Key Takeaways
- Dabi’s traumatic past fuels his desire for revenge, shaping his identity as a villain.
- Dabi takes a leadership role as he plans to capture Bakugo in season 3, making him a standout character.
- Toya’s obsession with surpassing All Might fuels his descent into madness and his transformation into Dabi.
Dabi from My Hero Academia is a complex character who turns against the Hero Society following a series of unfortunate events that push him away from his father. His traumatic past fuels his all-consuming desire for revenge and dramatically shapes his identity as a villain.
The pain that Dabi has endured does make his hatred understandable, but his obsession with vengeance goes far beyond mere retribution. The sorrow and grief he inflicts on the world are, in a sense, a revolt against his former self. While several exciting episodes focus on Dabi’s character development and exhilarating fighting style, the following five stand out as the best.
5 Season 3, Episode 3 “Kota”
Dabi Leads The League Of Villains
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
- Dabi unleashes his fire on students
In the Forest Training Camp arc, the Class 1-A and Class 1-B students go to a training camp during their summer break to learn under the watchful eyes of Aizawa and the Wild, Wild Pussycats. Little do the students know that the League of Villains’ Vanguard Action Squad is observing them from a distance, waiting for the right time to attack.
Although the episode only features Dabi briefly, this is the first time he takes a leadership role as the villains plan to capture Bakugo. He coordinates the group’s movement and demonstrates surprisingly cunning strategic thinking to maximize damage and put the heroes on the back foot. Dabi’s screen presence, powerful attacks, and calculated approach throughout the operation make him a standout character in the episode. Furthermore, his menacing demeanor and nonchalant violent tendencies further establish him as a formidable antagonist.
4 Season 6, Episode 3 “One’s Justice”
Dabi Goes After Hawks As He Is Exposed As A Traitor
- IMDb Rating: 9.2
- Dabi tries to kill hero No. 2
After the heroes surround members of the Paranormal Liberation Front at the Gunga Mountain Villa, Hawks turns against the villains he had befriended in order to gather intel for the Hero Public Safety Commission. He restrains Twice and informs him that he will be handed over to the police. Realizing that he has been backstabbed triggers painful memories, and Twice decides to fight back. Unfortunately, he is no match for Hawks, who easily overwhelm him.
Just when it seems that the scuffle has ended, Dabi arrives on the scene in his usual menacing fashion. Driven by deep-rooted hatred and rage, he confronts Hawks, blaming the heroes for everything. “One’s Justice” focuses on the drama that unfolds as Hawks and Dabi lock horns while Twice desperately looks for an escape. The incident has far-reaching consequences, as it instills even more contempt for the Hero Society in Dabi and Himiko Toga’s hearts, who go on to fight ruthlessly against heroes in the Final War.
3 Season 6, Episode 5 “The Thrill Of Destruction”
Following Twice’s Death, Dabi Goes On A Rampage
- IMDb Rating: 9.2
- Dabi takes matters into his own hands as Twice breathes his last
“The Thrill of Destruction” primarily focuses on the events that unfold following Shigaraki’s awakening in Kyudai’s secret laboratory. Interestingly, the episode also shifts focus to Dabi’s rampage in light of Twice’s demise. Consumed by rage and grief, Toya unleashes his menacing flames in a desperate attempt to avenge his friend’s death by killing Hawks.
Luckily for Hawks, Fumikage arrives just in time to stand up to the villain. Dabi is unperturbed by Tokoyami’s presence and does not appear to consider him much of a threat. The villain questions the ethical worldview of the heroes who murder before going on a rampage in an attempt to hurt Hawks. The exchange, albeit brief, is riveting, and highlights Dabi’s resentment towards the heroes.
2 Season 6, Episode 11 “Dabi’s Dance”
Toya Confronts His Father
- IMDb Rating: 9.4
- Dabi reveals his true identity and faces his family
In the Paranormal Liberation War arc, when Tomura Shigaraki is finally awakened at Jaku Hospital, he unleashes a wave of destruction that threatens to destroy Hero Society. The battle that ensues pits the heroes against the Paranormal Liberation Front. While the high-stakes war is exciting at every turn, it is eventually personal rows that add sentimental depth to the conflict. In a shocking turn of events, Dabi confronts Endeavor and reveals that he is actually his oldest son, Toya, who was presumed dead following his disappearance in a forest fire.
You must’ve thought, “As long as I face the future, I can be better!” I can tell you’re at a loss for words, so here’s the answer! The past never dies! Get it yet!? Y’reap what you sow! Let’s tango, you and me—Enji Todoroki!! A dance with your son, here in hell!
Dabi’s pre-recorded video is televised to the world, in which he opens up about Enji Todoroki’s toxic obsession with surpassing All Might. He reveals how Endeavor married for power rather than love and went on to put the unbearable burden of achieving greatness on his children. Through his confession, Dabi expects to undermine the people’s trust in heroes and expose the dark reality of the Todoroki family.
“Dabi’s Dance” is an emotional rollercoaster that blends heart-wrenching revelations with well-choreographed fight scenes. The episode leaves a lasting impression on the viewers and also has a profound impact on Endeavor’s character development.
1 Season 7, Episode 8 “Two Flashfires”
Toya Faces His Younger Brother
- IMDb Rating: 9.1
- Desperate to fight Endeavor, Dabi targets everyone in his path
“Two Flashfires” is an emotionally charged and moving episode that revolves around Toya Todoroki’s gradual descent into villainy following a painful disillusionment with Hero Society. Many years ago, Endeavor used to train his sons relentlessly so that someday one of them would surpass All Might and fulfill his dream of becoming the number one hero. Toya loved his father immensely, and was willing to go to any lengths to win his approval. Soon he was consumed by his father’s dream, but when his body could not handle his flames, Enji refused to train him and asked him to pursue a new goal.
Unfortunately, it was already too late, as Toya’s obsession had turned into a dangerous fixation that pushed him further into madness. When Endeavor shifted all his energies to training Shoto, Toya was overcome by despair but kept pushing his body through an extreme training regimen that caused serious injuries. All concerned appeals from his sister and mother fell on deaf ears as Toya worked relentlessly to surpass his limits. His hard work eventually bore fruit as his quirk evolved, but when his father still didn’t show any interest, he lost control of his flames one evening and nearly killed himself.
For many years, it was assumed that Toya had died in the vicious fire, but he was rescued by All for One, who wished to use sensitive circumstances to his advantage. However, all efforts to manipulate Toya failed, as it became evident that the young boy was driven by a far more sinister fire burning inside him. The painful memories eventually pushed him to vow revenge against Enji Todoroki, and Dabi was born.
These heartbreaking circumstances set the stage for an epic battle between Dabi and his youngest brother, Shoto. Both siblings had been scarred forever by Endeavor’s abusive parenting, but they have handled their painful past in radically different ways. “Two Flashfires,” apart from being an impassioned exploration of Toya’s past, is also an action-packed episode that features exciting fight sequences with stunning visuals and emotional depth, as the Todoroki siblings with contrasting fates stand against one another.
