My Hero Academia’s latest popularity poll finally does justice to Dabi

On April 7, 2024, the results of the 9th Popularity Poll of My Hero Academia were announced, and Dabi secured a spot in the top 5 most popular characters. The results were released simultaneously with the publication of chapter 419 and were exclusively conducted in Japan.

The release of chapter 52 in July 2015 marked the beginning of popularity polls for this series. Since then, the top 3 most favored characters in the series have consistently been the main trio: Izuku, Bakugo, and Todoroki, according to the first popularity poll.

Despite the top 3 maintaining their positions, a previously unknown character has risen through the ranks and claimed the 4th spot in the recent Popularity Poll for the series. This character is none other than Toya Todoroki, also known as Dabi. Although there is a significant gap between him and the top 3, fans are thrilled to see their beloved character gaining the acknowledgement he has long deserved.

This article includes the author’s opinion and may contain spoilers from the My Hero Academia manga series.

Dabi’s Popularity Soars in Latest My Hero Academia Poll

The 9th Popularity Poll for My Hero Academia in Japan was announced on October 16, 2023, following the release of chapter 403. The voting period began on the same day and remained open until December 18, 2023. The results of the poll were unveiled in the 19th issue of Weekly Shounen Jump 2024, coinciding with the release of chapter 419.

As expected, the top 3 most popular characters, according to the 9th Popularity Poll, were the trio of protagonists. Katsuki Bakugo remained in the top spot, followed by Izuku Midoriya in second place and Shoto Todoroki in third. Katsuki Bakugo has maintained his position as the most popular character since the second Popularity Poll, with Izuku Midoriya taking the top spot in the first Poll.

Shoji as seen in the anime (Image via BONES)

Toya Todoroki has made history by becoming the first villain to secure a spot in the top 10 most popular characters in Japan, while Dabi and Hawks took the fourth and fifth spots respectively, and Endeavor came in sixth according to the latest Popularity Poll.

Tenya Iida was ranked eighth, Uraraka was ninth, and Mezo Shoji was tenth in the popularity poll for My Hero Academia. Mezo Shoji’s placement in the top 10 may be attributed to his impressive battle against Spinner during the final war. However, these characters were selected as the top 10 most popular in the 9th Popularity Poll held in Japan.

Dabi finally receives a well-deserved spotlight

As expected, the focus of the Popularity Poll was on Dabi (Real Name: Toya Todoroki) who ranked among the top 5 most popular characters. In the previous Poll, the villain had placed 11th, surpassing Tomura Shigaraki, one of the main antagonists in the series.

Ever since his debut in the series, the antagonist has garnered a strong fan following because of his background as the son of Enji Todoroki, also known as the Pro Hero Endeavor. Toya had always yearned to impress his father with his unique quirk and prove to the world that he had what it takes to be the top hero.

Toya Todoroki as seen in the anime (Image via BONES)

After the birth of Shoto Todoroki, who possessed two quirks, Toya was disregarded by his father, Endeavor, resulting in him developing mental struggles. This ultimately led to Toya accidentally burning himself in a forest fire caused by his uncontrollable quirk. Upon regaining consciousness, he was manipulated by All for One into believing that his family had abandoned him.

After leaving his family, Toya returned to find that everything was still the same. In order to distance himself from his past, he abandoned his true identity as Toya Todoroki and instead adopted the persona of Dabi, a notorious villain. It wasn’t until the Paranormal Liberation Front arc that he gained notoriety for publicly ridiculing his father, a highly regarded hero.

Endeavor as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

Following this event, Toya engaged in a fierce battle against his brother, Shoto Todoroki, in the Final War arc. Despite Shoto emerging victorious in the initial round, Toya reappeared as a transformed being in the subsequent round, unleashing his ice quirk before ultimately meeting his demise.

During the second round, the Todoroki family faced a dangerous battle against their estranged relative, whose sole intention was to eliminate them. It was Shoto who ultimately put an end to the conflict, and afterwards, Endeavor apologized to each member of his family. Following the Final War arc, Endeavor was found sitting in front of a chamber that possibly contained Toya’s lifeless body, as he struggled to hold onto his own life.