Top 20 Popular & Powerful Villains from My Hero Academia

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Anime expert Megan Blue shares the top MHA villains impacting the story arcs

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Dabi

2 Tomura Shigaraki

3 Himiko Toga

4 Overhaul

5 All For One

6 Stain

7 Twice

8 Kurogiri

9 Muscular

10 The Nomu

11 Mr. Compress

12 Gentle Criminal

13 Rappa

14 Spinner

15 Gigantomachia

16 Lady Nagant

17 Re-Destro

18 Magne

19 Mustard

20 Moonfish

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Co-authored by Megan Blue and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: July 20, 2026 Fact Checked

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In an action-packed show about superheroes and supervillains, a few villains have to rise above the rest of the crowd, right? My Hero Academia is known for its complex portrayal of villains, exploring their motivations and the factors that made them who they are. To that end, we partnered with an anime expert to put together a list of MHA’s most noteworthy villains (starting with the best of the best and working down from there). Get to know the series’s best villains below—and see if you agree with our ranking!

Top My Hero Academia Villains, Ranked

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Anime expert Megan Blue says Overhaul is one of the strongest villains, along with Tomura Shigaraki and Himiko Toga. Here’s a quick overview of the top MHA villains of all time:

1. Dabi - The fire-flinging brother of Shoto Todoroki, who left his family after years of abuse from their father.
2. Tomura Shigaraki - All For One’s tortured successor and Deku’s archenemy, whose goal is to destroy everything.
3. Himiko Toga - A sadistic, blood-drinking villain who can shapeshift into other people.
4. Overhaul - A former Yakuza leader whose goal is to eradicate all Quirks from existence.
5. All For One - The series’ overarching villain, determined to kill All Might and the “One For All” Quirk user.

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1

Dabi

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1. 
   Dabi is definitely a fan-favorite as far as MHA’s villains are concerned—and it’s no wonder, considering his deep and complicated connections to the Hero Society (particularly his brother and father, Shoto Todoroki and Endeavor). And, of course, Dabi is super powerful; he has a flame manipulation quirk with just as much (if not more) firepower than his brother’s, even though Todoroki managed to defeat him during the final war.

   • Quirk: Blueflame - the ability to generate and manipulate powerful blue flames, which burn much hotter than typical fire.
   • Debut episode: Season 2, Episode 18 (“The Aftermath of Hero Killer: Stain”)

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Megan Blue is an anime expert and content creator based in Kingston, OH. She has 25+ years of experience watching anime and nearly 10 years creating content. She is also known as The Fangirl (@TheFangirlWatches) online.
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2

Tomura Shigaraki

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1. 
   Shigaraki had to be on this list—after all, he’s Deku’s self-professed archenemy, not to mention All For One’s successor. But there’s more to the League of Villains’ leader; as All For One’s adopted son, he was raised in horrible conditions and trained to kill All Might (bearer of the “One For All” quirk) before being imbued with the All For One quirk, which stripped away his autonomy. Ultimately, Shigaraki realized that his true goal was to destroy everything, culminating in a climactic final battle against Deku. Blue also notes that he definitely becomes the ultimate figure of power by the end of the series!

   • Quirk: Decay - The ability to destroy anything he touches, causing it to crumble to dust.
   • Debut episode: Season 1, Episode 8 (“Bakugo’s Start Line”)

3

Himiko Toga

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1. 
   Clearly, the best MHA villains are the most complex and interesting ones—because Himiko Toga is a terrifying, blood-drinking villain who actually forms a genuine bond with some of the heroes she faces. There’s no doubt she’s sadistic and unstable, wanting to literally become the people she loves and admires (including Deku), but there’s also a part of her that just wants a place in the world to belong. And her final act is one of self-sacrifice, giving her life to save Ochaco Uraraka. Blue adds that she’s definitely a fan favorite who has a major impact to the overall story arc.

   • Quirk: Transform - The ability to take on the exact appearance of anyone whose blood she consumes, with the duration of each transformation depending on how much blood she ingests.
   • Debut episode: Season 2, Episode 18 (“The Aftermath of Hero Killer: Stain”)
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4

Overhaul

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1. 
   Kai Chisaki, AKA “Overhaul,” is a villain with old ties to the Yakuza, where he led the Shie Hassaikai. And as the main villain of MHA’s Shie Hassaikai arc, he has unique motivations: unlike most villains, Overhaul yearns to return the world to the way it was before the Quirk phenomenon. He sees all Quirks as a plague on humanity and plans to eradicate them all—a perspective further influenced by his mysophobic and sociopathic tendencies. According to Blue, Overhaul would “absolutely be one of the strongest villains, if not for Eri's ability to counter his powers.”

   • Quirk: Overhaul - The ability to disassemble or reassemble anything he touches with his bare hands at the atomic level.
   • Debut episode: Season 3, Episode 24 (“A Season for Encounters”)

5

All For One

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1. 
   There’s no doubt that All For One belongs on a list of MHA’s best villains—after all, he’s the bogeyman pulling the strings throughout the entire show! There’s nothing redeeming or sympathetic about this juggernaut of power; he’s definitely one of the best as far as villains go, but he’s not what we’d call “well loved.” That said, All For One is still a mastermind who manages to exert influence even from beyond the grave, and his machinations steer the events of MHA.

   • Quirk: All For One - The ability to steal Quirks from others and transfer them, as well as use multiple Quirks simultaneously.
   • Debut episode: Season 1, Episode 4 (“Top Runner”)
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6

Stain

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1. 
   Chizome Akaguro, AKA “Stain,” is another villain worth discussing for his unusual motivations. He’s known for killing a high number of Pro Heroes, but he doesn’t do it out of a desire to be a villain—but rather his staunch belief that no Pro Hero is worthy of the title except for All Might. Thus, he took to killing Pro Heroes because of his twisted reverence for All Might, and his merciless drive to remove all “false” heroes from the picture.

   • Quirk: Bloodcurdle - The ability to temporarily paralyze an opponent by consuming their blood (originally Stain’s Quirk, but later stolen by All For One).
   • Debut episode: Season 2, Episode 15 (“Midoriya and Shigaraki”)

7

Twice

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1. 
   Jin Bubaigawara, AKA “Twice,” is a vanguard of the League of Villains with a truly eccentric personality. He’s also a fan favorite with a huge impact on the story, notes Blue. As someone who believed in the importance of knowing one’s own identity, Twice is an unstable man in the throes of an identity crisis, unsure if he himself is a clone or the original Bubaigawara. Yet he also has principles; Twice’s allegiance to the League of Villains stems from his gratitude, as the League took him in and saved him from a difficult life.

   • Quirk: Double - The ability to create exact duplicates of himself (or anyone else, so long as he knows their accurate measurements).
   • Debut episode: Season 3, Episode 5 (“Drive It Home, Iron Fist!!!”)
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8

Kurogiri

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1. 
   Kurogiri is an especially interesting case, as far as villains go. He does everything in the name of loyalty to Tomura Shigaraki, rather than a genuine desire to do villainous things. And in his “previous” life, he wasn’t a villain at all. You see, Kurogiri is actually a creation—made from the corpse of a Pro Hero-in-training. That’s why Kurogiri’s entire body is made from a dark mist, and part of the reason for having the powers he does!

   • Quirk: Warp Gate - An artificial quirk created by All For One, granting the ability to create a dark mist that, upon touching someone, can immediately teleport them to a designated location.
   • Debut episode: Season 1, Episode 8 (“Bakugo’s Start Line”)

9

Muscular

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1. 
   Goto Imasuji, AKA “Muscular,” is pretty much just like his name suggests: big, strong, and covered in muscles. As one of the earlier villains that Deku faces one-on-one, he’s not the strongest villain in the bunch, but he still made an impression—he’s driven by a desire to fight and wreak as much carnage as he possibly can, even admitting that he enjoys killing. And just as his brutality is what makes him stand out, his overconfidence is ultimately the thing that trips him up the most.

   • Quirk: Muscle Augmentation - An ability allowing him to augment his muscles, manipulating and amplifying them as needed inside or outside his body. This can make him immensely strong and durable.
   • Debut episode: Season 3, Episode 4 (“My Hero”)
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10

The Nomu

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1. 
   There are actually a whole bunch of different Nomu—each designed by Doctor Kyudai Garaki to be soldiers for the League of Villains. As creatures made from the corpses of humans, the Nomu are terrifying and dangerous undead with enhanced strength, not to mention the ability to hold (and use) multiple Quirks. And because they’re mindless, the Nomu are completely under All For One and Shigaraki’s control.

   • Quirk: Many different Quirks (dependent on the Nomu)
   • Debut episode: Season 1, Episode 8 (“Bakugo’s Start Line”)

11

Mr. Compress

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1. 
   Atsuhiro Sako, AKA “Mr. Compress,” is so-named for his compression-based Quirk. And unlike a lot of the villains on this list, he’s actually pretty grounded—even becoming a voice of reason more than once in his time with the League of Villains. Sure, he’s still a notorious thief wanted nationwide for his crimes, but nobody’s perfect. Following in his ancestor’s footsteps, Mr. Compress joined the League to fight against a system he believes to be corrupt, also becoming a mentor and guide for younger members in the process.

   • Quirk: Compress - The ability to instantly shrink anything (or anyone) into a tiny, lightweight marble.
   • Debut episode: Season 3, Episode 6 (“Roaring Upheaval”)
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12

Gentle Criminal

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1. 
   Danjuro Tobita, AKA “Gentle Criminal” (and later simply “Gentle”), is a villain with a moral code—and a bit of an internet celebrity (which is how he meets his future partner, Manami Aiba). Gentle is notorious for having a very powerful Quirk, yet he always controls it carefully enough in a battle so as not to kill the heroes fighting him. In the end, he’s not so much in the business to do evil deeds as he is to gain “true infamy,” which is why it’s easier to take a liking to him!

   • Quirk: Elasticity - The ability to give anything elastic properties simply by touching it, including objects and surfaces.
   • Debut episode: Season 4, Episode 18 (“School Festival”)

13

Rappa

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1. 
   Kendo Rappa, AKA “The Rapper,” is actually associated with Overhaul’s Shie Hassaikai (the “Eight Precepts of Death”) rather than the League or the Paranormal Liberation Front. And as such, he works directly for Overhaul; he’s hot-headed and loves to fight, but he’s also surprisingly honorable—to the point that he lets Kirishima leave a battle and heal, just so they could have another fight sometime.

   • Quirk: Strongarm - The ability to rotate his shoulders at high speeds, making punching exceptionally fast and strong.
   • Debut episode: Season 4, Episode 7 (“GO!!”)
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14

Spinner

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1. 
   Shuichi Iguchi, AKA “Spinner,” takes after Stain—he’s obsessed with Stain’s philosophy and methods, to the point that he even tries dressing like him. And although he doesn’t have the strongest of Quirks, Spinner still makes an impression as a villain, largely because he’s not nearly as villainous as his fellow members of the League. Ultimately, he’s very cause-driven, even becoming the leader of the heteromorph movement (aimed at fighting discrimination against heteromorphs).

   • Quirk: Gecko - A Quirk granting the user a reptilian, lizardlike appearance as well as the abilities of a gecko (sticking to walls, ceilings, and other surfaces).
   • Debut episode: Season 2, Episode 18 (“The Aftermath of Hero Killer: Stain”)

15

Gigantomachia

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1. 
   Gigantomachia’s strengths are pretty straightforward: he’s a giant, three buildings tall, with incredible strength and power that only grow the more he fights—and the more worked up he gets. He’s also completely and utterly devoted to All For One, to the point that just hearing the “master’s” voice is enough to calm Gigantomachia’s rages. He’ll leave destruction and ruin in his wake, but there’s no questioning his steadfast commitment.

   • Quirk: Endurance - The ability to convert morale and mobility into physical power, enhancing strength, endurance, and speed exponentially.
   • Debut episode: Season 2, Episode 18 (“The Aftermath of Hero Killer: Stain”)
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16

Lady Nagant

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1. 
   Out of all the multifaceted and “not so villainous” villains on this list, Kaina Tsutsumi, AKA “Lady Nagant,” is the one who pulls off the biggest transformation—twice over! She turned villain after becoming disillusioned with Pro Hero life, as she was trained to kill villains and corrupt heroes due to the nature of her Quirk. As a villain, she’s ruthless and determined, but there’s still good lurking underneath the surface…something that Deku managed to see.

   • Quirk: Rifle - The ability to transform her elbow into a rifle and fire deadly bullets from it (making her an ideal assassin).
   • Debut episode: Season 6, Episode 15 (“Tartarus”)

17

Re-Destro

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1. 
   Rikiya Yotsubashi, AKA “Re-Destro,” is the Grand Commander of the Meta Liberation Army—a lofty title for the man who managed to merge his organization with the League of Villains. While Re-Destro wasn’t necessarily aiming to dismantle all of Hero Society, he ended up identifying with Shigaraki’s goals enough to hand over the reins to him, allowing him to command the newly united Paranormal Liberation Front. He’s a bit of a reverse Batman: wealthy, gifted in combat, and using his powers for villainy instead of heroism.

   • Quirk: Stress - The ability to convert stress, anger, and frustration into raw power (which can enhance strength, size, and resilience).
   • Debut episode: Season 5, Episode 20 (“My Villain Academia”)
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18

Magne

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1. 
   Kenji Hikiishi, AKA “Magne,” is another vanguard of the League of Villains, making her one of several key antagonists in the Forest Training Camp arc. As a villain, she’s more or less what you’d expect: brutal, murderous, and cruel toward the people she targets. Yet she’s also able to develop a friendly rapport with her colleagues, and she’s dedicated to her own personal freedom—to the point that she refuses to be another villain’s subordinate, as it’d limit her independence.

   • Quirk: Magnetism - The ability to magnetize people around her at will, out to a radius of 4.5 meters (14.8 feet).
   • Debut episode: Season 3, Episode 3 (“Kota”)

19

Mustard

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1. 
   There’s no secondary “civilian” name revealed for this villain—he’s Mustard, full-stop. And although he’s just a C-ranked villain, he takes a simple yet effective approach to fighting heroes: he’s a precision shooter with a gun, and he’s got a Quirk that emits poisonous gas. Easy peasy! As part of the League of Villains’ vanguard squad, he’s one of the antagonists in MHA’s Forest Training Camp arc.

   • Quirk: Gas - The ability to emit a poisonous, sleep-inducing gas from his body at will, which can keep victims asleep until their condition is treated.
   • Debut episode: Season 2, Episode 18 (“The Aftermath of Hero Killer: Stain”)
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20

Moonfish

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1. 
   Finally, we have Moonfish—the last major League of Villains member introduced in MHA, but probably the least-explored. But what he lacks in character development, he makes up for in how totally horrifying he is; he’s a tall, gaunt villain who wears a straitjacket, leaving only his mouth visible, and he’s completely insane (not to mention obsessed with eating human flesh). So, yeah, he’s definitely worthy to be on a list of noteworthy villains!

   • Quirk: Blade-Tooth - The ability to enlarge his teeth at will and sharpen them into blade-like implements.
   • Debut episode: Season 3, Episode 3 (“Kota”)

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