Let’s be real for a second. You don’t stick with a manga for ten years just because the plot is good. You stay because the characters make you feel something. Kohei Horikoshi, the mastermind behind My Hero Academia, has this almost frustratingly good talent for drawing people who look like they belong on a runway as much as they do in a high-stakes battlefield.
People constantly debate who ranks as the My Hero Academia sexiest character, and honestly? It’s a mess. Not because there are no options, but because there are too many. From the jagged, "bad boy" energy of Dabi to the sheer, muscular dominance of Mirko, the series is basically a masterclass in aesthetic appeal.
But there’s more to it than just "pretty people." There is a specific design philosophy at play here that makes these heroes and villains stick in your brain.
The Secret Behind the Aesthetic Appeal
Horikoshi has gone on record saying he’s heavily influenced by American comics. Marvel. DC. You can see it in the thick lines and the way he draws hands. He loves drawing hands. But he also injects a lot of his own personal tastes into the mix. In various interviews, he’s admitted to having a "thing" for specific traits—like short hair with bangs. You see it in Ochaco. You see it in Jiro.
It’s personal. It’s intentional.
When we talk about the My Hero Academia sexiest designs, we aren't just talking about fan service. We’re talking about "cool factor." Take a look at Hawks. He’s canonically an "S-tier hunk" according to characters in the actual story. Why? Because he has that effortless, nonchalant vibe. He’s got the messy hair, the sharp eyes, and those massive red wings that frame his silhouette perfectly.
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Why the Villains Often Win the Popularity Game
It’s a bit of a cliché, but the "villains do it better" rule applies heavily here. Dabi is the prime example. He is literally a walking patchwork of scars and staples, which sounds horrifying on paper. In execution? He’s one of the most popular characters in the entire franchise.
- The Contrast: Bright blue flames against dark, burned skin.
- The Attitude: Pure, unadulterated nihilism.
- The Mystery: For years, we just wanted to know who he was.
Then you have Himiko Toga. She’s dangerous. She’s unstable. But her design—the messy buns, the oversized cardigan, the sharp fangs—hit a very specific "cute but deadly" niche that the fandom absolutely obsessed over. It’s that blend of personality and visual storytelling that elevates a character from "just another drawing" to a fan-favorite icon.
Breaking Down the Canonical "Hotties"
Believe it or not, the manga actually tells us who is supposed to be good-looking. We don’t have to guess.
- Lady Nagant: Even All For One, a man who barely has a face, called her beautiful. She’s got this elegant, sniper-queen aesthetic that stands out because she’s so much more mature than the UA students.
- Nana Shimura: Deku describes her as a "gorgeous woman" the first time he sees her in the vestige world. She’s the blueprint. She has that classic, heroic look—dark hair, a flowing cape, and a smile that feels like home.
- Shoto Todoroki: Throughout the series, it's a running gag that Shoto is the "pretty boy" of Class 1-A. Mineta is constantly annoyed by how much attention Shoto gets from girls. It’s the scar, the dual-colored hair, and that stoic "I don't realize I'm attractive" energy.
The Power of Mirko
We have to talk about Rumi Usagiyama, aka Mirko. When she first debuted in the Pro Hero arc, the internet basically broke. She isn't the traditional, dainty anime girl. She’s all muscle. She’s loud. She’s aggressive.
She represents a shift in what fans find appealing in the My Hero Academia sexiest rankings. It’s about power. It’s about the fact that she can take on five High-End Nomus while losing an arm and still look like a total boss. That level of confidence is magnetic.
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The 2024-2026 Shift in Fan Sentiment
Something weird happened recently. Shueisha ran the "World Best Hero" poll. Over 100 characters were ranked. You’d think the top 10 would be a mix of everyone, right?
Nope.
The top 10 was entirely male. Bakugo took #1 (again), followed by Deku and Shoto. Fans were actually pretty upset about it. Where was Mirko? Where was Mt. Lady? Where was Midnight? It sparked this huge debate about how the series handles its female cast. While Horikoshi draws them beautifully, the "Global Poll" showed that the fanbase often prioritizes the character arcs of the boys.
But if you look at the "Most Popular" lists in the Middle East or Latin America, the results vary. Dabi and Kirishima often jump much higher there. It’s a cultural thing, I guess.
What Actually Makes a Character "Sexy" in MHA?
Honestly, it’s the quirks. The abilities are extensions of their bodies.
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Take Mt. Lady. Her whole brand is built on being the "Sexy Pro Hero." She uses her Giantification quirk to stay in the spotlight. It’s smart marketing in-universe. Then you have someone like Midnight, whose quirk literally requires her to expose skin so she can release sleep-inducing pheromones.
It’s rarely just for the sake of it. There is usually a "superpower" reason behind the design choices.
My Hero Academia Sexiest: A Subjective List
- Katsuki Bakugo: It’s the "explosive" personality. He’s aggressive, but his growth into a selfless hero makes him incredibly attractive to a huge portion of the audience.
- Midnight (Nemuri Kayama): The "R-Rated Hero." She leaned into the aesthetic more than anyone else, making her an easy pick for these lists.
- Stain: Okay, hear me out. Some people find the raw, gritty commitment to an ideology very "attractive" in a dark, twisted way.
- Momo Yaoyorozu: She’s the "rich girl" who is also a genius. Her design is elegant, but her struggle with self-confidence makes her relatable.
The Verdict on Horikoshi’s Legacy
As the series wrapped up, one thing remained clear: the art never faltered. Even when the pacing got a bit rushed toward the end, the character designs stayed top-tier. Horikoshi didn't just draw heroes; he drew icons.
The My Hero Academia sexiest debate will probably go on for as long as the internet exists. It doesn't matter if you're into the "bad boy" vibes of the League of Villains or the "wholesome hero" look of Class 1-A. There is someone for everyone in this cast.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the aesthetics of the series, check out the My Hero Academia: Ultra Analysis character book. It has a ton of notes from Horikoshi himself about why he chose certain outfits and looks. Also, if you haven't seen the final "World Best Hero" illustrations, go find them on X (formerly Twitter). The "drip" in those drawings is genuinely insane.
Next time you’re watching the anime, pay attention to the small details. The way a character stands. The way their costume reflects their personality. That’s where the real magic happens.
Actionable Insight: To truly appreciate the design work, look for the "Horikoshi Sketches" usually found in the back of the physical manga volumes. They show the evolution of characters like Deku—who originally looked way more like a "Batman" figure—and give you a glimpse into how he creates the "sex appeal" and "cool factor" that defined an entire generation of shonen.