Highlights
- My Hero Academia excels at developing diverse characters, like Kirishima, with deep backstories and motivations.
- Kirishima’s growth from self-doubt to a confident hero showcases his courage, friendship, and impact on those around him.
- With his high-defense quirk and powerful ultimate moves, Kirishima has the potential to become an exceptional hero.
Establishing and developing one character is difficult, but one that My Hero Academia does well. Even though Izuku Midoriya takes center stage as the story’s main protagonist, My Hero Academia brings plenty of other primary and secondary heroes and villains that pack profound lore and backstory. Mangaka Kōhei Horikoshi’s attention to detail and dedication to fleshing out a complete story and giving proper attention to each character isn’t lost on his readers and viewers. From the first episode to today, many of the greatest heroes and villains have received ample time to build a foundation.
Joining the U.A. Hero Academy is no easy feat, much less excelling at receiving high grades and earning a Provisional Hero License. For Midoriya and the rest of Class 1-A, going through the daily life of a school system allows for time to understand each character’s motivations as to why they want to become a hero. Among the many students of Midoriya’s class, Eijiro Kirishima quickly becomes a fan favorite for his friendly demeanor, boisterous attitude, and emphasis on manliness. Much has happened since his introduction in Episode 5, “What I Can Do for Now, ” but how much has Kirishima changed?
Kirishima’s Introduction In Season One
What Was Red Riot Like In Season One?
Kirishima is a member of Class 1-A and quickly gains notoriety for his scaling system of what is manly and unmanly. He uses this system to determine who he likes and dislikes, respectively, while understanding one’s core values and honor system. While the comical side of Kirishima’s personality comes to light, his firm belief in a noble character sets him apart from other classmates who differ in opinion on what makes a person good or bad. This helps Kirishima get close to someone like Katsuki Bakugo, who is always revved up and excited to take down evil villains and showcase the strength of his quirk, something which Kirishima calls out as a sign of manliness.
His belief system stems from Crimson Riot, a hero from the past who shared core values similar to those of the young Kirishima. It’s also where Kirishima drew inspiration for his hero name, Red Riot, and personality. His ability to make friends quickly lands him in a trio group consisting of himself, Bakugo, and the always-electric Denki Kaminari. While he believes in the lawful system and has pride in being a hero, Kirishima isn’t afraid to break the rules if it means saving his friends. Early on, Kirishima shows signs of deep regret when he cannot save a friend from danger and acknowledges the weakness that led to the failure.
Kirishima’s Character Arc Analyzed
When Did Red Riot Start Growing?
Kirishima’s growth began when he began his studies at the U.A. Hero Academy. After developing self-doubt in himself, disregarding his quirk for not being flashy enough to gain any attention, Kirishima cast his negativity aside for a more fiery, positive approach. This new mindset allowed him to gain new meaning, showing off his battle prowess during the U.A. Sports Festival by fighting Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu to a draw and pushing Bakugo to his limit. This newfound confidence saw Kirishima grow eager to strengthen his quirk and become a true hero, disposing of the belief that a flashy hero was the ideal goal.
Kirishima was also involved in the U.S.J. Incident, teaming up with Bakugo to take on Kurogiri of the League of Villains. While the duo were warped away to an area full of lower-tier members of the villainous society, Kirishima and Bakugo put their heads together and made light work of the group. Kirishima’s growth as a person and quirk user garnered the attention of pro-hero Fat Gum, who took Red Riot under his wing. Kirishima and Fat Gum encountered a fierce battle where Kirishima was incapacitated for a large portion of the battle before finding the will inside himself, re-joining the fight, and allowing Fat Gum to build up the strength required to finish off their opponents.
Accessing Kirishima’s Growth And Development
Red Riot’s Growth And Impact On My Hero Academia
While Kirishima’s personal growth is inspiring, his effect on his friends, Bakugo and Kaminari, appears contagious. The trio of friends feed off one another, assisting to cover their weaknesses while magnifying what makes them unique. On many occasions, Kirishima’s friendly approach and ability to strategize on the fly led to Bakugo taking his foot off the gas and learning to think before acting. Kirishima has also taken the time to build up Kaminari and his lack of confidence, reassuring the electric hero that his abilities should not be taken for granted. On some missions, Kaminari has assisted by supporting his friends and feeling accomplished and self-worth.
The dynamic between Kirishima and his friends is that he’s an excellent listener, aiding Bakugo and Kaminari in expressing their concerns and frustrations while offering support. Though he tends to grow tired of Bakugo’s outbursts at times, Kirishima is always willing to go the extra mile to bring out the best in them. The bond he creates with Bakugo leads the hot-tempered hero to become more mindful of those around him, once paying Red Riot back for money he spent on night vision goggles. The effect that Kirishima has, and continues to have, impacts those around him, hardening their mental fortitude while opening up their hearts and minds.
What Fans Can Expect From Kirishima’s Ceiling
When Will Red Riot Reach His Peak?
Though he does not possess the flash and eccentric attitude that many pro heroes have, Kirishima has the tools to become an excellent hero. His indomitable will may be his biggest strength, as Bakugo once noted that the close-range explosive attacks he took during the U.A. Sports Festival could have broken through his armor. Red Riot has proven that he has the courage to rush into battle and isn’t worried about breaking any rules if it means saving innocent people. Though his main quirk, Hardening, allows for a high-defense approach to fighting, Kirishima has demonstrated a heightened ability in combat and plenty of tricks up his sleeve.
Not only does Kirishima have the Red Counter attack, which absorbs an assault before delivering a countering blow, but his Unbreakable and Red Gauntlet ultimate moves can devastate an opponent. For 30–40 seconds, Kirishima can activate his Unbreakable status, hardening his body to maximum capacity and allowing him to take most physical attacks without feeling damage. Red Gauntlet, paired with Unbreakable, gives Red Riot an earth-shattering attack that can incapacitate any villain in his way. With some patience and training, Red Riot may be able to expand his time constraints and use Unbreakable for more extended periods, making him exponentially stronger.
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