Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia has steadily grown into one of the biggest anime series of the decade, and it’s only turning into a greater success. The anime has passed the milestone of 100 episodes, its third feature film is a major hit in Japan, and it continues to receive more video game representation.

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My Hero Academia has been able to become so popular because of its large cast of lovable characters, all of whom excel in different ways. Shoto Todoroki is frequently one of the more important heroes in the series, but he’s also gone through significant hardships and struggles before being able to open himself up to others. My Hero Academia frequently highlights how enduring friendships are paramount, and there are some special individuals who Shoto has been able to let into his inner circle.

9 Shoto Todoroki Appreciates Tsuyu Asui And Works To Keep Her Calm In Battle

Anime My Hero Academia Shoto Tsuyu Asui Rescue Kids Hagakure

Shoto Todoroki and Tsuyu Asui don't get a ton of one-on-one time together, but there's a definite friendship and understanding that exists between them both. My Hero Academia shows that Shoto and Tsuyu routinely sit together at lunch, which indicates some level of companionship. It's significant that during Class 1-A's rescue of Bakugo from the League of Villains that Shoto explicitly checks in with Asui to make sure that she's okay. Tsuyu is especially nervous about the impulsiveness of the plan, but Todoroki goes out of his way to calm her fears and rest her mind.

8 Shoto And Eijiro Kirishima Develop Respect For Each Other Through Similar Ethics

Anime My Hero Academia Shoto Kirishima Deku Battle Ready

Some relationships in My Hero Academia immediately crystalize, but others take longer to come together, which often carry a greater impact. Shoto and Eijiro Kirishima aren't initially very close, and they don't interact much before the events of the Sports Festival. However, the rescue mission to save Bakugo unites Todoroki and Kirishima and proves that they share equal philosophies. It's this exercise that brings Todoroki and Kirishima closer together. A glimpse of their friendship can be seen following the Provisional Hero License Exam when Kirishima stands up for Todoroki after he apologizes for letting down Class 1-A with his failure.

7 Nejire Hado And Shoto Todoroki Bond Through Extreme Trial By Fire

Manga My Hero Academia Shoto Nejire Team Against Dabi

Nejire Hado makes up one-third of the prestigious Big Three. Hado typically spends most of her time with her other Big Three members, Mirio Togata and Tamaki Amajiki, but she and Shoto become quite close during the events of the Paranormal Liberation War.

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This conflict pushes many heroes together for the first time, and Shoto and Nejire rise to the occasion in a fight against Tomura Shigaraki. The two immediately demonstrate an impressive shorthand with their teamwork, and Shoto expresses serious concern for Nejire after she suffers a serious injury from Dabi.

6 Momo Yaoyorozu and Shoto’s Mutual Respect For Each Other Grows Into A Strong Friendship

momo teamed up with shoto

U.A. High's Class 1-A is full of hero prodigies, which can fuel some competitive rivalries but also trigger powerful partnerships. Momo Yaoyorozu and Shoto Todoroki have a lot in common, and they both recognize one another as the top of their class. Shoto puts his support in Momo when it comes to picking a class representative, and the two exhibit excellent teamwork during their mock battle against Shota Aizawa. Shoto and Momo are respectfully intimidated by each other, which is initially an impediment but grows into an asset.

5 Tenya Iida And Shoto Todoroki Use Their Internal Trauma To Connect With Each Other

Anime My Hero Academia Shoto Todoroki Freezes Tenya Iida

Tenya Iida and Shoto Todoroki are both natural leaders, and these qualities are immediately clear to one another. Tenya and Shoto know how to work together, but the real strength of their relationship develops around the damage that’s caused by Hero Killer, Stain.

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Tenya goes to a dark place after his brother gets seriously injured, and it’s Shoto who was able to help Tenya restrain and process these feelings thanks to his own experience with family trauma. The act of empathy unites these two, and they have each other’s backs moving forward.

4 Shoto And His Brother, Natsuo, Are United Through Common Hardships

Anime My Hero Academia Shoto Natsuo Brother Rescue Deku Bakugo

Shoto Todoroki has a tragic history that often takes its toll on him in some capacity. The tough love that Enji "Endeavor" Todoroki applies to the rest of his family causes a permanent rift between them all, but this also allows several of the Todoroki siblings to connect through their pain. Natsuo is Shoto's brother, but the two spend much of their youth estranged because of Endeavor's actions. Despite this, there's natural affection that exists between the two, and Shoto selflessly risks his life for his brother when Natsuo is attacked by the villain, Ending. Their connection goes beyond words.

3 Fuyumi And Shoto Todoroki’s Sibling Bond Is Strengthened Through Affection

Anime My Hero Academia Shoto Todoroki Fuyumi Sister Eating

All of the members of the Todoroki family are left in a vulnerable state due to the lingering trauma that’s caused by the patriarch of the family. Fuyumi, the daughter of the family and Shoto’s sister, especially struggles with their family schism and the state of their mother. Fuyumi is a natural protector to Shoto, but he returns this adoration and becomes dedicated to keeping her happy. It’s a painful, raw connection, but one of the most real bonds in Shoto’s life. They’re committed to each other’s stability because, when it comes to family, they have no one else but each other to rely on.

2 Katsuki Bakugo And Shoto Wind Up On The Same Hero Path

Todoroki and Bakugo in My Hero Academia.

Katsuki Bakugo has one of the wilder tempers in My Hero Academia, which makes him a fascinating target for Shoto. The two first clash against each other, although there’s an immediate acknowledgment of the other’s strength. Katsuki and Shoto become unlikely partners when they both have to go through the Remedial Hero Course together. It’s an important exercise that turns them into allies, which is a dynamic that continues to develop once Katsuki joins Shoto at the Endeavor Hero Agency. Season five of My Hero Academia turns the two into true friends, something the World Heroes’ Mission movie explores further.

1 Shoto Todoroki And Izuku Midoriya Evolve From Rivals Into Trusted Allies

Deku and Shoto discuss the Todoroki family in My Hero Academia

Shoto and Izuku are two of the top students to come out of Class 1-A, which naturally sets them up as early rivals to one another. This is only exacerbated through Midoriya’s allegiance to All Might, who has an antagonistic history with Endeavor, Shoto’s father. This competitive dynamic culminates in genuine trust and understanding. The two learn how to hone their Quirks together, and Shoto suggests that Midoriya join him at Endeavor’s Hero Agency, which results in Midoriya becoming even closer with Shoto and his family.

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