Summary

• Villains in My Hero Academia face ironic punishment mirroring their crimes, showing themes of justice and fate.
• The series explores the tragic pasts of villains, highlighting how society's treatment can lead to villainy.
• Karma plays a role in the downfall of villains, offering them a chance at redemption before their defeat.

My Hero Academia is a series full of unique and captivating characters. Among the most interesting cast are the villains, individuals who were wronged by society and wish to destroy what has hurt them so much. Throughout the story, these characters serve as a force to motivate Izuku and his friends to become better heroes, hoping to stop the criminals.

While the contributions of Deku and his fellow students have undoubtedly been vital for most Villains to be defeated, it seems as if Karma has also played a part. Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of the series, has often used ironic methods to bring down the biggest antagonists in the world of My Hero Academia. Villains like Shigaraki, Toga, and even Overhaul have been punished in ways similar to those they used to torment others.

Almost All Villains in the Series Have Received a Taste of Their Own Medicine

They Were Brought Down With Similar Methods as Those They Used To Torment Others

During chapter #423 of the My Hero Academia manga, Shigaraki Tomura was finally defeated by Deku, who used all the power inside One For All to put an end to the war. Moments before his death, Tenko itted his defeat and had a final and emotive conversation with Izuku. It was then revealed that his body had turned to dust, as seen on the final page of chapter #423. Before the war, dozens of heroes and civilians had been similarly killed by Tomura's Decay Quirk.

Yet, Shigaraki’s fate is not the first instance of a major antagonist being punished ironically with a twist of fate. For example, in chapter #395, Toga and Ochako's intense battle ended. Due to the heavy injuries Uraraka suffered during the battle, she was about to die due to blood loss. Toga decided to redeem herself at the last second, giving her blood to Ochako, which resulted in her death. Ironically, most of her victims died because Toga would take too much of their blood.

Similarly, Toya Todoroki, otherwise known as Dabi, was finally taken out of commission by his family during chapter #390. To prevent the villain’s flames from causing immense damage not only to their relatives but also to innocent civilians, Shoto completely froze his older brother’s body. While Dabi was stopped by his sibling, the damage he did to his own body was the cause of his downfall. The burns caused by his Quirk’s overuse completely burned his body, just like he did with innocent people.

Karma Did Not Only Cause Harm to the Villains

They Were All Defeated After Acquiring What They Always Wanted

Even though their actions cannot be dismissed, Horikoshi has often reminded readers that these individuals were also victims in some way.

Most of the League of Villains became criminals due to the horrendous and often abusive circumstances in which they lived. Tomura was shunned for his appearance after the death of his family, Toga was disowned by her parents for her Quirk, and Dabi suffered greatly due to his father’s abuse. If they had been treated more fairly or offered aid in their time of need, they would likely never have resorted to villainy. Even though their actions cannot be dismissed, Horikoshi has often reminded readers that these individuals were also victims in some way.

Despite their crimes and terrible actions having been reflected in them, the My Hero Academia series also demonstrated that Karma seemingly wished to help the villains. Shortly before their defeat, most of them were given a chance to experience what they always wanted. Shigaraki was finally helped by a hero to overcome his trauma, once and for all letting go of the hatred he had carried for over a decade. During his final moments, he recovered his fate in society, knowing that people like Deku existed.

Toga was accepted for who she was, with Ochako letting her know that her Quirk and special way of loving someone did not make her a monster. Himiko was granted the love that her parents and classmates denied her as a child. Lastly, Dabi felt seen by his family for the first time in his life. While he did not forgive Endeavor, which is understandable due to his dreadful parenting, he heard his father apologize for the harm he caused. The of the League of Villains may have been defeated, but their downfall also led to their salvation.

My Hero Academia is a series filled with small but significant details that make it that much more interesting to read carefully. The fates of the villains are both ironic and poetic, perfectly demonstrating how much care Horikoshi put into his work. Their endings, while bittersweet, feel appropriate for their characters.