My Hero Academia is a manga where numerous powerful people exist. Their power not only depends on their unique quirk but also on how well they’ve mastered it. Some are easy to learn, while others require precision and years of training. In this topic, we will discuss two characters that share similar quirks – the villain Dabi and the hero Shoto Todoroki.
Dabi is a villain who appeared in the first season. He was affiliated with the League of Villains and a confidant of Tomura Shigaraki. Dabi is usually given the role of squad leader due to his intelligence and superior control over his quirk. His quirk allows him to emit blue flames from his hand. As we know, the blue flame burns hotter than regular flame, and Dabi has easily overpowered or killed multiple people with it.
Shoto Todoroki, known simply as Shoto, is a student at UA High and a classmate of Izuku Midoriya. He inherited both his parents’ quirks and can create fire from one side and ice from the other. Shoto is one of the most powerful students in his class, with great control over his quirk and with a seemingly endless reserve over it.
Dabi’s story
Before we proceed, know that there will be major spoilers ahead from the War Arc. The anime has not reached this part, so many of the fans are unaware of Dabi’s true identity. Let’s discuss that first. Dabi’s real name is Toya Todoroki, and he is the older brother of Shoto. The Todoroki family’s story is tragic, as their earnest motivation to become pro heroes led them to ruin. The fire of being better than anyone else burned brightest in Endeavor, aka Enji Todoroki, their father. Enji saw the earnestly and gift that Toya possessed and decided that he will be the one to surpass All Might.
Toya also became obsessed with this goal, but it became bigger than that of Enji. Enji got worried and asked him to abandon this goal and focus on something else but to no avail. Toya’s flames burned so intensely that it was affecting his health. Toya still had a normal relationship with the rest of his family. However, after seeing Shoto’s gift, Enji abandoned Toya and focused on his youngest son.
This made Toya go through an existential crisis. But he still trained every day to win back his father’s approval. He tried harming Shoto at one point, but Enji found this out and isolated Shoto from the others. To his delight, his flames became stronger. He asked his father to come and see it, but Enji ignored him. Toya broke down emotionally and lost control over his flames. The burns nearly killed him, but he somehow made it. However, he was scarred inside and out and became obsessed with ruining his father’s reputation and making him suffer.
Who Is Stronger Between Dabi and Shoto Todoroki?
Without a doubt, Shoto is more powerful. Unlike others, he has two quirks, and they’re both incredibly powerful. What’s more, he has never once shown to be tired after using his quirk for too long. It’s yet to be seen if this was an error on the mangaka’s part or if Shoto is simply that strong due to his father’s training. He can create ice barrier after ice barrier against Dabi’s ranged attacks.
But if they were to have a one-on-one now, Dabi would be the victor. Shoto always relied too much on brute force and often tends to be stationary. Meanwhile, Dabi’s quirk is hotter, and he is excellent at taunting. He can easily get on Shoto’s nerves. Hawks has once pointed out that Dabi trash-talks not just to make his opponents emotionally unbalanced but also to cool himself down. In the War Arc, Dabi was able to use Jet Burn to completely knock out Shoto. He would’ve had a terrible fate if his allies didn’t come to his rescue.
The Conclusion
Based on present conditions, Dabi is the clear winner. But if Shoto manages to learn new attacks and gets swift on his feet, he can overpower his brother.
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