The Best Rivalries In My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia has become a classic shonen at this point and can easily stack up as one of the best anime ever to be made. It’s often compared with shows like Dragon Ball and how it has taken a lot of inspiration from characters like Goku and Vegeta. In a similar fashion, My Hero Academia also features some of the greatest rivalries in anime.

It’s important to mention here that when considering rivalries, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are outright enemies. Instead, they represent intense personal conflicts, where characters have unresolved issues or competitive tensions that fuel their dynamic.

9 Koda Vs. Tetsutetsu

Metal Equals Rock

Koda and Tetsutetsu’s rivalry is one of the more lighthearted ones in My Hero Academia. Class 1B has Tetsutetsu, who is essentially the counterpart to Koda. One can turn into rock, while the other can turn into metal. Aside from that, almost everything about them, from their fighting styles to their intellect, seems to parallel.

Although it’s true that Tetsutetsu is much more offensive than Koda, the fact remains that they are equally matched. This becomes especially clear during their fight in the Sports Festival arc

8 Shoto Todoroki Vs. Katsuki Bakugo

Ice And Bombs

The rivalry between Bakugo and Shoto Todoroki is one of the more humorous and nuanced dynamics in My Hero Academia. Unlike Bakugo, Shoto is more introverted and keeps his composure, which contrasts with Bakugo’s explosive nature. While their rivalry is not as straightforward as Bakugo vs. Midoriya, it remains one of the most complex in the series. This is especially evident during the Sports Festival arc, where Bakugo and Shoto face off in the finals.

The core of their rivalry lies in the fact that Bakugo is one of the few individuals with both the potential and the quirk capability to go up against Shoto. Shoto’s refusal to fully use his fire quirk, stemming from his troubled past and issues with his father, Endeavor, only serves to frustrate Bakugo further. He believes that Shoto isn’t using his full potential, which only adds fuel to the fire in their competitive relationship.

7 Izuku Midoriya Vs. Shoto Todoroki

Strength In Respect

Shoto and Midoriya’s friendship is as strong as their rivalry. In the beginning, although things started off a bit rough, Shoto soon began to open up, not just to Midoriya but to the entire Class 1-A. Since Endeavor wanted Shoto to be the best, it became a part of his own motivation to excel, and Midoriya quickly became a formidable rival.

Their rivalry evolves into mutual respect as the series progresses, but it is arguably the strongest during the Sports Festival Arc when Endeavor himself tells Midoriya not to hold back or go easy on Shoto. This was, of course, said to push Shoto to use his fire abilities, but it also gave Midoriya even more reason to challenge Shoto properly and bring out the best in him.

6 Tomura Shigaraki Vs. Izuku Midoriya

Enemies By Fate

Shigaraki’s case is a bit more complex. Of course, you’d expect Midoriya and Shigaraki to be arch-nemeses, following the same theme as All Might vs. All For One. However, their rivalry goes much deeper than that. Midoriya’s goal is to save Shigaraki. This becomes evident when Midoriya speaks to the previous users of One For All, who want to witness his resolve before lending him their quirks.

It becomes even more intricate when we look at Shigaraki’s past, specifically how he is actually the grandchild of All Might’s predecessor. Both Shigaraki and Midoriya have several notable encounters, from a brief intervention in the mall to a full-scale battle that begins in Season 7 during the Final War Arc. Nonetheless, the rivalry between Shigaraki and Midoriya is definitely one of the more convoluted ones, with deeply intertwined philosophies that, at least in Midoriya’s case, lead to more sympathy than contrast.

5 Toya Todoroki (Dabi) Vs. Shoto Todoroki

Sins Of The Family

Rivalries are one thing, but what Dabi and Shoto share is far more complex and critical. Dabi, Shoto’s older brother, was the product of Endeavor’s poor parenting and developed a deep hatred for his entire family—especially Shoto, who became Endeavor’s prized possession.

When Dabi’s true identity is finally revealed, both Endeavor and Shoto are left speechless. Every confrontation with Dabi introduces psychological turmoil for Shoto, and the rivalry runs much deeper than just a surface-level plot. It’s rooted in the family’s negligence, which makes their clashes all the more personal and painful.

However, Shoto ultimately defeats Dabi by saving him from his own explosion in Season 7, putting an end to Dabi’s thirst for revenge. This victory marks a turning point for Toya as he comes to terms with his own past and seemingly decides to change for the better.

4 Shoto Todoroki Vs. Enji Todoroki

Inherited Rebel

Shoto’s hatred for Endeavor was almost palpable during the earlier episodes of Season 1. His resentment stemmed from his painful past, including what happened to his mother, the scars he bears, and the emotional weight of believing his older brother, Toya, died because of his father’s actions. All of this led Shoto to become a rebel. He developed a deep resentment towards Endeavor, refusing to use the quirk passed down from his father’s genetics while simultaneously being torn between wanting to prove his worth to Endeavor.

It’s true that all this can be dubbed as a bad father-and-son relationship, but they’ve often worked together as heroes and in a professional setting, which makes this case a rivalry as well. Though they never engage in a literal fight, the tension between them is always there. This dynamic slowly shifts as Endeavor begins to change his mindset. Over time, he starts to confront the reality of his past actions and the consequences they’ve had. Ultimately, he is ready to atone for his mistakes when he stands moments away from death as Toya prepares to sacrifice himself in an attempt to take everyone with him.

3 Izuku Midoriya Vs. Katsuki Bakugo

A Hero’s Fuel

Izuku Midoriya vs. Katsuki Bakugo is arguably the most iconic rivalry in My Hero Academia, second only to All Might vs. All For One. Initially, Midoriya and Bakugo weren’t rivals at all. In fact, the series often reflects on their childhood friendship, showing how close they once were. However, when Bakugo’s explosive quirk emerged, so did his inflated pride and disdain for Midoriya. The deeper reason behind this hatred is revealed later: Bakugo resents how Midoriya always managed to stay ahead of him in some way despite being quirkless, which triggered his frustration.

This drove Bakugo’s resentment and bullying toward Midoriya. While it started as a bully-bullied dynamic, things changed when Midoriya inherited a quirk from All Might, eventually earning Bakugo’s respect. This respect became evident when Bakugo sacrificed himself to protect Midoriya against Shigaraki, demonstrating the growth in their relationship.

2 All For One Vs. Tomura Shigaraki

Controlling The Chaos

All For One and Tomura Shigaraki may not seem like rivals at first glance, but their underlying animosity becomes starkly apparent. This tension is foreshadowed throughout the earlier seasons and becomes undeniably clear during Shigaraki’s battle against Mirio Togata in Season 7. The root of their rivalry lies in their clashing philosophies, which, although seemingly aligned from a distance, are fundamentally different. Shigaraki seeks pure destruction and chaos, driven by a deep-seated hatred and a desire to see the world burn. He is a product of personal turmoil and suffering, with his motivations rooted solely in vengeance.

All For One, however, is more calculated and politically driven. His goals revolve around personal gain, survival, and establishing a new world order under his control. Another critical factor is Shigaraki’s buried connection to his once-loving family, which resurfaces subtly in the Final War Arc. Despite the darkness that now consumes him, traces of his past linger, creating a contrast with All For One’s relentless manipulation. All For One’s ongoing attempts to fully dominate Shigaraki’s consciousness fuel an intense hatred between them, making their relationship one of exploitation rather than camaraderie.

1 All Might Vs. All For One

Enemies By Legend

It’s no surprise that the greatest enemies are often the best rivals. It’s easy to forget that although All Might and All For One are nemeses, they share a common history that’s deeply intertwined. Of course, in the case of All For One, it’s more about taking control of One For All, but let’s not get too pedantic here. The rivalry between All For One and All Might began long before the story of Midoriya. This rivalry is also the reason All Might sustains the injury that ultimately forces him to search for a successor to inherit One For All.

We see All For One and All Might clash more than once in the series. First during the Hideout Raid Arc, and then later, when All Might has already lost his quirk and uses a support item during the battle at the end of Season 7. Their rivalry is arguably one of the best, particularly due to the long-standing legend it’s built on and the depth of their contrasting philosophies. We definitely shed tears the day All Might stood with one arm during the Hideout Raid, and it just goes to show how much the fans were invested.