Some anime series unfortunately let their supporting characters fade into the background; not making the most of their abilities in the story, but this is not the case with My Hero Academia. My Hero Academia's Supporting Cast Is Just As Important As The Main Heroeslike Deku and Bakugo. Episodes featuring supporting characters like Ochaco, Ida, and Kirishima not only showcase the characters' impressive attacks and interesting Quirks, but also further explore the series' themes of heroism, hard work, and perseverance.
Episode 68, “Let's Go, Gutsy Red Riot,” focuses on one such supporting character, Eijiro Kirishima. Kirishima is a cheerful, outgoing member of Class 1-A who is best friends with Bakugo. He aspires to become a strong hero who helps others, and he finally gets the chance to test his skills when He was recruited to intern with Pro Hero, Fat Gum.
Kirishima's first battle with heroes Fat Gum and Tamaki Amajiki proved that he was more than just a side character, but that he had the courage and perseverance to work alongside the Pros professionally one day.
Eijiro Kirishima debuts his new move, Unbreakable, during his internship.
When a dangerous villain threatens him, Kirishima tries his ultimate move, protecting himself and innocent civilians.
During the battle, a villain begins firing Quirk canceling bullets, forcing Kirishima to spring into action to prevent Tamaki and the civilians from being attacked by the evil villain. Despite his fear and lack of extensive training as a beginner, he refuses to back down from the challenge presented to him. Cornered by the villain and forced to fight alone, Kirishima realizes that he will have to use all of his strength and try new moves to win. His usual Quirk Hardening skills are ineffective, so he unleashes his Ultimate Move.
Eijiro almost gave up, starting to waver slightly as the tough villain continued to swing sharp blades at him. However, Ultimate Move changed the tide of battle Kirishima's Unbreakable attack allows him to harden himself completely, preventing the villain from landing a single blow, even though the villain was able to break Kirishima's Quirk beforehand. However, Kirishima's Unbreakable is not what allows him to defeat his opponent, His refusal to give up was even more important. As he was on the verge of defeat, the words of his friend Bakugo rang in his ears like a powerful motivation.
Kirishima's most valuable weapon isn't his ultimate move, but his persistence.
In This Battle, He Vows to Become “A Horse That Never Falters,” Proving His Boundless Determination
What sets Kirishima apart from other heroes is his endless drive and perseverance. During this battle, he declares himself “a horse that never wavers,” telling himself that no matter how difficult it is to defeat a villain, persistence will help him win Armed with this newfound confidence and determination, Eijiro holds off the villain and weakens him until the other Pro Heroes arrive to help, ensuring their success. This moment not only represents Kirishima's first official debut as a hero, but also highlights what he is truly capable of and reveals his relentless character.
This scene gives viewers a first look at the skills Kirishima will display in future battles, such as the Shie Hassakai raid, including his Ultimate and his decisive, unhesitating attack style. His excellence in this battle not only develops Kirishima's character on a personal level, but also proves the importance of all the supporting characters in My Hero Academia. Episodes featuring supporting characters are not just meant to be a distraction between the excitement and action of the main heroes, but these characters also play an important role in the series and possess unique skills and personalities that enhance the overall story.
This Kirishima Moment Shows the Importance of Side Characters in My Hero Academia
These scenes focusing on the supporting cast are not only entertaining, but also expand on the film's important core themes.
Some might consider side character episodes like this Kirishima-focused episode to be “filler episodes,” but that’s not true. These scenes give viewers a deeper look into Kirishima’s attitude and values as a hero. “Let’s Go, Gutsy Red Riot,” humanizes Kirishima by revealing his completely understandable and relatable insecurities, while also inspiring viewers by revealing his diligent efforts to overcome his fears. Furthermore, his action scenes are hammer home the greatest core values of My Hero Academiasuch as willpower, commitment to fighting evil, and resilience, themes that appear repeatedly throughout the story.
This episode proves Kirishima's worth as a hero, earning him the utmost respect from the grateful civilians he saved from danger. In that moment, he transformed from an ambitious UA student into a true hero. As the series progresses, Kirishima only further proves his heroism and bravery.such as when he bravely protects Pro Hero Fat Gum just a few episodes in. While it can be seen as a diversion from the main plot, the side character episodes are absolutely pivotal to My Hero Academia, giving these characters well-written stories and the kind of jaw-dropping moments that the main heroes enjoy.
Another example of an important side character story is Tenya Ida in the Vs. Hero Killer Arc.
These supporting cast episodes not only provide deeper insight into the characters, but also teach valuable lessons.
Another arc in My Hero Academia that focuses heavily on a supporting character is the Vs. Hero Killer Arc, which sees Tenya Ida take the lead as he pursues the Hero Killer, Stain, to avenge his brother, Tensei. This arc shows Ida's love for his brother and his hatred for those who do evil. The episodes focusing on Ida also reveal his flaw: letting his emotions dictate his actions without thinking. Just as Kirishima overcomes his insecurities to improve, Ida fights to overcome the issues that are holding him back. Each My Hero Academia's Supporting Cast Episode Teaches a Valuable Lessongive these characters the attention they deserve.
