My Hero Academia has evolved into a beloved series, captivating fans with its deep character arcs and exciting battles. While the main characters such as Deku, Katsuki Bakugo, and Shoto Todoroki have all received ample screen time and development, a number of secondary characters had their stories underdeveloped, leaving fans wanting more. These characters, though equally compelling, often found themselves sidelined, preventing the full exploration of their potential. Here are 10 My Hero Academia characters fans wish they had seen more of before the series came to a close.
Lady Nagant’s Redemption Arc Was Rushed
Quirk: Rifle, Air Walk
Introduced late in the series, Lady Nagant’s arc could have added depth to the narrative, but instead, it was rushed. A former pro hero who turned villain, Lady Nagant’s brief redemption arc following her failure to defeat Deku was a missed opportunity. Although she played a role in the battle against Tomura Shigaraki, her character, with its complex past and potential for growth, was barely explored before her narrative concluded. Her transformation from villain to hero deserved more attention, but the series never gave her the time needed to truly flesh out her motivations.
Itsuka Kendo Needed to Grow Into Her Leadership Role
Quirk: Big Fist
As Class 1-B’s representative, Itsuka Kendo showcased leadership skills that could have rivaled those of her Class 1-A counterparts. Though she displayed maturity and intelligence, especially in her interactions with Neito Monoma, Kendo’s role as a leader remained largely underdeveloped. With the leadership potential shown in the classroom and on the battlefield, Kendo could have become a more prominent figure in the ongoing struggle against villains. Instead, her character took a backseat, with little exploration of her deeper abilities and personal growth.
Hitoshi Shinso Had a Meager Backstory and Personal Life
Quirk: Brainwashing
Hitoshi Shinso was introduced with significant promise, particularly in his rivalry with Class 1-A during the UA Sports Festival. However, his character arc was poorly developed in comparison to his peers. Although he grew in power, receiving new equipment and refining his Brainwashing Quirk, fans never truly got to explore his past or his relationships with others. Despite his potential as a hero-in-training, Shinso was reduced to a supporting role, leaving his backstory and personal life underexplored.
Mandalay Was the Mother Figure the Young Heroes Needed
Quirk: Telepathy
Mandalay, a member of the Wild, Wild Pussycats, was an unsung hero whose maternal instincts could have played a larger role in the series. Though not as powerful as other pro heroes, Mandalay’s role as Kota Izumi’s aunt and a telepath could have been better utilized during key battles. Fans were left wanting more of her caring and stabilizing presence, as her personality and her Quirk’s potential to help others were overshadowed by more action-focused characters.
Sir Nighteye Died in the Same Arc in Which He Was Introduced
Quirk: Foresight
Sir Nighteye, a former sidekick of All Might, made a brief yet impactful appearance during the Shie Hassaikai arc. With the ability to foresee the future using his Quirk, he was an intriguing mentor to Mirio Togata and Deku. Tragically, he met an untimely death during the arc, leaving little room for his character to grow. Despite his serious demeanor and impressive abilities, Nighteye’s time in the story was tragically short, leaving fans wishing they had more time to connect with him before his demise.
Midnight Still Felt Like a Gimmick By the Time She Died
Quirk: Somnabulist
Midnight, a beloved pro hero with a fun-loving personality, was an underutilized character whose death in Season 6 came too soon. While she played a role in key events like overseeing the sports festival and guiding students through their hero names, her character felt more like a comedic relief than a fully realized individual. Fans never got to see her engage in serious combat or explore her backstory in-depth. Her untimely death left a void in the series, and her role in the larger narrative felt incomplete.
Tamaki Amajiki Didn’t Get Enough Room to Grow
Quirk: Manifest
Tamaki Amajiki, a member of UA’s “Big Three,” had moments of brilliance but was largely sidelined in the anime adaptation. Although he showed great promise during his battle against the Eight Bullets and later in the fight against Tomura Shigaraki, his character arc was insufficiently explored. Fans never saw enough of his growth as he struggled to believe in himself and tap into his full potential. As a result, Tamaki’s character remained underdeveloped, with much of his personal journey happening off-screen.
Present Mic Was Too Entertaining to be Sidelined
Quirk: Voice
Present Mic, the energetic and music-loving UA teacher, was a fan favorite who deserved more screen time. Despite his engaging personality and occasional combat involvement, he was mostly relegated to the background. Present Mic’s role was largely limited to providing comic relief, but his potential as a skilled fighter was never fully explored. His friendships, especially with Shota Aizawa and Oboro, were touched upon but never deeply examined. More focus on Present Mic’s character could have added further depth to the series.
Vlad King Needed to be More Than Eraser Head’s One-Sided Rival
Quirk: Blood Control
Vlad King, a UA teacher with a unique blood-based Quirk, was another character who didn’t get enough attention. Though he played a role in the rivalry between Class 1-A and 1-B, his character remained underdeveloped. Apart from a few key moments, including his assistance during the Dabi clone battle, Vlad King was mostly reduced to a one-dimensional figure. With more screen time, he could have showcased the full potential of his Quirk and his role as a mentor, adding more depth to the larger narrative.
Stain the Hero Killer Only Had Two Major Appearances
Quirk: Bloodcurdle
Stain, the infamous “Hero Killer,” made a strong first impression when he debuted as a villain with a clear sense of morality. However, despite his compelling ideology and role in shaking up the hero society, Stain’s appearances were few and far between. After his first major arc, he was absent for a long period before returning to briefly assist the heroes in the final battle. His potential as a more prominent antagonist, or even as a complex antihero, was never fully realized, leaving fans wanting more of his fascinating worldview and motivations.
These characters, though not given enough screen time in My Hero Academia, undoubtedly left a mark on fans. With deeper exploration of their arcs and more involvement in key battles, they could have become even more integral to the story. Unfortunately, time constraints and the focus on the primary characters meant that many of these heroes and villains never reached their full potential, leaving fans to wonder what could have been.
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