Shota Aizawa is one of My Hero Academia's most beloved characters, yet his full story remained hidden in a spinoff for years. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes finally delivers the Aizawa backstory fans have been waiting for, revealing how a doubtful student became the stoic underground hero and strict teacher we know today.
From his school days at U.A. High to the tragedy that shaped his entire philosophy on heroism, we're breaking down everything that makes Eraser Head's origin so compelling.
Key Takeaways
- My Hero Academia: Vigilantes chapters 59-65 (the "School Days" arc) contain the complete Aizawa backstory, including his friendship with Oboro Shirakumo and Present Mic during their school days
- Shirakumo's tragic death during a villain attack directly explains why Aizawa became an underground hero instead of pursuing fame
- Aizawa's signature goggles are a memento from Shirakumo, given to him to counter a smoke-quirk villain during their work-studies
- The Shirakumo/Kurogiri connection makes the Vigilantes backstory essential for understanding the main series' emotional climax
- Vigilantes Season 2 (premiered January 5, 2026) will adapt the School Days arc for anime viewers who haven't read the manga
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Who Is Shota Aizawa in My Hero Academia?
Shota Aizawa, known professionally as the Erasure Hero: Eraser Head, serves as the homeroom teacher for Class 1-A at U.A. High School. His Erasure quirk allows him to temporarily nullify other quirks simply by looking at his target, making him one of the most tactically valuable heroes in the entire My Hero Academia universe. However, this ability has a significant drawback — he must maintain unbroken eye contact, and blinking immediately ends the effect.
Beyond his quirk, Aizawa is recognized by his worn-out appearance, messy shoulder-length black hair, and the steel-wire alloy capture weapon he wears like a scarf. His teaching style is notoriously strict, and he's famous for expelling students he deems unfit for hero work. While this approach seems harsh, Vigilantes reveals the deeply personal reasons behind his uncompromising standards.
What Is Aizawa's Early Life and School Days?
During his time as a student at U.A. High School, Aizawa was a gloomy and introverted young man plagued by self-doubt. Unlike heroes with flashy, powerful abilities, his Erasure quirk offered no offensive capabilities. He struggled to see himself as someone who could save others, even passing by a kitten stranded in the rain rather than rescuing it because he doubted his own ability to help.
This insecurity manifested in his dark demeanor and reluctance to engage with others. While many of his classmates dreamed of fame and glory, young Aizawa questioned whether someone with his "useless" quirk could ever truly be a hero. His transformation from this uncertain student into the confident pro hero he becomes is one of the most emotionally resonant arcs in the entire franchise.
Fans inspired by his student days can track their own hero progress with our My Hero Academia Izuku Midoriya Campus Notebook, featuring Japanese text and All Might artwork.
The Three Dumbigos of Class 2-A
Despite his solitary tendencies, Aizawa found friendship with two classmates who would change his life forever: Hizashi Yamada and Oboro Shirakumo. The trio became so inseparable that they earned the nickname "the three dumbigos of Class 2-A" from their peers and teachers.
Hizashi Yamada, the future Present Mic, brought loud energy and unwavering optimism to the group. His boisterous personality served as a counterbalance to Aizawa's gloom. Meanwhile, Oboro Shirakumo provided something Aizawa desperately needed — genuine encouragement and belief in his potential. Oboro saw value in the Erasure quirk long before Aizawa did himself, constantly pushing his friend to recognize his own worth.
Together, the three dreamed of opening a hero agency after graduation. This shared ambition gave Aizawa something he'd never had before: a sense of belonging and purpose beyond his own self-doubt.
How Present Mic Named Eraser Head
One of Vigilantes' most charming reveals involves the origin of Aizawa's hero name. During their time at U.A., students were required to choose professional hero names for themselves. True to his character, Aizawa struggled with this decision, unable to settle on anything that felt right.
In a moment of playful intervention, Hizashi Yamada jokingly suggested "Eraser Head" — a reference to Aizawa's quirk and likely a nod to the 1977 David Lynch cult film of the same name. What started as a lighthearted suggestion became Aizawa's permanent identity. After the tragedy that would soon follow, the name took on deeper meaning as a legacy connecting him to his lost friendship.
Shirakumo's Impact on Aizawa's Development
Oboro Shirakumo's influence on Aizawa cannot be overstated. Where Aizawa saw limitations, Shirakumo saw possibilities. Where Aizawa focused on what his quirk couldn't do, Shirakumo encouraged him to maximize what it could accomplish.
One pivotal moment came during their work-studies at the Purple Revolution Agency. Aizawa faced a villain with a smoke-generating quirk that completely negated his Erasure ability — when far away, the smoke blocked his line of sight, and up close, it irritated his eyes until he couldn't keep them open. After this failure, Shirakumo lent Aizawa his own goggles to protect his eyes from irritants.
With the goggles shielding him, Aizawa successfully captured the same villain on their second encounter. This practical solution became a permanent part of his hero costume. The yellow goggles Eraser Head wears in the main series aren't just tactical equipment — they're a treasured memento of his fallen friend, modified over the years but never abandoned.
Who Is Oboro Shirakumo (Loud Cloud)?
Oboro Shirakumo, whose hero name was Loud Cloud, possessed a quirk that allowed him to generate and control clouds dense enough to support weight. He could ride these clouds through the air, use them to transport civilians during rescues, and create visual interference to distract enemies. His costume and quarterstaff were designed to evoke Sun Wukong from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.
Beyond his abilities, Oboro was defined by his selfless altruism. He arrived late to class one day completely soaked because he'd been sheltering an abandoned kitten from the rain — the same kitten Aizawa had walked past without helping. This moment crystallized the difference between them at that point in their lives: Oboro acted on instinct to help others, while Aizawa still doubted his capacity to make a difference.
Oboro's jovial personality stood in sharp contrast to Aizawa's seriousness. Series creator Kohei Horikoshi designed Shirakumo specifically as a "Mirio-like figure" for Aizawa — an upbeat, encouraging presence that draws out the best in a more reserved friend. His name, meaning "White Cloud," would later mirror his tragic fate in devastating fashion.
What Happened During the Purple Revolution Agency Arc?
The Purple Revolution Agency arc in Vigilantes represents the turning point in Aizawa's entire character trajectory. During their second year at U.A., Aizawa, Shirakumo, and their classmate Nemuri Kayama (the future Midnight) joined the Purple Revolution Agency for their hero work-studies.
The agency was led by His Purple Highness, a flamboyant pro hero clearly designed as a tribute to the musician Prince. Despite his theatrical personality, His Purple Highness took hero work seriously and taught his students valuable lessons about inspiring confidence in civilians — including criticizing Aizawa for his gloomy demeanor and encouraging him to smile.
Under this mentorship, Aizawa began to grow. He learned to work with a team, started recognizing his own value, and even began showing glimpses of the smiles his friends had been trying to draw out. For a brief period, everything seemed to be falling into place.
Then came the villain attack that destroyed everything.
A powerful villain named Garvey launched an assault that caused massive damage, including the collapse of a building where children were trapped. Shirakumo used his Cloud quirk to protect the children from falling debris, successfully shielding them from harm. But in doing so, he was crushed by rubble himself.
Aizawa, forced to face the villain alone, initially struggled. But then he heard Shirakumo's voice over the radio, cheering him on and giving him the confidence to fight. Drawing on his friend's encouragement, Aizawa defeated the villain and rushed to share the news with Shirakumo — only to discover that his friend was already dead. The voice he'd heard was Shirakumo's final transmission before he was killed.
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Why Did Aizawa Become an Underground Hero?
The loss of Oboro Shirakumo fundamentally reshaped Aizawa's approach to heroism. The dream of opening a hero agency with his friends died with Shirakumo, leaving Aizawa to forge a new path alone.
Rather than pursuing fame or public recognition, Aizawa channeled his grief into becoming an underground hero who specialized in quietly neutralizing villains with maximum efficiency. This approach aligned perfectly with his Erasure quirk — disable the enemy's powers, restrain them with his capture weapon, and move on without fanfare.
His philosophy became one of cold pragmatism. Heroism wasn't about glory or popularity; it was about protecting people by any means necessary. The underground hero lifestyle allowed him to focus entirely on effectiveness rather than image management, reflecting both his natural disposition and his traumatic understanding that hero work carries real, fatal consequences.
Why Did Aizawa Become a Teacher at U.A.?
Vigilantes reveals that teaching wasn't originally part of Aizawa's plan. After years as an underground hero, he had no interest in stepping into the spotlight of U.A.'s famous hero course. It was actually Nemuri Kayama who signed him up for the teaching position without his knowledge.
However, the decision to stay came from somewhere deeper. Present Mic and other faculty members encouraged him to reconsider teaching, recognizing that his experiences — particularly the loss of Shirakumo — gave him unique insight into preparing students for hero work's harsh realities.
The emotional link to Shirakumo resurfaced as Aizawa realized he could shape the next generation of heroes to be better prepared than he and his friends had been. His strict standards, his emphasis on practical readiness over flash, and his notorious willingness to expel students all stem from one core belief: students who aren't ready will die in the field, just like Shirakumo did. Fans looking to celebrate his most famous student can explore our Midoriya LookSee Mystery Gift Box, featuring Deku's hero license, canvas art, and an All Might enamel pin.
How Does Aizawa's Past Shape His Character in Vigilantes?
Throughout Vigilantes, Aizawa operates as an active pro hero investigating the Villain Factory, a criminal organization responsible for Trigger drug trafficking and the appearance of Instant Villains. His involvement brings him into contact with the series' main vigilante characters, including Koichi Haimawari (The Crawler) and the violent Knuckleduster.
What makes these interactions meaningful is how they contrast his present self with his past. When Koichi rescues a stray cat during their encounter, it triggers Aizawa's memory of failing to help that same kitten years ago — and of Shirakumo arriving to class soaked because he'd done what Aizawa couldn't. The parallel demonstrates how far Aizawa has come while also showing the scars he still carries.
His willingness to work alongside vigilantes, despite their technically illegal status, reveals a pragmatism that prioritizes results over rigid adherence to hero regulations. This flexibility would have been unthinkable for the insecure student he once was but makes perfect sense for someone who learned that rules and systems couldn't protect his best friend.
How Does Aizawa's Backstory Impact the Main My Hero Academia Story?
The true payoff of Vigilantes' backstory comes in My Hero Academia chapters 253-255, when Aizawa and Present Mic confront the villain Kurogiri in Tartarus prison. What the main series reveals — and what Vigilantes makes devastating — is that Kurogiri is actually Oboro Shirakumo's corpse, recovered by All For One and transformed into a Nomu.
Shirakumo's Cloud quirk was corrupted into Kurogiri's Warp Gate ability. The "White Cloud" became "Black Fog." Everything that made Oboro who he was — his selflessness, his encouragement, his friendship — was twisted into a tool for villainy.
For readers who experienced the Vigilantes backstory first, this revelation hits with the full weight of knowing exactly who Shirakumo was, how much he meant to Aizawa and Present Mic, and how cruel his fate truly is. For those who only followed the main series, the moment lacks the intended emotional punch because Shirakumo appears almost nowhere in the primary manga.
During the final war arc, remnants of Shirakumo's personality briefly resurface within Kurogiri. When he utters "I am protector" before adding a confused "of what?", it suggests that somewhere inside the Nomu, Oboro's drive to protect others still exists — tragically redirected toward protecting Shigaraki rather than his old friends. For fans who appreciate the Symbol of Peace whose legacy looms over both Aizawa's story and the entire series, our All Might SDCC 2019 Exclusive Enamel Pin makes a striking collectible.
What Is Aizawa's Legacy and Impact on My Hero Academia?
Shota Aizawa stands as one of the most fully realized characters in the entire My Hero Academia franchise, though appreciating his depth requires experiencing both the main series and Vigilantes. His journey from self-doubting student to underground hero to influential teacher demonstrates that heroism isn't defined by flashy powers or public adoration. The students he trains — from Midoriya to Todoroki — all benefit from his hard-won wisdom, and fans can celebrate Class 1-A's rising heroes with collectibles like our exclusive Shoto Todoroki Pin.
His legacy extends beyond his own achievements. By training Class 1-A with such rigorous standards, he ensures that his students are prepared for the realities he learned the hard way. By wearing Shirakumo's goggles every day, he carries his friend's memory into every battle. By becoming the mentor he needed as a young student, he breaks the cycle that might have otherwise left another generation unprepared. For collectors who appreciate Aizawa's depth, our Shota Aizawa LookSee Mystery Box features five themed collectibles including an enamel pin, hero license card, and canvas wall art celebrating Class 1-A's dedicated homeroom teacher.
The Vigilantes anime adaptation (Season 2 premiering January 5, 2026 on Crunchyroll) finally brings this crucial backstory to a wider audience. For fans preparing to marathon the School Days arc, our U.A. Academy Letters Fleece Throw Blanket offers the perfect companion for those emotional viewing sessions. For fans who've wondered why Eraser Head seems so much more complex than other pro heroes, the School Days arc provides all the answers they've been seeking.
FAQs
What is Aizawa's role in Vigilantes?
In My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Aizawa operates as an underground pro hero investigating the Villain Factory's Trigger drug operations. He works alongside Detective Naomasa Tsukauchi and occasionally crosses paths with vigilante characters like Koichi and Knuckleduster. Beyond his present-day activities, the series features extended flashbacks to his school days that reveal his formative friendships and the tragedy that shaped him into the hero he becomes.
How old was Aizawa during Vigilantes?
The Vigilantes series takes place approximately five years before the main My Hero Academia story. During his school flashbacks, Aizawa is a second-year student at U.A. High School, making him around 16-17 years old. In the present-day Vigilantes timeline, he's in his mid-twenties and already working as an underground pro hero before he transitions to teaching at U.A.
What quirks can Aizawa not erase?
Aizawa's Erasure quirk only works on Emitter-type and Transformation-type quirks. It cannot affect Mutant-type quirks that involve permanent physical changes to the user's body. For example, he cannot erase extra appendages like Ojiro's tail because those are permanent physical features rather than activated abilities. Additionally, Erasure requires direct line-of-sight contact — smoke, debris, or any obstruction that blocks his view renders the quirk ineffective.
Final Thoughts
The Aizawa backstory in Vigilantes transforms Eraser Head from a cool side character into one of anime's most tragic and compelling heroes. Understanding why he became an underground hero, why he teaches with such severity, and why he wears those goggles every day adds profound depth to every scene he appears in throughout My Hero Academia.
For fans who've only watched the main anime, Vigilantes Season 2 (streaming on Crunchyroll starting January 5, 2026) offers the chance to experience this emotional journey firsthand. The friendship between Aizawa, Present Mic, and Shirakumo represents everything beautiful and devastating about the world of heroes — where young people with extraordinary abilities must face extraordinary losses, and where the best of intentions can lead to the worst of outcomes.
Explore our My Hero Academia collection to find officially licensed figures, collectibles, and merchandise featuring Eraser Head and the rest of U.A.'s iconic characters.
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References:
- https://myheroacademia.fandom.com/wiki/Shota_Aizawa/Synopsis
- https://myheroacademia.fandom.com/wiki/Oboro_Shirakumo
- https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-09-20/my-hero-academia-vigilantes-anime-2nd-season-debuts-in-january-2026/.229023
- https://screenrant.com/mha-anime-finale-vigilantes-release-date-trailer/
