#usjarc

Analysis of the U.S.J. Villains in My Hero Academia

The U.S.J. (Unforeseen Simulation Joint) Incident was the League of Villains’ first major attack in My Hero Academia, occurring early in the series. Tomura Shigaraki and Kurogiri led about 70 low-ranking villain recruits, many being original one-off characters introduced during the arc. They were divided into specialized combat groups to take advantage of their Quirks and the terrain inside the different U.S.J. zones.

1. Overview of the U.S.J. Villains

Purpose: The villains’ stated goal was to kill All Might and terrorize U.A.; however, a large portion of their role was to distract and potentially kill students long enough for the Nomu to fight All Might.

Composition: Mostly disposable hired thugs / minor villains, many of them “F-rank” or “E-rank,” with a handful of more dangerous combatants.

Organization: Tomura placed enemies into different specialized areas (Flood Zone, Mountain Zone, Conflagration Zone, etc.) to trap students in unfavorable terrain.

Outcome: Despite sheer numbers, the villains were badly outclassed by the U.A. staff and heroic students. Nearly all were defeated and arrested during or immediately after the incident.

2. Key Offensive Groups & Examples

A. Long-Range & Fire Support Villains

Victor – Finger Gun Quirk, could fire bullets from fingertips. Taken out by Aizawa early when his Quirk was erased.

Needle Hair – Hardened hair projectiles; also shut down by Erasure.

Stitched Giant – Mutant Bovini Quirk; fired lasers from face, defeated before contributing.

Thousand Eyes – Rune-paper body; could attack at range and make clones — rendered useless by Quirk nullification.

Assessment: These villains’ main advantage (distance attacks) vanished instantly once Aizawa targeted them, revealing the League's lack of anti–Erasure strategy.

B. Close-Combat / Brute Force Villains

Steel Bulwark – Extra arms, mutant body; thought immunity to Erasure would make him unstoppable, but was easily restrained by Aizawa’s Binding Cloth.

Muscle Man – Charging Muscles Quirk; brute melee fighter, but telegraphed attacks.

Minotaurus – Horned cyclops; big but slow, folded instantly against All Might.

Sickle Claw – Iron claw hands; tried to take advantage when Aizawa was injured but failed.

Hard Head – Muscle expansion; neutralized quickly by Denki’s electricity.

Assessment: Physically powerful but either overconfident, predictable, or lacked teamwork. Most went down in one or two clean hero counters.

C. Aquatic / Flood Zone Villains

Dozaemon – Water Control Quirk; seemed more tactical and patient, but ultimately trapped by Mineta’s sticky balls after Izuku’s whirlpool maneuver.

Bye-Bites – Shark-like melee specialist; fast underwater but too cautious at first.

Oxy-Man – Generated oxygen for underwater combat; lacked offense.

Assessment: Strong in specialized environment, but unable to capitalize before students figured out countermeasures. Proved dangerous in theory, but poor coordination led to total defeat.

D. Specialized / Utility Abilities

Chomper – Plant transformation with healing properties; essentially support role, little combat impact here.

Martial Hair – Ponytail-based hair weapons; intercepted and KO’d instantly by Aizawa.

Gravitational Spring – Long, tether arms; temporarily tagged Denki, but was vulnerable to multi-target attacks.

Tesla – Electric immunity & signal interference; tactically smart — hostage strategy against Jiro, Momo, and Denki — but was stopped by Snipe in one precise shot.

Invisible Wall – Chameleon camouflage; decent at ambush, but predictable. Katsuki saw through him and blasted him point-blank.

Assessment: Some of these could have been dangerous with better team synergy or leadership, but poor execution and over-reliance on ambush failed in the face of experienced heroes.

E. Filler Horde & Minor Assailants

One-Eyed Green Dragon, Greedy Gaping Jaw, Berserker, Sharp Blade, Giant Palm, Axer, Gorilla, Varanus, Spike, Dragon (Villain), Yashamaru, Mummy, etc. Many of these had either underdeveloped Quirks or brute physicality overshadowed by sheer incompetence. Common pattern:

Rush the heroes head-on

Get countered in one move

Arrested

3. Tactical Failures

Lack of Preparation for Erasure: The majority of villains’ offense was completely nullified by Aizawa’s Quirk, revealing poor intel or arrogance in strategy.

Overconfidence: Many low-tier villains assumed that overwhelming numbers could beat pro heroes — underestimating training and combat experience.

Poor Leadership: Shigaraki largely left the 70 fodder villains to fend for themselves rather than directing coordinated assaults. This led to scattered skirmishes easily controlled by the heroes.

Reliance on Surprise Only: Once initial shock wore off, students adapted and exploited terrain just as well (if not better) than their attackers.

4. Notable Post-U.S.J. Appearances

While most were never seen again, a few minor U.S.J. villains reappeared in later arcs:

Steel Bulwark & Dozaemon – Participated in Final War riot & Okuto Island battle respectively before reapprehension.

Chomper & Victor – Appeared in manipulated footage during the Deika City events (Meta Liberation Army Arc).

The rest either disappeared from narrative focus or became background filler for villain crowds.

5. Overall Analysis

The U.S.J. Villains were:

Cannon fodder for the League's first attack.

Effective only in surprise and against unprepared/isolated students.

Completely ineffective against pro heroes due to poor coordination, lack of anti-counter measures, and reliance on raw Quirk output over strategy.

Narrative Purpose:

Demonstrate U.A.'s crisis response and the competency gap between pros & amateurs.

Show off students’ adaptability under lethal pressure.

U.S.J. Arc Villains Overview

Overview

Role: Approximately seventy low-ranking villains recruited by Tomura Shigaraki of the League of Villains to assault the Unforeseen Simulation Joint (U.S.J.), aiming to kill All Might and disrupt U.A. High School.

Affiliation: League of Villains (formerly); some later aligned with the Paranormal Liberation Front.

Status: Most were imprisoned following the U.S.J. Incident; some escaped during the Tartarus prison breaks and were re-arrested in the Final War Arc.

Narrative Role: Minor antagonists in the U.S.J. Arc, serving as cannon fodder to showcase the abilities of U.A. students and Pro Heroes, particularly Eraser Head (Shota Aizawa) and All Might.

Individual Villain Profiles

Victor

Role: Member of the Shooting Squad, a low-ranking villain.

Appearance: Reddish-brown hair and eyes, fingertips resembling gun muzzles, wears a gray tank top, pants, gold chains, and a metallic helmet with greenish-blue eye holes.

Quirk: Unnamed Finger Gun Quirk – fingertips transform into gun muzzles for ranged attacks.

Personality: Confident in his abilities, as inferred from his willingness to challenge U.A. staff.

Key Events:

Participated in the U.S.J. assault, targeting Eraser Head with the Shooting Squad.

Quirk disabled by Erasure, defeated by Eraser Head’s Binding Cloth.

Arrested after Pro Heroes arrived.

Appeared in manipulated footage during the Meta Liberation Army Arc as a defeated villain.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 14, Anime Episode 10.

Needle Hair

Role: F-rank villain, part of the long-range combat group.

Appearance: Young woman, average build, brown eyes, long gray dreadlocks, wears a dark purple bodysuit with patterned sleeves and black boots.

Quirk: Hair Control – manipulates and hardens hair, firing strands like bullets.

Personality: Assumed confident due to participation in the U.S.J. attack.

Key Events:

Fought Eraser Head alongside Victor and Stitched Giant, but Quirk was nullified by Erasure.

Easily defeated and arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 13, Anime Episode 9.

Trivia: Voiced by Rachel Robinson, who also voices Tenya Iida’s mother.

Stitched Giant

Role: F-rank villain, part of the firing squad.

Appearance: Hulking, obese man in a stitched pale green suit, dark gray gas mask with three bovine-like horns, small black boots.

Quirk: Mutant Bovini – fires lasers from his face.

Personality: Confident, as implied by his challenge against U.A. staff.

Key Events:

Attacked Eraser Head with Needle Hair and Victor, defeated by Erasure and Binding Cloth.

Arrested post-incident.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 13, Anime Episode 9.

Steel Bulwark

Role: E-rank villain, participated in U.S.J. and Final War Arcs.

Appearance: Muscular, rocky greyish-blue body, two extra arms on back, black mask with yellow lines, beige cargo pants, black boots.

Quirk: Body Morph – grants two extra arms and enhanced physical strength.

Personality: Brash, overconfident, believed his mutant Quirk made him immune to Erasure.

Key Events:

Engaged Eraser Head in close combat, defeated by Binding Cloth.

Arrested at U.S.J.

Escaped during Tartarus prison breaks, joined the Paranormal Liberation Front, and rioted at Central Hospital to free Kurogiri.

Re-arrested during the Final War Arc.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 14, Anime Episode 10.

Chomper

Role: F-rank villain, support role.

Appearance: Average height, venus flytrap head oozing green fluid, orange sweater, magenta pants, black boots.

Quirk: Plant – transforms body parts into plant structures with healing properties for allies.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Defeated by Eraser Head at U.S.J. and arrested.

Appeared in manipulated Deika City footage during the Meta Liberation Army Arc.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 14, Anime Episode 10.

Minotaurus

Role: E-rank villain, melee combatant.

Appearance: Hulking, bluish skin, cyclops-like single eye, two large horns, wears black sleeveless clothing or fur coat (anime variation), grayish-brown pants.

Quirk: Bull Head – enhances melee combat capabilities.

Personality: Temperamental and violent, intimidated by All Might’s presence.

Key Events:

Surprised by Eraser Head’s initial success, defeated by All Might.

Arrested post-incident.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 18, Anime Episode 10.

Thousand Eyes

Role: E-rank villain, mid to long-range combatant.

Appearance: Humanoid figure made of paper runes with red eyes on face, arms, thighs, and chest; squarish fingers, no toes.

Quirk: Curse – body composed of paper runes, can launch sharp strands and create clones, extremely light.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Defeated by Eraser Head and arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 14, Anime Episode 9.

Sickle Claw

Role: F-rank villain, melee combatant.

Appearance: Short, deformed, bald, elongated head, wide teeth, eye stalks, iron claw hands, dark blue sleeveless gi, light blue belt (in game).

Quirk: Iron Claws – long, sharp metallic claws on fingers.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Attacked Eraser Head when injured by Tomura, defeated and arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 14, Anime Episode 9.

Muscle Man

Role: F-rank villain, melee combatant.

Appearance: Tall, bulky, tanned, spiky dark brown hair, face-obscuring mask, green t-shirt, baggy jeans, brown shoes.

Quirk: Charging Muscles – enhances muscle strength, but overcharging causes severe soreness.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Attempted to ambush Eraser Head, defeated by Binding Cloth and arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 14, Anime Episode 10.

Martial Hair

Role: F-rank villain, medium-range combatant.

Appearance: Young woman, lean, light brown hair in pigtails, ovalish eyes, magenta boots, shorts (or skirt in game), sports bra, dark magenta arm bands.

Quirk: Hair Control – manipulates ponytails into weapons like drills.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Defeated by Eraser Head’s kick to the face, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 14, Anime Episode 10.

Four-Armed Zealot

Role: F-rank villain, melee combatant.

Appearance: Lean, jet black (blue in game) skin, four arms, insectoid mask with red lenses, black tank top, brown pants, black boots.

Quirk: Extra Arms – grants two additional arms.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Defeated by U.A. Pro Heroes and arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Anime Episode 13.

Dozaemon (Hanzo Suiden)

Role: E-rank villain, long-range combatant, also in Final War Arc.

Appearance: Tall, muscular, skull-like face, blue eyes with white pupils, red cranial markings, gold armor-like lower head piece, black wetsuit, gray gloves, armored boots.

Quirk: Water Control – manipulates water into claws and torrents.

Personality: Impatient, strategic, aware of environmental advantages.

Key Events:

Led villains in the Flood Zone, attacked Izuku’s group, defeated by whirlpool and sticky spheres.

Escaped Tartarus, joined Paranormal Liberation Front, trapped in Troy defense system, re-arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 15, Anime Episode 10.

Trivia: Shares voice actors with multiple characters; named Hanzo Suiden in The Strongest Hero.

Bye-Bites (Sharkyonara)

Role: Low-ranking villain, melee combatant.

Appearance: Humanoid shark, yellow eyes, light blue skin, dark blue hair, sleeveless jumpsuit, diving mask, and cylinder.

Quirk: Unnamed Shark Quirk – grants shark-like physical abilities, requires diving cylinder to breathe underwater.

Personality: Cruel, sadistic, cautious about unknown Quirks.

Key Events:

Attacked Izuku’s group in the Flood Zone, defeated by whirlpool and sticky spheres, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 14, Anime Episode 10.

Trivia: Name homophonous with “sayonara”; called Shark Man in The Strongest Hero.

Oxy-Man

Role: Low-ranking villain, Flood Zone combatant.

Appearance: Average height/build, ash blond hair, black jumpsuit, transparent blue goggles, wireless headset, carries a spear.

Quirk: Unnamed Oxygen Production Quirk – produces oxygen to dive underwater without drowning.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Defeated in the Flood Zone by Izuku’s whirlpool and Minoru’s sticky spheres, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 15, Anime Episode 10.

Invisible Wall

Role: E-rank villain, armed melee combatant.

Appearance: Tall, scrawny, green scaly skin, chameleon-like head, black bodysuit, headset, black sneakers.

Quirk: Chameleon – grants chameleon traits, including wall-climbing, eye rotation, long tongue, and camouflage.

Personality: Cunning, underestimates opponents like Katsuki Bakugo.

Key Events:

Attempted a sneak attack on Katsuki, defeated by an explosion, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 13, Anime Episode 11.

Trivia: Called Violent Vandal in The Strongest Hero introduction.

One-Eyed Green Dragon

Role: Low-ranking villain.

Appearance: Muscular, long brown hair, green skin patches, black upper face with white eye spot, zigzag mouth.

Quirk: Unknown.

Personality: Aggressive, insults allies, focused on killing All Might.

Key Events:

Fought Eraser Head, accidentally knocked out Sickle Claw, defeated by All Might, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Not specified (U.S.J. Arc).

Greedy Gaping Jaw

Role: Low-ranking villain.

Appearance: Obese, gray skin, worm-like mouth with teeth, blue shirt, black pants, brown boots.

Quirk: Unnamed Mouth Laser Quirk – spews lasers from mouth.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Defeated by Eraser Head’s scarf, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Not specified (U.S.J. Arc).

Tesla

Role: E-rank villain, medium-range combatant.

Appearance: Tall, lean, grey eyes, beige pimply skin, dark green sleeveless bodysuit, skull-shaped mask, white belt, black boots.

Quirk: Electric Charge – manipulates electrical currents, blocks signals.

Personality: Cruel, strategic, feels kinship with electric Quirk users.

Key Events:

Disrupted U.S.J. communications, took Denki hostage, defeated by Snipe’s Homing Quirk, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 20, Anime Episode 13.

Hard Head

Role: F-rank villain, melee combatant.

Appearance: Tall, well-built, large arms, helmet with eye slit, black tank top, greenish-brown trousers, brown shoes.

Quirk: Muscle Expansion – enhances muscle strength.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Attacked Denki, incapacitated by Electrification, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 16, Anime Episode 10.

Gravitational Spring

Role: Low-ranking villain.

Appearance: Skinny, spiky brown hair, long arms with armor-like pieces, yellow shirt/pants, white mask with holes.

Quirk: Unnamed Tether Quirk – stretches arms for extended reach.

Personality: Agitated when disadvantaged.

Key Events:

Attacked Denki with a boulder, defeated by Kyoka’s sound waves, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Manga Chapter 14, Anime Episode 11.

Berserker

Role: Low-ranking villain.

Appearance: Lanky, purple-gray skin, gold gladiator helmet with horns, black tank top, green pants.

Quirk: Unknown.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Attacked Eijiro, sword broke on Hardening Quirk, knocked out, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Not specified (U.S.J. Arc).

Dragon

Role: Low-ranking villain.

Appearance: Muscular, lizard-like snout, sharp teeth, black spikes, purple tank top, black armbands, blue headphones.

Quirk: Unknown.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Frozen by Shoto Todoroki in the Landslide Zone, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Not specified (U.S.J. Arc).

Yashamaru

Role: Low-ranking villain.

Appearance: Muscular, spiky dark blond hair, fangs, upward horns, black shirt, spiked bracelets.

Quirk: Unknown.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Stunned by Present Mic’s Voice Quirk, defeated by Ectoplasm’s clones, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Anime Episode 13.

Mummy (U.S.J.)

Role: Low-ranking villain.

Appearance: Muscular, covered in gray bandages.

Quirk: Unknown.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Defeated by Eraser Head’s Binding Cloth, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Not specified (U.S.J. Arc).

Sharp Blade

Role: Low-ranking villain.

Appearance: Lean, backward brown hair, black bodysuit, pointed shades, half mask, gray gloves, utility belt.

Quirk: Unknown.

Personality: Annoyed by opponents’ evasiveness.

Key Events:

Ambushed Mashirao Ojiro in the Conflagration Zone, knocked out, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Not specified (U.S.J. Arc).

Giant Palm

Role: Low-ranking villain.

Appearance: Skinny, brown hair, long arms, large hands, gray v-neck shirt, open blue collared shirt, dark pants, visor.

Quirk: Unnamed Giant Hand & Long Arm Quirk.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Defeated by Present Mic’s Voice Quirk, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Not specified (U.S.J. Arc).

Spike

Role: Low-ranking villain.

Appearance: Bulky, gold-yellow skin, red eyes, shoulder spikes, black crater on forehead, fangs.

Quirk: Unknown.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Attacked Koji Koda in the Squall Zone, knocked out by Dark Shadow, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Not specified (U.S.J. Arc).

Axer

Role: Low-ranking villain.

Appearance: Well-built, dark skin, long dark hair, white round mask, black pants, brown belt, gold accessories.

Quirk: Unknown.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Ambushed Kyoka, defeated by Momo’s kick, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Not specified (U.S.J. Arc).

Gorilla

Role: Low-ranking villain, female.

Appearance: Maroon shoulder-length hair, indigo skin around right eye, large hairy arms, purple sleeveless dress with light purple lines.

Quirk: Unnamed Gorilla Arm Quirk – large, strong, hairy arms.

Personality: Confident, shocked by Eraser Head’s prowess.

Key Events:

Attacked Eraser Head, defeated and arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Anime Episode 9.

Varanus

Role: Low-ranking villain.

Appearance: Short, hunchbacked, long neck, lizard-like, wears animal skull mask, green pants, black belt, red arm lines.

Quirk: Unknown.

Personality: Confident, as inferred from U.S.J. participation.

Key Events:

Defeated by Eraser Head’s Binding Cloth, arrested.

Manga/Anime Debut: Not specified (U.S.J. Arc).

Trivia: Named after a genus of monitor lizards.

Insights & Analysis

Narrative Purpose:

These villains serve as fodder to demonstrate the combat prowess of U.A. students and Pro Heroes, particularly Eraser Head’s tactical skills and All Might’s overwhelming power.

Their varied Quirks highlight the diversity of threats in the My Hero Academia universe, setting the stage for the League of Villains’ larger schemes.

Group Dynamics:

Organized into specialized groups (e.g., Shooting Squad, Flood Zone), reflecting Tomura’s strategic planning under All For One’s influence.

Their overconfidence and underestimation of U.A.’s defenders underscore the League’s initial inexperience.

Thematic Role:

Represent the societal outcasts manipulated by All For One, paralleling the AFO Orphanage’s exploitation of vulnerable children.

Their quick defeat emphasizes the strength of heroism and teamwork, a core theme of the series.

Later Impact:

Villains like Steel Bulwark and Dozaemon reappear in the Final War Arc, showing the lingering threat of escaped convicts and the Paranormal Liberation Front’s influence.

Their re-arrest reinforces the heroes’ ultimate triumph.

Comparative Notes

Contrast with AFO Orphanage:

Unlike the orphanage’s psychological manipulation, the U.S.J. villains are direct combatants, reflecting All For One’s use of both overt and covert strategies.

The orphanage exploits children’s potential, while these villains are disposable tools, highlighting AFO’s utilitarian approach.

Quirk Diversity:

Quirks range from biological (e.g., Invisible Wall’s Chameleon) to mechanical (Victor’s Finger Gun) and elemental (Dozaemon’s Water Control), showcasing the spectrum of abilities in the MHA world.

Mutant Quirks (e.g., Steel Bulwark, Minotaurus) are immune to Erasure, posing unique challenges compared to transformation-based Quirks (e.g., Needle Hair, Martial Hair).

Personality:

Most lack developed personalities, serving as archetypes of villainous confidence, with exceptions like Tesla (strategic, empathetic to electric Quirk users) and Bye-Bites (sadistic).

Trivia

Many villain names (e.g., Needle Hair, Stitched Giant, Tesla) are exclusive to My Hero Academia: The Strongest Hero, not appearing in the main manga/anime.

Shared voice actors (e.g., Dozaemon with Cementoss, Bye-Bites with Mr. Compress) reflect efficient casting in the anime.

Names like Dozaemon (homophonous with “sayonara”) and Varanus (monitor lizard genus) add thematic depth to their designs.

Summary

The U.S.J. Arc’s minor villains, recruited by Tomura Shigaraki, are a diverse group of low-ranking antagonists whose primary role is to challenge U.A.’s heroes, highlighting their skills and the League’s early ambitions.

Their varied Quirks and quick defeats underscore the series’ themes of heroism and the exploitation of societal outcasts by All For One.