My Hero Academia is a popular shonen series set in a world where most people have superhuman powers called quirks. These quirks can be extremely powerful or mediocre. Some people use their quirks for the good of society while others use them for crimes. As a result, society has been divided into two: heroes and villains. Although it's not easy, becoming a hero is every child's dream. Those with powerful quirks prepare to apply for the best schools in Japan and study the hero course. Deku and Shoto are two such young people who aspire to become pro heroes.
Izuku Midoriya is the main protagonist of the series while Shoto Todoroki is the main supporting character. When it comes to shonen series, protagonists often tend to have a lot in common -- and whether it's due to his backstory, character development or popularity, Shoto seems to be more of a protagonist than Deku. It stands to reason that fans have shown disappointment in Midoriya being the protagonist even if he doesn't match the classic image of one.
Shoto's Backstory Gives His Character Depth
A character's backstory enables the viewers to understand them on a deeper level. In any medium, not just anime, a unique backstory allows a character to stand out from the crowd. Their past plays a key role in shaping their personalities and helping fans sympathize with them. Shonen protagonists are no exception. Take Naruto, for example; had it not been for his lonely past, he wouldn't have aspired to become Hokage and helped so many people along the way.
In My Hero Academia, Deku dreams of becoming the world's greatest hero. He admires All Might, who saves people with a smile on his face. The only tragedy in Midoriya's life is that he was born without a quirk. However, that changed once he met All Might. Although this backstory is great, it doesn't compare to that of Shoto's, who wants to become a true hero who can put people at ease. This stems from his desire to become a different hero from his father, Endeavor, who was so obsessed with making Shoto a better hero than All Might that he ended up hurting his entire family.
If having an abusive father isn't enough to make fans sympathize with Shoto, his mother also had issues. Of his entire family, Shoto was the closest with his mother who, conversely, couldn't stand the sight of her son because he resembled his father. Shoto's mother burned the entire left side of his face in anguish, which not only gave Shoto a huge scar on his face but in his heart as well. For a long time, Shoto couldn't open up to anyone.
Shoto Has the Best Character Development
If fans were to compare the Izuku Midoriya from Season 1 to that of Season 6, it would be obvious that his character development is negligible. Deku is still the same person as before in terms of everything except for the fact he can use his quirk on the same level as a pro hero. On the other hand, Shoto's growth as a person has been incredible. Different from the mysterious aura he possessed in the first season, the Shoto that fans see now is much more cheerful and seems like a kid around his age.
It could be said the major turning point in his life was the U.A. sports festival, allowing Shoto to break the chains of his hatred. His hatred for his father made him reject his fire quirk. Shoto swore to become the number one hero using only his mother's side of his power. However, after Izuku helped him break out of his shell, Shoto gradually becomes a more outgoing person. He visits his mother at the hospital and applies to intern at his father's hero agency. He opens up to his friends, and although he's never exactly excitable, he does display more emotion than at the beginning of the anime. Shoto hasn't yet forgiven Endeavor for his actions, but he's starting to accept him in his own way.
Shoto's Flashy Quirk Adds to His Charm
Being a hero doesn't simply mean that one must defeat a villain and gain mass attention. However, in a superhuman society where crimes are a daily occurrence, a hero possessing a flashy quirk can be a major plus point. Not only does it help one stand out among the crowd, but it also helps people feel safe in times of danger. It is often the case that students or heroes with especially flashy quirks get scouted to apply to top agencies.
Deku has a legendary quirk and is extremely powerful, but it pales in comparison to Shoto in terms of attractiveness. His half-cold-half-hot is easily the flashiest quirk in the series. His heaven-piercing ice wall covers a massive area with ice, demonstrating his monstrous power. Moreover, after the U.A. Sports Festival, he begins to use his fire ability as well, making his powers all the more visually appealing.
The Bottom Line: Why Shoto Would Make a More Likable Protagonist
The most popular character of My Hero Academia isn't the main protagonist but rather, his friend, Shoto Todoroki. Though Izuku is a good protagonist, he pales in comparison to Shoto, who has both good looks and charisma to make fans like him. Moreover, his kindness, stoicism and unintentional humor play major roles in his popularity. His stoic facade creates a mysterious, alluring persona and even some unexpected comic relief at times.
His unpredictable tendency to deliver strange remarks with a straight face makes viewers wonder if he genuinely believes what he's saying or if he's joking. Moreover, Shoto's friendship with Bakugo, though unexpected, is hilarious. In comparison, the only comedic relief fans get from Izuku is his non-stop muttering, which has become so frequent that it's not worth listening to anymore. Therefore, in comparing all the aspects of a protagonist, Shoto would fit the role better, especially in a shonen series like My Hero Academia.