When we first see the U.S.J. dome, most fans are looking for All Might. Instead, we get a puffy, white astronaut suit and a hero who basically controls a portable apocalypse. My Hero Academia Thirteen is a weird case. You’ve got a character whose power is objectively terrifying—literal molecular disintegration—yet they spend most of the series being the "safety expert." It’s a strange juxtaposition. Honestly, Thirteen is one of the most underrated Pro Heroes in the entire UA faculty, and if you look closely at how Kohei Horikoshi wrote them, there’s a lot more going on than just a cool costume.
Thirteen is the Space Hero. That’s the official title. But they aren't just there for the aesthetic. In a world where quirks are usually used to punch people through buildings, Thirteen represents the side of heroics that actually matters in the real world: rescue.
The Reality of Black Hole: More Than Just a Quirk
Let’s talk about the quirk. It’s called Black Hole. It’s exactly what it sounds like. Thirteen has finger-tip caps that, when opened, create a vacuum that sucks in anything—light, dust, matter—and turns it into dust. It’s a terrifying ability. If Thirteen wanted to be a villain, the series would have ended at the Unforeseen Simulation Joint (U.S.J.). They could have just swallowed Shigaraki and Kurogiri before they even had a chance to monologue.
But they didn't.
That’s because Thirteen is the embodiment of "with great power comes great responsibility." They are acutely aware that their quirk is a killing machine. During their introductory speech to Class 1-A, they don't brag about their power level. They talk about how easily quirks can kill people. It’s a sobering moment in a show that usually celebrates flashy explosions. Thirteen reminds the kids—and us—that a hero’s first job isn't fighting; it’s making sure everyone gets home alive.
Many people forget that Thirteen's gender was actually a bit of a mystery for a long time. In the original Japanese text, Thirteen uses the gender-neutral pronoun "watashi" and the character's design is intentionally ambiguous. Horikoshi later clarified in the My Hero Academia Official Character Book 2 Ultra Analysis that Thirteen is female, but the suit remains the most iconic part of the identity. It’s a full-body EVA suit. Why? Because when you’re a walking singularity, you probably want some heavy-duty containment.
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What Happened During the U.S.J. Incident?
The U.S.J. arc is where we first see Thirteen in action, and it’s also where they suffer their most brutal defeat. It was a wake-up call. Up until that point, we thought Pro Heroes were invincible. Then Kurogiri showed up.
Kurogiri’s Warp Gate is the hard counter to Black Hole. Because Thirteen’s quirk sucks everything into a single point, Kurogiri just had to open a portal behind Thirteen to redirect that suction back at their own back. It was a tactical nightmare. Thirteen’s suit was shredded. Their back was essentially eaten by their own power. It was one of the first times we saw a hero nearly die on screen, and it set the tone for the rest of the series.
- Thirteen survived, obviously.
- But the recovery was long.
- They were seen later with heavy bandages and a modified suit.
Even after nearly being turned into confetti by their own quirk, Thirteen didn't stop. They were back for the Final Exams, pairing up with Eraserhead to take on Shoji and Todoroki. This fight showed a different side of Thirteen. They aren't just a rescue specialist; they’re a tactical genius. They used Black Hole to pin down the students, forcing them to think about how to move against a force they couldn't possibly overpower.
My Hero Academia Thirteen and the War Arc
Fast forward to the Paranormal Liberation War. This is where things get real. Thirteen is part of the hospital raid team. They aren't just standing around; they are on the front lines. By this point, Thirteen has a new suit. It’s sleeker. We even get a brief glimpse of their face—or at least part of it—showing short hair and a determined look.
During the chaos, Thirteen is one of the heroes who stands their ground when Shigaraki’s "Decay" wave starts leveling the city. Imagine the irony. You have a hero who turns things into dust fighting a villain who turns things into dust. But while Shigaraki destroys for the sake of destruction, Thirteen uses their void to try and mitigate the damage.
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There’s a specific moment in the manga where Thirteen loses an arm. It’s a blink-and-you-miss-it tragedy. In the heat of the battle against the High-End Nomus and the absolute destruction caused by Shigaraki’s awakening, Thirteen gets caught in the crossfire. They don't scream. They don't give a long-winded speech. They just keep working. That’s the core of Thirteen’s character. They are a professional through and through.
The Philosophy of Rescue Heroism
Why does Thirteen matter?
In the hero society of MHA, rankings are often determined by popularity and "incidents resolved," which usually means how many villains you’ve punched. Thirteen exists outside that. They are a teacher and a specialist. They built the U.S.J., a massive facility designed to simulate every possible disaster—floods, fires, landslides. They are the reason the UA students are so well-prepared for the chaos they eventually face.
Most heroes want to be All Might. Some want to be Endeavor. But Thirteen wants to be the person who arrives after the earthquake to make sure no one is left under the rubble. It’s a thankless job compared to the flashy battles in the city center.
Basically, Thirteen is the bridge between the civilian world and the hero world. They understand the physics of destruction. When they use Black Hole, they aren't thinking about the "cool factor." They’re thinking about the range of the vacuum, the structural integrity of the surrounding buildings, and the safety of the bystanders. It’s a level of calculation that most "punch-first" heroes lack.
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Common Misconceptions About Thirteen
People think Thirteen is weak because they lost to Kurogiri. That’s just wrong. Kurogiri is a high-tier villain with a quirk specifically suited for redirection. Against almost anyone else, Thirteen is an S-rank threat.
Another misconception: Thirteen is just a "gimmick" hero.
Actually, Thirteen’s presence in the faculty is a strategic choice by Nezu. You need someone who can handle large-scale debris removal. You need someone who can teach the ethics of quirk usage. Thirteen does both.
Also, can we talk about the suit again? People think it’s just for show. It’s actually a highly sophisticated piece of support gear. It manages the output of Black Hole and protects Thirteen from the incidental effects of their own quirk. Without that suit, Thirteen is a walking hazard.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Cosplayers
If you're looking to understand Thirteen better or even put together a tribute, keep these specific details in mind:
- The Quirk's Limits: Black Hole has a massive draw, but it’s directional. Thirteen has to point their fingers. This is a huge tactical weakness that smart villains exploit.
- The Costume Evolution: There are actually three distinct versions of Thirteen's suit throughout the series. The original U.S.J. version, the post-injury version with more padding, and the sleek "War Arc" version.
- The Face Reveal: For the longest time, Thirteen's face was a mystery. When it was finally partially revealed in the manga (Chapter 296), it confirmed they have dark hair and a fairly standard human appearance under the helmet, which was a surprise to many who thought they might be a "mutant" type.
- The Mentor Role: Thirteen's most important contribution isn't a fight; it's the speech about the danger of quirks. This defines the moral compass of the series' early arcs.
Thirteen represents the quiet backbone of the hero world. They aren't looking for a statue in the park. They aren't looking for a top 10 ranking. They just want to make sure that when disaster strikes, there's a way to clean up the mess. In a series full of ego and "going beyond," Thirteen is the one hero who reminds everyone to just be careful.
Next Steps for Deepening Your Knowledge
To truly appreciate the nuances of Thirteen's character, you should revisit the U.S.J. Arc (Chapters 12-21) and compare Thirteen's philosophy with the chaotic destruction seen in the Paranormal Liberation War Arc (Chapters 253-306). Seeing how their rescue-first mindset holds up when the entire world is falling apart provides a lot of perspective on why Thirteen is one of the most respected Pro Heroes at UA High School. Pay close attention to the background details in the manga panels during the hospital raid—Horikoshi hides a lot of character development for the faculty members in those crowded scenes.