Updated May 12, 2024 by testing

Anybody who has ever known My Hero Academia can tell that the series is the favored love child of American superhero comics and Japanese shounen manga.

The unlikely fusion of the east and west birthed the colorful, sociopolitically-driven modern superhero world that brings not only entertainment but also a coming-of-age story in a character-focused manner.

With five seasons, three movies, and two specials, this anime is widely known for its astoundingly animated fight scenes and heart-wrenching character arcs that showed the struggles of the heroes and even the villains.

With a lot of battles to remember and love, this masterpiece of Japanese animation didn’t make it easy to have a favorite. Every fight and conflict either broke or warmed our hearts; and sometimes they even made us question what and who is right and just.

With that being said, can it actually be possible to rank these fights?! Not through ordinary means, I tell you; but for you, I’ll go PLUS ULTRA!! 

HAH I’ve always wanted to say that. Prepare yourself for the 22 Best Fights in My Hero Academia!

 

22 MY HERO ACADEMIA FIGHTS WHERE THE HEROES WENT PLUS ULTRA

 

22. Eraser Head  VS League of Villains

Overall Quality	7/10
Animation	8/10
Character Development	7/10
Audience Impact	8/10
Total	30/40

Remember the first battle in the series with actual stakes?! It was the one that gave a glimpse of the real heart behind the strict Aizawa. Gosh, I love it when the gruff one sacrifices his life to protect the kids!

Also, an obscure pro-hero who works in the shadows, taking down multiple villains with only 10% of his hero costume, are you kidding me?? I can’t even eat properly while watching something, this guy’s on a whole ‘nother level of multitasking.

It just makes you repeat Shigaraki’s words, “You really are cool, Eraser Head.”

 

21. All Might VS USJ Nomu

Overall Quality	7/10
Animation	8/10
Character Development	7/10
Audience Impact	8/10
Total	30/40

Next up is a truly grand spectacle to end the first season of the anime! Combine that with an epic entrance from none other than All Might, the former number one hero!

Right off the bat, he rescues Aizawa and the 1-A students from Shigaraki and straight up punches Nomu—only, it doesn’t work. And All Might is forced to up his game, but it doesn’t work either!

With more than 100% of his limited strength, the top hero powers through the invulnerable Nomu with 300 HITS! Actually, going Plus Ultra on him! That sent the beast flying out of the dome!

How’s that for the first high-risk MC’s mentor fight?

 

20. Midoriya Izuku vs Flect Turn (3rd movie)

Overall Quality	8/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	6/10
Audience Impact	7/10
Total	31/40

Coming in number 20 is one from the latest movie!

Every fight in this movie is a delight! This one specifically flourished in animation and with scores to die for. The villain has a cool Reflecting Quirk too,  now that’s helpful in combat.

I’m not going to lie though, Flect Turn is not a villain I cared about since the movie isn’t about him. But, you got to love the action and the other characters nonetheless. Deku even improved so much on using his quirks!

 

19. Deku & All Might vs Wolfram (1st movie)

Overall Quality	8/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	6/10
Audience Impact	8/10
Total	32/40

Awww, who wants a sweet father-and-son frame-by-frame action? Don’t be silly, I know you do!

That powerful sequence of punching, jumping, and destroying stuff by two people is enjoyable! That explosion at the last part and Midoriya posing like All Might, yeah, they got us good. Real good.

Can we all just agree that this is a sweet first movie for this series? Like, a full on mentor and student film with rich world-building and engaging original characters? The other 1-A students are even here, so nice!

They really gave us a taste of quality movies that can be canon! They truly spoil us fans with this one.

 

18. Uraraka Ochaco VS Bakugou Katsuki

Overall Quality	8/10
Animation	9/10
Character Development	8/10
Audience Impact	7/10
Total	32/40

Next on the list is a hero vs hero battle that calls out the “I won’t hit a girl” saying that some people mistake as “gentlemanly.” The creator also doesn’t miss the opportunity to include the reactions of the audiences as well as Aizawa’s explanation just to drive the point home!

This fast-paced ramble is a showcase of Uraraka’s know-how of her own quirk, what she learned from using her surroundings, and her relatable motivation.

Doing your best in your studies to someday bring home the dough? That’s literally my life! Fight on for that money, Uraraka!

 

17. Suneater VS Setsuno Toya, Hojo Yu & Tabe Soramitsu

Overall Quality	8/10
Animation	9/10
Character Development	9/10
Audience Impact	7/10
Total	33/40

While not anybody’s number one fight scene, this 1v3 battle really brings out the confidence and wit of the most relatable character in the series, the socially-inept Suneater.

Stalled by the yakuza by being brought to a room with three of the eight bullets, Tamaki steps up and declares that he’ll face the three alone. Moved, Fat Gum leaves him with the task.

This short, flashback-filled battle inspired by Mirio gave us one of the sweetest fights in the series, showcasing the importance of bonds between not only the heroes and the people who inspire them but also the villains! To which I mean, Tamaki literally used their bonds against them.

My smart little timid boy, finally getting some wins! *cries* Good for him!

 

16. Eraser Head  VS Todoroki Shouto & Yaoyorozu Momo

Overall Quality	8/10
Animation	8/10
Character Development	9/10
Audience Impact	8/10
Total	33/40

Let me just say before anything else that I absolutely love how soft Aizawa is for his kids—err, students. Dadzawa is such a lovely character, and I know his 25 kids agree.

With that out of the way, there’s something special about seeing Yaoyorozu plan her way out of situations and still mess the little things up. It’s realistic and it gives you joy to compare this version of her to how she is now. Makes you feel like a proud parent. *tears up in one eye*.

Oh, and let’s not forget that Todoroki learns an important lesson about listening and not always prioritizing his opinions. That’s a cute icing on top!

 

Also check out: 31+ My Hero Academia Ships (RANKED)

 

15. Midoriya Izuku vs Gentle

Overall Quality	8/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	7/10
Audience Impact	8/10
Total	33/40

Can we just turn to the fact that he’s called “Gentle” and then he’s the most gentle villain Midoriya ever fought so far? That was a nice touch, right? No wonder Deku considers him the hardest villain he’s ever fought.

This battle may have had less risk—comparatively speaking only because I’d do anything for Eri, too—compared to the earlier villains, but this is one of the more creative ones, requiring Deku to be more inventive and flexible.

This match is as important as the others were. Fight me on it!

 

14. Deku & Bakugou vs Nine II (2nd movie)

Overall Quality	8/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	8/10
Audience Impact	8/10
Total	34/40

Okay, I’m allowing you to call me biased for putting this one this high because this is my favorite MHA movie. But that’s more because everyone in 1-A gets to show off their own abilities, and not because of this exact battle.

But, of course, what’s not to love about this fight scene? My eyes were glued to the screen and I didn’t know what’s going to happen. And then, boom, two people using One for All at the same time again! 

It’s a bit of a wish fulfilled for me who wants to see more fights by the other OFA holders, especially the ones with other quirks.

And definitely not because this movie gave me some Dragon Ball Z nostalgia, nope!

 

13. Midoriya Izuku VS Todoroki Shouto

Overall Quality	8/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	8/10
Audience Impact	9/10
Total	35/40

Next on the list is our all-time favorite Sports Festival fight!

Starting with… Todoroki trauma-dumping on Midoriya—just a classmate of his whom he was never close to—about his whole life and mommy and daddy issues!

I’d probably crack some “he’s basically Zuko” jokes right now in that regard, but I know I’d be lying if I say I haven’t trauma-dumped on strangers on the internet. Dang, he’s ahead of his time.

But yes, what a fight this is! It’s always awesome to see the cold guy finally going crazy. Who, surprisingly, still isn’t as crazy as his completely battered opponent, who keeps on screaming “fight me!” at the top of his lungs.

Okay, I may or may not remember that fight correctly. However, that animation slaps!

 

12. Gang Orca VS Hero Students

Overall Quality	8/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	9/10
Audience Impact	8/10
Total	35/40

Speaking of trauma-dumping, you know, Inasa doesn’t need to broadcast his backstory to the acting villains and his self-proclaimed rival. But oh well, I guess now Todoroki knows how Midoriya felt that time, more or less.

By the way, Isn’t it nice to see those with complementary elemental quirks hate each other then realize that they’re made to work well together? And ever notice that these things are always partnered as: fire and water or fire and wind?

Now that I said that, do you know another pair of wind and fire besties that used to hate one another? The fire-user has a temper, a scar on his face, and daddy issues while the wind-user is passionate, outgoing, friendly, and OP as heck!

Can’t figure it out? Well, that’s rough, buddy.

 

11. Deku vs Bakugou II

Overall Quality	8/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	9/10
Audience Impact	8/10
Total	35/40

Ooooh next up, Bakugou FINALLY admits that he regrets something! Unfortunately, no apologies for bullying Izuku at this point, but this is a step!

I know you’re lying if you say you don’t enjoy finally seeing Izuku stand up to his former friend and bully and actually tell him off now and kick his ass!

We even get to see that despite all of his feelings, or maybe because of it, Katsuki is still ready to blast Izuku to smithereens. His instincts and skills just couldn’t be bothered with all of his trauma for the past year.

The fight’s even followed by a cute Dadzawa scolding—yeah, I know, I know, it’s not about him. I just love him, okay!

 

10. Midoriya Izuku, Iida Tenya, & Todoroki Shouto VS Stain

Overall Quality	9/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	9/10
Audience Impact	8/10
Total	36/40

What better way to explore a rule-abiding do-good character like Iida than to give him a revenge-driven mini arc. One of which he’ll continue to look back on the consequences of in the future multiple times? Brilliant!

And who can ever forget the most favored anti-villain of the series: good ‘ol Hero Killer Stain. Love or hate him, I know he’s got you listening to how some heroes suck!

This is how he relentlessly sticks to his ideals and how he unintentionally inspires Iida, Deku, and Todoroki. This simply places this one as one of the most character-driven fights in the series, truly one for the books!

 

9. Red Riot & Fat Gum VS Rappa Kendo & Tengai Hekiji

Overall Quality	8/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	9/10
Audience Impact	9/10
Total	36/40

Up here we have the wholesome and energetic pro-hero and intern tag team who’ve long placed themselves inside our hearts.

Seeing them fight as a duo who brings out the best of each other makes for a combined force of sweet coordination and manliness. I literally cannot think of a better “shield and spear” variation team-up than this!

This battle also gives a full show of how experienced a pro-hero Fat Gum really is compared to the initially hesitant Kirishima, who just had a taste of the yakuza’s power. 

After a little flashback, Red Riot remembers his promise to himself and wills himself to attack, not out of fear, but despite it! He successfully guards against the viciously enthusiastic Rappa and heroically passes out.

Taking this opportunity, Fat Gum, now slimmed down, ravages Tengai’s shield and blows the incompatible duo to the wall.

This brawl ends with a sweet/creepy note where Rappa acknowledges Red Riot’s manliness but tells Fat Gum of his intention to kill the freshmen hero. That’s considered sweet, right?

 

8. Midoriya Izuku vs Muscular

Overall Quality	9/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	8/10
Audience Impact	9/10
Total	36/40

Ah yes, the first time Midoriya faces and defeats a continuously upgrading villain all by himself while protecting a child, who would forget!

Oh don’t get me wrong, though, I like both the times he did that! It’s just weird that it happened twice… in the anime series, at least.

Either way, it’s an intense 1v1 with so much tension! And the mistaken 1,000,000% Delaware Detroit Smash?! It got me so hyped!! I’m not even mad it’s not actually 1 million. Give me more!

 

7. All Might VS Midoriya Izuku & Bakugou Katsuki

Overall Quality	9/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	8/10
Audience Impact	9/10
Total	36/40

Oh yeah, no. 7 is a riot!

All Might is all about dedicating his whole being into a role that the people need; so, it isn’t that much of a surprise when he portrayed a supervillain down to their motivations on a final freaking exam of freshmen.

Yes. Even if it’s just an exam against 15-16 year olds. The number one hero, who’s basically superman… literally beat a high school student with another high school student.

How do they keep on getting away with this?!?

In any case, top-tier animation, enticing tension, exciting action, and a hell of a treat for a villain AU All Might! There’s so much for us to love!

 

6. Shigaraki Tomura VS Re-Destro

Overall Quality	9/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	10/10
Audience Impact	9/10
Total	38/40

Now, this one’s heartbreaking, to say the least. After showing us the most tragic backstory in history that even Doofenshmirtz bowed down to, Shigaraki undergoes further corruption and quirk growth until he’s eventually given an entire cult—I mean organization to command.

This very fight also features a man whose quirk is turning stress to power and lives a privileged life; whereas, he loses to someone whose entire life was a materialization of stress itself and is literally raised in the streets by the most evil of all the villains.

Not to mention, Shigaraki definitely experienced Marie Antoinette syndrome twice in his life, the first one was not just a quirk manifestation. What if Re-Destro lived the life that his opponent had lived? Maybe he can actually win?

Funny thoughts aside, seeing the once childish Shigaraki grow to be finally sure of himself along with his quirk is delightful, unless you’re strongly on the hero’s side. Not so much for you then, I’m here for the character development on all sides!

Oh and before I forget, this fight is definitely a treat for the Mecha fans. All of you should know that MHA loves you! 

 

Also check out: 10+ Best Dabi My Hero Academia Quotes (HQ)

 

5. Joint Training Battle Round 5 

Overall Quality	9/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	10/10
Audience Impact	9/10
Total	38/40

Number 5 on the list is an absolute favorite! Callbacks after callbacks of everything from the Sports Festival to all the times they’re involved with villains. And with a good OVA+ quirk surprise too.

This whole match is an extension of the payoff to the Shinso tease throughout the series, as well as comparison duels for how far everybody has come in terms of skills and emotional maturity. And let’s not forget more 1-B content!

It’s nice to see more of Monoma being a strategist and a wonderful team player despite being a harmless menace that he is. He knows how to utilize his and everybody’s quirks; and as he should, quick adaptation is the most important skill of his quirk.

1-B’s performance with Shinso is just perfect, and him calling out to Midoriya to save him? Spectacular and heroic! We need more of these characters. But uh, maybe less out-of-control Deku though!

 

4. Lemillion VS Overhaul

Overall Quality	10/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	9/10
Audience Impact	10/10
Total	39/40

Ready for the emotional rollercoaster? Here at no. 4, Lemillion ruined all of us with his unwavering will and perseverance, even after losing the quirk that he worked his entire life on!

Forcing his way into enemy territory and defeating two—technically three if Chisaki didn’t reconstruct Chronos head— of the Hassaikais, he protected Eri with his cape and smile! He’s the reason she learns to hope and steps out to make a choice of her own!

Mirio Togata, you are the MVP of this heart-wrenching arc. To sacrifice the quirk built on your unyielding training and mastered precision to save one little girl. You knew what that bullet would do, yet you still did it!

You went so hard, hero, all I can do is salute!

 

3.  Midoriya Izuku VS Overhaul 

Overall Quality	10/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	9/10
Audience Impact	10/10
Total	39/40

We waited so long to see it, didn’t we?! Deku using One for All 100% without almost losing his limbs! Who would have thought we’d get it this early?! I certainly didn’t. 

But thanks to the combined efforts of Mirio and Deku, Eri finally makes the choice of freeing herself from Overhaul. She jumps right at Deku’s arm and believes for the first time that things will be different… and it is!!

With Eri’s Reverse quirk, Midoriya is able to fight Chisaki by reverting his bones back to the way they were every time he uses 100% of his quirk. The aerial battle that follows and Eri’s defiance of her abusive guardian was one to remember.

The score, the animation, the emotionally-charged Eri hearing that her quirk can be kind for a change, Deku’s rage, and definitely the One Punch Man-esque attack against the monstrosity Overhaul has become! Everything about this is just *chefs kiss*.

 

2. Endeavor & Hawks VS High End Nomu

Overall Quality	10/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	10/10
Audience Impact	10/10
Total	40/40

Do I hear the holy sound of the gates of forgiven evil dads and husbands opening? Is it really happening? Are we really getting an Endeavor died-in-battle redemption arc??!

Nope! False alarm, he’s still alive, fellas. Unfortunately for all of us, right? We didn’t end up cheering for him when he was trying to get up or giving his all, right? Right?!

But anyway, the real question is if he’s redeemed though?

I guess the best answer is either not yet or not ever since he’s just started apologizing around. Hear that, Bakugou? Apologies? To the ones you hurt!

But enough of that, this match is a solid 10/10 in everything! The action sequences, the Endeavor & Hawks tag team, the tension, the consistent death flags, the people’s reactions, the thinking game, the sus Hawks double takes, just… everything!

Endeavor even made looking back to your alma mater cool! And I’ve never seen that done for anything but bragging! Hats off to him!

And man, remember when we’ve always wanted to see how the former mystery number 3 and now number 2 hero fights? And what his quirk even was? Wow, we’ve come so far, and so did all of his feathers! He’s going to need to grow those back.

 

1. All Might VS All for One

Overall Quality	10/10
Animation	10/10
Character Development	10/10
Audience Impact	10/10
Total	40/40

I just know you’re not surprised to see this as no. 1! Befitting spot for the number one hero himself, All Might!! The fight of the century! And who doesn’t like seeing an old skrunkly, goofy man give his literal everything in a brawl?? 

But obviously, excitement isn’t the only feeling that we have during this duel. We feared for Toshinori’s life given that he has the biggest death flag in the series. Or maybe you didn’t because the flag was way too over-the-top that it’s more of a plot twist if it isn’t followed through?

Either way, the tug-of-war that our hearts experienced in this battle was one of the fiercest as the show keeps on reminding us of the fading One for All inside the Symbol of Peace.

It features the most stellar animation! We’re even given the highest stakes, wherein the world will suffer whether All Might win or lose.

But his victory would, of course, inspire hope, as well as prevent an AFO rampage, so that’s kind of better.

But at the end, All Might raises his arm in victory and lets Izuku know that this really is his last stand. Almost feels like he pointed at me too, because now I’m crying! Darn onion-cutting-ninjas!

 

Conclusion

My Hero Academia never fails to satiate our hunger for world-building and character-driven fights that match the best action that can be offered! All the events from season 1 to 5 and all the other extensions of the franchise are drilled in our minds, they’re all just soooo good. However, not to be a tease, there are even more exciting ones in the next season and I just can’t wait for it! I need them now and you need them now! While you wait for your favorite characters to be on screen again, why don’t you re-watch these scenes and tell me what you think of them? That’d be a fun way to kill time, no? Share with us your favorite fight scenes and scores in the comments below!