My Hero Academia: 7 Most Polarizing Characters You Either Love Or Hate

Highlights

My Hero Academia’s complex characters divide fans, showcasing author Horikoshi’s talent.
Katsuki Bakugo, Midnight, and Himiko Toga are polarizing due to their actions and personalities.
Endeavor’s abusive past and Dabi’s selfish nature create further divides among fans.

With seven seasons under its belt, the world of My Hero Academia has undergone several new developments, whether it’s the characters’ relations and backstories or the show’s political landscape. These developments have led to a few characters being lauded by some yet critiqued by others for their role in the narrative.

Their profound backstories and complexities further make these characters highly polarizing, as some fans see the method to their madness, yet others can’t seem to get past their heinous actions and unpalatable personas. While the divisive nature of these characters has My Hero Academia’s fandom split, this divide showcases author Horikoshi’s genius at writing complex, three-dimensional characters.

1 Katsuki Bakugo

Divisive Due To Unnecessary Hostility Towards Deku

Character Debut	Episode 1 “Izuku Midoriya: Origin”
Quirk	Explosion
Debut Date	April 3, 2016

As the show’s deuteragonist, Bakugo has played a central role in the narrative, be it fighting Shigaraki on the front lines or supporting Deku from the backdrop. However, Bakugo’s virtuous side wasn’t always apparent, as his initial persona was riddled with hatred and hostility towards Deku.

While Bakugo has redeemed himself, his distasteful actions during the initial seasons put off many fans of the show. Still, Bakugo dominates My Hero Academia’s popularity rankings in both America and Japan, meaning a considerable chunk of viewers still lean toward him.

2 Midnight

Conflicting Views Over Her Inappropriate Comments And Suggestive Character

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Character Debut	Episode 9 “Yeah, Just Do Your Best, Ida!”
Quirk	Somnambulist
Debut Date	May 29, 2016

As one of Class 1-A’s beloved teachers and a valiant hero, Midnight is held in high regard among the series’ roster as well as fans. However, not everyone is a fan of her suggestive comments and seductive antics, especially around fifteen-year-old teenagers.

If someone runs away from me screaming, my sadistic side starts to throb so much I can’t help it.

While the perverted character trope is quite common in anime, Midnight’s inappropriate comments toward underage boys often put off viewers. Still, Midnight remains a fan-favorite among UA High’s teachers, showcasing a clear divide in opinions.

3 Himiko Toga

A Beloved Villain Despite Several Accounts Of Murder

Character Debut	Episode 31 “The Aftermath of Hero Killer: Stain”
Quirk	Transform
Debut Date	August 5, 2017

Himiko Toga might be a cold-blooded killer, yet her playful persona and cutesy antics have landed her a sizable following. Her backstory further supplements her naive disposition, as Himiko is merely a victim of her own quirk, one that forces her to seek out blood.

Her naïveté, coupled with her unfortunate circumstances, has led to fans overlooking her crimes. However, Himiko is still rather polarizing, since not everyone is on board with her killing sprees and murderous instincts. To her, killing is natural, and she rarely feels remorse over the death of her victims.

4 Neito Monoma

Disliked For His Arrogant Persona

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Character Debut	Episode 15 “Roaring Sports Festival”
Quirk	Copy
Debut Date	April 8, 2017

Ever since his introduction back in Season 2, Monoma has been one of the most divisive characters in the series roster. From his superiority complex to his obsession with Class 1-A, Monoma can come off as an extremely arrogant and annoying character. His attitude rarely changes throughout the series, adding to his infamy among the fanbase.

However, Monoma’s contrasting personality deems him an oddly intriguing character, and his role in Season 7 has brought many fans to his side. Moreover, his backstory of his quirk being branded as a useless power for a hero explains his superiority complex, making it easier to side with his eccentricities.

5 Hero Killer: Stain

Polarizing Villain With A Rational Ideology

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Character Debut	Episode 24, “Fight on, Ida”
Quirk	Bloodcurdle
Debut Date	June 10, 2017

The Hero Killer Stain is a morally gray antagonist that has inspired much of My Hero Academia’s villainous landscape. Responsible for the deaths of over seventeen heroes, Stain’s heinous actions are hard to ignore, even more so as he feels no remorse over killing heroes.

Too Many Act Like Heroes But Are Only Money-Worshippers.

However, Stain’s ideology and reasoning hold merit, and his redemption arc in Season 6 has resulted in a favorable image for the former villain. His view of All Might as a true hero and the exploitation of hero agencies stands true for the most part, leading to plenty of viewers siding with the Hero Killer.

6 Dabi

A Fan-Favorite Villain With A Tragic Backstory

Character Debut	Episode 31 “The Aftermath of Hero Killer: Stain”
Quirk	Blueflame
Debut Date	August 5, 2017

Dabi’s divisive character needs no introduction, as this villain is extremely popular among the series’ fanbase. With fourth place in this year’s popularity poll, Dabi is certainly a fan-favorite, yet his questionable actions and selfish nature have viewers divided over his character.

Unlike his League of Villains counterparts, Dabi acts with selfish intent and rarely cares for his comrades. He used Twice’s death to get back at Endeavor and even put his brother Natsuo in harm’s way in a bid to harm his father. While his tragic backstory gives him some leverage, Dabi’s obsession with Endeavor and a lack of redemption has the fandom split.

7 Endeavor

Divisive Hero Due To His Abusive Past

Character Debut	Episode 17, “Strategy, Strategy, Strategy”
Quirk	Hellflame
Debut Date	April 22, 2017

For some, the current No. 1 Hero is a scum of a character, particularly due to accounts of domestic violence, child abuse, and pushing both Shoto and Touya to their limits for his far-fetched dream. Even as a hero, Endeavor only sought to surpass All Might, with little to no regard for servicing the people.

However, Endeavor has redeemed himself to a considerable extent in the latest seasons, and every new episode seems to paint a more favorable image of the hero. Fans are entirely polarized over this hero’s character, as some see him as a changed man, while others refuse to dismiss his past as an abusive father and husband.