In My Hero Academia, one hero stands out among the rest with his willpower, unwavering beliefs, and willingness to sacrifice himself if it means leading the world toward a brighter future. All Might has always embodied these ideals and became a symbol whose presence alone reshaped the world. His power inspired others, but most of all, his spirit defined him as the ultimate symbol of heroism.

All Might is far more than just a powerhouse, as he represents hope in its purest form. His smile serves as a shield against despair, and he bears the weight of expectation with grace and determination. Throughout the series, All Might consistently proves that he is worthy of the title of number one hero.

10 Defeating All for One Prior to the Series

First Mentioned in Season 1, Episode 2

Long before the events of the series take place, All Might delivered a devastating attack on the most feared villain, All For One. Their battle permanently damaged All Might’s body and forced All For One into hiding with life-threatening injuries. Though much of the fight remained a mystery at the start of the series, its impact shaped everything that would come next.

This single battle shifted the balance of power and allowed the world to enter an era of respite under All Might’s protection as the Symbol of Peace. He put his life and legacy on the line in order to preserve peace, battling through injuries that no other hero would have been able to endure. All Might solidified himself as a protector and a heroic warrior after he defeated evil in this climactic battle, and in doing so, he forever redefined what heroism looked like.

9 Sludge Villain Incident

Season 1, Episode 2

During a seemingly routine encounter in the city, a monstrous sludge villain took Izuku Midoriya hostage before being defeated by All Might. However, due to unforeseen complications, the villain escaped and took another student, Katsuki Bakugo, hostage, instilling fear among the civilians and heroes present. While the pros hesitated due to their limitations and uncertainties, Midoriya charged forward to help his friend, inspiring All Might to step in despite his exhaustion. He defended Midoriya and saved Bakugo with a single punch powerful enough to change the weather.

What made this instance stand out was more than just All Might’s display of power. Despite having the odds stacked against him and facing the possibility of reverting to his weakened form, All Might jumped forth to aid Midoriya and Bakugo. His actions demonstrate that no matter how worn out he may feel, he is always driven to assist those in need. While he may have hesitated at first, he quickly overcame his uncertainty and proved to heroes and civilians alike that he could tackle anything in his way.

8 USJ Incident

Season 1, Episode 11

What began as a training exercise quickly spiraled into a crisis when the League of Villains launched a surprise attack on U.A.’s students at the Unforeseen Simulation t Facility. With most pro heroes incapacitated or out of reach, the students were left vulnerable and waiting for their classmate, Tenya Iida, to retrieve help successfully. With All Might’s arrival, the tide of the battle turned instantly, and his presence alone ignited hope in the students.

The true test of his strength came when he stood against a Nomu, a bio-engineered monster specifically created to destroy him. This moment truly demonstrated the fact that All Might stands as both a shield and a sword for those he has sworn to protect. Despite being surrounded by young and inexperienced heroes-in-training, All Might took on the enemy and still stood tall while protecting his students.

7 Deku and Bakugo’s First Term Final Exam

Season 2, Episode 24

During U.A.’s practical exams, All Might was assigned to face Midoriya and Bakugo in a simulated battle scenario. The two students were tasked with escaping or capturing their opponent; however, from the moment the fight began, it became clear that it wasn’t going to be an easy test. All Might demonstrated effortless speed, precision, and strength despite wearing weights to hinder his performance.

During the exam, All Might put his strength on display, destroying everything in his path with minimal effort. The fight doubled as a reality check for Midoriya and Bakugo. While All Might took the fight seriously, it was clear that he was still holding back. This control and tactical awareness proved that power alone wouldn’t be enough to close the gap between him and other heroes, and he didn’t receive a single injury until the end of the fight when he let his guard down.

6 All Might and Deku Defeat Wolfram

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes

In the final climactic battle of My Hero Academia: Two Heroes, All Might faced off against Wolfram, a villain who had enhanced his Quirk using technology he stole from David Shield. The threat was immense, and Wolfram endangered the lives of many civilians, heroes, and students on I-Island. Having been severely weakened from pushing his limits while maintaining his muscle form, All Might should have been entirely out of the fight.

However, he rose to the occasion, effortlessly scaled a building, and destroyed Wolfram’s helicopter, preventing his escape and saving his friend David Shield, all in a matter of seconds. Despite this not being the end of the battle, All Might held his own despite his declining state, and with Deku's assistance, the two delivered a blow using 100% of One For All.

5 Leading the Raid on the League of Villains

Season 3, Episode 9

When the League of Villains abducted Bakugo during the summer training camp, All Might led the charge to rescue him. Even as his powers rapidly deteriorated, he didn’t hesitate to step into the heart of enemy territory at Kamino. The rescue mission was more than just a fight to save his student; it was a declaration that All Might would never back down and would always defend those in need.

Despite the League having one more twist up their sleeve, All Might didn’t back down for a moment. When the League of Villains was warped away and replaced by an army of Nomus, he stood his ground alongside the other heroes and the police force to defeat them. Not once did All Might’s resolve waver, and he didn’t hesitate to track down the League to AFO in order to save Bakugo.

4 All Might vs All For One: Rematch

Season 3, Episode 10

In one of My Hero Academia's best fights, All Might clashes against AFO in Kamino Ward. Initially, All Might couldn’t focus his efforts on All For One due to Bakugo’s presence. His top priority was ensuring that the League didn’t abduct his student again, which hindered him during the battle. All For One taunted him, but he held back, unwilling to go all-out as long as Bakugo was in danger.

However, once the students were gone, All Might was free to fight at his fullest capacity. Despite quickly running out of strength, he fought fiercely, pushing himself beyond his limits in a seemingly impossible battle. Yet, in the end, All Might emerged victorious, proving to the world that even with the last of his power, he was unbeatable.

3 All Might Shares He Knew His Power Wouldn't Last

Season 3, Episode 22

Following Bakugo’s kidnapping and the ensuing chaos, All Might lost the last remnants of One For All, officially marking his retirement as a pro hero. Nevertheless, he took the time to confront both Midoriya and Bakugo about his own limitations and the reality that he would eventually lose his power. He recognized that the strongest heroes strive for both strength and the ability to save those in need, qualities that the two shared.

This moment may not be a victory on the battlefield, but it highlights All Might’s role as a mentor and anchor for his students. True heroism goes beyond just physical strength, and he demonstrates this by continually imparting knowledge and encouraging the next generation of heroes to rise up. By sharing the fact that he knew One For All wouldn’t last, he helps Midoriya and Bakugo make sense of the Kamino Incident while fostering a better understanding between them.

2 All Might Proves His Influence Never Fades

Season 6, Episode 25

After All Might’s final battle, his legacy did not fade. During a quiet moment before the Final War, All Might came face to face with Stain, the Hero Killer. He became disillusioned after failing to prevent Midoriya from turning to vigilantism and refusing to accept help from others. It was Stain who reminded him of who he was by showing him a woman who took the time to tend to his statue.

Her actions were about more than honoring All Might; they reflected what he represented. Despite having hung up his cape, All Might still possessed the power to instill hope in others. All Might's impact will never be defeated, no matter how much time es.

1 All Might vs All For One: Finale

Season 7, Episode 19

In one last heroic stand, All Might faced All For One in a battle where the stakes had never been higher. He poured everything he had into one final confrontation, using an armored suit to aid him in battle. Despite knowing the risks, he didn’t hesitate to block All For One’s path.

His bravery and willingness to continue sacrificing himself even after losing the final remnants of his power prove that All Might is and has always been a hero like no other. With his unwavering spirit, this final battle demonstrated that even without a Quirk, he embodied true heroism. All Might's legacy will live on forever, and his final stand is proof that his influence will never be defeated.