However, My Hero Academia's best potential couple sadly never became canon, although many fans wish they would because of their close-knit friendship and undeniable connection portrayed in the story. The duo in question are Eijiro Kirishima and Mina Ashido, who enjoyed an unbreakable platonic relationship, but definitely had the potential for romance too.

Kirishima and Mina's Bond is Far Too Underrated

Some Fans May Forget, but They Have Been ing One Another Since Middle School

Eijiro Kirishima and Mina Ashido are My Hero Academia’s most underrated friendship, to the point that some viewers sometimes forget they are friends at all. Both aspiring heroes have so many other friends that their bond is sometimes overlooked, but the unbreakable connection between them certainly deserves more attention from fans. Kirishima and Ashido go way back, all the way to middle school, in fact. During middle school, they lived two very different lives: Mina was extremely popular and outgoing, while Kirishima was bullied for his Hardening Quirk and became insecure as a result of this mistreatment.

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Although they ran in two opposite social circles, that did not stop Mina and Kirishima from forming a friendship anyway. Without Mina's positive influence, Eijiro may never have gotten into U.A. High or pursued becoming a hero at all. Mina stood up to some cruel bullies and this action inspired Kirishima, completely changing the trajectory of his life. More than anything, he wanted to be strong and protect others like he witnessed Mina doing, so he completely transformed his attitude and even his appearance, dying his hair crimson red and styling it in his characteristic spiky style to mark this monumental change.

Mina Taught Kirishima to Be Confident and Kirishima Taught Mina About Resilience

They Make Each Other Better Heroes and People Through Their Constant Encouragement and Advice

Kirishima promised Mina he would become a great hero, finally shedding his cowardly, fearful identity and getting into U.A. High as a result of his efforts. The bond between them did not just benefit Eijiro though, Mina learned so much from Kirishima that helped her on her hero journey too. Kirishima became fiercely persistent and completely unwilling to give up, which motivated Mina to work just as hard as Kirishima was working. Throughout their time at U.A., they developed a deep bond that helped them both become better heroes and braver, kinder people, which is why so many viewers cannot help but ship them.

Mina was the catalyst for causing Kirishima to finally stand up for himself, while Kirishima’s headstrong and hardworking nature urged Mina to take her hero journey more seriously. Few relationships in My Hero Academia are quite as inspiring and heartwarming to watch unfold as theirs is, because it is a truly equal partnership where they both and uplift one another. Genuine connections like the one between Kirishima and Mina are difficult to find, and it is not challenging to imagine the My Hero Academia duo having a romantic relationship that is just as fulfilling and beautiful as their platonic bond.

My Hero Academia

Movie(s)

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (2018), My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019), My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission (2021)

First Film

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (2018)

Cast

Daiki Yamashita, Kenta Miyake, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Ayane Sakura, Yûki Kaji, Aoi Yuki, Kaito Ishikawa, Toshiki Masuda, Marina Inoue, Yoshimasa Hosoya

TV Show(s)

My Hero Academia

Video Game(s)

My Hero Academia: Battle for All, My Hero One's Justice, My Hero One's Justice 2