Kohei Horikoshi’sMy Hero Academiahas cemented its place as one of the most iconic and popular shōnen series of all time. While much of its success is attributed to the inspiring narrative, the diverse and well-developed characters also play a pivotal role in captivating audiences. This Shōnen series has a diverse range of characters, each driven by the recurring theme of self-sacrifice—a hallmark of true heroism in this universe. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that being a great hero requires much more than just the willingness to sacrifice oneself.
True heroism inMy Hero Academiaalso demands intelligence, adaptability, and quick thinking. This necessity for strategic thinking isn’t limited to the heroes either—the villains, too, display remarkable intellect, often outsmarting their adversaries with cunning plans. From brilliant inventors and scientists to quick-thinking heroes and devious villains, the series showcases a dynamic array of characters who demonstrate that being “smart” is just as essential as being strong or selfless in the world of heroes and villains.
10Sir Nighteye
A Quirk That Enables Him To Become One of the SmartestMy Hero Academia Characters
InMy Hero Academia, the most formidable characters are often defined by the strength of their Quirks and how effectively they can wield them. However,Sir Nighteye stands out as one of the few characters whose intellect is directly enhanced by his Quirk. Nighteye possesses one of the most pivotal Quirks in the series: “Foresight,” which allows him to see a person’s future.
Another aspect of Nighteye’s Quirk allows him to predict the movements of whoever he targets for the next hour, giving him a tactical edge in battles against formidable villains. Combined with his genius intellect, this made Nighteye one of the smartest and most memorable supporting characters inMy Hero Academia. However, bothAll Might and Deku eventually overcome the futures he foresaw for them, implying that his Quirk’s accuracy is limited when faced with the strength of human will.
9Shota Aizawa
Shoto Is a Teacher and Leader Thanks to His Sharp Intellect
Shoto Aizawa, aka Eraser Head, possesses a sharp intellect, even though he may initially come across as a laid-back teacher. As a sharp teacher with exceptional observational skills, Aizawa fulfills his role very well, which is particularly evident from the start of the series when he stops Izuku from using his quirk to prevent him from inflicting irreversible injury. With Class 1-A under his wing, Aizawa has managed to keep the students alive and mentor them on many occasions.
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Eraser Head’s intelligence is further highlighted in his strategic use of his Quirk, “Erasure.“His keen observation skills allow him to wield his Quirk with precision, neutralizing his opponents at critical moments. AsDeku becomes a teacher at the end ofMy Hero Academia, it’s evident that he draws inspiration from Aizawa, sharing his sharp intellect and analytical approach to guide others in becoming the best heroes they can be.
8Mei Hatsume
The Genius Inventor
Though the traditional definition of a hero is someone who saves others directly, Mei Hatsume embodies a different kind of heroism—one that supports and empowers the heroes on the front lines. She proves that not all heroes need to wear capes or throw punches, as her genius at creating cutting-edge gadgets is crucial to the success of many heroes in their battles.
Mei’s Quirk, “Zoom,” allows her to magnify her vision like a telescope or microscope, an invaluable asset when crafting highly precise inventions. Her brilliance is showcased through her many contributions, with one of her most significant achievements being the upgrades she made to theschool’s barrier system duringMy Hero Academia’sTraitor Arc. Like Momo Yaoyorozu,Mei is also recognized as one of the brightest minds in the series, earning an S rating in intellect in the official databook.
7Izuku Midoriya
Even Without a Quirk, Deku Would Still Have Been a Valuable Character Due to His Intellect
Deku, unlike many shōnen protagonists who are brave but often lack intelligence, embodies great intellect. Born without a Quirk, Izuku spent much of his life studying heroes and villains, an effort that has paid off in his battles against formidable opponents. His ability to analyze and identify weaknesses in his enemies has been a key factor in his success. His analytical battle approach adds to his leadership qualities as he has devised plans to overcome challenges as a team.
Besides this,Deku also has an academic intellect, and in the databook, he has a rating of four stars in the category. It’s clear that evenwithout Deku being bestowed with One For All, his deep knowledge of heroes and villains could still have made significant contributions to the hero system, as demonstrated by his role as a teacher after losing his Quirk.
6Momo Yayorozu
The Smartest of Class 1-A
Momo Yayorozu easily takes a strong position as one of the smartest characters fromMy Hero Academiain many aspects. While her academic prowess consistently surpasses that of her classmates, her true strength lies in her sharp analytical mind and the seamless mastery of her highly intricate quirk.
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Her analytical approach in battle is evident in the Final Exams, where she quickly deduces that Shota Aizawa’s Quirk has limitations. This insight allows her to craft a strategic plan alongside Shoto Todoroki, ultimately leading to their victory over their formidable teacher. Meanwhile, Momo’s Quirk, Creation, requires precise molecular knowledge to create objects; therefore, it is evident thatYayorozu must have honed her mind to a state so that she could seamlessly use her quirk. Besides this, Momo Yayorozu is also given an S rating in intellect in the official databook.
5Principal Nezu
A Character With the Smartest Quirk
The Principal of U.A., Nezu, a unique animal with various animal body parts, is blessed with the smartest Quirk ever displayed inMy Hero Academia. His Quirk, “High Spec,” grants him extraordinary cognitive abilities, allowing him to devise precise strategies with minimal information.Nezu even claims to remember the smallest details, a trait he highlights when recalling the torture he once enduredat the hands of humans.
Sadly, Nezu’s genius is rarely showcased, with one of the few notable moments being during the Final Exams, where he easily outmaneuvers Mina Ashido and Denki Kaminari using a wrecking ball. It’s disappointing that Kohei Horikoshi doesn’t fully utilize this aspect of Nezu’s character, as his intellect could have played a critical role in securing more victories for the heroes.
4La Brava
A Technical Genius
Not many characters showcased in the series possess technical skills, and La Brava having this particular trait stands out as one most the smartest characters fromMy Hero Academia. Her computer skills are unbelievable, as evident from the fact that she hacked the U.A.’s system effortlessly.
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La Brava’s technical prowess plays a vital role inMy Hero Academia’sfinal war arc, where she successfully hacks into the enemy’s system to prevent the flying U.A. from being brought down. Her genius is evident, as her greatest contributions are based on her own skillset rather than relying on a Quirk, highlighting her exceptional intellect and resourcefulness.
3All For One
The Series’ Primary Antagonist Embodies All the Essential Traits of a True Main Villain, Including Intelligence
All For One is the only known individual to have lived for over a century, which means he possesses a wealth of knowledge far beyond that of any other. This immense experience and understanding place him in a league of his own when it comes to intellectual prowess. Before his defeat at the hands of All Might, All For One reigned over Japan for decades, a feat that was undoubtedly made possible by his sharp intellect and strategic mind.
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Moreover,All For One has a unique ability to manipulate others, compelling them to act in ways that serve his own interests. This is clearly demonstrated through his long-standing manipulation of Tomura Shigaraki, whom he has been grooming for years to achieve his selfish goals. His meticulously thought-out plans have had devastating consequences for society, such as orchestrating the mass breakout at Tartarus Prison. Therefore, witnessing his eventual defeat—brought about by the long-standing struggle between One For All and his own cunning—is deeply satisfying, as it marks the triumph of perseverance and heroism over calculated malevolence.
2Hawks
Hawks Achieved His Rank as the Number 2 Hero Due to His Exceptional Intelligence
Hawks’ rapid ascent to therank ofMy Hero Academia’sNumber 2 Heroin his early 20s was undoubtedly due to his sharp intellect rather than his physical abilities. This is evident when he single-handedly defeated not just one, but two Nomus by quickly identifying their weaknesses. However, what truly sets Hawks apart is his unparalleled skill at espionage.
Hawks was seamlessly able to infiltrate the League of Villains to gather crucial information that aided the heroes in many ways. After the war, even after losing his Qurik,Hawks became the Head of the Hero Public Safety Commission, an achievement that further highlights his strategic brilliance and leadership qualities. All these factors imply that Hawks was carefully crafted to be one of the smartest characters fromMy Hero Academia.
1Kyudai Garaki
Kyudai Garaki is a brilliant scientist specializing in Quirk research. His deep understanding of Quirks has enabled him to greatly support his master, All For One. However, his most extraordinary achievement lies in the creation of the Nomus—powerful, bioengineered creatures capable of pushing eventop-tier heroes like All Mightand Endeavor to their limits.
Additionally, it is evident thatGaraki possesses medical expertise, as he played a crucial role in treating All For One’s severe injuries and keeping him alive even after the devastating battle with All Might. Kyudai Garaki is a clear example of a fictional character in comics/manga whose entire existence revolves around his unparalleled intellect and scientific prowess, making him the smartest character fromMy Hero Academia.
My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is a multimedia franchise that follows a young boy named Izuku Midoriya, who dreams of becoming a hero despite being born without superpowers. These superpowers, known as “Quirks” are found in most people after birth, but Izuku wasn’t so lucky - until a fateful encounter with All Might, Japan’s greatest hero, Izuku inherits his Quirk and enrolls in U.A. High School to learn the true meaning of heroism. Alongside his classmates, each endowed with unique abilities, Izuku faces rigorous training and lethal threats from villainous forces.
