My Hero Academia: The Scariest Character Designs

Summary

• Nomu's giant exposed brain with eyes is a chilling visual that sticks with fans long after they've seen it.

• The humanoid design of the Gang Orca is terrifying to look at.

• Toga's sinister smile and eerie design create fear in the reader or viewer as it is unclear what he is really thinking.

While a wonderful world and compelling characters My Hero Academia are what played the biggest role in the rise in popularity in the mainstream, another major factor is design. Author Kohei Hirokoshi is undoubtedly one of the best in the business when it comes to creating fun and vibrant looks for his characters, but he also clearly has a knack for conjuring up some designs that are a little more terrifying and terrifying as a way to emphasize. character's basic abilities or evil ambitions.

While this obviously applies mostly to the villains in the series, there have even been a few heroes whose intimidating looks make them look just as terrifying, even if they may not intend to. with My hero series is now complete and a lot of characters have been introduced during its run, it's time to reflect on the ones that are the most chilling from a purely visual standpoint.

8

Nom

A giant behemoth that looks like a science experiment gone horribly wrong

• First appearance: Episode 8

Although there have technically been several Nomus in the series, the very first one to appear in the USJ arc would be particularly creepy in terms of its design. The most striking aspect of Nomu is the giant exposed brain, which contains an eye plugged into each side of it, creating quite an unsettling visual effect.

Also adding to the intensity of Nomu's design is his size, roughly twice the size of All Might, who is already considered a giant by human standards. His gigantic muscles and imposing figure, along with those crazy eyes that never lose sight of his next victim, make Nom quite a chilling villain to look at.

7

The Orca Gang

The humanoid killer whale looks as terrifying as it sounds

• First appearance: Episode 57

Although Gang Orca is a professional hero tasked with protecting society from those who want to destroy it, he could easily be mistaken for a villain at first glance due to his intimidating appearance. As its name suggests, the Gang Orca is basically a humanoid orca that retains the animal's head while the rest of its body is more in line with a regular human, resulting in a slightly odd and quite terrifying design that looks particularly ominous at any time. Orca is angry.

The orca bares its razor-sharp teeth when pushed to the limit, and its pupils often spiral as it watches its prey, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. Many animal humanoid figures are introduced throughout My hero story, but while most of them look cute and innocent, the same can't be said for Gang Orca.

6

Juzo Honenuki

Despite Juzo being an up-and-coming hero, Juzo's design is Pure Nightmare Fuel

• First appearance: Episode 15

Many fans have compared Juzo's face design to Eren's Attack Titan zr Attack on Titan series, and while they certainly look similar, it also highlights just how chilling the Juzo look really is. While Juzo's body isn't all that unusual in a normal school uniform, unfortunately for him, it's his facial features that make this guy a visual nightmare.

While his eyes are always wide open with single black pupils peering into the souls of his enemies, he also has fang-like teeth that are permanently exposed for all to see. In truth, the Juzo isn't nearly as scary as its design might suggest, but it's definitely still an effective tool to intimidate any weaklings it encounters.

5

Himiko Toga

Toga's frosty facial expressions make it hard to guess what's going on in her warped mind

• First appearance: Episode 26

Very rarely is Toga, a dangerous member of the League of Villains, seen without a sinister smile on her face. In many ways, Toga's design feels like Horikoshi created a normal schoolgirl and tried to find subtle ways to make her as chilling and ominous as possible, creating a character that effortlessly terrifies characters just from her looks.

It's a design that always makes it seem like there's something a little off with Toga rather than her being a full-on evil mastermind, which is why it ends up being so terrifying, especially when she breaks into a gleeful smile after stumbling. a potential new “friend”.

4

Tomura Shigaraki

The creepy hands covering Shigaraki's body, paired with his emotionless expression, make him a sinister person to behold

• First appearance: Episode 8

While Shigaraki has several different appearances throughout the story, his debut design, which would see him covering his face and much of his body with his severed hands, is undoubtedly the most iconic and terrifying to look at. All that can be seen of Shigaraki's face in this design is a single eye that looks either emotionless or has a sadistic look as it focuses on its latest victim.

On special occasions, Shigaraki chooses to remove his mask during the early arcs, the menacing grin that covers his face, such as when he approaches Deku at the mall, making him look even more ominous. The fact that Shigaraki can look so terrifying without being a physical powerhouse is a testament to Horikoshi's masterful character designs that he can evoke such emotion in readers while still looking pretty weak as a hand-to-hand combatant.

3

Spot

The sadistic killer hero has a terrifying appearance that strikes fear into the eyes of anyone who dares to cross his path

• First appearance: Episode 30

Stain's disorganized and messy appearance is symbolic of his role in society. He is far from a hero, and even though he could be considered a villain, he doesn't personally see himself as such, as he only tries to kill heroes who don't “deserve” the title. Therefore, while he may have some hero-like aspects, such as his mask, he is also chained from head to toe with an array of swords and blades, with long red and white rags blowing from his back.

Pair all of this with his evil eyes, which are often seen glowing in the dark, and the result is a terrifying design that perfectly emphasizes just how dangerous this guy really is. Stain took on a slightly more casual appearance later in the series, but he always had an aura of intensity surrounding him when he was doing his “hero killer” self.

2

Deku (vigilante)

Deku Vigilante's creepy design would be a stark contrast to his traditionally flashy costumes

• First appearance: Episode 132

Late in the story My Hero AcademiaMidoriya decides to leave the academy and his friends and become a “vigilante” of sorts, taking on a much more stoic persona as well as a completely new appearance. This is a design that manages to look so absurdly powerful it's terrifying, with black lightning bolts shooting around Deku while wearing a rag suit that looks like something a villain would throw on; definitely not fit for a hero.

His mask, which once looked fun and innocent, is now ripped and torn, and his eyes turn bright green as they protrude from his darkened mask. No one could have expected Midoriya to ever look so terrifying in the series, considering he is the main protagonist and a true good at heart, but Horikoshi once again captivated fans with this unexpected appearance that manages to look both crazy and unbelievable. odd.

1

Moonfish

An edgy design that looks like something straight out of a horror manga

• First appearance: Episode 41

Although Moonfish doesn't get as much screen time as some of the other villains, he definitely made an impression on fans with his frankly bizarre and quite disturbing design. As Moonfish is an escaped inmate on death row, his entire body is covered in what appears to be a jet-black jacket, with only his mouth exposed.

However, the Moonfish is never seen smiling or even smiling, as in stark contrast to his mouth, it always looks like he is in extreme pain due to the hooks that have been embedded into it, which only adds to the fear. factor of this crazy villain. While standing still, the Moonfish can be extremely creepy to look at, but when it tries to squirm in its suit and when it pulls its tentacles out of its mouth, it becomes pure nightmare fuel.