows him to transform his body into a sharp, thin string that can move through small spaces and pierce targets with efficiency. This silent, fast Quirk lent to his image and overall aesthetic, and was useful for covert operations and attacks.
Edgeshot is fast-acting on the battlefield and is able to notice details others don’t, such as the warping technique he spots from All For One. His speed is also a boon during fights; it’s showcased when Edgeshot takes down Kurogiri during the Kamino Incident so quickly it takes a moment for the villains to realize what happened. Notably, Edgeshot also fights and overpowers Re-Destro during the Paranormal Liberation War. While his Quirk’s attack ability is certainly strong, the Zenith form of Edgeshot’s Quirk is what ultimately saves Bakugo’s life during the final battle.
