Katsuki Bakugo has emerged victorious in My Hero Academia’s WORLD BEST HERO popularity poll, garnering a staggering 1,647,611 votes. The poll, which celebrated the manga’s 10th anniversary and conclusion, was a worldwide character popularity contest.
With a total of 6.12 million votes cast globally, Bakugo took the top spot, continuing his reign from previous polls. The announcement, streamed on December 2, 2024, on the Shonen Jump YouTube Channel, revealed the final rankings, marking a major milestone in My Hero Academia’s global impact.
Katsuki Bakugo Wins My Hero Academia’s WORLD BEST HERO Popularity Poll
Bakugo
The poll saw significant participation from all over the world, with North America contributing 1.31 million votes, Asia casting 740,000 votes, and Europe adding 680,000 votes. In second place, Izuku Midoriya secured 1,217,357 votes, while Shoto Todoroki placed third with 630,398 votes.
The top 10 rankings also included notable heroes and villains, such as Shōta Aizawa, Eijiro Kirishima, and Tomura Shigaraki. As promised, the top 10 characters will receive original illustrations drawn by creator Kohei Horikoshi. Bakugo, Midoriya, and Todoroki have also moved on to the next phase of the poll, the PLUS ULTRA STAGE.
◤ ただいまプレミア配信中📺 ◢ #僕のヒーローアカデミア 全世界キャラクター人気投票結果発表番組 「 #WORLDBESTHERO TOP 100 RANKING」 20位から1位の発表です‼️ 👇視聴はこちら https://t.co/gsLnTx2Byk pic.twitter.com/Ol5XDk4epK — 僕のヒーローアカデミア公式 (@myheroacademia) December 2, 2024
The PLUS ULTRA STAGE is a limited-time event where the top three characters battle for the ultimate title of “The MHA.” Voting for the PLUS ULTRA STAGE began on December 2, 2024, and ran until December 3, 2024. Fans could cast one vote per hour, with a maximum of 12 votes during the event.
The results were announced on December 3, 2024, at 9:30 pm JST. The winner of this stage will receive a statue in their honor and hold the prestigious title of The MHA, further cementing their legacy within the My Hero Academia universe.
With Bakugo’s victory in the WORLD BEST HERO popularity poll, it’s clear that his fanbase continues to grow globally. His triumph reflects his deep connection with fans and his significance in the My Hero Academia storyline. As the series approaches its conclusion, the growing excitement around these polls and events demonstrates the lasting impact the characters have made on anime fans worldwide.
The final volume of My Hero Academia has officially revealed the fate of one of its most complex characters, Dabi. Released on December 4, 2024, the extra pages, which were leaked prior to the volume’s release, confirm Dabi’s tragic end. His death was anticipated by many fans, especially after his appearance in a life chamber before the Todoroki family, where he was fighting for his life. Despite the hope that Dabi might survive, his story ends as expected, with the confirmation of his death.
The final volume also sheds light on Shoto Todoroki’s emotional journey and growth. During a reunion party celebrating Toya’s #2 hero ranking, Shoto opens up about the hardships he faced due to his difficult family background. While many assumed his past weighed heavily on him, Shoto reflects on how he turned these struggles into a source of strength.
My Hero Academia’s Final Volume Reveals Dabi’s Fate and Shoto’s New Path Forward
Dabi as seen in My Hero Academia Season 7 trailer (Credits: Studio Bones)
In an emotional moment, Shoto prays at his brother’s altar, where he not only comes to terms with Dabi’s death but also discovers his deep love for food, particularly soba noodles. This realization hints that Shoto may pursue a future beyond being a hero, possibly as a soba chef, honoring his brother’s memory in a personal and meaningful way.
The volume’s extra pages also capture a poignant conversation between Shoto and his brother Toya, who had been a villain in the past as Dabi. During their last meeting, Toya, now fighting for his life, expresses his disillusionment with his family’s expectations and his doubts about becoming a hero.
Dabi (Credits: Studio Bones)
Shoto, in an attempt to connect with his brother, asks Toya about his favorite food, and they share a quiet moment over their mutual love for soba noodles. This exchange highlights the complexity of their relationship and adds a bittersweet layer to the narrative, as Shoto honors Dabi’s memory in a deeply personal way.
The emotional conclusion of Dabi’s story and the revelation of Shoto’s new path mark the end of a significant chapter in My Hero Academia. Fans who have followed the Todoroki family’s journey from the very beginning are now given a sneak peek into the characters’ futures, allowing for a bittersweet but hopeful ending to this long-running series.
