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Many iconic creators in Shonen have frequently struggled to escape one major common trope — the redemption arc of its villains. FromNarutotoBleach, Shonen villains are often given tragic backstories, that are used to justify a change of heart. Although it displays the depth of the antagonists, it can sometimes feel overused. But, inMy Hero Academia, Kohei Horikoshi subverted this trend in a bold and refreshing way.
The villains inMy Hero Academiaare not interested in redemption. They stick to their ideals and convictions and refuse to change even in the face of overwhelming odds, which gives the series a uniquely grounded sense of realism that is rare in the Shonen genre.
Kohei Horikoshi’s Unique Approach to the Villains inMy Hero Academia
Rather than focusing on redeeming them,Kohei Horikoshitook a different approach with his villains inMy Hero Academia: he crafted villains who are determined by their beliefs. It is seen in the characters of Tomura Shigaraki, Dabi, and Himiko Toga, who are unapologetic about their actions and refuse to be swayed by their own ideals.
The villains not wanting to be redeemed and sticking to their ideals to the very end was good writing.I’ll die on this hill.https://t.co/Nuwn6s1QNf
Shigaraki final conclusion talking about the villains need a hero too was crazy good
Yeah as much as I wished they could have found happiness in some form, if they were given a chance of redemption but rejected it, I feel like a non of them were gonna change their ways anytime soon.P.S I haven’t seen the end yet so I will be missing context.
What upsets me is how people act like it’s a flaw(??) in Hori’s writing that they refused to take the help. They themselves made it clear they wouldn’t break away. Shigaraki himself even trash talked Nagant and Gentle for turning against their original goals
MHA have a good balance in acknowledging how these vilains came to be as victims of society while condemning them for making their suffering everyone else problem.Most shonen are either babying the vilains or being too preachy
For example, Shiragaki’s hatred for the hero society runs deep; born from a tragic childhood and a society that abandoned him. His descent into villainy is not portrayed as a misunderstanding or a temporary lapse in judgment but rather as a conscious choice fueled by his experiences. There’s no moment whereShigaraki looks backand contemplates changing sides — his path is one of pure conviction.
Similarly, Dabi’s entire arc is based on his desire for vengeance against his father, Endeavor. He is not interested in forgiveness or understanding; he just wants to burn everything to the ground, including the legacy of his father. Toga’s fascination with blood and her ability to transform into others is also rooted in her distorted view of affection. She doesn’t want to be fixed or understood — she simply wants to live according to her own rules.
Kohei Horikoshi Followed the Best Trope in My Hero Academia that Immortalized Deku as a Hero Despite Losing His Quirk
This allows for more complex storytelling inMy Hero Academia. Rather than relying on emotional backstories to redeem his villains, Horikoshi uses these backstories to explain why they became the way they are without justifying their actions. In this way, Horikoshi has created a sharp contrast between the heroes and the villains.
The Redemption Trope in Shonen in Contrast to Kohei Horikoshi’sMy Hero Academia
The roots of redemption arcs can be traced back to the Shonen genre’s tendency to focus on themes of hope, friendship, and personal growth. Shonen manga often depicts a world where even the most heinous villain has a chance at redemption if they are given the right opportunity, usually through a combination of emotional backstories and encounters with a morally upright protagonist.
Masashi Kishimoto‘sNarutois a prominent example of this. InNaruto, this approach to redemption was used during the confrontations with Pain, Obito, and even Sasuke at the end. While this was somewhatemotionally chargingin the beginning, by the timeNarutoreached its final arcs, the trope had become somewhat overused.
My Hero Academia: Ranking Endeavor, Shoto, and Dabi from Strongest to Weakest
But, throughMy Hero Academia, Kohei Horikoshi has offered a refreshing take on the traditional Shonen formula by avoiding the overused redemption trope. This stark contrast toNarutoshows that sometimes, not every villain needs to be redeemed, but rather they just need to be defeated and face the consequences of their actions.
My Hero AcademiaandNarutoare currently available to watch and read on Crunchyroll and Viz Media, respectively.
Moumita Chakraborty
Articles Published :930
Moumita Chakraborty is a seasoned Anime Writer at FandomWire with over 900 published articles. Passionate about the vibrant world of Japanese anime, she brings sharp analytical skills and cultural insight to every piece. From dissecting intricate plotlines to spotlighting the latest trends and releases, Moumita’s work resonates with both casual fans and seasoned otakus. Her writing aims to connect with fellow anime enthusiasts while contributing meaningfully to the ever-growing anime community.
