The popular anime series My Hero Academia is known for its thrilling, kinetic battle sequences, however the show exercises relative restraint when it comes to fatalities despite the constant danger its characters face.
This plot armor stems partly from the uplifting spirit of the show – as heroes constantly risk their lives to protect others, the narrative spares most from permanent harm, allowing them to continue inspiring viewers.
Additionally, the heroes’ strict no-kill maxim allows even vicious villains the chance to survive and potentially reform.
However, the danger still feels palpable in MHA, and the few important character deaths that do occur carry significant emotional weight and narrative impact.
When a heroic mentor like Nighteye perishes from injuries sustained while saving others, it reinforces the sober reality that not every rescue succeeds, despite one’s best efforts.
Similarly, a sudden death like Twice’s at the hands of a former friend conveys how easily cycles of violence perpetuate when communication breaks down.
While some shonen series feel consequence-free with countless fights yet no casualties, creator Kohei Horikoshi exercises more discretion in utilizing character deaths.
Everyone Who Died In in My Hero Academia Anime
By making such losses rare and impactful, and spotlighting the grief of those affected, MHA teaches its characters and viewers alike to treasure both lives and relationships in their fragile world. Death reminds Midoriya and company that playing hero is not all glory, but also solemn responsibility.
Through this sobering balance, MHA maintains its trademark optimism while acknowledging heroes cannot always save the day – keeping both the stakes and emotions real.
11. Kotaro Shimura
The devastating events of episode 111 did not stop with Hana Shimura and the pet dog accidentally losing their lives. Tenko Shimura’s mind and superpower spiraled out of control, resulting in him causing the demise of his entire family.
He even destroyed the Shimura family residence during the rampage. Tenko was filled with horror at the deaths he had caused, with one exception.
Tenko purposefully used his decaying power to end the life of his father Kotaro, towards whom he held great resentment. After years of physical mistreatment and verbal abuse from his father regarding professional heroes, Tenko took satisfaction in finally getting revenge as he killed Kotaro.
In that moment, Tenko transformed from a blameless victim of his own uncontrollable power into a supervillain in the making.
10. Hana Shimura
Tomura Shigaraki was born as Tenko Shimura, the grandson of Nana Shimura, the seventh person to inherit the superpower One For All.
In episode 111’s flashback, tensions were high in the Shimura household because Kotaro, Tenko’s father, harbored intense bitterness towards his late mother and the entire concept of professional superheroes.
On the other hand, young Tenko admired them, which enraged his father.
When Kotaro punished Tenko by leaving him outside, Tenko’s deadly disintegration superpower activated unexpectedly, catching everyone off guard.
In that flashback, fans witnessed Tenko inadvertently take the life of his sister Hana, sending him into a downward spiral of grief and shock. However, it’s important to note that Tenko’s first victim was actually the family pet dog, a scene just as disturbing as any human death in the series.
9. Curious
The My Villain Academia story arc that began in season 5 put the strongest members of the League of Villains front and center as antiheroes. First, Tomura Shigaraki trained in combat against Gigantomachia.
Then, his team encountered members of the Meta Liberation Army in a large town, where the two sides clashed and bloodshed ensued.
Himiko Toga was desperate to escape from Curious and her explosive powers. When Himiko shape-shifted into Ochaco Uraraka, something remarkable happened – she could suddenly utilize Ochaco’s zero gravity superpower, launching Curious high into the air before slamming her back down to her demise.
From that battle onward, Himiko realized she could use the superpowers of anyone she impersonated.
8. High-End Hooded Nomu
At the conclusion of My Hero Academia’s fourth anime season, the newly appointed number one pro hero Endeavor had to demonstrate he was worthy of being a top hero.
A new, extraordinarily lethal Nomu villain named Hood arrived and swiftly gained the advantage when it attacked Endeavor and Hawks.
Endeavor struggled as Hawks evacuated civilians, and for a time, all seemed hopeless. At one point, even the mightiest hero appeared outmatched by the villain.
However, Endeavor pushed himself to go beyond and unleashed a devastating flame attack that incinerated Hood, permanently ending its rampage while also restoring hope.
7. Sir Nighteye
The professional hero Sir Nighteye, who wore a suit, first appeared in My Hero Academia’s fourth season but met his demise soon after. He had previously been All Might’s sidekick before becoming an independent hero himself. Sir Nighteye’s final mission involved leading the raid on Overhaul’s hideout alongside Deku and Mirio Togata.
Tragically, Sir Nighteye sustained a fatal injury during the confrontation that could not be undone. Hospital treatment only prolonged his life enough for heartfelt goodbyes to Deku and Mirio, imparting them with inspiring final words before passing away contentedly.
However, Deku and Mirio were far from happy – the students and even All Might were reduced to tears by the loss.
6. Sand Hero: Snatch
Deku managed to defeat Overhaul against immense odds, defying the fatal prediction Sir Nighteye had foreseen. However, the League of Villains ambushed the prison ambulance transporting Overhaul, forcing the Sand Hero Snatch to jump into action.
Despite being a minor character, Snatch demonstrated courage equal to the greatest heroes.
Although Snatch briefly gained control, Dabi attacked him with his terrifying blue flame power. Mr. Compress then used his compression power to trap Snatch, allowing Dabi to completely incinerate the pro hero. Snatch’s death wasn’t a major event, but highlighted the villains’ complete lack of compassion.
5. Magne
In the first three seasons of My Hero Academia, no major characters, either heroes or villains, were killed on-screen. The anime initially had a bright, almost naive tone, likely representing Deku’s ignorance of how brutal and painful the life of a hero can be.
The show gradually grew darker as the grim reality set in – and by season 4, characters began meeting their demise.
The masked villain Overhaul was the first major character depicted killing someone when he initially approached the League of Villains.
As a show of force, Overhaul killed Magne when she charged him, outraging the other League members. Mr. Compress also lost an arm to Overhaul before the bloody skirmish finally ended.
4. Twice
By season 6, the violence in My Hero Academia escalated to incredible new levels, with several major characters either losing their lives or becoming gravely injured. On the villains’ side, the most notable fatality was Twice, who could endlessly duplicate himself using his Sad Man’s Parade technique.
The double agent Hawks ambushed Twice and attacked without mercy, shocking Twice in multiple ways. It was highly unusual for pro heroes to battle with lethal intent, and in some fans’ eyes, Hawks was more villainous in that scene than Twice.
Nonetheless, Hawks prevailed, stabbing Twice to death with his sharp feathers to finalize the kill.
3. X-Less
The pro heroes also sustained major losses during the clash between them and the enormous Paranormal Liberation Front. A small team of pros including Eraser Head and Mirko raided the hospital and nearly captured Tomura Shigaraki, defeating some Nomu along the way. When Tomura awakened, he sprang into action.
The hero X-Less was the first fatality, helpless as Tomura obliterated him with his disintegration power. Tomura then took X-Less’ red cape and donned it, acquiring the first piece of his new villain attire.
My Hero Academia fans never got to know X-Less, but it was still disturbing to see him rapidly eliminated in that manner.
2. Crust
In the same episode where X-Less perished, another pro hero named Crust also lost his life battling the Paranormal Liberation Front. The minor hero Crust briefly took the spotlight, inflicting impressive damage against the villains while fighting a High-End Nomu and more. Unfortunately, his streak of success was short-lived.
Crust sacrificed himself to ensure Eraser Head could escape the hospital’s crumbling ruins when Tomura destroyed it. Eraser Head did survive thanks to Crust, but it was difficult watching such a highly-ranked hero die in the process.
It was even more heart-wrenching to see Crust slowly decay away while giving a thumbs up and smile – showing he was content sacrificing himself for his comrade.
1. Midnight
Midnight was part of My Hero Academia’s story for a long time, but her luck eventually ran out. She played her role in the monumental battle against the Paranormal Liberation Front, but when the massive Gigantomachia went on a rampage, her fate took a turn for the worse.
After being struck by debris released by Mr. Compress, she was ambushed by PLF members.
Midnight spoke encouraging words to Momo Yaoyorozu over communications, expressing faith in Momo and the others to survive and ultimately defeat the villains.
Momo grew alarmed when Midnight’s voice was abruptly cut off. Momo and her classmates would later discover Midnight’s lifeless body, to their utter horror.
