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Over the years, My Hero Academia has conducted periodic popularity contests to gauge fan sentiments, with characters competing to secure the top position in the poll through mail-in postcards or online voting.
The polls were featured each week in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, where readers in Japan could vote by mail or by entering a code. Shueisha did the same in 2024 with the poll on a global scale, the World Best Hero, which was held on YouTube. During the event, fans worldwide voted in multiple rounds, with the Main Stage and a final Plus Ultra Stage. The ultimate outcomes were aired live on JumpChannel on YouTube.
The poll on global popularity was organized into two big segments. On the Main Stage, fans vote once per day within a two-month period (August 5 to September 30, 2024 JST) and could choose any of the 278 eligible characters.
The 10 winners of this initial round received new illustration treatment by Horikoshi, and the three finalists proceeded to the Plus Ultra Stage, a 24-hour voting period during which it was possible to vote every hour (a maximum of 12 votes total) to decide who would be the final top character. At that last stage, Katsuki Bakugo took first place, with Izuku Midoriya and Shoto Todoroki coming second and third, respectively.
Popularity Poll: Top 10 Explained
10. Neito Monoma
Monoma slotted in the 10th place in the world poll, which is a startling yet not wholly unexpected outcome. As a member of Class 1-B, both as a rival and understudy, Monoma is a character with a quirk and a theatrical nature that has gained him a cult following. His most iconic one is the Joint Training arc, where he utilized his quirks to his advantage and created conflict in a stylish manner. The combination of competitive spirit and strategic intelligence was probably what made him rank in the top 10.
9. Tomura Shigaraki
Tomura Shigaraki is the best-ranking villain in the poll, featuring in ninth place. His fall to the status of an all-out antagonist and constant conflict with heroes has earned him not only fear but also attraction. Fans frequently cite his final battle against All Might and subsequent one against Deku as the hallmarks of his ubiquity. His position highlights the fact that the villains in the series are as emotionally relatable as the heroes.
8. Dabi
The fact that Dabi was placed at the eighth spot demonstrates that he remains a subject of fascination among his fans. His detached attitude, oblique motives, and earth-shattering highlights of his origin (Toya Todoroki) in the manga series, The Hood vs Mari, further enhanced his emotional appeal. His conflict with Endeavor and his participation in the Paranormal Liberation War made him even more appealing.
7. Hawks (Keigo Takami)
Not the least by rank, Hawks is a more complex hero figure, the one who switches back and forth between hero and undercover agent. His classical intervention in uncovering the villain's plans and his legendary saving of Twice during a flashback in the sixth season of the series earned him respect. It is his tragic background and intricate character that make him more than a mere background character.
6. Endeavor (Enji Todoroki)
Endeavor, sixth in the list, has undergone a revival of story: where formerly he was an odious hero, he is now trying to redeem himself. His gradual restoration to his family and his fierce duel with Overhaul in the My Villain Academia arc received a lot of applause. Throughout the years, fans have reconsidered him, which is why he has been given this high ranking in the international poll.
5. Eijiro Kirishima
Kirishima is an underdog and loyal, and this is evident in his fifth-place finish. His moment of Red Riot Unbreakable, where he took immense harm to save others, is frequently referred to as one of the most emotional hero beats. People love him due to his friendship with Bakugo and emotional sincerity, which has seen his popularity steadily climb in the polls.
4. Shota Aizawa (Eraser Head)
Aizawa, who ranks fourth, is a constant in the popularity polls. The early years of his stoic character, mentor status, and disguise antics in his rescue missions impressed the fans. The fact that he sacrifices in important arcs, as well as the fact that he is loyal to students, makes him a trustworthy and respected pro hero.
3. Shoto Todoroki
The third place, which Todoroki has earned, is deserved. He also has one of the most emotionally charged backstories, having to live with abuse on the part of Endeavor and identity issues. His choice to adopt two quirks, the ice and the fire, in his battle with Deku at the U.A. Sports Festival is legendary. His transformation into a comrade-in-need is close to fans' hearts.
2. Izuku Midoriya
The second-place finish for Midoriya reveals his main purpose, which is to be an empathetic protagonist. His quest from a quirkless child and later on an heir of One For All becomes the key point of the story of MHA. Certain scenes, such as his debut in Smash and his mentorship by All Might, are constantly popular in fan debates. He is still popular as the heart of the franchise.
1. Katsuki Bakugo
Bakugo secured the highest number internationally, 1,647,611, of an approximate total of 6.12 million, which was far beyond the number of the next candidate. This is a motif: even in the earlier Japanese polls, Bakugo often led. His overwhelming quirkiness, explosive nature, and character development, especially his reconciliation with Deku, are what make him dear to the fans. His self-realization arc and major explosion battle with All Might are commonly listed as a signature series.
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The popularity of the World's Best Hero poll not only confirmed traditional favorites such as Bakugo, Midoriya, and Todoroki but also demonstrated that characters like Monoma and Dabi have a strong fan base. These scores indicate shifting priorities in fandom: storylines, emotional resolution, character depth, and character complexity are all changing ranks. The worldwide nature of the poll that was conducted through YouTube and involving millions of people increased the voices across the globe and allowed fans a direct contribution to naming THE WORLD'S BEST HERO (MHA).
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