My Hero Academia’s notable half-cold half-hot UA student has not only developed his powers since season 1 but also his qualities and perception of his fire quirk. Unlike his peers, such asDekuand Bakugo, however, Shoto’s (also spelled Shouto) development isn’t as apparent due to his subdued nature. Regardless, his progress remains impressive, particularly because of his abused past and traumatic experiences. While Deku, the anime’s primary protagonist, displays obvious signs and examples of character development, Shoto’s growth requires further examination.
Shoto Todoroki’s introduction in season 1 ofMy Hero Academiashaped his first impression as one of mystery and stoicism. His identity comes across as almost plain and ordinary, even when viewers learn about his father’s identity. Though he doesn’t openly display his emotions or wear his heart on his sleeve much like his classmates, a deeper delve into Shoto’s character makes him more fascinating, particularly when his character development becomes more apparent over time.
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His Personal Growth
Shoto’s disposition in season 1 comes off as both quiet and angry. This is entirely reasonable because of histoxic home life: an abusive father and an abused mother. Shoto’s childhood has evidently affected him as any abusive household would. After all, Endeavor brought him up solely to surpass All Might and take over the role of the number 1 hero. Therefore, for a long time, Shoto’s primary drive took the form of anger and hatred toward his father. Though he had devised a plan to achieve the top and become the number 1 hero as his father had always wanted, Shoto intended to do so without the use of the hot quirk he inherited from his father. This was, to Shoto, a form of rejecting his father and conveying to him that he didn’t need him to be able to reach number 1.
The turning point for Shoto’s development takes place during and after the U.A. Sports Festival. With the encouragement ofDeku, Shoto realizes that although Endeavor passed his fire quirk onto the boy, his quirk belongs to him–and it is a part of him–and he could use it however he desires. After the realization that Shoto’s quirk does not make him like his father, Shoto’s usage of his fire quirk increases, and he eventually embraces it. His confidence increases as the seasons progress, and by season 5, Shoto’s perception of his fire quirk is that it is entirely his own.
Additionally, though Shoto’s powers may have surpassed many others, his social skills tended to lack (particularly inseason 1) as he had always been more closed off than his peers. However, as time passes and Shoto undergoes trials and experiences in the series, he gradually finds solace and friendship in his peers. Though he remains somewhat stoic and fails to recognize many social cues and references, he participates in friendly conversations and doesn’t take himself as seriously as he did in season 1.
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His Quirk
Endeavor’s–well–endeavor, to raise his son to be the number 1 hero is not necessarily terrible in every way. Arguably,Endeavorwas somewhat successful in training Shoto to strengthen the use of his quirk, even if Shoto rejected the training altogether. However, subconsciously, Shoto must have gained some of the knowledge he was taught, considering it took up most, if not all, of his entire childhood. Although UA helped further develop those skills with practical experiences and fights, Endeavor ultimately set the foundation of Shoto’s training.
When he, Deku, andBakugojoin Endeavor for a work studies program, Shoto tells his father that the only reason he chose his hero agency was to gain knowledge and develop his quirk. In other words, he refuses to forgive Endeavor for treating his mother and family the way he did and will only look to him to grow his powers. Despite this, however, it appears that Shoto begins to gain a shred of respect for Endeavor after he becomes number 1, notably due to his desire to change for the better (and, surprisingly, approach All Might for advice on how to be the best number 1 hero successfully).
Initially, Shoto’s usage of his pyro quirk extended as far as melting his ice quirk. However, once he learned to utilize both of his quirks, he determined he could use them to reinforce one other. Despite this, Shoto recognizes that he still has not reached his full potential using his fire quirk and must train his quirk in order to evolve as a hero. As a result, he approachesEndeavor for help, who trains him to be able to perform his signature move, ‘Flashfire Fist.’ This move is ultimately handed down from Endeavor to Shoto.
