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Émile Durkheim

Shota Aizawa

Shota Aizawa(相澤 消太 Aizawa Shōta), also known as theErasure Hero: Eraser Head(イレイザー・ヘッド Ireizā Heddo), is a Pro Hero and the homeroom teacher of Class 1-A at U.A. High School. Known for his stoic and pragmatic approach, Aizawa is a highly skilled hero who specializes in using his Quirk,Erasure, to nullify the abilities of others, making him a valuable asset in combat and a respected mentor to his students.

Émile Durkheim
Born
David Émile Durkheim

(1858-04-15)15 April 1858

Épinal, France
Died 15 November 1917(1917-11-15)(aged 59)

Paris,France
Nationality French
Alma mater École Normale Supérieure
Known for Sacred–profane dichotomy
Collective consciousness
Social fact
Social integration
Anomie
Collective effervescence
Scientific career
Fields Philosophy, sociology, education, anthropology, religious studies
Institutions University of Paris, University of Bordeaux
Influences Immanuel Kant, René Descartes,Plato, Herbert Spencer,Aristotle, Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Auguste Comte. William James, John Dewey, Fustel de Coulanges, Jean-Marie Guyau, Charles Bernard Renouvier, John Stuart Mill
Influenced Marcel Mauss,Claude Lévi-Strauss, Talcott Parsons, Maurice Halbwachs, Jonathan Haidt, Lucien Lévy-Bruhl,Bronisław Malinowski, Fernand Braudel, Pierre Bourdieu, Charles Taylor, Henri Bergson, Emmanuel Levinas, Steven Lukes, Alfred Radcliffe-Brown, E. E. Evans-Pritchard, Mary Douglas, Paul Fauconnet, Robert N. Bellah, Ziya Gökalp, David Bloor, Randall Collins, Neil Smelser[1]

Appearance

Shota Aizawa is a tall, slender man with pale skin and messy, shoulder-length black hair that often falls in front of his face. His most recognizable feature is his tired, worn-out appearance, highlighted by his half-open black eyes and stubbly facial hair. He typically looks fatigued unless engaged in combat, when his expression sharpens.

Shota wears a loose, black long-sleeved shirt and matching pants tucked into his boots, complemented by a utility belt and his signature wrap scarf, which he uses in battle. He also conceals bright yellow goggles under his scarf, which he dons during combat. Prior to his teaching career, his goggles were silver in color, and his utility belt was smaller.

During his high school years at U.A., Shota’s hero costume included a separate jacket and pants, along with fingerless gloves. By his second year, he added goggles to his outfit, which evolved into the design he wears today.

After suffering injuries in his battle with Nomu, Shota’s face and arms were wrapped in bandages, which later revealed a deep scar under his right eye. He also sustained additional injuries during the fight against Tomura Shigaraki, resulting in the loss of his right leg and the use of a prosthetic. Following the war, Shota now wears an eyepatch over his damaged right eye and has a second scar that stretches from his eyebrow to his lower eyelid.

In formal settings, such as press conferences or parent meetings, Shota dresses in a black suit with a blue tie and a white dress shirt, grooming his hair neatly into a low bun. In more casual settings, he relaxes in a loose black shirt with his hair tied in a messy bun.

Eight years after the war, Shota has shortened his hair, now cut to halfway down his face, parted at the right.

Clothing

Shota Aizawa’s hero costume consists of a simple but functional black outfit. He wears a long-sleeved, loose-fitting shirt and matching pants tucked into his boots, paired with a utility belt. His most notable accessory is his signature capture weapon: a long, gray scarf that he uses skillfully in combat to immobilize enemies. Additionally, Aizawa carries bright yellow goggles hidden under his scarf, which he wears during battles to protect his eyes while using his Quirk.

Before becoming a teacher at U.A. High School, Shota’s goggles were silver in color, and his utility belt was smaller. During his time as a student at U.A., his hero costume was slightly different, featuring a black jacket, pants, and fingerless gloves, with goggles added to his outfit in his second year.

In formal settings, Shota opts for a black suit, white dress shirt, and blue tie, neatly grooming his hair into a low bun. When relaxing in his staff apartment, he dresses casually in a loose, long-sleeved black shirt, with his hair tied into a messy bun.

Post-War Changes

Émile Durkheim's grave in Montparnasse Cemetery

Shota Aizawa, also known as Eraser Head, stands poised for battle, demonstrating his readiness to confront any threat and protect his students with unwavering resolve

Following the intense battles of the Final War, Shota Aizawa experienced significant physical and emotional changes. During the fight against Tomura Shigaraki, Aizawa was forced to amputate his right leg to prevent the Quirk-Destroying Drug from erasing his abilities. As a result, he now uses a prosthetic leg. He also sustained severe injuries to his face, leaving him with a second scar stretching from his eyebrow to his lower eyelid. To protect his damaged right eye, Aizawa now wears an eyepatch.

In terms of appearance, Shota has adapted to his injuries and altered his look slightly. He now ties back a portion of his hair, leaving a long strand hanging over the right side of his face to cover his missing eye. His determination as a teacher and hero remains steadfast, despite the toll the war has taken on him physically.

Eight years after the war, Aizawa’s appearance continues to reflect his experiences. His hair is shorter, now reaching halfway down his face and parted at the right, signifying the lasting impact of the conflict on his life.

Personality

Shota Aizawa is a stern and reserved individual, known for his high expectations of students and his pragmatic approach to teaching. He is driven by logic and has little concern for maintaining appearances or filtering his words. His blunt nature and tendency to nap in a sleeping bag during downtime give the impression of apathy, but beneath this exterior, he is deeply dedicated to his students’ growth.

Aizawa is known for expelling students who he believes are not suited for U.A. High. However, it is revealed that he re-enrolls them after the expulsion to give them a “death” experience that motivates them to push beyond their limits. Despite his reputation, he has not expelled any members of Class 1-A, but remains strict and uncompromising in his training methods, pushing students to face the harsher aspects of heroism.

While Aizawa may appear cold, he genuinely cares for his students and is willing to protect them at all costs. This was seen when he risked his life to save Tsuyu Asui from Tomura Shigaraki. He also expresses confidence in his students, believing in their potential to resist villainous influence. His nurturing side is evident in his role as Eri’s guardian, where he takes care of her without complaint, showing attentiveness even outside of his teaching duties.

Shota’s calm demeanor is occasionally disrupted by personal tragedies, such as the discovery of his friend Oboro Shirakumo’s fate. His grief and anger were evident when he confronted Kurogiri, the Nomu created from Oboro’s body. Aizawa displayed uncharacteristic rage, strangling Kyudai Garaki in a show of fury after learning the details of Oboro’s desecration.

Despite his strict nature, Aizawa is not without humor. He often smiles when impressed by his students or when successfully using his “rational deceptions” to push them to do better. His complex personality reflects a balance between discipline and deep care for those under his guidance.

Overall Abilities

Shota Aizawa is one of the most skilled Pro Heroes and teachers at U.A. High School, known for his exceptional combat ability and tactical thinking. His primary battle strategy involves nullifying his opponent’s Quirk with hisErasureQuirk and using hisBinding Clothto quickly restrain or defeat them. Even without his Quirk, Aizawa excels in hand-to-hand combat, making him a formidable fighter against Quirk-reliant enemies. His proficiency in battle creates opportunities for his allies, allowing them to gain the upper hand.

During the U.S.J. Incident, Aizawa demonstrated his strength by taking on multiple League of Villains members, defeating them with precise counterattacks. He nearly defeated the powerful villain Tomura Shigaraki before being overpowered by the U.S.J. Nomu. In other major events, such as the Shie Hassaikai Raid and the Paranormal Liberation War, Aizawa played a crucial role in suppressing high-level villains and Nomu, contributing to the heroes’ success.

Binding Cloth

Aizawa’s combat style revolves around his signature weapon, theBinding Cloth, which he uses to immobilize and ensnare opponents. He also uses the cloth for enhanced mobility, allowing him to swing between buildings or structures during battle. It took Aizawa six years to develop this fighting style, which works seamlessly with hisErasureQuirk.

Immense Stamina

Cover of the French edition of The Rules of Sociological Method (1919)

Shota Aizawa activates his Erasure quirk, nullifying the abilities of his opponents and showcasing his strategic prowess in combat.

Aizawa has repeatedly demonstrated impressive stamina, continuing to fight even after suffering severe injuries. During the U.S.J. Incident, despite being gravely wounded, he remained conscious long enough to protect Tsuyu Asui from Tomura Shigaraki. In the Paranormal Liberation War, Aizawa even amputated his leg without hesitation to stop the effects of a Quirk-Destroying Bullet and continued to use his Quirk without showing significant pain.

Keen Intellect

Aizawa’s intelligence and observation skills are among his strongest assets. He can quickly evaluate his students’ personalities and mental states and is highly skilled at coordinating his Quirk and equipment in battle. Aizawa’s strategic mind allows him to devise quick countermeasures for enemies, even those immune to hisErasureQuirk. He is also adept at analyzing the mechanics of others’ abilities after witnessing them only once.

Teaching

Despite initial reluctance, Aizawa has become a highly effective teacher at U.A. High. His no-nonsense approach to hero training focuses on instilling responsibility and pushing students to exceed their limits through his “rational deceptions,” such as threats of expulsion. Aizawa’s expulsion and re-enrollment method is designed to teach students the difference between self-sacrifice and throwing their lives away, helping them grow stronger. His teaching has been instrumental in shaping Class 1-A into a formidable group of future heroes. Additionally, Aizawa personally mentored Hitoshi Shinso, helping him refine his Brainwashing Quirk and master his fighting style, leading to his successful transfer to the hero course.

Quirk: Erasure (抹消 Masshō)

Shota Aizawa’s Quirk,Erasure, allows him to nullify the Quirk of another individual simply by looking at them. As long as his gaze remains on the target, their Quirk is temporarily disabled. Even if he looks away, the effects can last for a short period.

After the severe injuries he sustained during the U.S.J. Incident, Aizawa’s ability to useErasurehas become limited, requiring longer rest between uses. Furthermore, after losing one of his eyes in the Paranormal Liberation War, his Quirk was significantly weakened. He now struggles to maintainErasure, but can still use it to some extent with his remaining eye.

Drawbacks

  • Erasuredeactivates if Shota blinks.
  • Using this Quirk continuously causes severe dry eye, forcing Shota to blink more often.
  • Mutant-type Quirks, which are passively active, are immune toErasure.
  • The Quirk does not affect physical strength or abilities that do not come from Quirks.
  • Shota’s hair stands up while usingErasure, giving away when his Quirk is active.
  • Erasurehas no offensive capabilities, meaning it cannot deal direct damage.
  • The Quirk Factor is located in Shota’s eyes, so if they are damaged, his ability to useErasureis diminished or lost entirely.

Equipment

  • Eyedrops:
    Shota Aizawa carries a small green case of eyedrops to combat the effects of dry eye, a side effect of using hisErasureQuirk for extended periods without blinking.

  • Capturing Weapon (捕縛武器 Hobaku Buki):
    Aizawa’s primary weapon is a cloth made from steel wire alloy woven with carbon nanofibers. This highly durable fabric allows him to immobilize opponents and is versatile enough for both offense and defense.

  • Eraser Goggles:
    Shota is known for the gold goggles he wears around his neck, usually hidden by his scarf. These goggles obscure his line of sight, making it difficult for enemies to determine whose Quirk he is erasing. He received these goggles during his school days from his friend, Oboro Shirakumo.

  • High-Density Weights (Final Exams Arc):
    During the Final Exams Arc, Aizawa and other teachers wore high-density weight bracelets to handicap themselves while fighting their students, adding an extra challenge to the exam.

  • Caltrops:
    Aizawa used caltrops during his practical battle against Team Todoroki and Yaoyorozu. These spikes were effectively combined with his capturing weapon, limiting his opponents’ mobility by creating dangerous terrain.

  • Knife:
    Shota carries a large knife, mainly used to cut his capturing weapon free if it becomes stuck. The knife can also be employed as a combat tool when necessary.

  • Prosthetic Leg:
    After severing his right leg during the fight against Tomura Shigaraki to stop the effects of the Quirk-Destroying Drug, Aizawa now uses a prosthetic leg.

Trivia

  • Shota Aizawa’s given name “消太” combines “消” (shō), meaning “erase,” and “太” (ta), which can mean “big” or “healthy.” His surname “相澤” (Aizawa) includes “相” (ai), meaning “mutual” or “councilor,” and “澤” (zawa), meaning “swamp.”
  • Shota likes cats.
  • His room is notably empty, reflecting his apathetic personality.
  • Shota specializes in short-range sneak attacks.
  • Shota’s rankings in the Popularity Polls are:
    • 9th in the first poll
    • 4th in the second poll
    • 6th in the third poll
    • 11th in the fourth poll
    • 7th in the fifth, seventh, and eighth polls
    • 5th in the sixth poll
  • Present Mic gave Shota his hero name, “Eraser Head.”
  • Shota’s hero name is also a reference to the 1977 filmEraserhead, directed by David Lynch.
  • While Shota does not have a favorite food, he is fond of salty licorice.
  • Shota shares his birthday with Soga Kugisaki.
  • His Japanese voice actor, Junichi Suwabe, also voices Jurota Shishida.

Quotes

  • (To Class 1-A):
    “I’m sorry to tell you… that for the next three years… U.A. will run you through the wringer. That’s ‘Plus Ultra.’ Use your strength to overcome it all. So bring it.”

  • (To All Might, regarding Izuku Midoriya):
    “He doesn’t… have no chance. That’s all I can say. Because if he had no prospects, I would cut him loose. There’s nothing crueler than letting someone chase their half-baked dreams.”

  • (To Izuku Midoriya):
    “No good hero is a one-trick pony.”

  • (To a Pro Hero, regarding Katsuki Bakugo and Ochaco Uraraka’s match):
    “Is the one who said he’s toying with her a pro? How many years of active duty? If that’s what you’re taking from this, then you can leave. No point in watching. Go home and start looking at job-hunting sites. She’s come this far, and he knows her strength. His caution shows that he recognizes her as a worthy opponent. It’s exactly because he wants to win so badly… that there’s no room for carelessness or holding back.”