The world of My Hero Academia is brimming with a dazzling array of Quirks, each possessing unique abilities and potential. While some, like One For All and Explosion, are frequently showcased, many others with incredible capabilities remain underutilized, leaving fans to wonder what could have been. These neglected Quirks, often belonging to characters who could have had more prominent roles, deserve a second look. Here are 10 Quirks that could have significantly impacted the narrative if given the chance.
Magnetism: A Missed Opportunity for Battlefield Control
Magne, a villain known for her brute strength, possessed the Magnetism Quirk. This ability allows her to polarize individuals based on their gender, with males glowing blue and females glowing pink. Polarized individuals then attract or repel each other based on their gender. Although seen briefly in action, most notably when All For One manipulated her unconscious body, the potential of Magnetism for battlefield control is vast. Imagine the possibilities of pulling allies out of harm’s way or disrupting enemy formations. Unfortunately, Magne’s untimely death means that this Quirk’s potential will likely remain unexplored.
Foldabody: More Than Just a Healing Tool
Edgeshot’s Foldabody Quirk is undeniably one of the most versatile in the series. This ability lets him manipulate the thinness of his body, folding it like paper to slip through tight spaces. Primarily used for infiltration and espionage, the Quirk’s true potential is underappreciated. Its most notable application was when he used it to heal Bakugo, showcasing the potential to manipulate his body’s internal structure, and demonstrating that Foldabody might have applications beyond simple infiltration.
Manifest: Untapped Versatility in Transformation
Tamaki Amajiki, also known as Suneater, wields the Manifest Quirk, which allows him to transform his body parts into the characteristics of anything he has consumed. While Tamaki has showcased a range of transformations, the sheer breadth of this Quirk’s potential has yet to be fully realized. Given more opportunities and creative applications, this Quirk could easily make Tamaki one of the most versatile fighters. The possibilities with Manifest are nearly limitless, but Tamaki took part in too few fights to actually prove it, so his potential is largely untapped.
Wave Motion: Spiraling Energy with Endless Applications
Nejire Hado’s Wave Motion Quirk allows her to generate spiral energy that can be used in a variety of ways. Nejire, often portrayed as the most powerful female student at UA High, has immense potential that remains unexplored. The applications of her spiral energy blasts could have been more diverse and impactful, providing more strategic options in battles. Her character and Quirk could have served as a better role model for the other female students in the series.
Double: Cloning and the Power of Multiplicity
Twice, or Jin Bubaigawara, possesses the Double Quirk, enabling him to create clones of himself and others. This ability has significant potential, as the clones can utilize the original’s Quirk. Although Twice used the ability to create an army during the My Villain Academia arc, it wasn’t nearly as creative or effective as it could have been. This is a Quirk that many characters have said could be used far more strategically.
Confession: A Tool for Information Gathering
Shin Nemoto’s Confession Quirk forces anyone he questions to answer truthfully. While not a combat-oriented ability, its potential for information gathering is immense, especially in high-stakes situations. Overhaul kept him nearby for this reason. This ability could be incredibly useful for police forces, cutting down the guesswork of interrogation.
Softening: Beyond Simple Support
Juzo Honenuki’s Softening Quirk allows him to change the composition of anything he touches, making it softer. He can also swim within the softened material. Although often seen as support-oriented, the applications could extend to manipulating weapons and environments, creating a tactical advantage in combat. He could use this ability to impact anyone who needs to touch any surface, hindering their movements or abilities.
Black Hole: A Force of Destruction and Rescue
Thirteen’s Black Hole Quirk allows the user to create actual black holes, capable of disintegrating anything. This is a Quirk that has the potential for mass destruction, and the user is aware of the dangers, leading them to limit its use to rescue situations. Due to her careful use of the Quirk, she was injured during the U.S.J. Incident and didn’t get many opportunities to show what this powerful ability could do. This immense power is often not fully tapped, and if Thirteen had been a villain this Quirk could have been disastrous.
Copy: Strategic Replication and Adaptation
Neito Monoma’s Copy Quirk allows him to duplicate another person’s Quirk. He needs to touch the person to copy their ability, and he is limited in the amount of time he can use any one Quirk. While this Quirk is strategically important, its full potential for creating diverse team dynamics is vastly underutilized. His ability to copy Quirks could make him a very strong hero if used strategically.
Engine: Unmatched Speed and Mobility
Tenya Iida’s Engine Quirk gives him enhanced speed and mobility through the engines in his calves. While he uses his speed effectively, the strategic implications for rescue missions and high-speed combat could have been further explored. His Quirk could allow for unique dynamics in battle, but many other characters are highlighted over him.
These underutilized Quirks highlight a broader trend in My Hero Academia: many powers have incredible potential that remains unexplored due to various narrative constraints. By examining the possibilities, we gain a deeper appreciation for the rich and complex world that has been created in the series and its diverse array of powers and abilities.
