10. Aizawa at the USJ vs. LOV

    This is Aizawa vs. the LOV invading the USJ to attack the students.

This is the first fight where we see precisely what Aizawa can do. He’s quick and agile, and his quirk, mixed with his scarf, makes him a force to be reckoned with. Now I may be a little biased towards fights with Aizawa because I’m madly in love with him, but his scenes are still incredible because they show how he can still do so much as a hero with just the right weapon to aid his quirk.

9. Mirio vs Overhaul

    Mirio is fighting Overhaul to free Eri and stop his quirk-stopping/enhancing drug ring.

I wish I could go back in time to experience watching this whole section of the storyline for the first time. There’s so much to lose here - not only are the kids caught in the middle of it all, but a little girl’s life is at risk, and dangerous drugs are at risk of taking out heroes and empowering villains. This is where we get to see how incredible Mirio is as a person. He’s willing to risk his life to protect this little girl! It’s such a good fight; it can even make you forget that he looks like the anime version of Tin-Tin.

8. Deku vs Overhaul

    Deku is fighting Overhaul after Mirio’s battle to save Eri.

This fight, like Mirio’s, is highly intense. Deku is showing his conviction as a hero, Eri accepts the help she needs, and we get a chance to see just how powerful Deku is and what his power, One For All, is capable of. With Eri’s help, he gets to go Super Saiyan against Overhaul. There’s a moment in the fight where Overhaul says that Deku would never be able to truly “exploit” Eri’s power. I think that’s where we see what kind of a person Overhaul is. Even when he’s near death, even when Deku is literally tearing him apart, and even when Mirio is willing to risk his life for her, he doesn’t understand that they’re not doing this to use her. They’re doing this to give her safety and a chance at life. That shows how great these kids are and how scummy this bird-mask man is.

7. Endeavor and Hawks vs. Nomu

    Endeavor and (sometimes) Hawks fight against a powerful Nomu looking to attack the strongest hero it can find.

I remember the excitement when this came out because we were finally getting the chance to see Hawks animated. Not to mention, he’s getting to fight beside his hero! Though I’m sure Endeavor wasn’t exactly as thrilled about it. This fight was Endeavor’s moment to show his strength and worth as the number one hero. Even with my hatred of Endeavor, I can’t deny that he’s worthy of that title based on sheer strength. This is also what I think would count as the beginning of Endeavor’s redemption arch. We see how this attack and his injuries affect his children and his attempt to explain his actions. Though, my feelings about that could make a whole new article. Now forget Endeavor. Can we talk about how badass Hawks is, even if he wasn’t a big player in this fight? Look at how those skinny legs move!

6. Deku vs Todoroki

    Deku and Todoroki go head-to-head at the UA sports festival. This clip shows when Deku finally gets Todoroki to accept his abilities, despite his traumas from his father.

This one fight was all my best friend had to show me to convince me to watch My Hero Academia. This fight isn’t just great because we’re getting more opportunities to see the kids show their true power and how much they’ve grown; it’s genuinely great because I think this is where you see them bonding together. Todoroki says Deku’s ‘screwing around’ by helping him. Still, I believe Deku’s trying to get Todoroki to show his full potential as his friend and as his opportunity to see just how powerful he is. We’ve already seen that Todoroki was an influential figure, but that wasn’t enough for Deku, the masochist. He wants to feel the burn. Fire and ice burn. This is also definitely where Todoroki starts to get a crush on Deku.

5. Uraraka vs Bakugo

    Uraraka and Bakugo in their fight at the UA sports festival.

Uraraka. Is. A. Badass. I will take no ‘if,’ ‘and,’ or ‘but’ about it. We know Bakugo has power. He is getting a chance to show his skill. But at this moment, Uraraka hasn’t gotten much of up to this fight. A chance to show that just because her quirk doesn’t have raw might, doesn’t mean she’s not strong or doesn’t have skill. And we must appreciate that Bakugo doesn’t hesitate to fight her as an equal. He said, “These hands are rated E for EVERYONE!”

4. Fatgum and Kirishima vs. Rappa

    Fatgum and Kirishima fight the villain Rappa so their allies can move forward to defeat Overhaul.

Fatgum warms my heart. Of course, I had already loved him before this scene, but it just hits differently here. You see how dedicated he is to his students. You also see Kirishima having a “coming to Jesus” moment where his hero, Crimson Riot, and his teacher, Fatgum, help him realize the true extent of his power. Also, we get to see the total hotness of Fatgum. Dad bod and gym bod in one man.

3. Aizawa vs Momo and Todoroki

    Todoroki and Momo fight Aizawa to pass their practical exam.

This fight doesn’t really involve Todoroki or even necessarily Aizawa. This is Momo’s moment. Like Kirishima, Momo is constantly struggling with her self-confidence. Momo’s quirk is more based on strategy and cleverness rather than just the pure power of her quirk. After losing at the sports festival, her ego was shot! This ended up being her opportunity to prove herself. Her plan, her skills, and her quirk were able to beat someone as powerful as Eraserhead. While I adore Aizawa - my handsome anime husband - I love that the more critical point is rooting for Momo and another girl in 1-A getting her moment!

2. Aizawa vs Dabi

    Aizawa fights Dabi as he realizes his students are being attacked at a training camp.

As you can imagine, watching my anime husband fighting my favorite hot anime bad boy causes mixed feelings. This is also one of our first looks at Dabi. Though we’re not necessarily seeing him in the best light, we are getting just a morsel of his intense power, and man does it leave you hungry for more! Not to mention Aizawa’s handy work with that scarf! Honestly, I can’t go on enough about it—definitely the coolest weapon in MHA.

1. Jirou and Koda vs Present Mic

    Jirou and Koda have to face Present Mic to pass their practical exam.

So last, but certainly not least for me, is Jirou and Koda against Present Mic! This one is sillier than the other battles on this list, but that could be part of why I love it. I’ll also never turn down more content with Presentation Michael. Koda also gets his tiny moment where he overcomes his anxiety just long enough to beat our favorite shouty man. And I can’t blame Mic for his reaction to those bugs. I’d crawl out of my skin and simply pass away if that happened to me. Thanks for the nightmares, Koda.