One of the most pressing questions among My Hero Academia fandom is the identity of Dabi, the mysterious villain, and Lieutenant of the Paranormal Liberation Front. Many fans wonder if Dabi is actually Toya Todoroki. I think the question of Dabi’s identity has its merits. So what are the clues?
1. Mysteries surrounding Toya and Dabi
There are many unanswered questions surrounding the two characters that imply that there one and the same. Kinda. First, Dabi’s real name isn’t known. Considering the fact that lesser-known characters in My Hero Academia have their real names revealed it seems odd that Dabi’s remains a secret. For example, Trumpet is a minor villain in the series. However, we know that his real name is Koku Hanabata. Obviously, there are other characters who’s real names aren’t mentioned, but the ones of Dabi’s stature tend to. In addition to this, Toya is currently considered missing. This could explain why his origins are unknown.
How old are they?
Like Dabi’s real name, his age isn’t mentioned. Neither is Toya’s. We do know that Toya is the eldest of the Todoroki children. Fuyumi is 23, Natsuo 19, and Shoto is 16. Meaning Toya is a least 24. Without knowing the age of Dabi it’s impossible to determine if he could be a Todoroki. However, we still can’t rule that out.
2. Quirks are inherited
In My Hero Academia, Quirks are inherited genetically. This is the biggest argument for Toya and Dabi being the same person. Dabi’s Quirk is known as “cremation.” However, it hasn’t been given an official name yet and neither has Toya’s fire Quirk. Anyone that watches the anime, knows that the series often restates the Quirks of the villains and heroes. So why don’t we know the official name of Dabi’s fire Quirk?
The blue flame
Dabi’s fire Quirk is the ability to use a blue flame. This color of fire is proof that Dabi’s fire is higher in temperature that Endeavor’s. This is important because in chapter 202, page 8, Endeavor notes (in a flashback) that Toya’s fire was more “even greater firepower than mine.” In addition to this, during the Hosu incident (Episode 30), Endeavor burns the head of a Nomus off using a blue flame. This shows that blue flames are possible among his bloodline. Finally, Quirks get stronger each successive generation. If Dabi is Toya it makes sense that his Quirk would be stronger than Endeavors.
3. So why don’t they recognize him?
One of the best arguments against this theory is the fact that neither Shoto or Enji recognize Dabi. However, there are several good reasons for this. First, both Shoto and Enji (Endeavor) were isolated from the other members of his family. Named “failures” by Endeavor, he deliberately segregated himself and Shoto from them. In chapter 192, page 12, Natsu reveals that his father never let them into Shoto’s life. Would either of them recognize him? Furthermore, Dabi has charred skin covering half his face. Coincidentally, when Endeavor and Dabi meet for the “first” time, the former has a “blurry” vision.
Using their full name
During the moments when Shoto and Enji meet Dabi, he does something odd. He calls them by the full names. In chapter 82, page 18, Dabi calls Shoto by his full name when the later fails to rescue Bakugo. After Endeavor defeats the “High-End Nomu, Hood,” Dabi arrives. Before he escapes he tells “Enji Todoroki,” not to “die until they meet again one day.” This is to deliberate to be a coincidence.
Overall, I think the evidence that Dabi and Toya are the same is too great. With the gaps in both their profiles (age and name of quirk). Dabi’s over-familiar tone with Shoto and Enji. His flame being stronger that Endeavors. The best evidence against this theory can be explained away. So what do you think? Convinced? Did I miss something? Do you have something else to add?
Other possible evidence:
- Dabi/Toya’s “weakness” could be the reason his skin burns
- Dabi/Toya’s burn marks resemble the portions of Endeavors costume where flames erupt
- Dabi, Shoto, and Enji have the same eye (that one’s a little thin)
There’s really not much evidence against it. My only question is when it’ll be fully revealed.
One thing I’ve noticed about Horikoshi is he loves planting hints to his mysteries. Just like with the Ujiko is Deku’s old doctor reveal, he’s planted plenty of evidence to lead obsessive fans to the answer.
He seems to have that habit. I think it’s likely that the reveal will happen during this arc as the heroes and villains battle.
It’s possible but with neither Shoto or Endeavor there I have my doubts.
I think they might show up later. But we’ll see.
I agree that it seems likely. MHA does a good job of slowly letting you connect the dots and that’s why I think it will happen. At first there were only slight hints to Dabi being a Toya. I saw some suspect this as early as when Endeavor first started to change in his ways. It makes sense from a thematic point of view because Dabi will effectively be a ghost from Endeavor’s past. It’ll be one last obstacle he has to overcome before being acknowledged as a true hero. Not a physical obstacle but an emotional one. I think it would be fantastic to have this twist come up soon and then a scene where Todoroki saves Endeavor and finally accepts him as a father. It’d be a powerful way to wrap up 3 plots at once since they are all intertwined.
im pretty covinced i always was
Well, confirmed, lol
The evidence was subtle but there. I’m glad I went for it.