My Hero Academia Missed Out on an Arc That Could've Transformed Shoto's Rival

My Hero Academia's character development is like none other, but not every hero's story was explored as thoroughly as it should have been. Even though the manga is 431 chapters long, there was unfortunately not time to develop every hero extensively, and Shoto Todoroki's greatest rival is a prime example of this.

Shiketsu High School student, Inasa Yoarashi, became one of Todoroki's most interesting enemies, and the pair went head-to-head during the Hero License Exam. Because of Shoto's standoffish personality, Inasa developed a long-standing grudge against him, and this led to an emotionally charged confrontation during the Hero License Exam that proves why Inasa deserved more character development than he ultimately received in the end.

Inasa Hated Shoto and Endeavor for the Same Reason

Shoto and Inasa Solved Their Conflict, but the Same Cannot Be Said for Endeavor and Inasa

Both Shoto Todoroki and his father, Enji Todoroki, better known as the Pro Hero Endeavor, were extremely cold, reserved people at the beginning of My Hero Academia. Inasa admired them both greatly, but since they both brushed him off when he attempted to interact with them, his positive perception of these heroes shifted quite drastically. Inasa actually almost attended U.A. High himself, and he and Shoto first met during the U.A. Recommendation Entrance Exam. Although Inasa had a negative experience with Endeavor, he tried to give Shoto a chance, but was sorely disappointed by Shoto's attitude towards him.

Inasa attempted to have a pleasant interaction with Shoto but was dismissed, causing Inasa's grudge towards the Todoroki family to intensify. The pair did not come across each other again until the Hero License Exam, and by then, Inasa had made up his mind that he despised the Todoroki family. The pair fought so severely during the exam that neither of them passed. Thankfully though, this led to greater understanding between them and they both finally apologized and agreed to turn over a new leaf in their rivalry. Although Inasa solved his conflict with Todoroki, he never resolved his issues with Endeavor.

Inasa Deserved To See How Endeavor Changed

Endeavor May Have Apologized and Grown as a Person, but Inasa Never Saw This

Endeavor's redemption arc did not come until much later in My Hero Academia, once he finally recognized and acknowledged the error of his ways. He began apologizing to those he had hurt by his behavior, especially his own family. Although not everyone was quick to forgive him, some family members, like Rei and a few of his children, really appreciated the positive changes in him. Unfortunately though, Inasa never got to see the ways Endeavor has grown and taken accountability for his actions, and still has this coldhearted, negative view of the Pro Hero that was shaped by their first negative encounter.

It would have been incredible to see the conflict between Inasa and Endeavor be solved, and for Inasa to realize that there is more to Enji than the aloof hero he met years ago. Endeavor's bravery was on a new level during the Final War arc and his efforts directly contributed to All For One's defeat. Inasa deserved to witness Endeavor's feats of courage, and perhaps these moments would have helped him realize that Endeavor is more heroic now than ever before. My Hero Academia may be fantastic, but a resolution between Inasa and Endeavor is one of the series' greatest missed opportunities.