My Hero Academia: 19 Saddest Deaths In The Series, Ranked (2024)

Fans of My Hero Academia are eagerly waiting to see what will happen next for the characters in it. From upcoming battles in the anime to fights already happening in the manga, there’s a lot going on. So, fans should anticipate that a lot of sad events and character deaths will happen before the series ends.

There has been quite a bit of death in My Hero Academia already, but some have hit harder than others. The MHA deaths featured here are the saddest for various reasons. Whether it’s a villain who was likable in some way or a hero giving up their life to save others, it was sad to see characters go.

Updated August 7, 2024 by Sarah Prado: With the manga ending, there have been even more deaths in My Hero Academia. Whether a hero or villain, these deaths hit fans pretty hard. Even if the character was around for a very short time, it was sad to see them go.

Seeing their comrades’ reactions to their deaths showed just how special they were. The war might be over, but the memories of the fallen heroes and villains will never fade. Even if they were villains, they touched the lives of heroes and others around them. Loved or hated, these are the saddest deaths in My Hero Academia.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for the My Hero Academia manga.

19 Sand Hero: Snatch (AKA Sajin Higawara)

His Last Words Affected Dabi

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 77
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 160

Snatch doesn’t appear for long, but his death is still sad because he died in the line of duty. He cared very much about the victims of villain attacks, often making sure to keep people safe over fighting. Snatch was the hero in charge of escorting a defeated Overhaul, but he and the police were ambushed by the League of Villains.

He saved the officers who were part of the escort and then fought against Dabi. Snatch was angry to learn that Dabi was the serial murderer that he’d been looking for and questioned if Dabi even felt bad for the family members of the victims he’d killed. The last words that Snatch told him did have a small impact on Dabi, who actually shed a tear and admitted those words haunted his mind. Snatch's death is certainly among the saddest deaths in My Hero Academia.

18 Master Driller

Took A Nomu Down With Him

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 126

He only appeared in one episode, but Master Driller’s death was pretty sad and shocking to see. After Shigaraki destroyed the hospital and killed many heroes, Master Driller was one of the heroes in the hospital evacuation team. He went to help the remaining heroes who were fighting Shigaraki and the Near High-End Nomu that’d been summoned.

Master Driller assisted the hero, Burnin, in fighting one of them, but the Nomu managed to get its mouth around half of his body. Determined to take it down, Master Driller managed to pierce its brain and kill it. However, this resulted in the Nomu closing its jaws, killing him instantly. Fans may not have gotten to know him, but Master Driller's bravery and determination to help his fellow heroes are more than admirable.

17 All Other One For All Predecessors

Various Heroes Who Fell Against The Same Villain

• Multiple Characters Who Debuted In Different Episodes & Chapters

The One for All users form a small chunk of characters who died in My Hero Academia. Though One for All is a very powerful Quirk, the pasts of previous users show that it wasn’t always the best for their health. Hikage Shinomori, the fourth user, is the only one who chose not to fight All for One, knowing he wasn’t strong enough to defeat him. He used this time to strengthen the One for All quirk for the next user and passed it down to Daigoro Banjo before passing away.

Sadly, most of the previous users have died at the hands of All for One in battle. Though most of them knew they weren’t strong enough to defeat him, they tried their best. While fans don’t get to see them in action, it’s still sad to know that many of them have fallen fighting against All for One.

16 Yoichi Shigaraki

Wasn’t Able To Stop His Brother But Left A Legacy

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 20
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 33

What makes this character’s death sad is that he was too weak to stop his brother, All for One. Yoichi is the first user of One for All but is far too weak to fight and unable to do much. It was believed that he didn’t have a Quirk and that his brother forcefully gave him one. However, Yoichi did have a Quirk that allowed him to transfer it to other people, but even with another Quirk, he couldn’t stop his brother.

While it’s unknown exactly how he died, it is known that he tried to fight All for One and was rescued by the second and third users of One for All. He lived long enough to pass his Quirk onto them, and his strong sense of justice remains alive in all the users.

15 Stain (AKA Chizome Akaguro)

A Villain Who Admired All Might And Lost His Life Helping Him

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 13
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 41

He might be one of the scariest villains in the series, but Stain died fighting on the side of good against All for One. After escaping Tartarus during the Paranormal Liberation War, Stain planned on resuming his “Hero Killer” identity. He eventually meets All Might and sees that the former hero is nothing like he used to be. He points out a little girl cleaning his vandalized statue of All Might and tells him how she was the last person he saved. Stain also explains how he and many people still see All Might as inspiration.

During the Final War Arc, Stain joins All Might in the fight against All for One. Both of them manage to do significant damage to the supervillain, but sadly, All for One has an ace up his sleeve, specifically for Stain. He was left defenseless after getting by All for One’s Bloodlet Quirk and was killed by him along with getting his Quirk taken. Before he died, Stain managed to stretch his arms out, encouraging All Might to keep fighting.

14 Magic Hero: Majestic (AKA Enma Kannagi)

Died Getting The Students To Safety

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 103
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 263

He was seen a little bit throughout the My Hero Academia series, but his death still hurt pretty bad. Majestic joined the Heroes in the Paranormal Liberation War Arc and helped in the fight against Gigantomachia. He used his rings to levitate both Pro Heroes and the students, helping to give them an advantage. With this, the students are able to give Gigantomachia a sedative and trap him, and Majestic congratulates them.

However, the villain transforms and breaks free, killing Majestic and other Pro Heroes in the process. Before his death, Majestic uses his Quirk one last time to get the students to safety and tells them that they've made the right decisions and not to doubt themselves.

13 Magne (AKA Kenji Hikiishi)

Brutally Killed In Front Of Her Friends

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 41
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 73

Magne was only around for a short time, but her death definitely shook her friends and fans of My Hero Academia. Even though she was a criminal, Magne just wanted to live life the way she wanted and proudly accepted herself. She was a big sister figure to some of her fellow villains, and a lot of them cared about her. Plus, she was a pretty strong and smart comrade to have in battle, which benefited her more impulsive friends.

Her brutal death at the hands of Kai Chisaki/Overhaul was unexpected and left a few of her friends scarred, especially Twice. At the end of the Shie Hassaikai, the League of Villains would avenge her death by taking away Overhaul’s arms.

12 Water Hose

Their Deaths Left A Huge Hole In Kota’s Heart

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 41
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 74

The parents of Kota Izumi and former Pro Heroes, Water Hose were well-known heroes and often worked together due to their water quirks. Despite the busy life of being heroes, they had Kota and were a happy family. Later on, the duo would be called to fight off Muscular, an A-rank villain who was attacking a village.

Sadly, they were killed by Muscular, but they managed to damage his left eye so much that he needed a prosthetic one. Their deaths would have a strong effect on Kota as he grew to hate all heroes and those who wanted to follow in their footsteps. His mind would change after Midoriya saved him from Muscular, helping him to realize why his parents were heroes and why heroes choose to fight even if it might cost them their lives.

11 Shield Hero: Crust

Had No Regrets About Sacrificing Himself To Save Eraser Head

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 87
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 184

Crust is another hero who was only around for a short time in the My Hero Academia series, but his death is still quite sad. Crust was a Pro Hero known for being a little emotional, having cried at All Might’s retirement and for not being there to help in his fight against All for One. Fitting as being the number six Hero, Crust was very brave in battle and joined the fight in Paranormal Liberation War Arc. He took on some high-end Nomus and defeated some with help from others.

Crust dies after Tomura Shigaraki wakes up and disintegrates the building they’re in. Seeing that a Nomu grabbed Eraser Head’s leg as they tried to escape, Crust sacrificed himself to save him and was caught in the Decaying blast. What makes his death very sad is that he gives Aizawa a thumbs up and a smile as he disintegrates, showing that he has no regrets about saving him.

10 Oboro Shirakumo

Still Sort Of Alive Yet Isn’t

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 107
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 216

The sad thing about Oboro’s death is that, in a sick, twisted way, he’s still kind of alive. He was a classmate of Shoto Aizawa/Eraser Head and Hizashi Yamada/Present Mic, and the three were best friends during high school. Oboro had dreams of starting a hero agency with them but lost his life during their second year while protecting a group of kids. This event would heavily shape Aizawa, and he became a teacher, remembering how Oboro commented on how he was good with kids.

Oboro’s body was stolen by All for One and experimented on, making him the Nomu Kurogiri. Though it can be argued that Oboro is technically still alive, what happened to his body after the fact is arguably a much worse fate.

9 Nana Shimura

All Might’s Mentor Fought Bravely Against All For One

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 20
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 33

One of the previous wielders of One for All and All Might’s mentor, Nana, was a good friend to the former number-one Hero and well-known Hero Gran Torino. She’s the one who gave All Might the One for All Quirk and trained him on how to use it. Nana would go on to have a family but put her son in foster care after her husband died. Her grandson, Tenko Shimura/Tomura Shigaraki, would eventually end up in the hands of All for One, her archnemesis.

Nana’s death isn’t shown, but it is known that she died fighting All for One. Her will to defeat him would continue to live on in her successor, All Might, and his successor, Izuku Midoriya.

8 Star And Stripe, AKA Cathleen Bate

America’s Number One Hero Takes Away Some Of All For One’s Quirks Before Falling

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 58
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 303

The number one hero in America joined the Pro Heroes of Japan to fight against Tomura Shigaraki, who has All for One in him. With her very unique Quirk, New Order, Star and Stripe was a tough opponent, with even All for One calling her “The strongest woman around.” Needless to say, this made her a target in Shigaraki-All for One’s eyes as they wanted to steal her Quirk. Star and Stripe fought valiantly against the 2-in-1 duo but was eventually caught by them. Shigaraki used his Decay Quirk while simultaneously stealing her Quirk. Before it was stolen, however, Star and Stripe used New Order one final time to revolt against other Quirks, which caused Shigaraiki’s body to begin exploding from the inside out.

Thanks to this, several of All for One’s Quirks were destroyed, and Shigaraki had to flee the battlefield. Thinking about giving New Order to another person, Star and Stripe’s vestige within Shigaraki-All for One rubs salt into the wound one final time and says that her Quirk has burned out from destroying their other Quirks, meaning it dies with her.

7 The Shimura Family

The Beginning Of Shigaraki’s Dark, Villainous Path

• Multiple Characters Who Debuted In Different Episodes & Chapters

What makes the death of this family so tragic is that this all could’ve been prevented from the start. Nana’s son, Kotaro, was abusive towards his kids if they went into his office or talked about heroes in a positive light. This fear was so strong that Tenko/Tomura’s older sister Hana would sell them out just to avoid getting in trouble. The rest of the family, including Tenko’s mother, would hardly do anything to prevent Kotaro’s abuse.

After Tenko’s Quirk manifested, he accidentally killed his family. Though his mother was already decaying away, she ran to him in a last-ditch effort to help him but died before reaching him. Kotaro tried to stop Tenko and attacked him, but this resulted in his son purposely attacking him with the intention to kill him. This event would eventually lead Tenko down the path of villainy, becoming All for One’s successor.

6 Twice (AKA Jin Bubaigawara)

Managed To Free His Friends Before Dying From His Injuries

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 43
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 77

Twice isn’t a typical villain and is more of a sympathetic figure when compared to his comrades. If anything, he’s one villain that some rooted for because he was a cool character. He felt immense guilt over Magne’s death since he was the one who brought Overhaul to meet with them. His resolve to protect his friends was strong, and his quirk made him a formidable foe.

Despite his good nature, Twice was still a villain and a great threat. During the Paranormal Liberation War Arc, he fights Hawks and dies but manages to send out a Double to save Himiko Toga and Mr. Compress.

5 Midnight (AKA Nemuri Kayama)

Uses Her Final Moments To Tell Students How To Stop Gigantomachia

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 9
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 3

Midnight had grown to be a fan-favorite because of her looks and charming personality. Though a bit unorthodox when compared to most heroes, Midnight was a strong and smart woman. During the Paranormal Liberation War Arc, Midnight fights alongside her fellow heroes and helps Kamui Woods take on Gigantomachia before he can reach the city. She tries to put him to sleep using her Quirk but is sadly shot down by Mr. Compress.

Using her final moments, she contacts Momo Yaoyorozu and tells her what to do to stop Gigantomachia. Sadly, Midnight loses her life offscreen after this, and Yaoyorozu, Kirishima, Ashido, and Sato discover her body after the battle.

4 Sir Nighteye (AKA Mirai Sasaki)

Smiled Knowing The Future Was In Good Hands

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 63
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 124

It’s been a while since this happened, but Sir Nighteye’s death still stings fans pretty hard. He started as a man who didn’t believe that Izuku Midoriya deserved One for All and that Mirio should’ve been the next user. Plus, his Foresight Quirk often left him feeling fear, and he believed that what he saw was set in stone. It was easy to see why he looked serious all the time, but Sir Nighteye fully believed that a world without smiles and laughter meant there wouldn’t be a bright future.

During the Shie Hassaikai Arc, Sir Nighteye joined the operation to save Eri and fought off several Hassaikai members. He would join the fight against Overhaul but would end up getting fatally wounded. After being taken to the hospital, he used his Quirk one final time to see Mirio’s future and saw that his student would go on to be a great hero. Sir Nighteye smiled as he passed on, telling all of his friends and students to keep smiling.

3 Himiko Toga

Found Peace After Ochaco Gets To Know Her

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 31
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 57

Himiko Toga has been a terrifying villain since her debut, but it was hard not to feel sorry for her. Having become mentally unstable because of her Quirk and trying to fit in with “normal” people, Himiko’s life was tough. She’d come to accept herself as she was, but she still craved true love and friendship. It wasn’t until the Final War Arc and her fight with Ochaco Ururaka that she finally found it. After fatally injuring Ochaco, the two of them talk and Ochaco encourages Himiko to tell her story.

Himiko does so and both finally understand each other with Ochaco calling her “the cutest in the world.” This makes Himiko very happy, but she sees that Ochaco is dying from her wound. Not wanting to be captured or Ururaka to die, Himiko drinks some of her blood and uses her equipment to begin a blood transfusion. Himiko thanks Ochaco for taking the time to truly know her and passes away hugging her new friend.

2 Toya Todoroki, AKA Dabi

The Eldest Todoroki Sibling Will Succumb To His Wounds Sooner Rather Than Later

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 31
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 57

Though not dead at the time when the series concluded, it’s said that Toya is going to die because of all the damage done to his body. After the final battle with his family, Toya’s body is basically beyond repair even after extensive surgery and is on life support afterward. Facing a slow death, Endeavor vows to see him every day so they can talk even though it’s far too late. Rei and Fuyumi agree to do the same. Toya still very much hates his father and calls him a coward after Endeavor tells him he’s retiring as a Hero.

Despite all the destruction and pain Toya caused, Shoto appears to have somewhat forgiven him and asks what his favorite food is. Toya was shocked by this but answered soba which is Shoto’s favorite too. It’s sad to see that they could’ve gotten along and been close had their father not raised them the way he did. As his family leaves, Toya cries and apologizes to his youngest brother.

1 Tomura Shigaraki/Tenko Shimura

A Tragic Life Ends With A Bittersweet Death

• First Anime Appearance: Episode 8
• First Manga Appearance: Chapter 11

Tomura’s life has been anything but easy. After learning that All-for-One orchestrated everything in his life, Tomura broke down. Thanks to Izuku, Nana Shimura’s spirit (Tomura’s grandmother), and the spirits of other One-for-All users, Tomura’s soul was saved and he helped them fight All-for-One in the vestige realm. He’s able to regain his own body after All-for-One’s defeat.

Unfortunately, all the damage done to his body is too severe and begins to disintegrate. Tomura tells Deku to do his best and to tell Spinner he kept fighting to destroy to the very end. Though he’s never known happiness in his life, he was able to pass away in peace.

My Hero Academia (2016)

Action

Superhero

Release Date

April 3, 2016

Studio

Bones

Japanese Title

Boku no Hero Academia

Number of Episodes

141+