Shoto Todoroki is among the most prominent student in My Hero Academia's Class 1-A, making him one of the central characters in the series. From his unique appearance to his emotional backstory, Shoto can also be considered one of the more compelling characters in the series due to his growth as a person and as a hero.
Perhaps because of his character arc, Shoto also has many powerful quotes to his name, usually as a result of supporting many of his classmates during times of peril. Though he is typically a boy of few words, what Shoto does end up saying usually sticks with his classmates for a good while, with these quotes being perfect examples.
7 "I'd like to avoid something so cruel if possible."
The early seasons of My Hero Academia depict Shoto as a lone wolf who rarely expresses himself or interacts with the rest of Class 1-A. As a result, many other characters often think of Shoto as a cold-hearted young man, mainly the Shiketsu High School student Inasa Yoarashi.
But during the skirmish within the Unforeseen Simulation Joint, after easily fending off a few villains, Shoto displays a surprising level of mercy towards them. Rather than let them freeze to death, Shoto instead offers to spare them from their icy fate in exchange for their motive for invading the U.S.J., displaying a rather kind streak that contrasts his emotionless appearance.
6 "When I'm in battle, I never use my left side."
While a seemingly insignificant quote at first, it should be noted that Shoto only used his right half in battle for a good portion of the series. The only time he would use anything heat-related was to melt the ice created by his Ice Quirk.
But as most fans know all too well, Shoto actively chose not to use his right side as an act of defiance against his father. It is only during his fateful U.A. Sports Match against Deku that Shoto finally uses his Fire Quirk for the first time.
5 "I want to be a Hero too!"
As previously stated, Shoto initially refused to use his fiery half out of anger and resentment towards his father Enji. But when fighting Izuku during the U.A. Sports Festival, Shoto recalls his childhood with his mother as well as his determination to become a Hero.
The memory of his mother's tender words, coupled with Izuku's motivation in the present, was what finally drives Shoto to use his fiery half for the first time in battle, spawning this memorable quote in the process. Since then, Shoto has been determined to make his Fire Quirk his own as opposed to a product of Endeavor's training.
4 "In that moment, that instant... I forgot all about you."
It is no secret that much of Shoto's character arc has to do with his strained relationship with his father, Endeavor. Be it coming to terms with his abusive past or pondering whether to forgive his father or not; there is no denying that, for better or worse, Endeavor still remains a central part of Shoto's life.
However, after his iconic showdown against Izuku during the U.A. Sports Festival. Shoto reveals to Endeavor that his thoughts were not about the latter when using his fire powers for the first time. It is this quote that best displays the confused feelings Shoto harbors toward both his father and his fire powers.
3 "The only words I can say to you are: Look properly at what you want to be!"
Since his battle with Izuku, Shoto has opened up considerably and acted as a voice of reason for some of his more reckless classmates. This was more or less the case when Shoto arrived just in time to save his classmate Tenya from getting killed by the Hero Killer Stain.
When Tenya begs Shoto to let him be the one to defeat Stain, Shoto notes that Tenya is driven more by vengeance instead of justice, a trait not seen in Ingenium, Tenya's brother, and predecessor. Knowing all too well about letting the past cloud his judgment, there is no doubt that Shoto's words to Tenya come from a deep and personal place.
2 "Are you saying we should've followed the rules and watched people get killed?"
Even after Stain's defeat, Shoto, alongside Izuku and Tenya, had no time for respite due to dealing with both the physical and emotional consequences of their recent showdown. This is only exacerbated once Kenji Tsuragamae, the Chief of Police, arrives at their hospital room in order to punish the three boys for acting on their own accord.
Naturally, this does not go over well with Shoto, who angrily retorts that people would have been killed if it were not for the intervention from Tenya, Izuku, and himself. This shows that Shoto makes it a point to stay true to his own ideals, even if said ideals may conflict with the laws already set in place.
1 "Stand back up if you've finished crying. We'll stop Toya together."
The Todoroki family has had more than their fair share of strife as a result of Endeavor's abusive machinations and harsh personality. However, upon the return of a now-villainous Toya Todoroki, now operating under the name Dabi, Shoto and the rest of his family find themselves dealing with more demons from their broken past.
Upon Toya's return and unsettling speech to the public, Endeavor is left without the will to fight his own son. But despite his own abuse at the hands of Endeavor, it is Shoto that encourages his father to stop crying and help the family put a stop to Toya's plans, showing that Shoto is willing to set aside his differences if only for the time being.