A large cast of characters, both significant and minor, have been introduced to us by My Hero Academia. Some of them, including Shouto Todoroki, Izuku Midoriya, and Katsuki Bakugou, are so well-known and well publicised that even individuals who don’t watch the series are familiar with them. Despite being more marginal, other characters like Ryuko Tatsuma and Neito Monoma are also popular with the audience. This is the case for a lot of the characters in the show; My Hero Academia’s ensemble is simply too big to pay attention to all the diverse and fascinating secondary characters.
Additionally, there are occasions when it is too big to even pay attention to significant characters.
One of the characters is Tenya Iida. If he didn’t have any sort of significant role in the plot, it would be anticipated for him to fade into the background, yet he does. He has a significant plot arc and a significant connection to Midoriya, the series’ protagonist. He also acts as a contrast to Bakugou, another important figure in the programme, who has often demonstrated his capacity to be an outstanding pro hero. He is by no means a character to be forgotten, yet the fandom and the plot frequently ignore him.
It’s vital to consider Iida’s major experiences and relationships in order to understand his pivotal role in the story. In the Hero Killer arc, he had one of his most significant moments. Iida, who holds a grudge against Stain for what the guy did to his brother Tensei, is the main focus of this entire arc. Despite the pro hero Manual’s warnings, Iida decides to pursue Stain in order to exact revenge on his brother. Fortunately, Midoriya and Todoroki show up to lend a hand just in time for Stain to deliver the killing blow. The purpose of this arc is to draw attention to a few important themes in My Hero Academia, including the value of letting go of grudges, the need to let the welfare of those around you drive your decisions, and, of course, the fact that every action has repercussions. Iida’s involvement in this arc improves his connections to two important (and well-liked) characters, Midoriya and Todoroki.
Exams and the U.A. Sports Festival arc both have significant moments. The U.A. Sports Festival arc demonstrated to the audience that Iida can compete with really strong pupils, like Todoroki. Although he ultimately fell to Todoroki, he was able to hold his own and devise a plan to avoid the ice strikes and capture Todoroki. Iida kept up his bravery and cunning throughout the tests at U.A. He played a key role in the Final Exam arc by using his leg power and speed to avoid attacks, and his plan to carry Ojiro and launch him gave them the advantage. Iida was ranked fourth in Class 1-A on the Quirk Apprehension Test, behind Yaoyorozu, Todoroki, and Bakugou. He also achieved some of the highest marks on the Provisional Hero License Exam, proving not just his superior combat skills but also his aptitude for search and rescue. Iida is just as strong and capable as characters like Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki in terms of ability.
Of course, the bond Iida shares with Midoriya is crucial. Any recurrent character that has a close link to Midoriya shouldn’t be in the foreground because he is the series’ main character. Iida is one of Midoriya’s greatest and closest friends, and the two of them frequently encourage one another to advance their knowledge and skills. When they veer off course, they help each other get back on track. Iida now occupies a very significant role in Midoriya’s life as a friend, confidant, and partner as well as a means of fostering character development for Midoriya. Iida should be given more attention because of her significant influence on the main character.
But if it doesn’t seal the deal, then the fact that he is so similar to a beloved figure ought to. Both Bakugou and Iida had a similar history in that they were raised with high expectations and complimented for their talents and promising futures. All of this revolved on Bakugou’s Quirk. He was told he was the best, extraordinarily strong, and would make a great hero. It was not just Iida’s quirk; it was also his family name. He was told he will one day be great since he comes from a long line of heroes. The two handled this acclaim and expectation differently, though. Bakugou became immensely self-assured and acquired a superiority complex, looking down on everyone he thought was inferior than him. Iida strives to live up to the expectations placed on him and has evolved into a more modest, diligent individual. Despite the similarities, Bakugou has considerably more followers and is much more well-liked than Iida. It may be because Bakugou is a more stereotypically handsome figure or because of Iida’s serious demeanour and erratic gesticulation, but there is no disputing that these two characters are designed to represent opposite ends of the same coin. When praise is given without humility, Bakugou results, and when it is given with humility, Iida results. Iida’s importance in the show is also due to the fact that the contrast between him and Bakugou illustrates the series’ central theme, which is how one’s decisions shape their ideas and personality.
Iida is therefore extraordinarily strong and talented. He contributed significantly to the Hero Killer arc and maintains a crucial position as Midoriya’s best friend and rival, supporting the growth of the series’ protagonist. He has many traits in common with Bakugou, a more well-known figure. So why is he ignored so frequently?
The simple explanation is that My Hero Academia’s cast is far too large.
Every chapter features the introduction, death, or outright disappearance of numerous new characters, including two entire classes of pupils, an army of professional heroes, an army of villains, and many others. When each character just appears for a few panels of their backstory or for a brief moment in a scene, it can be difficult to keep track of them all. Unfortunately, this also occurs to people like Iida who ought to be playing more significant roles. This is a major flaw in My Hero Academia because it makes it practically impossible to fully investigate and care for all of the characters. Iida must therefore be a silent support for the time being and wait to be required. But be aware that he is anything but a supporting character, and the show and its viewers should give him greater appreciation.
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