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My Hero Academia's friendships are some of the greatest in anime, characterized by mutual support, continual encouragement on both sides, and fun, entertaining moments of laughter and love. Both younger students at U.A. High and older adult Pro Heroes share these close bonds, but some of the best connections in the series occur within Class 1-A itself.
Class 1-A's students have braved villain attacks, Pro Hero deaths, Sports Festivals, exams, and tough battles, helping these individuals grow even closer through these shared high school experiences. By graduation day, Class 1-A's students were inseparable, and these are ten of the closest friendships in the class.
10 Momo and Jiro
Momo and Jiro Constantly Team Up on Missions, Fighting Perfectly Together
It is well-known that Kyoka Jiro is good friends with Kaminari, but she has another comrade who fans sometimes forget about: Momo. Momo and Jiro often team up on missions, such as during the Unforeseen Simulation Joint Arc, the Provisional Hero Licensing Exam arc, and the Paranormal Liberation War arc. Not only do they work well together professionally, they have plenty of fun together too.
Momo and Jiro interact heavily during the U.A. School Festival arc, playing in the band and practicing together. The girls often compliment one another's ideas and accomplishments and, overall, there is a level of support between them that is rare in their interactions with other Class 1-A students.
9 Kirishima and Mina
Kirishima and Mina Go Way Back - All the Way To Middle School, in Fact
A little known but interesting My Hero Academia fact is that Mina and Kirishima attended the same middle school before enrolling in U.A. High's hero program. Kirishima was a shy, terrified individual in middle school, too scared to confront villains directly despite his cool Quirk, while Mina was bold and heroic. Eijiro took inspiration from Mina's bravery and changed his appearance and attitude, gradually becoming an admirable hero.
One aspect of Kirishima's new hairstyle that seems to have been taken from Mina was his little horn-shaped tufts of hair, which she noticed and complimented. This subtle detail reveals just how much Kirishima respects Mina, and she feels the same way about him, expressing confidence in his abilities and his potential to be an amazing hero. Mina believed in Kirishima when he could not believe in himself, proof of their strong friendship.
8 Tsuyu and Ochaco
Tsuyu Confides in Ochaco and Lets Her Call Her “Tsu,” Her Nickname Only For Close Friends
Tsu and Ochaco have Quirks that go hand in hand, causing them to work together on missions often. During this constant time spent together, the pair struck up a genuine friendship and began to trust each other. During the Kamino Arc, Ochaco was the person she tearfully confessed her guilt to after making a somewhat rude remark to the group of classmates who went to rescue Bakugo.
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They interacted often during the Paranormal Liberation War Arc and the Internship Arc, figuring out the next steps in their hero journeys together. Tsuyu even permits Ochaco to call her "Tsu," a nickname reserved exclusively for best friends of hers. Although they often hang out together in larger groups with other students like Deku and Iida, there is a definite bond between Tsuyu and Ochaco.
7 Deku and Iida
Deku Risked His Life for Iida During the Vs. Hero Killer Arc, Just One Scene That Shows Their Connection
Although Iida was unsure about Deku at first, they quickly became friends after they both entered U.A. High, admiring each other's Quirks and work ethic. Iida is always quick to offer Deku helpful words of wisdom and advice, while Deku encourages Iida in his darkest moments.
During the Vs. Hero Killer Arc, when Iida pursued Stain to avenge his brother, Deku went after his classmate, terrified harm may come to Iida. Deku risked his own life for Iida's sake, proving just how deeply he cared for his friend. After this scene, the pair grew even closer, continuing their healthy rivalry.
6 Bakugo and Todoroki
Bakugo and Todoroki Are Fantastic Work Teammates and Even Better Friends
Bakugo may not have hordes of close friendships due to his standoffish demeanor, but he managed to win over Todoroki, which was no easy feat. Bakugo despised Todoroki during the Sports Festival since he was a serious threat to his place in the class, but he began to change his perception of the fellow hero, seeing him as a rival rather than someone to crush.
Bakugo was present during the dinner at Todoroki's home with Deku, and has shared a number of other positive moments with Todoroki. One of their best scenes was when they cooperated to help a group of children control their difficult Quirks, and this instance revealed just how well their personalities compliment each other.
5 Jiro and Denki
Jiro Is Canonically Denki’s Favorite Person, Giving Them a Special, Heartwarming Connection
From early on in My Hero Academia, Kyoka Jiro and Denki Kaminari took a liking to one another, spending nearly every second together. Their Quirks blend well, and they fight more effectively as a team because of how well their abilities mesh. Their connection does not just come in handy during battles though, they both deeply enjoy being friends, bursting into laughter constantly in each other's presence and complimenting each other's successes.
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They can joke in one moment, and then fight a serious threat in the next, highlighting the versatility of their relationship and their love for each other. When Denki was struggling during the Gunga Mountain Villa Raid arc, he thought of Jiro, his most important person, to give him strength and renewed vigor. Whether this moment is viewed through a romantic or platonic lens, it is clear either way that Jiro and Denki have a bond that cannot be severed.
4 Todoroki and Deku
Todoroki and Deku Admire and Uplift One Another, Forming an Unlikely but Close Connection
Todoroki is a more reserved person, understandably so due to his troubling past and trauma with his family, so it is even more significant that he managed to develop such a close friendship with Deku. Deku's patience to get to know Todoroki caused their relationship to steadily improve, especially after the U.A. Sports Festival, during which Deku supported and encouraged him.
They train together, study together, and Todoroki even invited Deku over for dinner on at least one occasion, which is not an invitation he freely extends to many of his classmates, proving the depth of the bond between the two U.A. High heroes. Their friendship is special because Todoroki greatly admires Deku's hard work and drive to be the best, while Deku offers Todoroki plenty of uplifting words that he unfortunately does not receive from his own family.
3 Ochaco and Deku
With a Strong Bond That Borders on Romance at Times, Ochaco and Deku Support One Another Endlessly
Ochaco and Deku had an undeniable connection from Deku's first introduction to U.A. High, as Uraraka was the first person to speak to Deku and give him a warm welcome. From there, they became inseparable friends. Deku felt uplifted by Ochaco's continual warm, encouraging words, while Uraraka modeled her hero persona around Deku, taking inspiration from his resilience and dedication to working hard.
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When Deku went off on his own as a vigilante, Ochaco was one of the main classmates to convince him to return to U.A. Even in the My Hero Academia epilogue, their bond is evident, with more romantic undertones, as they both wholeheartedly admitted they missed one another dearly. Whether romantic or platonic, Ochaco and Deku have a special connection that makes them one of the series' best friendships.
2 Deku and Bakugo
From Enemies To Lighthearted Rivals, Bakugo and Deku Became Willing To Die for Each Other
Bakugo and Deku could not always be described as friends, and they started out on the rockiest possible footing. Bakugo bullied Deku throughout elementary and middle school, belittling the fellow student in an attempt to mask his own insecurity. After a heart-to-heart conversation with All Might after Deku saved Bakugo from a kidnapping attempt though, their bond shifted from one of pure hatred to a lighthearted, more positive rivalry.
Bakugo and Deku constantly fight to surpass one another, which helps them both improve at a rapid rate, as two of the highest-ranked heroes in Class 1-A. Whether they would admit it or not, their love for one another is evident, and Bakugo even was willing to sacrifice his own life for Deku, taking a nearly lethal blow from Shigaraki to protect Deku. In the end, this pair, who were once enemies, became one of My Hero Academia's most touching friendships.
1 Bakugo and Kirishima
Bakugo and Kirishima Push Each Other To Grow Positively and Consistently Improve Everyday
Bakugo was not always the kindest or easiest person to be around, but Kirishima took his flaws in stride, directly helping shape Bakugo into the honorable hero he is today. Kirishima is one of the only people Bakugo has ever truly respected and taken advice from, even when Bakugo was at his most abrasive and closed off from the world. Kirishima did not just let Bakugo wallow in his cruelty, he forced him to grow through criticism and encouragement, changing Bakugo's life positively.
Bakugo impacted Kirishima just as substantially, inadvertently helping him unlock his Ultimate Move, Red Riot Unbreakable, by literally calling his friend, "unbreakable." It is clear that Bakugo and Kirishima hold one another in very high regard despite their respective flaws, but are also committed to helping their friend continually mature and be better, which are hallmarks of the healthiest, most beneficial My Hero Academia friendships.
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In My Hero Academia, some humans have superpowers called quirks. Izuku Midoriya, nicknamed Deku, is not one of them. Deku has always idolized heroes like the number one hero, All Might, and since he was a child, he has always wanted to be a hero. However, his lack of a quirk has always held him back, but a chance encounter with All Might after discovering a classmate in danger sets Deku on the path to becoming a true hero. My Hero Academia centers around Deku and a class of heroes-in-training at UA. This school shapes young quirk users into future heroes through fake rescue missions, combat training, and other hero-tempering tasks. With young Deku inheriting the "One-For-All" quirk, he will learn what it means to be a true hero while facing off with dastardly supervillains.
Release Date April 3, 2016
Number of Episodes 113
Franchise My Hero Academia
Seasons 7
Production Company Bones
English (US) ·