Conflict and greatness are born out of ambition. In a world on the scale of Kohei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia, heroes and villains both display goals that can seem incredibly difficult to accomplish. Sometimes these goals can involve destruction. Other times, they can be pure ambitions of heroism, of making other people feel safe.
And of course, there are those who fall somewhere in between — those with subtler but no less important ambitions and motivations. These are the characters that affect the world of My Hero Academia the most, tipping the scale in favor of both good and evil.
10 Hitoshi Shinsou Seeks To Prove His Quirk
Quirkless people in My Hero Academia are typically oppressed and seen as inferior. Meanwhile, people with mutant or "villainous" Quirks are discriminated against and often find themselves forced to turn to crime. Born with a villainous-sounding Quirk called Brainwashing, Hitoshi learns the harsh lessons of hero society from a very young age.
But he doesn’t give up, nor does he allow others to twist his sense of morality. Even when he fails the U.A. entrance exam, he remains determined to become a hero. He aspires to prove his Quirk doesn't make him a villain, and he's gradually making progress. After being noticed by Eraserhead, he'll be moving to the hero course starting his second year.
9 Dabi Seeks Revenge On His Father Endeavor For His Abusive Upbringing
The son of Pro Hero Endeavor, Toya Todoroki is born from the Quirk marriage between his father and Rei Todoroki, an ice Quirk user. His powerful fire Quirk turns out unsuited to his body, but Toya is raised to surpass All Might and fulfill his father's dream in Endeavor's place. When his youngest brother Shoto is born, Toya sees Shoto as his replacement and lashes out.
He ultimately spirals into a state of complete mental instability. Following a serious Quirk accident, he becomes the villain Dabi. His ambition now follows the Hero Killer Stain's example, but Dabi is focused on his father. He is determined on getting his revenge on Endeavor — and he actually succeeds.
8 The Hero Killer Stain Wants To Cull Society Of Fake Heroes
One of the most memorable villains in My Hero Academia, Hero Killer Stain leaves a huge mark on society. Originally a student of heroics, Chizome Akaguro becomes disenchanted with his education and becomes a vigilante under the name Stendhal. After a confrontation with vigilante Knuckleduster, he chooses another path, believing fake heroes are the world's problems.
Under the name Stain, he begins his murderous career, seeking to purge the world of those he perceives as unworthy. The only exception to his quest is All Might, whom he considers the one true hero. His goals and influence are what draw people like Dabi and Himiko Toga to the League of Villains after he's captured
7 Hawks' Ideal Is A World Where Heroes Have Free Time
Some ambitions are as simple as they are idealistic. Pro Hero Hawks dreams of a world where heroes have free time. It's a hope rooted in his own upbringing at the hands of the Hero Public Safety Commission. Raised a child soldier, he is dedicated to his career as a hero but is also acutely aware of the burdens it comes with.
Hawks' real ambition is perhaps to be free, but considering his position, it's probably a dream that will never be fulfilled. But even in the wake of his personal losses in the Paranormal Liberation War Arc, he hasn't given up — and that's admirable.
6 The Explosive Katsuki Bakugo Always Aims To Be The Best
Izuku Midoriya's former childhood friend-turned-bully, Katsuki Bakugo has as many flaws as he has good qualities. His ambition may very well fall into both categories. He always wants to be the best, no matter what, and his fighting spirit turns into an unfaltering determination and remarkable work ethic.
His character isn't nearly as heroic as Izuku's. At the beginning of the anime, he sees Izuku as nothing more than a pebble on his road to greatness and calls his classmates "extras." With time, his less-than-ideal character traits have begun to vanish, but his ambition remains very much the same.
5 Pro Hero Endeavor Wants To Surpass All Might At All Costs
Having become a hero during All Might's rise, Endeavor always wished to reach the position of Number One Hero. By the age of twenty, he had already gained the rank of Number Two. But as evidenced through his harsh upbringing of Toya, Endeavor feared he'd never beat All Might.
Despite his best efforts, he was unable to match All Might's popularity. This ultimately resulted in his Quirk marriage with Rei and his desire to have an heir who will do what he couldn't. When Dabi eventually reveals the truth, his dream practically leads to the downfall of hero society.
4 Izuku Midoriya Wants To Save People With A Smile
The protagonist of My Hero Academia, Izuku, has always wanted to be a hero. His dream is to save people with a smile, just like his idol All Might. Considering how many youths are dedicated to following All Might's example, this may not seem all that special. But Izuku is born Quirkless, and he's constantly beaten down and called useless by almost everyone around him.
Even then, he doesn't give up and keeps holding on to his dream. Despite all the bullying, he never turns to villainy, even after Katsuki Bakugo suggests Izuku should end his life. Izuku's ambition is so powerful it's almost unrealistic, but that doesn't make it any less genuine.
3 Toshinori Yagi Dreams Of Becoming The Symbol Of Peace
Izuku Midoriya isn't the first Quirkless young man with seemingly impossible ambitions. Despite lacking a Quirk, Toshinori Yagi dreams of becoming the Symbol of Peace at a time when the world desperately needed someone to make them feel safe. His determination and heroic spirit catches Nana Shimura's attention, who makes him her successor and the next wielder of One For All.
Nana is eventually killed by the villainous All For One, but Toshinori keeps fighting and eventually accomplishes his dream. Through his unfaltering spirit, All Might becomes a force that shapes society itself. It isn't always in a good way, but that doesn't make All Might's dream any less significant nor decrease his importance as a character.
2 Tomura Shigaraki Wants To Destroy The Whole World
Tomura Shigaraki's desire to destroy is just as fierce as Izuku's desire to protect. Originally named Tenko Shimura, Tenko is abused by his father, Kotaro, due to Tenko's passion for heroes. When his Quirk manifests, he kills his whole family. The incident leaves a heavy brand on Tenko's psyche — a wound that All For One exploits.
Taking Tenko in, All For One grooms him into villainhood, teaching him to revel in his hatred and renaming him Tomura Shigaraki. He even offers Tomura the preserved hands of his family to make him sink deeper into madness. By the time he reaches adulthood, Tomura's desire to destroy has expanded to the point that he wants to see the whole world crumble to dust.
1 All For One Is A Criminal Mastermind With World-Conquering Ambitions
All Might’s nemesis and the main antagonist in My Hero Academia, All For One is defined by his all-encompassing ambition. Born during the Dawn of Quirks, he takes advantage of the chaos to become the ruler of Japan. The only force capable of challenging him is One For All, and he viciously hunts down every inheritor.
He does the same to their families, killing Nana Shimura's husband and tracking down her grandchild, Tenko Shimura. After his serious injury at All Might's hands, he dedicates himself to turning Tomura Shigaraki into the perfect vessel, and his plan is successful. He represents a terrifying threat for the whole world, not just Japan.
