The world of My Hero Academia is brimming with a diverse array of Quirks, each with unique potential. While some, like One For All and Explosion, dominate the spotlight, many equally fascinating abilities remain underutilized. This article delves into 10 such Quirks that, with more screen time, could have significantly impacted the series’ battles and character development.
Underused Quirks and Their Untapped Potential
1. Magnetism
Magne’s Magnetism Quirk had the potential to become a formidable force for battlefield control. This Quirk allows its user to polarize individuals based on their gender, attracting or repelling them like magnets. Despite its clear strategic value, this ability was rarely utilized. It could have been used to pull allies out of harm’s way, or to quickly restrain opponents. Unfortunately, Magne’s early demise means that this Quirk would not be seen again.
2. Foldabody
Edgeshot’s Foldabody Quirk is incredibly versatile, allowing him to manipulate the thinness of his body and fold it like paper. This enables him to infiltrate tight spaces and execute stealthy maneuvers. Although used for reconnaissance and strategic positioning, its full combat potential has not been fully explored. The Quirk can be used to evade attacks, move through terrain in an unconventional way, and get an edge on opponents.
3. Copy
Neito Monoma’s Copy Quirk allows him to replicate other people’s Quirks after making physical contact. Despite showcasing its power by copying Explosion, Hardening, and even Erasure, this Quirk is severely underused. Monoma’s appearances are limited by the fact that he is a class 1-B character. The ability to adapt to any situation by borrowing different Quirks makes it an exceptionally valuable asset.
4. Manifest
Tamaki Amajiki’s Manifest Quirk is one of the most interesting in the series. By consuming various foods, he gains the characteristics of the things he eats. From sprouting tentacles after eating takoyaki to manifesting crystals and steel by eating the respective materials, this Quirk has almost limitless potential. It is held back only by the need for prep work and a full stomach. Amajiki’s strategic use of different foods could have made him an extremely unpredictable and powerful fighter.
5. Sludge
The Sludge Villain’s unnamed Quirk, despite its user’s low-ranking status, has a lot of hidden potential. This Quirk allows the user to exist in small quantities, move through tiny spaces, and even take over other people’s bodies and potentially use their Quirks. It’s a shame that this villain, with this unique ability, is only shown in the first few episodes of the show.
6. Electrification
Denki Kaminari’s Electrification Quirk has often been portrayed as a simple, area-of-effect attack. This is a disservice to its capabilities. With better control, Denki could potentially manipulate electricity for more targeted attacks or even use electromagnetic fields. The use of support items could elevate this Quirk even more.
7. Anivoice
Koji Koda’s Anivoice allows him to communicate with and command animals. This Quirk, while helpful for reconnaissance and support, could have seen more usage in large-scale battles, using the creatures as an extra layer of defense, or as scouts. A better understanding of his ability can lead to a very tactical advantage on the battlefield.
8. Rewind
Eri’s Rewind Quirk has the incredible ability to revert a living being to a previous state. It has been used to heal injuries and revert a person to an earlier time. Due to her trauma and lack of control, the full potential of this Quirk has not been realized. Eri’s ability to alter the state of beings could make her a game changer in the series.
9. Overhaul
Kai Chisaki’s Overhaul Quirk allows him to disassemble and reassemble matter. Although he primarily used this for destruction, the Quirk has the potential for construction, repair, and even advanced manipulation of living organisms. The full potential of the Quirk has yet to be explored by the series.
10. Body Manipulation Quirks
There are various Quirks, such as Body Shifting, Burn Body, Cannonball, Tank, Topspin, Weapon Body, Fighter Jet, and others that allow for body modification in a myriad of different ways. These Quirks offer very creative and unique possibilities in combat that could have been used more often.
Why Underused Quirks Matter
The underutilization of these Quirks is a disservice to the creative potential of My Hero Academia. These abilities often belong to characters who did not have enough screen time, denying them the chance to have satisfying character arcs. By not showing the full potential of these Quirks, the series misses opportunities for unique and compelling battle sequences. Many of these “lesser” Quirks could be used in powerful combinations with others, creating new tactical advantages, making characters more unique, and making the battles more interesting.
In conclusion, while the main cast of My Hero Academia showcases a wide range of Quirks, the series has barely scratched the surface of many other unique abilities. By exploring the full potential of these underused Quirks, the series could offer more varied and exciting battles and further explore character development in the world of My Hero Academia.
