My Hero Academia boasts a colorful cast of characters, and many are every bit as intriguing as Izuku Midoriya himself, with their own diverse Quirks, cool hero costumes and heartfelt backstories. This includes Eijiro Kirishima, who calls himself Red Riot as a tribute to his favorite manly hero, Crimson Riot.
Eijiro was distraught when he materialized his Hardening Quirk as a young boy, accidentally cutting his forehead with his hardened knuckles and resenting his dull ability. However, in the spirit of Plus Ultra, Eijiro has found a way to own up to this Quirk and make the most of it. But how far has he really come?
Eijiro's Quest To Go Beyond His Limits
In some ways, Eijiro Kirishima's character arc is typical for many students at U.A. Unlike Shoto, Fumikage and Katsuki Bakugo, Eijiro wasn't born with an incredible Quirk and endless talent, instead having a second-rate Hardening Quirk that's barely adequate for hero training. Other U.A. students -- such as the laser-shooting Yuga Aoyama and even the powerhouse Mirio Togata -- are in a similar position, aiming for the top despite starting near the bottom of the Quirk pile. Eijiro wasn't even sure if he had what it took, but as a middle school third-year, he saw his popular classmate Mina Ashido face a terrifying villain and survive and resolved to be more like her.
Eijiro dyed and styled his hair to resemble Crimson Riot, and despite his mediocre abilities, he boldly applied to U.A. Accepted and placed into the highly competitive Class 1-A, Eijiro's "boring" Quirk was put to the test. He took part in the U.A. sports festival and joined Bakugo's cavalry team, then fought in the final tournament where he narrowly defeated Class 1-B's Tetsutetsu before losing to Bakugo in Round 2. Eijiro then fought Cementoss with Rikido Sato but failed the test, unable to power through Cementoss' endless concrete walls. Eijiro's career was starting to stall out, and not even his internship with the hero Fourth Kind helped much.
However, Season 4 was a boon for Eijiro -- especially when he partnered up with the fast-absorbing hero Fat Gum. Eijiro fought Overhaul's minions directly, having his own inspirational flashback moment before leaping back into the fray despite his injuries and turning the tide. He summoned strength he didn't even know he had, enduring the villains' strikes to buy Fat Gum enough time to land the winning blow. What does all this mean for Eijiro's potential as a pro hero?
Eijiro Must Discover & Accept His Role
For the most part, Eijiro is doing well. He has incredible grit and willpower and draws confidence (but not arrogance) from his pursuit of becoming a man's man like Crimson Riot. There is little doubt Eijiro will go far, but he will make the most progress if he's realistic about himself and his abilities. Not everyone can become the next All Might, nor should they try.
Pro heroes come in all shapes and forms, as do their Quirks. That diversity is key. Superhero teams and agencies are most effective when the members have their own distinct roles, from front-line fighter to support hero to scout or search-and-rescue specialists (such as the Wild, Wild Pussycats). Eijiro tried unsuccessfully to be a melee specialist, being unable to overpower Bakugo and failing again when fighting Cementoss. Eijiro simply isn't meant to deliver the winning blow -- that's the job for offensive specialists like Izuku, Itsuka Kendo and Mirio Togata. Those characters trained their Quirks for such a role, and Eijiro must train for a different combat role.
Eijiro will most likely find his greatest success as a meat shield, a defensive hero who protects support heroes from ambushes and sneak attacks during a battle. Eijiro's body can defend not only himself, but an ally as well, and he's got the strength and willpower to back it up. Someone like Momo Yaoyorozu or Yuga Aoyama would struggle to defend themselves from a squad of villains during an ambush, so Eijiro can stand between them and the villains. His endurance, combined with his moderate martial arts skills, can drive off the villains or at least buy enough time for another ally to finish the job.
It may not be glamorous work, but it is vital, and a true hero will understand and accept his or her role -- no matter how glorious or humble it may be. Being a hero is about results, not vanity. Eijiro is surely manly enough to realize that and make the most of it.
