One of the biggest joys within Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia is that there are such versatile heroes and villains to explore. The anime primarily focuses on Izuku “Deku” Midoriya and his fellow Class 1-A students at U.A. High, but the series has progressively broadened its horizons to showcase other individuals, including the various Pro Heroes who police society.
A notable Pro Hero who makes a strong impression early on in the series is Shota “Eraser Head” Aizawa, a powerful yet evasive member of U.A. High’s faculty. Aizawa fills an important role to many different individuals, and he’s full of sage advice that he’s not afraid to dispense.
10 "No good hero is a one-trick pony."
This short quote from Shota Aizawa may not seem like anything special, but it succinctly addresses how a hero needs to be a jack of all trades, and there’s not one skill that automatically makes someone a hero. Individuals can be strong or fast, but Aizawa believes that a real hero has to be confident in every area and prove that they can be their own one-person team. The worst thing that can happen to a hero is for them to be caught off-guard by their opponent or environment, and Aizawa preaches ideals where that hopefully never happens.
9 "Is the one who said he's toying with her a pro?...If that's what you're taking from this, then you can leave. No point in watching."
My Hero Academia images in a number of competitions and feats of strength that allow the series to check in with how many of the characters rank against each other. It’s very easy to judge individuals from the sidelines, and Aizawa has no patience for such passive insults to the heroes who are in battle. Aizawa publicly chastises a Pro Hero who prematurely judges Bakugo and Uraraka’s match. Aizawa can see their experience in play and how it’s actually the opposite of cowardice, even if the alleged Pro Hero is oblivious to such things.
8 “If you’re going to become a hero, you don’t have time for such leisurely events.”
Anime like My Hero Academia prove that there’s no one way to be a hero and that they come in many shapes and sizes. The above quote may seem a little overly harsh, but it encapsulates hero society in a nutshell.
A life of heroics means a sacrifice toward more entertaining functions that are more low-key in nature. This is because a hero can never rest, and they always need to be on alert. Not every hero thinks this way, but Aizawa does. It’s quite extreme, but it shows how seriously he takes his trade.
7 “They’ve been exposed to the outside world...They’ve had that fear planted in them. And they’ve endured it. Overcome it. Each has grown from that experience."
There’s a big difference between hero training at U.A. High and being out in the real world, which My Hero Academia doesn’t diminish. Some heroes believe that it’s smart to hit the ground running and experience a trial by fire while others will try to shelter heroes from the harsh realities of the world. Aizawa believes the heroes need to honestly experience the world around them to prove to themselves that they’re bigger than any fear that may arise. It’s an inspiring way to look at the world of heroics.
6 "The three of us can still be heroes together."
My Hero Academia has done some incredible work with how much Pro Heroes and big villains have grown over time, some of which have faced exceptional loss. A big part of Shota Aizawa’s youth was made up from his time together with Present Mic and Oboro Shirakumo. All For One takes out Shirakumo, and his corpse is turned into the Nomu, Kurogiri. This information prompts the above quote, which is a heartbreaking wish for what cannot be. It’s a line that represents all of Aizawa’s failures and why he needs to work harder.
5 "I'm sorry to tell you that for the next three years U.A. will run you through the wringer. That's 'Plus Ultra.’”
My Hero Academia regularly throws around All Might’s catchphrase, “Plus Ultra,” as an inspirational phrase to push heroes forward. Midoriya and company are all very excited to finally begin classes at U.A. High, but Shota Aizawa makes sure to hammer in how this education is as much of a responsibility as it is a privilege.
It’s very fitting to Aizawa’s personality that he focuses on how U.A. High is a grueling commitment that shouldn’t be taken lightly and that “Plus Ultra” is about grit, not glory.
4 "If he had no prospects, I would cut him loose. There's nothing crueler than letting someone chase their half-baked dreams."
Superhero stories and shonen series routinely feature underdog protagonists who often jump into massive adventures that are way over their heads. Some individuals simply aren’t built to be a hero despite having an impressive Quirk or dedicated work ethic. It’s encouraging to learn that Aizawa isn’t interested in inflating egos or toying with a young hero's emotions, like in the case of Deku. It’s possible for heroes to improve, but Aizawa wants to avoid torturing those who have no hope in the field. There are better ways to spend energy, and in the end, this approach is for the best.
3 "Even if one of us screws up, the other two can pick up the slack."
Plenty of the characters in My Hero Academia have overcome tragedies and are very much the product of the people who have helped shape them through their lives. During Aizawa’s formative years, he, Present Mic, and Oboro Shirakumo were an inseparable trio who gleefully took on crime together. The above quote is specifically in reference to how this team will always have each other’s backs, something that hits harder after the loss of Shirakumo. And more importantly, it's a larger lesson about how heroes need to open themselves up to others.
2 "People like you and me, if we're not able to do things on our own when the time comes, we'll simply die."
Shota Aizawa is a role model to many Class 1-A students, but there are certain individuals he takes a special interest in. Hitoshi Shinso is a student from Class 1-C whom Aizawa recognizes potential in as a hero and takes in under his wing. The above quote is said to Shinso during the intensive training that they do together, and it speaks to how deeply self-reliant both Aizawa and Shinso can be. It’s also representative of how deep down they believe that they can only depend on themselves.
1 "So what? They're just dried out..."
The above line seems fairly benign, but it’s said to Present Mic after he checks in on Aizawa after their Kurogiri confrontation. Aizawa is vulnerable from the encounter, but he puts on a brave face and moves forward. Aizawa’s line is applicable in the moment, but it’s emblematic of all of the tragedy he’s seen and persevered through in his life. Dry eyes are the norm for Aizawa and have become one of his defining traits. He’s sadly gotten used to this bittersweet existence. It’s the dialogue that casts this quirky character trait in a heartbreaking new light.