Elemental powers have a significant stake in most anime series concerned with battles. They are an inseparable staple of the anime culture. Entire power systems are premised around these elements. This is partly due to how easy they are to implement, and mostly because they have a cool aesthetic. It’s only natural that a giant-of-its-age like My Hero Academia would experiment with elements, if not wholly endorse them.
A good chunk of the mainstream quirks in My Hero Academia is based on elements--that much would make sense. And in true My Hero Academia fashion, these quirks do not disappoint. They were designed in such an intricate way, but they somehow managed to stay fairly simple. Their connection with the elements is also on the noteworthy side.
10 Kosei Tsuburaba's Solid Air (Wind)
Solid Air is arguably the most underrated Quirk in Class-1B. Kosie, its wielder, is able to solidify air to form resilient transparent platforms or otherwise walls. The solid platforms are capable of enduring barrages of attacks without breaking down.
But platforms aren’t the only shapes Kosei can manifest. Air Prison is a move that imprisons the target in an air cube. A tough air cube indestructible to most.
9 Ibara Shiozaki's Vines (Wood)
Per its name, Vines is a Quirk that allows Ibara to manipulate vines. To be specific, it allows her to exclusively manipulate the vines growing in place of her hair. The vines can go completely widespread, covering extremely large areas.
Both offense and defense are within the vines’ area of expertise. This Quirk is very versatile and extremely troublesome to deal with--they are tangly vines after all.
8 Pixie-Bob's Earth Flow (Earth)
Pixie-Bob’s Quirk is called Earth Flow. It’s a fairly simple Quirk that allows her to control and manipulate the earth surrounding her. The earth will move according to her will. Forming earth walls and whatnot is as easy as snapping a finger for Pixie-Bob.
Moreso, she can also create earth beasts comprised entirely of soil. These beasts can be controlled remotely from safe distances as well. A really convenient ability, to say the least.
7 All For One's Air Cannon (Wind)
All For One’s arsenal of Quirks encompasses all. Air Cannon is one of the Quirks he has previously used. The Quirk is self-explanatory as well; it’s capable of producing massive air shockwaves that inflict a good deal of damage.
Another wind-based Quirk that All For One has access to is Air Walk. This Quirk is more support-oriented than it is offensive. To put it simply, it allows him to float, or rather, walk on air.
6 Kamui Woods' Arbor (Wood)
Arbor carried Kamui Woods to the top of the hero world in just a few years. It’s a Quirk that gives Kamui the ability to create and manipulate wood from any part of his body. It’s an all-inclusive Quirk that covers all aspects of combat.
The generated wood tendrils are particularly useful when it comes to binding. Villains caught in between the tendrils are unlikely to easily escape. It takes some resilient fellows to escape Kamui’s grasp.
5 Fumikage Tokoyami's Dark Shadow (Darkness)
Dark Shadow is a Quirk that literally feasts on darkness. It also happens to be one of the most unique Quirks in the series. It’s not every day that you see a sentient Quirk capable of complex thoughts and speech.
The uses of Dark Shadow range widely. It’s strong enough to cause massive destruction with ease and sturdy enough to negate most physical damage. It also gives Fumikage a huge mobility boost.
4 Inasa Yoarashi's Whirlwind (Wind)
Inasa’s Whirlwind is quite possibly the most overpowered wind-based Quirk to be introduced to the series. The Quirk in question allows him to bend wind at will. He can generate all sorts of winds as he sees fit.
This naturally gives Inasa a huge advantage in nearly all attributes. His wind tornados boast incredible destructive powers, enough to give Shoto a good run for his money. It’s no wonder that Inasa is a frontrunner in the up and coming hero generation.
3 Endeavor's Hellflame (Fire)
The #1 hero, Endeavor, is My Hero Academia's master of flames. His Quirk, Hellflame, is one of the most flashy and dominating Quirks in the series. But what’s more impressive about the Flame Hero is his precise control over the fire he generates.
Though Hellflame is weaker in firepower than Dabi’s blue flames, it’s much easier to direct and manipulate. Furthermore, Endeavor can make up for what’s lacking with his long and noteworthy experience.
2 Dabi's Cremation (Fire)
When it comes to destructibility, fire is the go-to element. And when it comes to the over-the-top destructive fire Quirks, then Cremation is a frontrunner. This Quirk is a violent burner, capable of burning almost everything under the sun.
That said though, great powers are always accompanied by great risks. While Cremation is adept at harming the enemy, it also deals a good amount of damage to the user in case of long drawn battles.
1 Shoto Todoroki's Half-Cold Half-Hot (Ice & Fire)
Flames are a double-edged sword that requires layers of care. Both Endeavor and Dabi have to be extra careful if they were to be involved in drawn-out battles. The latter--due to the strength of his flames--even more than the former.
Shoto, on the other hand, is completely rid of such a predicament. His ice and flames--although contrasting--augment each other in more than one way. He doesn't have to worry about either overheating or frostbites most of the time.