Best Rivals in My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia has become a classic shonen at this point and can easily stack up as one of the best anime ever made. It is often compared to shows like Dragon Ball and how it took a lot of inspiration from characters like Goku and Vegeta. In similar fashion, My Hero Academia also features some of the best rivalries in anime.

It is important to mention here that when considering rivals, it does not mean that they are outright enemies. Instead, they represent intense personal conflicts, where characters have unresolved issues or competitive tensions that fuel their dynamics.

9 Coda v. Tetsutetsu

Metal equals rock

Koda and Tetsutetsu's rivalry is one of the lightest favorites in My Hero Academia. Class 1B has Tetsutetsu, who is essentially Koda's counterpart. One can turn into rock, while the other turns into metal. Moreover, almost everything about them, from their fighting style to their intelligence, seems parallel.

Although it is true that Tetsutetsu is more aggressive than Koda, the fact is that they are evenly matched. This is especially evident during their fight in the Sports Festival arc

8 Shoto Todoroki Vs Katsuki Bakugo

Ice and bombs

The rivalry between Bakugo and Shoto Todoroki is one of the funniest and subtlest dynamics in My Hero Academia. Unlike Bakugou, Shoto is more introverted and keeps his composure, which contrasts with Bakugou's explosive nature. While their rivalry isn't as straightforward as Bakugo vs. Midoriya, it remains one of the most complex in the series. This is especially evident during the Sports Festival arc, where Bakugo and Shoto face off in the finals.

The core of their rivalry lies in the fact that Bakugou is one of the few people with the potential and Quirk ability to go up against Shoto. Shoto refuses to fully use his Fire Quirk, further frustrating Bakugou due to his troubled past and problems with his father, Endeavor. He believes that Shoto is not using his full potential, which only adds fuel to the fire in their competitive relationship.

7 Izuku Midoriya Vs. Shoto Todoroki

Strength in respect

Shoto and Midoriya's friendship is as strong as their rivalry. At first, though things started off a bit rough, Shoto soon began to open up not only to Midoriya but to the entire Class 1-A. Since Endeavor wanted to best Shoto, this became part of his own motivation, and Midoriya soon became a formidable opponent.

Their rivalry develops into a mutual respect as the series progresses, but it is strongest during the Sports Festival arc when Endeavor himself tells Midoriya not to hold back or go easy on Shoto. This was, of course, said to push Shoto to use his fire abilities, but it also gave Midoriya more reason to properly challenge Shoto and get the best of him.

6 Tomura Shigaraki v. Izuku Midoriya

Enemies by fate

Shigaraki's case is a bit more complicated. Of course, you'd expect Midoriya and Shigaraki to be arch-nemeses, following the same theme as All Might vs. All For One. However, their rivalry is much deeper than that. Midoriya's goal is to save Sigaraki. This becomes clear when Midoriya talks to previous users of One for All, who want to witness his resolve before lending him their quirks.

It gets even more complicated when we look at Shigaraki's past, especially how he is actually the great-grandson of All Might's predecessor. Both Shigaraki and Midoriya have had several notable encounters, from a brief intervention at the mall to a full-scale battle beginning in season 7 during the final battle arc. However, the rivalry between Shigaraki and Midoriya is certainly one of more complex, deeply intertwined philosophies that, at least in Midoriya's case, lead to more sympathy than contrast.

5 Toya Todoroki (left) vs. Shoto Todoroki

The sins of the family

Rivalry is one thing, but what Dabi and Shoto share is more complex and important. Shoto's older brother Dabi was the product of Endeavor's poor parenting and developed a deep hatred for his entire family—especially Shoto, who became Endeavor's prized possession.

When Dabi's true identity is finally revealed, both Endeavor and Shoto are left speechless. Each confrontation with Dabi introduces psychological turmoil for Shoto, and the rivalry goes much deeper than the surface-level plot. It lies in the family's carelessness, which makes their quarrels personal and painful.

However, Shoto finally defeats Dabi in Season 7 by saving him from his own explosion, ending Dabi's thirst for revenge. This victory marks a turning point for Toya as he comes to terms with his past and seems to decide to change for the better.

4 Shoto Todoroki Vs Angie Todoroki

Inherited rebel

Shoto's disdain for Endeavor was almost palpable in the early episodes of Season 1. His anger stems from his traumatic past, including what happened to his mother, the wounds he carries, and the emotional weight he believes caused by the death of his older brother Toya. His father's work. All this made Shoto a rebel. He developed a deep resentment towards the Endeavour, being torn between wanting to prove his worth to the Endeavour, while refusing to use a quirk inherited from his father's genetics.

It is true that all of these could be dubbed as bad father and son relationship, but they have often worked together as heroes and in a professional setting, which makes this case even a rivalry. Although they don't engage in literal fights, the tension between them is always there. This dynamic slowly changes as Endeavor begins to change its mindset. Over time, he begins to face the reality of his past actions and the consequences they have caused. Ultimately, he is ready to atone for his mistake when he stands moments away from death as Toya prepares to sacrifice herself in an attempt to take everyone with her.

3 Izuku Midoriya Vs. Katsuki Bakugo

A hero's fuel

Izuku Midoriya vs. Katsuki Bakugo is the most prestigious rival in My Hero Academia, All Might vs. Second only to All For One. At first, Midoriya and Bakugo weren't rivals. In fact, the series often reflects on their childhood friendship, showing how close they were. However, as Bakugo's explosive quirks emerged, so did his pride and hatred for Midoriya. The deeper reason behind this hatred is later revealed: Bakugo resents how Midoriya always managed to stay ahead of him despite being weird in some way, fueling his frustration.

This increased Bakugou's resentment and threats towards Midoriya. While it started out as a bully-bullied dynamic, things changed when Midoriya received an inheritance from All Might, eventually earning Bakugou's respect. This respect is evident when Bakugou sacrifices himself to protect Midoriya against Shigaraki, showing the growth in their relationship.

2 One for all vs. Tomura Shigaraki

Chaos Control

All For One and Tomura Shigaraki may not seem like rivals at first glance, but their underlying animosity is clearly evident. This tension has been foreshadowed in earlier seasons and is undeniably evident in Shigaraki's fight against Mirio Togata in season 7. The roots of their rivalry lie in their clashing philosophies, which, while seemingly aligned from a distance, are fundamentally different. Shigaraki seeks pure destruction and chaos, driven by a deep hatred and desire to see the world burn. He is a product of personal turmoil and pain, his motivations rooted solely in revenge.

For all, however, is more calculated and politically driven. His goals revolve around personal gain, survival, and establishing a new world order under his control. Another important factor is Shigaraki's buried relationship with his once-loving family, which subtly resurfaces in the final battle arc. Despite the darkness that now consumes him, traces of his past remain, creating a contrast with the relentless manipulation of one for all. For everyone's constant attempts to completely dominate Sigaraki's consciousness incites intense hatred between them and makes their relationship one of exploitation rather than camaraderie.

1 All Might Vs. All for one

Enemy by legend

It's no surprise that the greatest enemies are often the best rivals. It's easy to forget that even though All Might and All for One are nemeses, they share a common history that is deeply intertwined. Of course, in the case of all for all, it's about taking control of one for all, but let's not get too pedantic here. The rivalry between All For One and All Might began long before Midoriya's story. This rivalry also causes All Might to sustain injuries that eventually force him to find an heir for All.

We see the one-for-all and all-maybe clash more than once in the series. First during the Hideout Raid Arc, and then later, when All Might has already lost his quirk and uses a support item during the battle at the end of Season 7. Their rivalry is one of the best especially since it has been around for so long. Built on the depths of mythology and their conflicting philosophies. We definitely shed a tear the day All Might stood on one hand during the Hideout Raid, and it just goes to show how invested the fans were.