The Heartbreaking Truth Behind Toga's Untold Villain Identity in My Hero Academia

Himiko Toga, one of the most tragic villains in My Hero Academia, has a unique reason for rejecting a villain name. She seeks to distance herself from other Quirk users, and in doing so, creates a compelling explanation. The addition of scenes from Toga's past in chapter #393 of My Hero Academia adds depth and complexity to her reasoning, enhancing her fascinating characterization. During a flashback, Toga's fellow former League of Villains members urge her to adopt a villain name like the rest. However, she chooses to live as Himiko Toga, standing firm in her belief. Tomura Shigaraki supports her stance by sharing the theory behind the origin of hero and villain names. In the early days of Quirk society, these names were adopted to differentiate between heroes and villains, solely for the purpose of identifying enemies. Toga rejects this imposed categorization and simply desires to live as her authentic self.

Himiko Toga Transforms Into Other People To Escape Herself

It is important to note that Himiko's explanation is interconnected with Toga's decision to utilize her Transform Quirk and the reasons behind it. As Himiko discovers more about herself, she realizes that her act of sucking the blood of her desired individual is not solely an expression of love or admiration. Rather, it stems from her intense desire to become that person. The stronger her feelings towards her victim, the stronger her longing to assume their identity becomes. This is exemplified when she consumed Ochako Uraraka's blood. Prior to Ochako, Himiko could only replicate the appearance of her victims. However, with Ochako, someone she deeply cared for, she also obtained her Quirk.

The desire to transform into someone else holds significance as it implies an attempt to escape from one's own identity, which is understandable for Toga considering the discrimination she has faced due to her Quirk. However, the fact that she can completely transform into someone she genuinely likes adds complexity to her character. It suggests that Toga would prefer to become someone she admires rather than someone she despises, indicating a desire to accept and appreciate herself. From the initial portrayal of Himiko's past in My Hero Academia, it is evident that her ultimate wish was to be "normal." By escaping her own body and assuming the form of others, she may be striving to achieve this sense of normalcy.

Himiko Toga Just Wants To Be Normal

Despite the bleak depiction of self-hatred caused by an unhealthy self-perception, it is inspiring that Toga chose to retain her real name rather than adopting a villainous moniker as a means to defy societal expectations in the world of Quirks. This narrative reaches its pinnacle in chapter #395 when Toga selflessly offers her blood to save Ochako's life. For so long, driven by an intense yearning to understand herself, Toga has been solely focused on "taking" from others. However, she finally comprehends that true fulfillment can only be achieved through selfless giving, allowing her to be acknowledged and accepted for who she genuinely is. Himiko Toga's journey in My Hero Academia is undeniably tragic, yet her poignant epilogue also serves to demonstrate her extraordinary character development, making her one of the most profound and well-crafted figures in the entire series.

All chapters of My Hero Academia can be accessed through Viz Media.