My Hero Academia has a huge cast — UA’s Class 1-A alone boasts twenty students, plus several teachers for different subjects and disciplines. That said, 1-A is unique in that it has experienced more villain attacks than any student body since the beginning of the Quirk era. They've quickly stepped up to the challenge, however, making them the Golden Class of My Hero Academia. Nearly everyone in 1-A is at the same level as a Pro Hero, even Mineta.
Although 1-B isn't very far behind in terms of perseverance and dedication, Class 1-A's experience, teamwork, and battle accomplishments place them far ahead of their competitors. While all these students want to become Pro Heroes, their personal goals, ambitions, willpower, Quirks, and overall determination play a role in the eventual outcome of their studies. While the rankings have remained relatively unchanged, many 1-A students have since proven themselves to be better versions of their past selves.
Updated on May 13, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: My Hero Academia's adaptation is catching up with the manga storyline at a rapid pace, but there's still a way to go before the anime reaches the Final War Arc. As U.A.'s Class 1-A are playing significant roles in the concluding plotline and have finally appeared to save Deku in the ongoing manga narrative, we've revamped this list of all twenty students.
20 Minoru Mineta Has Come A Long Way Since His Depraved Beginnings
Mineta is widely renowned as one of the most stereotypically perverted characters in shonen anime. His desperate desire to be acknowledged by women forces him down an occasionally dark path, where he spends his time concocting problematic schemes. Despite his brazen attitude, Mineta has shown himself worthy of being a Pro Hero, especially after the Final Exam arc.
Not only does he successfully defeat Midnight, but he also manages to rescue his teammate before crossing the finish line. Further, Mineta's Pop Off Quirk, while ostensibly frivolous, comes with a range of remarkable applications. Mineta has since learned multiple Ultimate Moves, including Grape Buckler, Vineyard, Grape Rush, and even develops a combo with Mina Ashido. That said, not a single MHA fan would be surprised to see Mineta at the bottom of this list.
19 Toru Hagakure Shows That Invisibility Isn't A One-Trick Pony
Toru Hagakure's entire character arc revolves around being invisible, ironically making her one of the least memorable members of Class 1-A. That said, she slowly gains control over her Invisibility Quirk during the story's later arcs, demonstrating that she isn't a one-note wonder. In addition to flawless camouflage, Toru can also refract light through her invisible body, generating blinding light.
Like Mineta, she has a combo with Yuga Aoyama, whose Navel Laser can be refracted in all directions. Toru is brought to the limelight in a recent manga chapter, where her unexpected appearance led to many questions from fans. However, she was nothing more than a red herring for the real U.A. Traitor. Toru has yet to make her mark on the story, but viewers can expect something big from her before the end.
18 Koji Koda Is Quite Powerful When He Uses His Outside Voice
Koji Koda is arguably the cutest character in My Hero Academia, right after Eri and Inko Midoriya. He refuses to speak until the Final Exam arc, explaining why Kyoka was shocked to hear Koda scream in terror for the first time. He subsequently comes out of his shell with his friends' help and encouragement, indicating that even the gentlest individuals can wield significant power when driven.
Koda's Anivoice Quirk may seem negligible on the surface, but the ability to communicate with birds, animals, and insects is highly formidable. Although creatures have to hear the sound of his voice for the Quirk to activate, they are unable to reject his orders. Thankfully, Koda attempts to protect the birds and animals under his command rather than using them like weapons. He just needs to find his outside voice.
17 Rikido Sato Deserves A Lot More Attention Than He Gets
Rikido Sato might just be the most forgettable member of Class 1-A, but he certainly deserves more attention than he receives. His Sugar Rush Quirk imbues him with a limited boost in strength after he consumes enough confectionery, although he can lose control if he eats too much at once. The only problem is that he doesn't scale like the Hulk; he just becomes much stronger than his normal version.
And yet, Sato is remarkably strong, highlighting his fighting prowess and mental flexibility on numerous occasions. There is a lot that fans want to know about Rikido, and given that My Hero Academia is nearing its conclusion, the Final Act Saga has proven to be the place for him to shine. He plays a seminal albeit minor role during the Final War and even attempts to help Deku along with the rest of Class 1-A
16 Yuga Aoyama Helps Lay A Trap For All For One Himself
Some fans have rightfully complained about the problematic tropes associated with Yuga Aoyama, but this character proves his detractors wrong. Despite being the infamous U.A. Traitor, Aoyama willingly helps lay a trap for All For One, an extremely risky mission that could have backfired on him and his family. The plan works, and Aoyama vociferously denounces the villain without a hint of fear in his otherwise tremulous voice.
Having received his Navel Laser Quirk from All For One, Aoyama struggles with it for a long time. Thankfully, his time in U.A. has made him realize who his true friends are. In terms of combat ability, however, Aoyama has the punch but no real way of controlling it fully. As a result, he cannot be ranked any higher on this list of Class 1-A students.
15 Hanta Sero Is A Literal Wizard With His Unique Quirk
Hanta Sero's character arc is notoriously patchy — several aspects of his personality don't make sense when viewed together, and even his motivations are ambiguous at best. That said, he inevitably turns out to be a spectacular fighter and a genuinely empathetic ally. Sero, whose name is a reference to "Cello-tape," unsurprisingly possesses a Quirk known as Tape.
He can shoot bundles of sticky tape from his elbows, exploiting this material for offensive and defensive purposes. Sero's Barricade Tape Ultimate Move is also capable of capturing multiple targets with his Tape, prematurely showcasing his future career as a Pro Hero. However, he can also play offense by using Trident, a technique that relies on flinging nearby objects at his opponents.
14 Mashirao Ojiro Is Getting Stronger And Stronger With Time
Mashirao Ojiro's biggest problem is being too ordinary. His Tail Quirk, while impressive, doesn't offer him any exceptional powers and abilities. On the contrary, his tail is nothing more than an extra extension of his body, much like one of his limbs. The difference, however, is how Mashirao uses this Quirk. He incorporates his tail into his martial arts training, effectively enhancing his movement speed and overall agility.
Mashirao is the resident acrobat of Class 1-A, a highly dexterous combatant who can finish most battles using his Tornado Tail Dance and Swamp Smack Spin Ultimate Moves. Unfortunately, as enemies become stronger and stronger, Mashirao has been left behind. Despite all the mind-boggling stunts he can do with his Tail Quirk, he's far from being the strongest in Class 1-A.
13 Momo Yaoyorozu Is A True Hero, Despite All The Fan-Service
Momo Yaoyorozu is a fan-favorite character for fan-service reasons, but this doesn't make her any less heroic. She wants to become a Pro Hero as much as anyone else in Class 1-A, including stand-out students like Bakugo and Shoto. Known to her friends as Yao-Momo, this class topper is one of the toughest warriors in My Hero Academia.
Momo's Creation Quirk is exactly as awe-inspiring as it sounds. She can spawn almost anything by transforming the lipids under her skin, from sleeping drugs and gas masks to cannons and electromagnetic rail guns. There doesn't seem to be a noticeable limit on her Quirk itself, although she can't possibly fight after exhausting her fat reserves. Overall, Momo's insecurity and lack of confidence force her to doubt herself, at least until Shoto displays his trust in her judgment.
12 Mezo Shoji Is Willing To Protect Even Those Who Abuse Him
Mezo Shoji is a Heteromorph, a Quirk-empowered individual whose body has undergone a physical metamorphosis. People like him have always been rejected and ostracized, but he doesn't allow his negative backstory to impact his determination. His Dupli-Arms is a magnificent Quirk, on par with Edgeshot's Pliabody, even if he's slightly weaker than the Pro Hero. This ability allows him to transform his tentacles into any other organ, including eyes, mouths, and ears.
All things considered, Mezo fights not for himself, but for everyone in the world, especially those Hetermorphs who have been oppressed by society. His very existence challenges the status quo in My Hero Academia. Mezo refuses to be silenced, even when others are decrying his very existence. On the contrary, he offers them his unconditional support.
11 Tsuyu Asui Has One Of The Most Versatile MHA Quirks
Tsuyu Asui feels like a comic relief character in the beginning, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Despite her adorably childish manner of speaking, Tsuyu is a remarkable fighter and an extremely dangerous opponent. Her Frog Quirk bestows her with frog-like abilities, such as leaping, climbing falls, and regurgitating stomach acid.
There are several animal-themed Quirks in My Hero Academia, but there's no doubt that Tsuyu's Frog is one of the most versatile. She also has chameleonic traits, giving her the ability to disguise her presence by matching the color of the environment. Tsuyu has already played a major role in the manga's Final Act Saga by assisting Ochaco in defeating Himiko Toga. As of Chapter 421, however, the final battle isn't over yet.
10 Denki Kaminari's Powers Have No Theoretical Limits
Mineta Minoru isn't the only sleazy character in My Hero Academia's Class 1-A. His lecherous schemes are often supported by his friend Denki Kaminari, although the latter isn't as overtly shameless as Mineta. It takes a long while for Kaminari to spread his metaphorical wings and soar, but he finally gets the opportunity to showcase his overpowered Quirk in the Paranormal Liberation War arc.
Kaminari singlehandedly overwhelms dozens of villains using his Electrification, including another Electricity Quirk-user. Since there's no technical cap on his powers, Kaminari's Quirk might eventually generate billions of volts. That said, he clearly needs assistance in some cases, as seen during the Final Act Saga. As such, there are clearly stronger candidates on this list.
9 Mina Ashido Is As Dangerously Powerful As She Is Sweetly Optimistic
Mina Ashido is a happy-go-lucky teenager who always looks on the bright side, effortlessly identifying even the most imperceptible of silver linings. Ashido, or Acid in English, wields a remarkably potent Quirk. Her Acid is currently the only known technique capable of damaging Gigantomachia's ultra-durable skin.
Gigantomachia has survived a barrage of attacks from hundreds of powerful warriors, but none of them have made so much as a dent in his body. Additionally, she can use her Acid to create highly durable defensive shields. Ashido's journey is far from over, but fans can't wait to see what else she has in store for them. Moreover, she serves as a source of inspiration for Eijiro Kirishima, one of the strongest members of Class 1-A.
8 Tenya Iida Is An Adorable Disciplinarian With Hypersonic Speed
Tenya Iida embodies an eternally classic shonen trope: the nerdy disciplinarian with nothing better to do with his time than admonishing his classmates for minor infractions. And yet, he has proven his integrity and merit over and over again, so much so that his annoying tendencies are now seen as endearing. Tenya desires to become a Pro Hero as respected and beloved as his older brother Tensei, who once bore the Ingenium family mantle.
After Stain's attack, Tensei persuades his brother to become the new Ingenium, and Tenya wears the armor like a badge of honor. That said, his super-fast Engine Quirk received an exceptional upgrade during the Final Act Saga. His Maximum Speed technique allows him to ferry Shoto to Dabi right before the Todoroki family's explosive reunion.
7 Eijiro Kirishima Shows That Masculinity Can Be Tender And Emotional
Eijiro Kirishima's Hardening Quirk is nothing special: it converts his body into jagged pieces of unbreakable flesh, providing both offense and defense but little else. Like everyone else in Class 1-A, Kirishima trains his Quirk to breaking point. He instinctively achieves a whole new level of Hardening while dueling Kendo Rappa, forcing the villain to acknowledge Kirishima's so-called "manliness."
As toxic as it sounds, Kirishima's understanding of masculinity isn't limited to brute strength, as it includes a major component of emotional vulnerability. If that's not admirable enough, he's also the only one who understands Bakugo at the start of My Hero Academia. At this point in the story, Kirishima is capable of combining Red Gauntlet with Unbreakable, setting up a near-perfect gut punch with devastating results.
6 Ochaco Uraraka Has Yet To Uncover The Potential Of Her Quirk
Ochaco Uraraka's Quirk doesn't appear to be very strong — she can make anything she touches float into the air. However, this meta ability is called Zero Gravity, so fans can only imagine what it could eventually evolve into. Controlling gravity is risky, but the dividends are worth it. Although her Quirk has yet to undergo an awakening, her fight with Himiko Toga might have unlocked a whole new range of abilities.
All things considered, however, Ochaco-chan's greatest asset is her universal compassion. She successfully convinces an angry mob of citizens to accept Deku, despite the latter being marked by All For One. More importantly, Ochaco keeps Class 1-A on the right path, a rather exhausting task. Having overcome her physical and emotional battles, Ochaco is currently in a helicopter on the way to a hospital.
5 Kyoka Jiro Is Class 1-A's Biggest Breakout Character
Kyoka Jiro is undoubtedly the biggest breakout character in Class 1-A and My Hero Academia. Her Earphone Jack Quirk effectively channels her heartbeat through any solid surface in the vicinity. This subsequently produces a powerful vibration wave that can knock opponents back and even destroy the environment.
While she proves her worth in numerous instances, her battle against All For One is one of the most shocking scenes in the overarching story. Kyoka's Heartbeat Surround: Legato barely distracts the villain, but it seeds havoc within his stolen Quirk library. All For One foolishly refers to her as a "weakling" because he's simply incapable of comprehending the power of resistance. Despite Kyoka's unquestionable strength, there are a few stronger Class 1-A students on this list.
4 Fumikage Tokoyami Is So Strong That AFO Steals His Quirk
Fumikage Tokoyami enjoys making morbid statements, randomly spewing phrases like "revelry in the dark," and "what a mad banquet of darkness." While his declarations help lighten the mood, he's not wrong to fear his Quirk. Dark Shadow is by far one of the most dangerous meta abilities in My Hero Academia. Tokoyami gradually figures out how to control his occasionally unruly Quirk, although he nearly loses himself in the process.
In fact, he overpowers All For One in the Final War Arc, apparently crushing the villain with Dark Shadow's monstrous raw strength and a technique known as "Ragnarök: Fleeting Blow. Tokoyami's relationship with Hawks further endears him to the fandom, making him a notable player in the story. Only time and new manga chapters will tell how much of a role Tokoyami will play in the Class 1-A fight against Tomura/All For One.
3 Shoto Todoroki Relies Exclusively On All Might's Ideals
Shoto Todoroki's Quirk is beyond anything shown in My Hero Academia. Having equal access to his father's fire and his mother's ice sounds counterintuitive in theory, but both halves of his meta ability seamlessly merge into something vastly more powerful. Shoto's Half Cold-Half Hot Quirk has arguably surpassed Endeavor's devastating Hellflame at this point in the manga.
In other words, Shoto is the strongest Todoroki in his family, especially considering Dabi's current state. That being said, this delightfully deadpan character is much more than his limitless Quirk. Shoto derives his ideals from All Might, explaining why he becomes a hero completely different from Endeavor. His willpower and dedication are unparalleled, placing him near the top of Class 1-A with just two others above him.
2 Katsuki Bakugo Has Grown Into The Powerhouse He Was Meant To Be
Bakugo's violently abrasive personality paints him as a typical villain, which is exactly why Tomura Shigaraki and the League attempt to sway his allegiance. Bakugo furiously rejects the offer, declaring that he will be the supreme hero of all time, greater even than All Might himself. Many fans have had issues with Bakugo's horrible mistreatment of Deku, but this belligerent character has somehow managed to redeem himself.
Not only does he sacrifice his body to protect Deku against AFO/Tomura's attack, but he later apologizes for all his mistakes and insists on calling his friend "Izuku." Bakugo is even resurrected after being technically killed by Tomuro, and he goes on to challenge All For One himself. The resulting battle is unbelievably destructive, but Bakugo ultimately stands triumphant.
1 Deku Is Unquestionably The Strongest Student In Class 1-A
Izuku Midoriya willingly takes on Bakugo's cruel nickname as his hero identity, turning his debilitating weakness into his greatest strength. As the underdog protagonist of My Hero Academia, Deku's journey is filled with trials and tribulations, demonstrating that the strongest heroes are forged in the hottest fires. And yet, he's clearly the strongest student in Class 1-A and, after Tomura's inevitable defeat, the strongest character in My Hero Academia.
A stereotypical shonen main character, Deku leaps into battle without considering the consequences to himself, earning his friends' respect while simultaneously receiving scoldings from his superiors. Deku's voice is the first to be heard in the anime, where he describes My Hero Academia as the story of how he "became the greatest hero." Fans are seeing exactly how that's shaping up in Chapter 421, showing that the end of the battle is drawing rather close.
