After five long seasons of My Hero Academia, fans have witnessed their favorite characters grow into admirable heroes in training. Fans have taken every step alongside U.A.'s students and seen everyone's true potential finally begin to flourish. Whether it be growing stronger mentally or improving on physical abilities, it's just a matter of time until the cast is finally at the top as true pro heroes.

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So far, while certain characters are still finding their footing, others have already had their arc to unleash their newest techniques or show off their newfound maturity. Here are My Hero Academia's top U.A. students that have shown the most improvement over the current seasons.

Updated on March 23, 2023, by Christine Mendoza: The sixth season of My Hero Academia is coming to an end and fans are left on the edge of their seats with the final arc coming up soon after. Clearly, many of the students at U.A. High aren't the weaker, timid, bright, starry-eyed children they were all the way back at the beginning of the series; many of them were forced to go through a great deal of growth. Character growth in both the physical and mental sense makes for a stronger hero and many of the young students at U.A. have proven themselves throughout the series, showing that all the time they've spent with their mentors and teachers was time well spent. A few new entries have been added to keep fans up to date with the new and improved students of U.A.

11 Momo Yaoyorozu

My Hero Academia Momo Yaoyorozu
  • Hero Name: Everything Hero: Creati
  • Quirk: Creation

Momo is the vice president of Class 1-A at U.A. and takes her job as a leader and example for the rest of the class very seriously. While Momo may have been rather timid and unsure of her abilities as both a leader and a hero, this weaker, more feeble version of her wasn't around for long. After a long (and painful) six seasons of development, Momo is now a confident future Pro Hero, knowing to trust her abilities and stop underestimating her true potential. However, it's not just Momo's Creation quirk that makes her a strong opponent but also her intellect and ability to create intricate battle plans (that incorporate all her fellow classmates) on the spot.

Thanks to Todoroki giving her the push she desperately needed, Momo was able to make a split decision about what to do with the fast-approaching monster, Gigantomachia, when no one else could. She took it upon herself to lead her classmates into an aggressive (yet cautious and well-thought-out) plan to stop Machia in his rampage and in the end, thanks to her sedative, took him down in the end.

10 Juzo Honenuki

My Hero Academia Juzo Honenuki Mudman
  • Hero Name: Mudman
  • Quirk: Softening

Juzo is one of the often-forgotten heroes in U.A.'s Class 1-B, despite being a recommended student. His unique Softening quirk may seem a bit weak or too niche to use in most situations, however, under the right circumstances, Juzo can be an incredibly powerful hero to have on one's side. On U.A.'s mission to stop the massive Gigantomachia's journey of havoc, Juzo played a key role in Machia's overall capture.

Although his quirk is better suited for hindering movement rather than actually taking an enemy down, it was just what the U.A. students needed in order to stop Machia. Using his quirk to soften the ground below Machia, caused him to sink into the softened soil that acted like quicksand, slowing him down, and allowing the rest of the students to act. Juzo's overall handle and control of his Softening quirk make him one of the most proficient heroes in training at U.A. High.

9 Denji Kaminari

My Hero Academia Denki Kaminari
  • Hero Name: Stun Gun Hero: Chargebolt
  • Quirk: Electrokinesis

Kaminari's Electrokinesis quirk is both useful and versatile but can be rather weak if not carefully mastered or used correctly. For a while throughout the series, Kaminari had only been able to shock his opponents at the cost of his own well-being. He would only be able to shock his enemies with his quirk by sacrificing himself as well, taking down his opponent but short-circuiting and frying his brain in the process.

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However, by the sixth season, Kaminari is able to withhold an incredible shock from one of the commanders of the Paranormal Liberation Front with ease. After the commander used his Amplivolt quirk, Kaminari arrived just in time to save the day to use his Electrokinesis quirk to absorb the shock, saving all the Pros in the process. While early Kaminari would have likely been rendered useless immediately after taking the electrical hit and making his signature "dumb" face and two thumbs up, season six Kaminari stores the massive charge of energy, no problem.

8 Hitoshi Shinso

My Hero Academia Hitoshi Shinso Before And After
  • Hero Name: (Undecided)
  • Quirk: Brainwashing

The first time the audience was introduced to Shinso, he had immense determination but little experience when it came to hand-to-hand combat. In his fight with Deku during the festival, even with it resulting in a loss, it was clear that Shinso had great potential. Often criticized for having a quirk better suited for a villain, Shinso knew he had a long way to go to prove himself to his classmates and teachers.

With the help of Aizawa and some extra tutoring, Shinso now has two new tricks up his sleeve to make him a better fit for the battlefield. The addition of both Aizawa's signature binding cloths and the fancy new mechanism enabling "artificial vocal cords" definitely pushed Shinso up the ranks; enhancing both his combat abilities and his natural quirk as well.

7 Fumikage Tokoyami

My Hero Academia Fumikage Tokoyami Season 1 Vs 6
  • Hero Name: Jet-Black Hero: Tsukuyomi
  • Quirk: Dark Shadow

Perhaps the first time fans met Tokoyami, he appeared as a simple side character, but by the series' fifth season, he's proven himself worthy of the Number 2 pro hero, Hawks', time and recognition. His quirk was naturally a powerful one, it was how well Tokoyami decided to use it that determined his overall status among all his classmates.

Thanks to pro hero, Hawks, Tokoyami developed new ways to use his Dark Shadow to its full potential. The most notable of Tokoyami's newest abilities with Dark Shadow is the "Black Fallen Angel" move in which Tokoyami allows Dark Shadow to envelop his body to grant him flight as well as act as a form of armor. Not only does this new tactic strengthen Tokoyami's overall power but also his ability to scout.

In addition to his new abilities with Dark Shadow, Tokoyami proved himself a formidable hero after stepping (or rather swooping) in to rescue his mentor, Hawks, just before Dabi could kill him. Not just any U.A. student could come face to face with Dabi and live to tell the tale.

6 Tenya Iida

My Hero Academia Tenya Iida Season 1 Vs 6
  • Hero Name: Turbo Hero: Ingenium
  • Quirk: Engine

Of course, Iida has made incredible strides in terms of his physical abilities during his time at U.A. However, one of Iida's greatest accomplishments is how much he has grown mentally. During the early arc with Stain, a very young Iida let his anger get the better of him and got himself into a dangerous near-death situation.

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Since then, Iida has matured greatly and now understands when to draw a line when things get too messy. Iida knows where he and his friends are needed versus the times when it's best to leave things to the pro heroes instead. Being a proper hero means being level-headed and knowing fellow heroes are there to help when things are too much for only one set of hands (or in Iida's case, one pair of legs).

5 Ejiro Kirishima

My Hero Academia Eijiro Kirishima Before And After
  • Hero Name: Sturdy Hero: Red Riot
  • Quirk: Hardening

The manliest hero, Kirishima, came from a difficult childhood, one that gave him a lasting memory of his struggles in the form of a scar. Kirishima had a powerful quirk right from the beginning, however, his time at U.A. definitely helped him flourish. In particular, Kirishima improved his overall control of his quirk and also his line of defense.

After his time training under pro hero, Fat Gum, Kirishima further developed his Hardening quirk with the introduction of the frightening "Red Riot Unbreakable" move. After realizing his quirk could be worn down after powerful attacks, Kirishima developed this move to reach his maximum hardening levels in order to be almost invulnerable to any form of physical attack.

In addition to his newfound maximum hardening levels, his abilities and fighting prowess were key in taking down the massive Gigantomachia later in season six. While Momo made the plan to use a sedative to tranquilize Machia in order to capture him, it was Kirishima that was able to successfully get close enough to him to get him to ingest the sedative. The effects didn't happen immediately but Kirishima's efforts weren't for nothing as the sedative did eventually subdue the giant later on.

4 Katsuki Bakugo

My Hero Academia Katsuki Bakugo Season 1 Vs 6
  • Hero Name: Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight
  • Quirk: Explosion

From day one it was clear that all young Bakugo had in mind when training to become the number 1 hero in the world was raw power. It's apparent that Bakugo has evolved over his time at U.A. High in terms of his power; his strength and versatility on the battlefield were already steadily improving. However, it was some mental growth that young Bakugo needed in order to truly make progress.

Recently, fans have seen Bakugo finally giving in and understanding that in order to be a good hero, he needs to learn that teamwork and compassion are key when it comes to saving lives. The once "lone wolf" Bakugo fans once knew is now on his way to becoming a great hero that doesn't turn a helping hand away when he truly needs it. However, it was in season six that fans shed a tear at the sight of the hothead Bakugo finally acting like a hero should.

After pushing Deku out of the way of an angry Shigaraki's attack and saving him, Bakugo finally did an honorable thing that was a truly heroic act. Not only did Bakugo take it upon himself to save his dear childhood friend, but he also put his pride aside and apologized to Deku for his bullying throughout the years and admitted to his mistakes and wrongdoings.

3 Shouto Todoroki

My Hero Academia Shouto Todoroki Before And After
  • Hero Name: Shouto
  • Quirk: Half-Cold Half-Hot

When Todoroki first came to U.A. High he was in a very different place in life. Todoroki harbored a lot of (justified) angst against his father, Endeavor, and literally froze over the left side of his body as a physical representation of how much he actually rebukes his father. In earlier episodes, Todoroki flat-out refused to use the quirk he had inherited from Endeavor and never used his flames; therefore essentially cutting down 50% of his overall power.

Todoroki has made many great strides during his time at U.A. but it's important to remember that after discovering an unlikely friendship with Deku, he unlocked an entire side of his quirk and finally recognized it as his own, finally unlocking 100% of his potential. Later on, Todoroki would then slowly (but surely) make amends with his father, not only accepting his quirk but even accepting training from Endeavor to continue the legacy of the powerful Flashfire Fist.

2 Mirio Togata

My Hero Academia Mirio Togata Before And After
  • Hero Name: Lemillion
  • Quirk: Permeation

It's easy to overlook any other students outside of U.A.'s Class 1-A, but Mirio is a name worth mentioning when looking at how much each student has improved. Mirio has explained how difficult his quirk is to actually use well and effectively on the battlefield. In combat, Mirio had to learn exactly which part of his body to activate his Permeation quirk in or he'd quickly fumble and give the enemy an opening to attack.

Mirio also made it a point to explain that his quirk isn't good (in its nature) but that it was his hard work and training that made the quirk good. The inability to properly use his quirk made his childhood a difficult one and so it's clear that Mirio must have had to put in long hours of training to get as powerful as he is now.

However, despite losing his quirk for a while after his fight with Overhaul to rescue the innocent Eri, Mirio has once again proved that he was the top of his class for a reason. His perseverance kept him focused until brave little Eri was confident enough to her quirk on Mirio; and once she did, she was successful, bringing Mirio back up to the top of U.A. once again.

1 Izuku Midoriya

My Hero Academia Deku Season 1 Vs 6
  • Hero Name: Deku
  • Quirk: One For All, Blackwhip, Float, Danger Sense, Smokescreen, Fa Jin

When looking at Deku's starting point and where he stands currently, it's no question that he deserves the top spot when it comes to overall improvement. Deku began his journey quirkless and now stands near the top of his class alongside the presence of the previous One For All users.

When fans first saw Deku in his early U.A. days, he was a helpless student that couldn't even handle a small percentage of his quirk without completely ruining his body. Now, fans have seen Deku push himself to his absolute limit, going above and beyond what everyone first thought was ever possible.

However, just when fans thought Deku couldn't get any cooler (and stronger), he unleashed all the other quirks held by the previous OFA users. This new, improved version of Deku is now seemingly unstoppable. While he still is getting used to his new quirks, he's definitely learning as fast as possible. The moment Deku fully masters every single one of his stockpiled quirks, he is sure on his way to becoming the number one hero in the world.

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