One of the most jaw-dropping revelations in the My Hero Academia series was the unveiling of Dabi as Endeavor’s long-lost son, Toya Todoroki. Known for his intense rage, Dabi’s character captivates viewers with his emotion. Kohei Horikoshi cleverly chose the name Dabi for Toya, and there’s a deeper significance to it. Let’s dive into the hidden meanings behind both of these names in the context of My Hero Academia.
Spoiler Warning:
This article contains spoilers about Dabi, aka Toya Todoroki, in My Hero Academia. Proceed with caution.
The Meaning of Dabi’s Real Name in My Hero Academia
Toya Todoroki was given his name for a reason. Horikoshi confirmed that Toya’s birthday is January 18. This can be broken down numerically: 10 is pronounced ‘To’ (十) and 8 as ‘Ya’ (八) in Japanese, forming the name Toya. Much like Eiichiro Oda, Kohei Horikoshi enjoys using wordplay with numbers in naming his characters.
The meanings behind ‘To’ and ‘Ya’ are particularly revealing. ‘To’ signifies light or flame, while ‘Ya’ translates to arrow. Thus, Toya’s name can be interpreted as an arrow of light or flame, signifying a guiding light or flame—a name brimming with positivity. As a child, he had the spark to emulate his father and pursue a dream Endeavor had never fulfilled. However, that bright flame dimmed as Endeavor viewed him as a failed experiment.
Why Did Toya Name Himself Dabi?
Toya was born with the powerful quirk “Blueflame,” producing flames hotter than his father’s. Unfortunately, he didn’t inherit Endeavor’s heat resistance but rather his mother’s cold resistance, leading Toya to suffer injuries from his own flames. This perceived failure deeply affected his relationship with Endeavor.
Despite his father’s abandonment, Toya clung to his ambition and pursued rigorous training. When he finally invited Endeavor to watch him, the response was disappointment, leading to an uncontrollable outburst of his fiery quirk. This incident led to a deadly wildfire, which Toya narrowly escaped by jumping into a lake, believed by his family to have perished.
After awakening from a three-year coma, Toya discovered his family had moved on, focused on Shoto. Adding insult to injury, All For One fueled his despair, emphasizing his failures. Thus, the bright boy named Toya faded, giving rise to Dabi—a new persona complete with altered appearance and vengeful intent.
The Meaning of Dabi in My Hero Academia
So, why did Toya choose the name Dabi? Dabi translates to ‘cremation’ in Japanese, signifying the intense flames required to turn a body to ashes. This resonates with Toya’s near-death experience when he tried to impress his father. It symbolizes his transformation and the cremation of his past self, emerging reborn as a figure of vengeance.
Furthermore, Dabi’s intent for revenge against Endeavor is pivotal, with repeated allusions to cremation resonating throughout the series. Kyudai’s remarks about Dabi’s supposed demise illustrate how closely tied his name is to themes of death and resurrection. Yet, Dabi’s unyielding resolve to seek vengeance kept him alive, shifting his narrative entirely.
Ironically, Dabi in Hebrew means ‘to be dearly loved,’ a stark contrast to his upbringing. How do you interpret Dabi’s name within the broader context of My Hero Academia? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Ready to delve deeper into the world of My Hero Academia? Explore more insights and theories at Moyens I/O.