Eight Strong Characters Who Live Above Heroes and Villains in My Hero Academia 2025
The distinction between heroes and villains is frequently made very clearly in the colourful Quirk-filled world of My Hero Academia. While villains like All For One and Tomura Shigaraki cause mayhem pro heroes like All Might and Endeavour protect the rule of law. Nevertheless there are characters that transcend this dichotomy possessing great power and taking routes that are impossible to classify. The strength distinct motivationsand refusal to neatly fit into the hero-villain mould make these people—whether vigilantes civilians students or those with ambiguous affiliations—stand out. As seen in the manga anime and related media up until the series’ 2024 finale we delve into eight of these characters who live “above” the conventional divide in this blog examining their quirks roles and narrative influence.
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1. Eri: The Child with Reality-Altering Power
Eri a young child whose Rewind Quirk makes her one of the most powerful characters in the series is at the centre of one of My Hero Academia’s most poignant storylines. Eri can heal wounds restore lost quirks or even rewind someone out of existence by using Rewind to change their physical state back to a previous moment. Its potential for both creation and destruction is demonstrated by the villain Overhaul’s use of this powerful ability to create drugs that destroy Quirks.
Eri’s tenacity and Quirk are not the only things that make her strong. She is a ray of hope despite having endured unspeakable trauma; she is neither a villain vying for power nor a hero fighting on the front lines. She is a young girl attempting to figure out where she fits in a world that has wounded her. Unquestionably Eri’s Quirk changed the course of battle during the Overhaul Arc by allowing Deku to use One For All at 100% without breaking his body. She became a game-changer when her abilities later allowed Mirio Togata to regain her Permeation Quirk. Because of her innocence and supreme power Eri transcends the hero-villain dichotomy and represents untapped potential.
2. Tamashiro: The Prodigy of the Quirk Singularity
Tamashiro who was first introduced in the Remedial Course Arc is a young student at Masegaki Primary School whose Bingeing Ball Quirk is a prime example of the Quirk Singularity Theory which holds that quirks become more powerful and challenging to manage with each generation. With Tamashiro’s Quirk floating toothed spheres can instantly consume almost any material including metal and concrete. He hasn’t decided whether to be a hero or a villain as a child but his unbridled power and playful chaotic energy make him a wild card.
Tamashiro’s spheres are incredibly powerful and can easily gnaw through solid objects. Although his strength is comparable to that of seasoned Pro Heroes he remains outside the hero-villain spectrum due to his neutral attitude as a mischievous child. He is an intriguing character in the My Hero Academia universe because he symbolises the future of Quirks where power triumphs over morality. Will he develop into a villain a hero or something else? Time will tell.
3. Iwao Oguro (Knuckleduster): The Quirkless Vigilante
Knuckleduster played by Iwao Oguro is a formidable character in the spin-off My Hero Academia: Vigilantes who defies classification. Iwao lost his Overclock Quirk to All For One which had previously given the Pro Hero O’Clock the ability to move at extremely high speeds by slowing his perception of time. Unfazed he rebranded himself as a Quirkless vigilante who patrolled Naruhata’s streets to eliminate “Instant Villains” brought on by the drug Trigger.
Grit combat knowledge and a refusal to submit to either villainous chaos or hero bureaucracy are what make Knuckleduster so strong. He is an example of a gray-area fighter who operates outside the law and puts justice above labels. He demonstrates that strength surpasses superpowers by defeating formidable opponents with physical strength and strategic cunning even in the absence of a Quirk. The hero-villain dichotomy is questioned in Knuckleduster’s tale which demonstrates that conviction is the source of true power.
4. Giulio Gandini: The Loyal Neutral
Using the Neutralisation Quirk Giulio Gandini plays the devoted butler of the Scervino family in the 2024 movie My Hero Academia: You’re Next. Because of his capacity to negate or lessen the effects of other quirks he serves as a vital counterpoint to Anna Scervino’s erratic Overmodification quirk. Giulio is a protector motivated more by personal loyalty than by ideology so his role is neither heroic nor villainous.
Giulio’s strength is demonstrated by his ability to take on formidable foes head-to-head while defending those he loves with his Quirk and fighting prowess. He transcends the hero-villain divide because of his ambiguous alignment power and accuracy. By demonstrating that strength can be demonstrated in support of a single cause rather than a more general moral position Giulio’s story in You’re Next deepens the My Hero Academia universe.
5. Koichi Haimawari (The Crawler): The Everyday Vigilante
Vigilantes is yet another noteworthy example from My Hero Academia. The Crawler whose Slide and Glide Quirk has turned him into a vigilante is Koichi Haimawari a college student. He can move quickly across surfaces thanks to this ability and he can use air blasts for both attack and defence. Koichi begins as a regular guy assisting his community but because he acts without a permit his actions make it difficult to distinguish between a hero and a civilian.
Over time Koichi’s strength increases progressing from minor good deeds to facing off against significant threats with Pop Step and Knuckleduster. He is a unique character—a “normal” person with extraordinary impact—because he has refused to adopt the hero system or give in to villainy. As a symbol of grassroots heroism the Crawler’s journey elevates him above the hero-villain dichotomy and demonstrates the strength of regular people.
6. Star and Stripe: The Global Enigma
With the New Order Quirk America’s top pro hero Star and Stripe can change the properties of herself or her environment by imposing “rules” on reality. When she first appears in the manga’s last arcs her power is so great that she can use air manipulation to build enormous structures or elevate her physical prowess to godlike proportions. She does not however fit within the conventional hero-villain framework because of her brief but impactful role in the narrative.
While Star and Stripe fights for justice her actions—such as challenging Shigaraki head-on—reflect a personal code rather than strict adherence to hero ideals. Her Quirk’s ability to bend reality makes her a force of nature and her sacrifice against All For One underscores her unique position. She’s a hero yes but her sheer power and independent streak elevate her above the binary making her a global anomaly in the My Hero Academia world.
7. Lady Nagant: The Rogue Sharpshooter
Lady Nagant a former Pro Hero turned assassin is a complex character whose Rifle Quirk allows her to mold her hair into a sniper rifle firing bullets with pinpoint accuracy. Once a hero working for the Hero Public Safety Commission she was forced into covert operations eliminating threats in secret. Disillusioned by the corruption she witnessed she defected briefly aligning with All For One before switching sides again.
Nagant’s strength is undeniable—her Quirk’s range and precision make her a lethal opponent and her ability to create specialized ammunition adds versatility. Her journey from hero to rogue to redemption places her above the hero-villain divide. She’s a fighter who prioritizes her own sense of justice making her a compelling figure who challenges the system itself.
8. Rody Soul: The Reluctant Ally
From My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission Rody Soul is a civilian with the Soul Quirk which manifests as a bird named Pino that reflects his true emotions and acts independently. While not as flashy as other Quirks Soul’s utility in reconnaissance and coordination proves invaluable during the film’s global crisis. Rody starts as a petty thief but becomes a key ally to Deku helping thwart the Humarise cult’s plans.
Rody’s strength lies in his resourcefulness and growth. He’s neither a hero nor a villain—just a regular person thrust into extraordinary circumstances. His Quirk’s subtle power combined with his courage places him above the traditional divide representing the potential for anyone to make a difference regardless of their role in society.
Why These Characters Matter
These eight characters—Eri Tamashiro Knuckleduster Giulio Koichi Star and Stripe Lady Nagant and Rody—highlight the diversity of strength in My Hero Academia. Their Quirks range from reality-warping to subtle but what unites them is their refusal to be boxed into hero or villain roles. They embody the gray areas of morality showing that power can serve personal convictions protect loved ones or simply exist outside societal labels.
In a world obsessed with heroes and villains these characters remind us that strength isn’t defined by a costume or a title. They challenge the status quo whether through vigilante justice personal loyalty or sheer survival. As My Hero Academia concludes their stories resonate as a testament to the complexity of human (and Quirked) potential proving that the most powerful individuals often walk their own path.
