Todoroki Has My Hero Academia's Best Arc, Not Bakugo

If You Think MHA Gave Its Best Arc to Bakugo, You're Sadly Mistaken My Hero Academia's Bakugo has his mouth open wide in rage.Custom image created by Evan D. Mullicane By  Evan D. Mullicane Published 18 minutes ago Evan Mullicane is the senior editor and founder of Screen Rant's anime section. Having started as a writer for the Comics Team at the beginning of the Pandemic, Evan was swiftly promoted from writer to editor, and then from editor to lead of Screen Rant's newly established anime vertical. Throughout his time with Screen Rant, Evan has made a handful of appearances at conventions such as Anime Expo and San Diego Comic-Con, and has interviewed some of the biggest names in Anime and Comics history. In addition to editing anime and manga articles for Screen Rant, Evan is also a science fiction and fantasy author. In 2018 and 2019, his short story "The Demon's Mother" won honorable mentions from the Writers of the Future contest. You can find Evan on Twitter @EvanDM and BlueSky @evandmu.bsky.socia Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

As My Hero Academia approaches its ending, fans are reflecting on the tremendous growth much of the cast has experienced. While many might point to Bakugo as the hero who has had the biggest character arc, that doesn't necessarily make his arc the best.

In truth, My Hero Academia's best character arc belongs to Todoroki, and the hero's English voice actor knows what makes it work so well.

ScreenRant spoke to Todoroki's voice actor, David Matranga, at 2025's Anime Pasadena convention to ask him about how Shoto has changed since the series started. The actor offered his insights into the character, and they were genuinely eye-opening.

There are so many, but if I had to choose one, I’d say it’s his ability to trust his friends. When we first meet Shoto, he doesn’t really trust anyone — not after what he went through as a child.

But over time, he learns that his friends have his back. He goes from isolated and driven purely by duty, to being open, vulnerable, and supported by others. It’s a huge shift for him — not just emotionally but psychologically.

Trust is a complicated thing for all of us, and for Shoto, it’s been one of his most meaningful journeys.

Todoroki's Arc In My Hero Academia Makes Him One Of The Series' Best Characters

An illusion of Todoroki created by Camie Utsushimi of Shiketsu.

While Todoroki was never quite a full-on antagonist like Bakugo was early in My Hero Academia, his isolation and lack of interest in developing friendships definitely made him a bit of an outsider to Class 1-A.

While he initially just appeared cold, his demeanor started to make more sense as fans learned more about his backstory and specifically about his family.

While vulnerability may be difficult for many people, it appears harder for Todoroki than most. Endeavor's high expectations, combined with the trauma of what happened to Toya/Dabi, clearly left Shoto struggling to express himself and let others in.

As Matranga points out, this is what makes Shoto's arc so compelling. The character had so much going against him and had to make so many self-improvements in order to get to the point that fans are seeing him at in My Hero Academia's final season.

My Hero Academia Defies Superhero Convention

My Hero Academia Season 7 Visual featuring Ochako, Todoroki, Bakugo, and Deku standing together in front of a clear blue sky.

While teams aren't exactly uncommon in the world of superheroes, My Hero Academia sets itself apart from many other stories in the genre by focusing on an entire community of people.

As fans can see with Shoto's storyline in My Hero Academia season 7, it's this community that truly gives the series its spirit. From Shoto relying on the emotional support of his friends to him finally reconciling with the rest of his broken family, it's clear that the character has grown to understand that he needs others in his life.

Matranga's comments about Todoroki really do a great job of highlighting the clever writing at play in My Hero Academia. While Shoto is just one example of characters learning to trust others, that theme is all over the series.

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  Like Follow Followed My Hero Academia TV-14 Sci-Fi & Fantasy Action Adventure Comedy Anime 126 9.0/10 Release Date April 2, 2016 Network TBS, MBS, Nippon TV

  Cast

  See All
  • Daiki Yamashita Izuku Midoriya (voice)
  • Kaito Ishikawa Manga Fukidashi (voice)
  Genres Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Anime Powered by Expand Collapse
• Anime Pasadena Location Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA Dates November 8-9, 2025 Website

  https://www.animepasadena.com/

  Held each November at the Pasadena Convention Center in California, Anime Pasadena is an annual two-day convention celebrating anime and pop culture. It offers diverse attractions, including gaming tournaments, cosplay contests, live music, artist alley, and vendor areas, along with family-friendly features like a kids’ cosplay competition and interactive entertainment.

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