10 Anime Protagonists Izuku Midoriya Can Defeat Easily

There are a lot of anime protagonists Izuku Midoriya can defeat and many he can not. Let us look at those he can beat with ease.

Deku in My Hero Academia season 7 (Image via Studio Bones)
Deku in My Hero Academia season 7 (Image via Studio Bones)

Izuku Midoriya, also called Deku, is the main character of My Hero Academia. In a world filled with different types of abilities called quirks, Midoriya was born without one. This meant that his chances of being a hero were seriously low. But everything changes when he gets the One For All quirk from All Might, the number one hero. One For All grants him a lot of abilities like super speed, super strength, and enhanced durability, to name a few. Down the line, he gains access to many more abilities from One For All.

If there is one thing anime is known for, it is the action that it brings to the screen. Intense battles and different powers keep viewers constantly interested. There are a lot of anime protagonists who are popular for their strength, but not all of them can take on Midoriya and win. It might be for many reasons or just one factor, but they would ultimately lose to him. This article considers anime protagonists that Izuku Midoriya can defeat easily.

1. Kamado Tanjiro (Demon Slayer)

Tanjiro as seen in the anime series
Tanjiro as seen in the anime series (Image via Ufotable)

Tanjiro from Demon Slayer uses water-breathing sword skills to fight demons. His training has made him very quick and strong enough to cut demons with one swing. He also has strong willpower and sharp senses that help him in combat. Despite his skills, Tanjiro is still human and has clear physical limits.

Midoriya, however, possesses raw power that far exceeds Tanjiro’s. In a single blow, Midoriya can shatter the ground they both stand on, while Tanjiro’s attacks require precise sword swings.

Even though Tanjiro has a high pain tolerance and is good at breathing techniques, he would not be able to match Midoriya’s power and speed. Midoriya moves too fast and hits too hard for Tanjiro to dodge for long. Eventually, Midoriya would land a hit that would knock Tanjiro out.

2. Rudeus Greyrat (Mushoku Tensei)

Jobless Reincarnation
Rudy as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Bind)

Rudeus Greyrat is a very talented magician who knows many powerful spells. He can control magic really well and use lots of different magical attacks. But in a fight against Midoriya, Rudeus has a big problem. For an opponent like Deku, small-scale spells would not have an effect. As such, Rudeus has to bring out the bigger and stronger spells. However, he needs time to cast his spells, and Midoriya is just too fast. Before Rudeus could finish casting, Midoriya could already reach him.

Magic is powerful, but it often takes time to activate. Midoriya’s immense speed would allow him to close the gap before Rudeus could finish casting a strong enough spell. A single high-speed attack from Midoriya could knock Rudeus unconscious before he even gets the chance to defend himself. Despite Rudeus’s intelligence and versatility, he wouldn’t have the reaction time necessary to deal with Midoriya’s relentless attacks.

3. Nouzen Shinei (86 Eighty-Six)

86, Anime protagonists Izuku Midoriya can defeat
Shin as seen in the anime (Image via A1-Pictures)

Shinei Nouzen, widely known as Shin, has earned his reputation as an elite soldier through his skills in both piloting and combat situations. His tactical mind allows him to process battlefield conditions quickly, making decisions that often determine the outcome of engagements. As a Para-RAID-compatible soldier, his ability to command mechanized units is remarkable among his peers.

However, it’s crucial to recognize that despite his military prowess, Shin remains fundamentally human with normal physical limitations when separated from his technology. He possesses no superhuman attributes or special powers in his base form.

If Shin were to face Midoriya in direct combat without his mechs, he would not stand a chance. Midoriya’s physical abilities are far beyond what any normal human can handle. Even though his mech is cool, Shin is another anime protagonist Izuku Midoriya can defeat.

4. Ken Kaneki (Tokyo Ghoul)

Kaneki wearing his mask (Image via Studio Pierrot)
Kaneki wearing his mask (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Ken Kaneki, after his transformation into a half-ghoul, possesses a couple of abilities that exceed normal human limitations. His hybrid physiology grants him substantially enhanced strength, allowing him to tear through concrete and metal easily. Perhaps his strongest trait is his regeneration. This allows him to recover from wounds that would be fatal to ordinary humans or even ghouls. This rapid healing factor, combined with his heightened agility and reflexes, makes Kaneki a difficult opponent to put down.

His attacks are too strong for Kaneki to handle. Midoriya can move so fast that he would easily avoid Kaneki’s kagune attacks, and his punches would cause more damage than Kaneki could recover from. All these would make it very hard for Kaneki to win due to Midoriya’s superior abilities.

5. Sakata Gintoki (Gintama)

Gintoki as seen in the series, Anime protagonists Izuku Midoriya can defeat
Gintoki as seen in the series (Image via Studio Sunrise)

Sakata Gintoki is a skilled swordsman with great reflexes and combat experience. He has impressive endurance and is capable of facing powerful enemies. Throughout his adventures in Edo, Gintoki has demonstrated skill with his wooden sword. His years of experience during the Joui War sharpened his combat instincts, allowing him to read enemy movements and adapt to different fighting styles.

However, despite his skills, Gintoki remains fundamentally human in his capabilities. He does not have superhuman strength, magical abilities, or special powers beyond what can be achieved through training and talent. In a fight against Midoriya, Gintoki would be outmatched in every physical aspect. Midoriya’s One For All-enhanced body gives him durability that would render Gintoki’s wooden sword strikes ineffective.

Even with his steel-cutting technique, Gintoki would struggle to deal meaningful damage against Midoriya. On the other hand, a single full-power strike from Midoriya would knock Gintoki out instantly. The battle would be over before Gintoki could even react properly.

6. Himura Kenshin (Rurouni Kenshin)

Kenshin in Rurouni Kenshin (Image via Liden Films)
Kenshin in Rurouni Kenshin (Image via Liden Films)

Kenshin Himura, known as Hitokiri Battousai, is one of the best swordsmen in anime. He uses the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu style to fight, which allows him to move with incredible speed and read his opponent’s movements. His reverse-blade sword helps him win fights without harming others.

Kenshin’s combat instincts are very sharp from his many battles during the Bakumatsu period, making him highly aware of fights. However, Midoriya’s strength is much greater than Kenshin’s abilities. Even though Kenshin is fast, Midoriya’s high-speed movements would allow him to catch up easily. The fundamental difference between a master swordsman, however skilled, and a superhuman with One For All creates a large gap that skill alone cannot bridge.

Kenshin’s reverse-blade sword, designed specifically to avoid lethal damage, would not do much against Midoriya’s durability. The outcome of a fight like this would ultimately demonstrate the limitations of even the most exceptional human skills when faced with truly superhuman abilities.

7. Takemichi Hanagaki (Tokyo Revengers)

Anime protagonists Izuku Midoriya can defeat
Hanagaki Takemichi from Tokyo Revengers (Image via Liden Films)

Takemichi Hanagaki stands apart from typical protagonists in shonen anime. Unlike most protagonists who know how to fight, Takemichi remains quite basic throughout the story. His true strength is in his determination to protect those he cares about, even when faced with overwhelming odds.

Formerly a delinquent without any skill in street fighting, Takemichi regularly finds himself outmatched in fights. He has an almost superhuman ability to endure beatings and continue standing up. Unfortunately, this endurance doesn’t translate to fighting skills. In most of his fights, he relies on his allies rather than personal fighting skills.

Against Midoriya, the fight would not last even a second. Takemichi has no real combat ability, and Midoriya would win effortlessly. The difference in their physical capabilities is so vast that it is almost funny. Takemichi, who struggles against regular humans, faces a hero with the power to level buildings with a single punch. Takemichi is easily one of many anime protagonists Izuku Midoriya can defeat.

8. Haruka Sakura (Wind Breaker)

Sakura from WInd Breaker, Anime protagonists Izuku Midoriya can defeat
Sakura Haruka (Image via CloverWorks)

Sakura from Wind Breaker is a talented street fighter. His fighting prowess is well-respected among other Bofurin members. Sakura’s athleticism and quick thinking have allowed him to combine his raw power with strategic awareness. His experience in fighting has given him an understanding of close-quarters combat. Sakura’s aggressiveness often overwhelms less experienced fighters, allowing him to win even when outnumbered.

However, Midoriya’s One For All ability gives him strength far beyond anything Sakura has ever faced. Even if Sakura managed to land multiple punches, they would not cause significant damage. Meanwhile, one attack from Midoriya would send Sakura flying and end the fight instantly. The fundamental difference in their power levels creates a gap that no amount of street-fighting experience could overcome.

While Sakura’s instincts might allow him to recognize how powerful Midoriya is, this awareness does nothing for him in the fight. The limitations of a normal human become apparent when matched against someone like Midoriya.

9. Baki Hanma (Baki)

Anime protagonists Izuku Midoriya can defeat
Hanma Baki as seen in the anime (Image via TMS Entertainment)

Baki is a character who has dedicated every waking moment of his existence to perfecting his body and fighting techniques to defeat his father. As the son of Yujiro Hanma, “The Strongest Creature on Earth,” Baki has inherited exceptional genetic potential. With his genes and intense training, he is capable of doing things that seem “superhuman.” He also has what is called the demon brain, which, when active, takes him to a state of heightened awareness and reaction time, giving him an edge even against opponents.

However, even Baki’s immense skill and power pale in comparison to Midoriya’s. Midoriya’s abilities would allow him to move faster and hit harder than anything Baki could handle. This matchup serves as a stark reminder of the limitations that exist even for the most exceptional human fighters when faced with truly superhuman power.

10. Tokita Ohma (Kengan Ashura)

Anime protagonists Izuku Midoriya can defeat
Ohma as seen in the anime (Image via Larx Entertainment)

Ohma Tokita is a brutal fighter with incredible endurance and advanced martial arts skills. He has taken down many powerful opponents in underground tournaments using the Niko Style. He has a form in which he makes his heart beat faster, and in doing so, increases his physical stats. But despite all this, Ohma’s strength remains within human limits.

In contrast, Midoriya’s One For All ability takes him to a different level of power and speed. With this quirk, Midoriya becomes exponentially stronger and faster than Ohma. In a fight between the two, Midoriya’s power would prove too much for Ohma to handle. Despite Ohma’s martial arts skills and endurance, he would not be able to keep up with Midoriya’s movements or withstand the force of his attacks. Ultimately, the fight would end quickly in favor of Midoriya.

Conclusion

A couple of anime protagonists that Izuku Midoriya can defeat, like Takemichi, Kaneki, and Baki, simply lack the abilities needed to counter his immense power. With Midoriya’s raw strength, speed, and battle instincts, few opponents could stand against him. No matter how skilled or determined his opponents are, Midoriya’s superior abilities would ensure victory in many fights.


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