Over the past few years, isekai has become such a popular genre that it almost seems overdone. More and more journeys into different worlds are popping up, each with their own specific problems and enemies to defeat. Sometimes, the approach protagonists have to take isn't straightforward at all, because not every problem is straightforward.
Considering the recent turn of events in the shonen anime My Hero Academia, a more unique approach to the conflict between heroes and villains may come in handy. In fact, some isekai heroes would adapt perfectly to My Hero Academia while others would struggle with their new society.
10 WOULD DO GREAT: Kirito Is Overpowered No Matter Where He Goes (Sword Art Online)
The protagonist of one of the most famous isekai series, Sword Art Online, Kirito is trapped in the death game created by Akihiko Kayaba. Kirito becomes the Black Swordsman, earning the unique skill Dual Wielding. He is able to defeat Kayaba's avatar, Heathcliff, freeing his fellow players from the game.
Later, his adventures continue in Gun Gale Online and the Underworld, and everywhere he goes, he is able to channel his former skills and take on every threat. Kirito's Aincrad Sword Skills are legendary and his Incarnation ability has allowed him to defy death on more than one occasion. If Kirito were to keep his game skills in My Hero Academia, the villains would be in trouble.
9 WOULDN'T: Rimuru Would Likely Terrify People (Reincarnated As A Slime)
An endearing presence among all the overpowered isekai protagonists, the previously-human Rimuru reincarnates into a different world as a slime. Well-intentioned and kind, he seeks to establish a friendly relationship between humanity and his new nation of monsters. Things don't go well for him, as humans refuse to accept monsters in any way.
Rimuru could encounter a similar response in the world of My Hero Academia. His original power – the Predator skill – relies on consuming others. Some MHA characters have similar Quirks, and they are often seen as villainous. Considering that Rimuru consumed the body of a person to be able to take on a human form and has killed an army with a single spell, the people in MHA would likely be terrified of him – and they may not be wrong.
8 WOULD DO GREAT: Sadao Maou Feeds Off Negative Emotions (The Devil Is A Part-Timer)
The Devil is a Part-Timer is a reverse-isekai. After being defeated in his own homeworld of Ente Isla, the demon lord Satan Jacob takes refuge on Earth, using the name Sadao Maou. His powers are much weaker, but there is a way to get them back: he can feed off negative emotions. This would make Sadao a perfect match for the world of My Hero Academia.
Most villains would simply emanate that kind of energy, boosting his power in a way very similar to Re-Destro's Quirk, Stress. Unlike Stress, Sadao's demon magic is far more versatile. He'd make quick work of powerful villains and may even be able to take down Shigaraki.
7 WOULDN'T: Ainz's Undead Nature Would Make Him An Outcast (Overlord)
Much like Rimuru, Overlord's Ainz would struggle in the world of My Hero Academia. Originally the human player Momonga in the game YGGDRASIL, Ainz used an undead avatar and was a member of the Ainz Ooal Gown guild of non-human characters.
After his new life begins, he uses the powerful skills and items he earned during his time as a player to turn the Great Tomb of Nazarick into a force feared by all. Ainz may be able to do something similar in My Hero Academia, but only as a villain. His undead nature would naturally make him an outcast. Heroes and villains alike may target Ainz, and it seems likely that he would eventually be brought down.
6 WOULD DO GREAT: Kazuya Souma Would Be The Perfect Rescue Hero (How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom)
After being summoned to an alternate world, the realistic Kazuya Souma finds himself facing a difficult task – to rebuild the kingdom of Elfrieden that is on the verge of bankruptcy and collapse. Elfrieden's king grants him the throne, and Kazuya puts into practice several policies that fix many of the kingdom's problems. His peculiar dark magic, a power he calls Living Poltergeist, allows him to imbue various objects with his consciousness.
Kazuya often uses his skill for mundane matters like bureaucracy, but it has also been very efficient during rescue operations. He would be a refreshing combination in a world where many heroes prioritize style over substance. Living Poltergeist would make Kazuya perfect for rescue and intelligence operations, even if he himself doesn't have physical combat skills.
5 WOULDN'T: Natsuki Subaru Would Be Mistaken As Quirkless (Re: Zero)
As an isekai protagonist, Re: Zero's Natsuki Subaru draws the short straw. He isn't particularly strong or intelligent. He doesn't gain the ability to use magic, nor does he become a prodigy at wielding a weapon, but whenever he dies, he is brought back to life. Return by Death is granted to him by the Witch of Envy, Satella, and as a result, he can't share the truth about his talent with anyone. His constant deaths have understandably led him to break down on more than one occasion.
In My Hero Academia, Natsuki would be mistaken as Quirkless. In Re: Zero, he eventually learn how to make good use of his talent and even gains military skills, but he would have an even tougher time as a Quirkless individual than he did in the Kingdom of Lugnica.
4 WOULD DO GREAT: Seiya Ryuuguuin Is Always Perfectly Ready (Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious)
Summoned by the goddess Ristarte to defeat a demon lord in the S-class world of Gaeabrande, Seiya doesn't rush into things like other isekai protagonists. Instead, the first thing he does is level up through endless days of training. Seiya repeats the process after every battle, never satisfied until he's perfectly ready. Once he maxes out his level, he even learns techniques from the gods.
In the end, Seiya defeats the demon lord at the cost of his own life. His abilities would easily handle any villain, even All for One. His overcautiousness has made people rebuke him in the past, so he may not be as popular as heroes like All Might, who display blind courage. Even so, Seiya would ultimately prevail, which is the only thing that matters for him.
3 WOULDN'T: Tanya's Instability Would Make Her Unreliable And Scary (Saga Of Tanya The Evil)
Originally a highly efficient salaryman killed by a disgruntled former coworker, Tanya is reincarnated in an alternate world as a child with magical talent. She joins the army with one goal – to climb the ranks so that she can achieve a high enough position and forever live a risk-free life. While heroes and villains both have complex motivations, Tanya is a little too unhinged to become a hero. If she were to try the villainous route, it would be very dangerous, which is the last thing she wants.
2 WOULD: Shin’s Magic Makes Him More Powerful Than All for One (Wise Man's Grandson)
After dying in modern-day Japan, Shin is reincarnated as the child of a former hero. From a very early age, he displays remarkable talent in both magic and swordsmanship. His one flaw is the fact that he seems to have no awareness of just how powerful he is, but his lack of common sense wouldn't be that out of place in MHA. Shin would likely fit right in. He'd be more powerful than most villains put together, and he could easily become a high-ranking Pro Hero – maybe even Number One in Deku's stead.
1 WOULDN'T: Sora And Shiro's Skills Are Strictly Focused On Gaming (No Game No Life)
Step-siblings Sora and Shiro have a lot of qualities. Shiro is incredibly intelligent. Sora isn't quite as smart as his sister, but he is highly charismatic and an excellent public speaker. One would think they'd be unstoppable. Unfortunately, they're unable to use their skills except in games for the most part. Shiro can't handle unpredictability and both siblings are highly reliant on each other. Shiro's absence even turns Sora into a complete coward. Neither would do well in MHA, as it would be very easy to separate and exploit them.