9 My Hero Academia characters who died before the Epilogue, ranked least to most important

My Hero Academia characters are filled with heroes and villains whose lives and demise impact the story of the series in one way or another in profound ways. This article focuses on the nine My Hero Academia characters and how they have affected the surviving characters. The deaths of main characters, ranging from Pro Heroes who died for the sake of humanity to villains who died at the wrong time, all symbolize significant events in this series.

Thus, the lives and deaths of these My Hero Academia characters have contributed to the themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the hero's and villains' subtlety as black and white.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion.

Twice, Sir Nighteye and others are among My Hero Academia characters who died before the Epilogue

9. Magne (Kenji Hikiishi)

Magne, or Kenji Hikiishi, was one of the first major deaths in My Hero Academia, which changed the booster’s tone. Magne was part of the League of Villains and was showcased as a very loyal character with the Magnetism Quirk. Her clash with Overhaul was harsh and quite direct.

Hectic display of Overhaul’s mob-like efficiency and the cruelty of his Quirk that kills Magne instantly, blowing her upper half to smithereens. This violent and wrong death was clear evidence that the dangers the heroes and villains encounter are increasing.

8. Sir Nighteye (Mirai Sasaki)

Sir Nighteye, who had only appeared in the series as All Might’s sidekick before, was one of the most important characters in the series. Despite their initial reluctance that Deku could not be the successor of All Might, he learned to accept it and support him.

As the group leader who raided Overhaul’s hideout, Sir Nighteye battled strongly with Deku and Mirio Togata. Unfortunately, he was killed in the encounter and received fatal injuries. He dies in the hospital but encourages Deku and Mirio before the end and leaves this world a better place. His death also reminded the cost of heroism and the bonds that hero characters have within their kind.

7. Tenko Shimura

Tenko Shimura, later known as Tomura Shigaraki, met a dramatic end in My Hero Academia. During his final battle with Izuku, Tomura's body transformed into a monstrous form of fingers out of desperation. Izuku managed to destroy this cocoon, but All For One's vestige took over, nearly destroying Tomura's mind.

Tomura's body became lankier and decrepit, with two grown fingers on his shoulders and a stuffed hand over his mouth. Despite Izuku landing a direct punch, All For One used Quirks to prevent Tomura's body from crumbling. Ultimately, All For One's vestige was extinguished, and Tomura disintegrated into ashes, ending his life.

6. Nana Shimura

Nana Shimura, the seventh user of One for All and All Might's mentor, plays a crucial role in the backstory of My Hero Academia. She was a brave and determined hero who stood against All For One. Despite her formidable abilities and strong will, she ultimately fell in battle against the powerful villain.

Nana’s death had a profound impact on All Might, shaping his resolve and dedication to justice. Her legacy continues through All Might and eventually through Deku, the current bearer of One for All. Nana's sacrifice underscores the generational struggle against evil and the heavy burdens carried by those who wield One for All.

5. Midnight (Nemuri Kayama)

Nemuri Kayama, better known as Midnight, is a beloved character whose death marks a significant moment in My Hero Academia. During the intense battle against the Paranormal Liberation Front, she is struck by debris from Mr Compress and attacked by a group of villains.

In her final moments, she contacts Momo Yaoyorozu, offering encouragement and placing her faith in the students to carry on the fight. Although Midnight's death occurs off-screen, the discovery of her body by her horrified students adds a profound emotional weight to the series.

4. Star and Stripe (Cathleen Bate)

Star and Stripe, known as Cathleen Bate, makes a dramatic and memorable entrance in My Hero Academia. Dubbed the strongest woman in the world, her Quirk, New Order, allows her to manipulate the laws of physics by declaring specific rules. Her confrontation with Tomura Shigaraki is one of the most intense battles in the series.

Star and Stripe use her Quirk to create a massive air clone and deploy Tiamat missiles, generating a colossal explosion. Despite her efforts, Shigaraki survives and manages to touch her, activating his Decay Quirk. As she disintegrates, Star and Stripe make a final rule that New Order will "rebel against other Quirks," weakening Shigaraki.

3. Twice (Jin Bubaigawara)

Twice, or Jin Bubaigawara, is one of the most emotionally complex characters. His death was a turning point in the series and showcased the brutality of the conflict between heroes and villains. In season 6, Twice is betrayed by Hawks, a hero he had come to trust.

Hawks, acting as a double agent, ambushes Twice in a bid to prevent the villains from gaining an upper hand. Despite Twice’s shock and feelings of betrayal, Hawks remains resolute, believing that eliminating Twice is necessary. Even though Dabi attempts to save Twice, Hawks delivers a fatal blow, killing him.

2. Shigaraki’s Family

The tragic fate of Shigaraki's family plays a crucial role in shaping one of the most important My Hero Academia characters. Their accidental deaths at the hands of young Tenko Shimura (later Tomura Shigaraki) set in motion a chain of events that would define the series' central conflict.

This horrific incident traumatized Shigaraki and paved the way for All For One to mold him into a powerful villain, making their deaths a pivotal moment in the narrative among the other My Hero Academia characters.

1. All For One

Sacrifice is what previous users left behind in the world of My Hero Academia and One for All. The fourth user of this quirk is Hikage Shinomori, who is notable for not engaging in a fight with All For One. Realizing that he cannot be a hero and still be able to use the One for All Quirk further, Hikage decided to train those who will inherit the said Quirk.

He passed it on to Daigoro Banjo, who later met his untimely death as well. Unluckily for many of these earlier users of One for All, they all lost their lives fighting All For One. It shows just how dangerous this central antagonist is and how even their follower's best efforts at fighting them are futile at best.

To conclude

The death of these My Hero Academia characters holds significant importance in the plot and impacts fans’ emotions. Throughout the series, many deaths have occurred, from heroes such as Star and Stripe and Sir Nighteye to villains such as All For One and Twice; each passing has had a lasting mark on the world, and these My Hero Academia characters still exist.

These deaths of My Hero Academia characters benefit the plot. Yet, they go further as deliverances of profound emphases like the significance of the hero-villain strife, the legacy, and the repercussions of sacrifice. They make us realize that in My Hero Academia, the theme of heroism is intertwined with tragedy, and the slightest shift can lead to big changes.