In My Hero Academia, the students at U.A. High all have a lot to prove. It's not easy to become a full-fledged hero, and some students will fail or wash out. However, those who make it to pro status will truly become a new generation of defenders, and the following 10 students are likely to make Top Hero status.
Itsuka Kendo
Itsuka Kendo is class representative of U.A.'s class 1-B, and it's clear how she got voted into that position. Itsuka is well-balanced as a hero, even though she lacks ranged attacks. Itsuka is noted for her "big sister" personality, being a practitioner of tough love and discipline to everyone who needs to get whipped into shape. Itsuka will risk her life for the sake of others without hesitation, setting an example for everyone around her.
Her tough but kind personality can lend her some charisma to civilians and other heroes alike, and her Big Fist melee Quirk can easily take down lesser villains or shield Itsuka's teammates from harm. Itsuka already has leadership experience, a necessity for being a Top Hero.
Ibara Shiozaki
Ibara Shiozaki is a student in U.A.'s class 1-B, but she can actually beat class 1-A at their own game at times. Ibara's Quirk allows her to extend her vine-like hair all over the place, even underground, and her combat style is roughly similar to Nagamasa Mora's (except for the underground part).
Ibara has a kind and gentle disposition, and she prays that no one will ever have to suffer pain or loss ever again. That's perfect for a charismatic and trustworthy hero, and Ibara's personality could easily soothe the minds of many panicking civilians during a disaster. She is both gentle and powerful, seeking peace through hard work.
Tenya Iida
The prestigious class 1-A has Tenya Iida as a leader, and Tenya has definitely earned his position. Tenya acts as a coach for his classmates, all on his own initiative. It's true that Tenya can be a bit overbearing at times, but he's sure to grow out of that sooner or later.
As for combat abilities, Tenya's lightning-fast running speed allows him to rapidly approach villains for a brutal melee takedown. He can grab civilians or fellow heroes and get them out of harm's way with a single sprint. Tenya did get carried away when he tried to avenge his brother's defeat at Stain's hands, but it was a learning experience, and Tenya won't act that recklessly again.
Fumikage Tokoyami
Some heroes and students rely almost entirely on their powerful Quirks, and that list includes Fumikage Tokoyami, who wields a Quirk named Dark Shadow that can think for itself, interestingly enough. Dark Shadow is strong, fast and flexible, but its powers increase further in low light levels, such as nighttime or in a cave.
Fumikage is ideal for nighttime operations, though he has to watch out for flash-bang grenades, floodlights and other light-based hazards. In addition, Fumikage is calm and serious, and he is also highly cooperative, making him an ideal teammate. Having such a powerful Quirk didn't go to his head at all.
Tsuyu Asui
Shota Aizawa, class 1-A's homeroom teacher, personally noted that Tsuyu Asui is a well-rounded hero with very few obvious flaws or outstanding issues. Tsuyu has a good head on her shoulders, from her mature big-sister attitude to her sharp tactical mind to her strong empathy and cautious ways. All this makes her a solid teammate to other heroes and charismatic to civilians who need her.
Tsuyu's frog-based abilities allow her to infiltrate enemy territory and scout the villains' movements. She can leap great distances, climb vertical surfaces, swing around and grab objects with her tongue and swim very well. All this greatly boosts her mobility in natural and man-made environments alike, though Tsuyu must watch out for extremes of cold or dryness. Otherwise, she can go practically anywhere.
Nejire Hado
Nejire Hado is a third-year student at U.A., and she is part of the "big three" for a good reason. Her Quirk is called Wave Motion, and this Quirk packs some serious power. By using her own life force as energy, Nejire can generate devastating, spiral-shaped shock waves from her hands and feet, which is an ideal technique for blasting villains off their feet and smashing them into submission.
Nejire can use that ability of hers to fly, once she emits enough power from her feet to build up some momentum. She is easygoing and cheerful, which greatly boosts her charisma as a hero, and she can easily integrate into any team. She may act silly, but she takes her duty 100% seriously, as Ochaco and Tsuyu have seen firsthand.
Mirio Togata
Late in Season 3, Aizawa noted that Mirio Togata is already more powerful than most of the current pro heroes, meaning he stands head and shoulders above any other hero student. Mirio's Permeation Quirk, before it was lost, allowed him to turn his body intangible, and he can evade all enemy attacks and sink into the ground at will. Then, he can pop up and take his foes by surprise, and pummel them with his astonishing physical strength, speed and technique.
Mirio also has a lot of experience and intuition on his side, and he's fiercely determined to save one million people and become a symbol for all. He was once the prime candidate to get One For All, and it's clear why. Even without his Quirk, he's got what it takes, and it's a possibility that Mirio may get his Quirk back someday too.
Katsuki Bakugo
Bakugo's proposed hero name "King Explosion Murder" got soundly rejected by the teacher Midnight, but it does describe Katsuki Bakugo well, for better and for worse. Bakugo may be the most ambitious student in all of U.A., being fiercely determined to surpass his idol All Might someday and prove himself #1 at all costs. This gritty determination has taken Bakugo far, but his bad attitude quickly alienates other heroes and even civilians at times.
Then again, Bakugo really does want to save lives, and sometimes, his gruff attitude can be refreshing and motivating for fearful bystanders during a battle. Bakugo has one of the best Quirks of his generation: the mighty Explosion. He can blast away his foes with ease a even propel himself through the air with smaller, controlled explosions when he points his palms behind him like thrusters.
Shoto Todoroki
Shoto Todoroki's powerful Quirk is based on ice and fire, and that's no coincidence. His father, Endeavor, had a "Quirk marriage" to have the ideal child, and Endeavor's Hellflame Quirk is balanced with his wife's ice Quirk when Shoto inherited both. Shoto is a powerhouse even when he only uses ice, and when fire is factored in, it seems that no one can stop him.
Shoto has some heavy personal baggage concerning his father's overbearing ways, which held him back for years. Now, at last, Shoto is slowly reconciling with the rest of his family. If he can break free of these mental barriers, he can kick-start his hero career and become a household name in no time at all. He's not terribly friendly, but he has the grit and determination to make up for it.
Izuku Midoriya
All Might doesn't often make mistakes. When he witnessed the Quirkless Izuku Midoriya risk his life to save Bakugo from a slime villain, All Might realized that Izuku had the heart of a true hero and that he just needed a Quirk to match it. Sure enough, Izuku trained hard for a year to prove worthy of the One For All Quirk, and once he obtained it, his career truly began.
Izuku is fiercely determined to reach the top, and he has sheer grit, a sharp tactical mind and a warm personality to complement his powerhouse Quirk. Izuku is never complacent for a minute; he's always looking for a new mentor, training partner or rival to push himself along, and it's paying off in huge ways. All Might trusts Izuku to replace him as the world's symbol of peace, and at this rate, he absolutely will.
