My Hero Academia's latest popularity poll finally does justice to Dabi

Modified Jun 24, 2024 15:00 GMT

On April 7, 2024, the results of the 9th Popularity Poll of My Hero Academia were revealed and Dabi managed to score a place in the top 5 most popular characters. The results were revealed alongside the release of chapter 419 and were conducted in Japan only.

The popularity polls of this series started in July 2015 after the release of chapter 52. Since the start of the first popularity poll, the top 3 most popular characters from the series have been the main trio: Izuku, Bakugo, and Todoroki.

While the top 3 didn't move from their throne, a new character soared through the rankings and scored the 4th position in the latest Popularity Poll of the series. This character is Toya Todoroki, more commonly referred to as Dabi. Although the difference between him and the top 3 is substantial, fans are excited to see their favorite character finally getting the recognition he deserves.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from the My Hero Academia manga series and has the author's opinion.

Dabi ranked one of the most popular characters in the latest My Hero Academia Popularity Poll

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The 9th Popularity Poll of My Hero Academia in Japan was announced after the release of chapter 403 (October 16, 2023) and the voting started the same day. The voting period was open till December 18, 2023. The results of this Popularity Poll were revealed alongside the release of chapter 419, in the 19th issue of Weekly Shounen Jump 2024.

As usual, the top 3 most popular characters according to the 9th Popularity Poll, were the trio of protagonists. Katsuki Bakugo was first, Izuku Midoirya was second, and Shoto Todoroki was third. Katsuki Bakugo held his place as the most popular character from the series since the second Popularity Poll. The most popular character, according to the first Popularity Poll, was Izuku Midoriya.

Shoji as seen in the anime (Image via BONES)

Dabi was fourth, Hawks was fifth, and Endeavor was the sixth most popular character according to the latest Popularity Poll. Toya Todoroki is the first villain who managed to score a place in the top 10 most popular characters, in Japan.

Kirishima was ranked seventh, Tenya Iida was eighth, Uraraka was ninth, and Mezo Shoji was tenth. Mezo Shoji's placing in the top 10 could be because of his amazing battle against Spinner during the final war. Nonetheless, these are the top 10 most popular characters from My Hero Academia, according to the 9th Popularity Poll that took place in Japan.

Dabi finally getting a spotlight

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To no one's surprise, the spotlight of this Popularity Poll was Dabi (Real Name: Toya Todoroki) placing in the top 5 most popular characters. In the previous Popularity Poll, the villain scored 11th position which was above Tomura Shigaraki, one of the central antagonists of the series.

Since his introduction in the series, the villain has been a fan-favorite due to his origins as the son of Enji Todoroki (Pro Hero Name: Endeavor). Toya always wanted to impress his father with his quirk and show the world that he could become the number 1 hero.

Toya Todoroki as seen in the anime (Image via BONES)

But after the birth of Shoto Todoroki, who had two quirks, Toya was neglected by his father, Endeavor. This eventually led to Toya developing mental issues and he burned himself in a forest fire that started due to the flames of his quirk. When he woke up, he was convinced by All for One that his family abandoned him.

Toya revisited his family and saw that things hadn't changed even after his departure. So, he buried his identity as Toya Todoroki and was re-born as Dabi, the villain. He became prominent during the Paranormal Liberation Front arc when he mocked his father, a renowned hero, in front of the world.

Endeavor as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

After this, he fought his brother, Shoto Todoroki, during the Final War arc. Although Shoto won the first round, Toya returned as a different creature in the second round where he awakened his ice quirk before dying.

In the second round, the entire Todoroki family was involved in the fight with their long-lost family member who had nothing on his mind than to kill his family. Shoto ended the fight and Endeavor apologized to every one of his family. After the Final War arc, Endeavor was seen sitting before a chamber that could have Toya's body inside it, barely hanging onto his life.

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Edited by Tiasha