The Shocking Truth Behind My Hero Academia's Darkest Moments

My Hero Academia is a series that encompasses a wide range of emotions, from comedic and lighthearted to intense and dramatic. At times, the series takes a darker turn, presenting scenes filled with hopelessness. However, what sets My Hero Academia apart is its ability to strike a balance between these extremes, allowing the darker moments to have a significant impact.

As the anime has recently concluded its darkest season yet, it is the perfect time to delve into some of the series' bleakest and most despairing moments. Yet, our purpose is not merely to revel in the hopelessness. These dark moments can also serve as a source of inspiration, as they highlight the true essence of heroism, which shines brightest in times of darkness. The ranking of these moments is determined by the scale of the challenges faced, although it is important to note that even smaller, more personal dark moments can be devastating. If you are not up to date with the series, be cautious, as spoilers lie ahead.

10 Iida vs. Stain

9 Midnight's Death

The arrival of Stain, the infamous Hero Killer, in the world of My Hero Academia undeniably marked a significant turning point for the series. Among Stain's early victims was none other than Ingenium, the esteemed hero and older brother of UA student Tenya Iida. Although Ingenium's heroic career was tragically cut short, he managed to survive his encounter with Stain. Seeking vengeance, Iida embarked on a solo mission, only to find himself outmatched by the formidable villain. Fortunately, before Stain could deliver a fatal blow, Midoriya and Todoroki arrived just in time to save Iida. However, the moments leading up to their arrival were filled with unbearable tension, with Iida slowly realizing the magnitude of his miscalculation. Despite surviving this horrific ordeal, Iida draws strength from it, realizing that seeking revenge is not the path he should follow. Instead, he chooses to honor his fallen brother by adopting the hero name "Ingenium" and dedicating himself to living up to the legacy left behind.

One of the most brutal moments during the Paranormal Liberation War arc, prominently featured in season 6, was the tragic demise of Midnight, one of the students' beloved teachers. Midnight courageously attempted to use her Quirk to lull Gigantomachia into sleep, but her plan took an unexpected turn when Mr. Compress, perched atop the colossal villain, unleashed a flurry of debris from his own Quirk. The onslaught caused Midnight to plummet from a considerable height, inflicting grave injuries upon her. Despite her severe condition, she mustered the strength to issue a final command to her students, setting in motion a chain of events that ultimately led to the salvation of the day. In the aftermath, the UA students stumbled upon Midnight's lifeless body, a heart-wrenching scene that left them feeling incredulous. It served as a poignant reminder that these aspiring heroes are still mere adolescents, unaccustomed to the appalling realities of warfare.

8 Bakugo Takes the Hit

7 Deku vs. Muscular

One pivotal moment during the Paranormal Liberation War features Deku engaged in a fierce battle against Shigaraki. With Shigaraki's body reduced to smoldering ashes due to Endeavor's devastating attack, it seems as though the nefarious villain is destined for defeat. However, All for One seizes control and unleashes his Rivet Stab Quirk, directing the blade towards Deku. In a selfless act, Bakugo intercedes and takes the deadly blow. While Bakugo eventually manages to recover from his injuries, the impact could have easily resulted in a fatal outcome, momentarily hanging in the balance. This powerful moment serves as undeniable proof that, despite his brash demeanor, Bakugo genuinely cares for Deku in the world of My Hero Academia, going so far as to risk his own life.

During the Forest Training Camp arc, Deku found himself in a perilous situation as he rushed to save a young boy named Kota who had strayed into the forest. To his unfortunate luck, a villain named Muscular, responsible for the death of Kota's esteemed superhero parents, had already discovered the boy's whereabouts. Muscular possessed immense power, and at that point, Deku had not yet fully mastered the utilization of his Quirk, One for All. As a result, not only was Deku being mercilessly beaten by Muscular, but he was also sustaining injuries from his own attacks. In My Hero Academia, Muscular had the potential to easily end Midoriya's life. However, with his unwavering determination to protect others, Deku refused to succumb. His selfless resolve not only compelled him to engage in the battle, but it may have also played a crucial role in his eventual victory.

6 Bakugo Gets Kidnapped

5 Sir Nighteye's Death

In a dramatic turn of events during the Forest Training Camp arc, Bakugo finds himself a victim of villain abduction. Employing his impressive sleight-of-hand technique, Mr. Compress skillfully gets hold of an orb containing the diminutive Bakugo and swiftly transports him through Kurogiri's Warp Gate, effectively securing him for the villains. Their nefarious plan? To indoctrinate the fiery young man into their malevolent ranks. However, Bakugo's indomitable spirit and refusal to yield make it evident that he will not be easily swayed. This unfortunate turn of events marks a significant failure for the UA students who had fervently tried to shield Bakugo from harm, only to realize their efforts fell short. The night had been fraught with perilous encounters, including face-offs with notorious hero killers like Muscular. Thus, the sight of Bakugo being forcefully whisked away to an unfamiliar destination through the portal only intensified the already harrowing atmosphere.

Sir Nighteye, All Might's former sidekick, possessed the extraordinary ability to peer into the future, a power that proved tragically futile in preventing his own demise. Even with his vision, he foresaw a future where both he and Deku met their untimely end at the hands of Overhaul. Nevertheless, undeterred by the overwhelming despair, the valiant pro hero valiantly fought on. As fate would have it, Sir Nighteye fell victim to a deadly rock spike, although he was eventually transported to the hospital, his injuries proved fatal. However, even in his final moments, Sir Nighteye found solace in the knowledge that the future he prophesized did not come to pass. Deku succeeded in rescuing Eri and surviving, allowing Sir Nighteye to find peace, knowing that the fate he envisioned for All Might was not inevitable.

4 The USJ Incident

3 Deku vs. Class 1-A

The USJ incident marked a significant turning point in the story of My Hero Academia, infusing it with a newfound darkness. Despite being relatively new students at UA, the young heroes were thrust into an unexpected battle against a formidable group of villains. This clash also introduced the daunting presence of a Nomu, a creature that nearly took the lives of established pro heroes like Eraserhead and Thirteen. Perhaps the most distressing moment occurred when Shigaraki, a menacing antagonist, came perilously close to annihilating Tsuyu, only for her to be saved in the nick of time by Eraserhead's extraordinary ability. Although this harrowing ordeal tested the students' resolve, it ultimately gave them an opportunity to demonstrate their heroic potential, effectively setting the tone for their entire academic year.

In one of the final climactic moments of season 6, Deku finds himself isolated and engaged in a battle to protect his school and friends. However, his classmates intervene to remind him of the importance of unity and support. Despite his initial resistance, Deku is faced with emotional appeals from each student, making it clear that he cannot endure the fight alone. While Deku strongly believes that distancing himself from Class 1-A is the right course of action, the unbreakable bonds of friendship ultimately triumph. Through the power of their connection, Deku is brought back from the edge, realizing that he does not have to bear the burden alone.

2 Shigaraki Awakens

1 Dabi's Dance

The Paranormal Liberation War commenced with a straightforward objective: infiltrate two hideouts occupied by villains and apprehend as many of them as possible. Nevertheless, the unexpected discovery of Shigaraki suspended in a vat was made, an encounter that resulted in Mirko destroying the container in an attempt to permanently put an end to Shigaraki. However, an unfortunate twist of fate occurred when a stray power cable jolted Shigaraki back to life, empowering him to unleash a devastating onslaught. This onslaught claimed the lives of numerous heroes and innocent individuals, thereby transforming the initial raid into a full-scale war.

Dabi's video confession to the world stands as one of the bleakest and most devastating moments in the entire series. In this confession, he openly reveals his connection to Endeavor and exposes the flaws of the heroes, shattering public trust in them beyond repair. What makes this situation all the more harrowing is that Dabi didn't need to fabricate any lies; his words were disturbingly true, albeit twisted in their presentation. It becomes immediately clear that resolving this catastrophe won't be a straightforward task, especially considering the already fragile state of the heroes. Endeavor is left in a state of disbelief, frozen by the gravity of the situation. If it weren't for the timely arrival of Best Jeanist and Lemillion, the heroes might have faced total annihilation right then and there.

My Hero Academia captivates readers with its skillful balance of different tones. With the ability to seamlessly transition from humor to heart-wrenching moments, the series leaves a lasting impact. Interestingly, it is the darker instances in the story that truly make the lighter moments shine. It is worth noting that even in these somber situations, there is always a glimmer of hope. This reminder reinforces the notion that genuine heroes can only truly reveal their full potential during the most challenging times.