Hitoshi Shinso/Synopsis

History
In Junior High, Hitoshi was constantly told that due to his Quirk's nature, he was suited to becoming a villain. Although he kept his ambition to become a hero, Hitoshi became resentful of those with Quirks more accepted by society.

U.A. Sports Festival Arc
When a crowd blocks Class 1-A's exit, Katsuki Bakugo claims the crowd is there to scout the competition. Hitoshi walks to the front of the crowd. He confronts Katsuki directly and explains that although he desired to be in the Hero Course, he was forced to take a different path. With the U.A. Sports Festival approaching, Hitoshi and other students will have the opportunity to usurp students in the Hero Course. After explaining this, Hitoshi says that he is not there to scout, he is there to declare war.

Weeks later, Hitoshi and his General Studies Course classmates take the field for the opening ceremony. Afterwards, Hitoshi participates in the Obstacle Race, avoiding Shoto Todoroki's ice while being carried by other kids, and places twenty-seventh.

Having qualified for the Cavalry Battle, Shinso teams up with Nirengeki Shoda, Yuga Aoyama, and Mashirao Ojiro and brainwashes them as well. By the end of the Cavalry Battle, Team Shinso places third after Hitoshi uses his Quirk to brainwash Team Tetsutetsu and steal their points. Afterwards, he thanks his "teammates" for their hard work.

The final round of the festival is revealed to be a One-on-One Fighting Tournament. Hitoshi tries to confront Izuku Midoriya, his matchup for the first round, but Mashirao warns the Izuku not to respond to the Hitoshi's provocations. When their match begins, Hitoshi provokes Izuku into talking by insulting Mashirao and brainwashes him.

Now that he has taken control of Izuku with his Quirk, Hitoshi orders him to leave the ring and Izuku proceeds to do so. However, before Izuku goes out of bounds, Izuku uses One For All to break his own fingers and free himself of Hitoshi's control. Hitoshi tries to get Izuku to speak, but eventually realizes that Mashirao must have warned him before the match. Izuku tries to push Hitoshi out, but he punches Izuku twice to break his hold.

He continues to try and force a reaction out of Izuku by talking about how his Quirk puts him at a disadvantage and how Izuku is blessed to have a heroic. Then Hitoshi goes to push Izuku out of bounds, but Izuku counters and shoulder throws Hitoshi out of the ring. Having lost, Hitoshi appears to be greatly irritated. Izuku tries to console him by asking what is driving him to become a hero, but Hitoshi says it is simply what his heart longs for and leaves the ring.

Despite his loss, Hitoshi is greeted by his classmates' praises, as well as the praises of several viewing Pro-Heroes. Having been encouraged, Hitoshi tells Izuku that even though he lost, he will still become a better pro than everyone in the Hero Course. When Izuku responds, Hitoshi brainwashes him temporarily and then stops to warn Izuku not to let his guard down. Hitoshi then tells Izuku not to lose and walks away. Once the festival concludes, Hitoshi joins Class 1-B in watching the award ceremony.

Forest Training Camp Arc
Hitoshi is walking along with Shota Aizawa while ignoring a waving Izuku.

Provisional Hero License Exam Arc
As all the students head toward Ground Beta for the second semester opening ceremony, Hitoshi complains that classes 1-A and 1-B are holding up the back of the line. Hanta Sero comments that Hitoshi seems a little rougher than he did before.

U.A. Cultural Festival Arc
Hitoshi assists his class in setting up their Haunted Mansion exhibit for the U.A. Cultural Festival and later participates by dangling from the ceiling to scare a group of fellow students.

Joint Training Arc
At some point following the Sports Festival, Shota began training Hitoshi in the use of the capture weapon. One day, when Hitoshi is having difficulty with the weapon, Shota speaks to him about how the two of them are similar, noting that they have to learn to rely on themselves. He tells Hitoshi to keep practicing, but also reminds him that he's not the type to waste time on hopeless causes, encouraging him in his training.

After Izuku and All Might finish conversing inside the break room and leave, they stumble into Shota leaving another room, with Hitoshi following close behind. Izuku notices Hitoshi and excitedly greets him, telling Hitoshi he'd seen the him hanging out with Shota. Hitoshi sheepishly confirms, before Shota interrupts to tell Izuku to get ready for class.

Later, Class 1-A and Class 1-B are about to be briefed on how their first joint training exercise will function. Vlad King and Shota settle down the classes and introduce Hitoshi, revealing he's a special guest participating in the exercise.

The class enthusiastically greets Hitoshi, while commenting on his outfit, noting his mask and the binding cloth he's using. At Shota's urging, Hitoshi introduces himself to the class. He explains that he's participating not to make friends, but to become a great hero, and tells everyone that he considers all of them obstacles to overcome, glaring at Izuku in particular.

As Shota and Vlad explain the rules of the exercise, Jurota Shishida asks how they'll account for his presence. The teachers explain that Hitoshi will participate in two battles; one with Class 1-A, and one with Class 1-B. The students argue that Hitoshi will give whichever team he's on an advantage, but Shota refutes this, saying that Hitoshi's inexperience, as well as the rule that only four members of the opposing team need to be captured for a win, will act as a handicap for his team. The class finds this explanation unpleasant, but Hitoshi simply agrees with Shota's assessment.

After Class 1-A and 1-B draw lots to determine their teams, Hitoshi draws his own lots. He's placed into Class 1-A's Team 1 and Class 1-B's Team 5. He greets both teams, thanking them for having him on their team, and fastens his mask onto his face.

Hitoshi introduces himself to his team and Tsuyu Asui asks about his Quirk's abilities. Hitoshi explains he can brainwash one person at a time if they reply to anything he says. Anyone he brainwashes can be released if they receive a significant shock.

Hitoshi was given Artificial Vocal Cords as a support item to help him against people who know how his Quirk works. It allows him to change his voice to take opponents off guard.

The match begins shortly afterward, and Class 1-A's Team 1 laments they didn't get to form a proper plan. They decide that regardless they have to fight to win.

As Class 1-A moves through the battlefield, Hitoshi notes that Tsuyu's Camouflage is easy to spot once you know she's there. Hitoshi points out that they should try to neutralize troublesome powers like Ibara's first. Denki commends Hitoshi but Hitoshi believes any aspiring hero should know that.

Suddenly, the team hears a roar, and pause. Jurota suddenly leaps from the air in his Beast enhanced form and smashes both Eijiro and Tsuyu through nearby pipes with Roaring Rage. After a short scuffle, Hitoshi adjusts his mask, and uses Kosei Tsuburaba's voice to commend Jurota. The latter replies and falls under Hitoshi's Brainwashing. Denki congratulates Shinso, while Kosei expresses surprise that Shinso spoke with his voice. Shinso gives the name of his technique: Artificial Vocal Cords: Persona Chords.

Hitoshi tries to capitalize by restraining Jurota with his capturing weapon but Kosei is too fast and traps him in an air prison. Kosei knows about Hitoshi's power because Ibara Shiozaki and others were brainwashed by him in the Cavalry Battle but he's surprised by the voice changer.

Class 1-B ends the first skirmish with a 2-1 lead. Tsuyu frees Hitoshi from an air prison and commends Class 1-B on their strength. She adds that the team took too long adjusting to Hitoshi and got caught off guard. Hitoshi apologizes for his lack of battle readiness but Tsuyu replies she should've come up with a better plan to keep him off the front lines.

Tsuyu comes up with an idea and tells Denki Kaminari to use his Sharpshooting Gear to locate Jurota. One of Denki's pointers latched on to Jurota's back leg. Tsuyu masks the trio's smell by covering them with mucus secreted from her body. The trio plans to confuse Jurota's sense of smell to hide their identities, which would allow Hitoshi to hide away and control the battlefield better.

After Class 1-A springs their plan, Hitoshi gets into position within a number of pipes. He calls out to Ibara with his Artificial Vocal Cords: Persona Chords, mimicking Hiryu Rin's voice, and tells her to spread out her Vines again. Ibara believes Hiryu is telling her to respread the vines but she instead gets brainwashed by Hitoshi.

After Brainwashing Ibara, Hitoshi muses on Class 1-A's plan, and recognizes the gulf in experience between himself and the students of the Hero Course. Hiryu can't tell where Hitoshi is because the voice is echoing. Afraid to speak, Jurota simply points out the enemies location. Jurota searches the field for enemies and ignores Hiryu's pleas for help. Hiryu quickly realizes that Hitoshi has destroyed their communication.

Jurota claws his way through a narrow tunnel of pipes and finds Hitoshi. Hitoshi uses a binding cloth to ring down a large pipe to strike his enemies head. His plan fails to stop Jurota, but Tsuyu throws Hiryu at him and knocks them both out. Hitoshi and Tsuyu tie up Hiryu and drag him to the jail, while Tsuyu congratulates him on his performance, noting that he's already quite powerful. Hitoshi denies this as they secure their win, noting that he still has a long way to go, telling Tsuyu that he needs to go pro on his strength alone.

Shota asks his students what they learned from the battle. After Class 1-A reflects, Hitoshi expresses his frustration at being unable able to apply much of his training. Shota assures him that it will take time for him to become a pro, and tells him to remember his frustration, and use it as motivation. After Neito Monoma commends his classmates for their efforts, he confronts Hitoshi, asking to form a plan for their battle later on.

Following the conclusion of the second round, Hitoshi remarks that the two teams wrecked Ground Gamma, contrasting it with the first match. Shota tells him that that's how training in the Hero Course goes, but notes that they went overboard with the destruction.

During the third round, Hitoshi stands alongside Neito watching the battle between Juzo Honenuki and Tenya Iida, and comments on Tenya's commitment to his role-play.

As the fourth round begins, Hitoshi watches Neito's declaration about Setsuna Tokage, alongside the rest of Class 1-B's Team 5.

Hitoshi silently watches the confrontation between Katsuki Bakugo and Izuku at the end of the fourth round. He then listens as Neito discusses the results of the previous four rounds, and his words about the five of them acting as bit players in the lives of others. He expresses confusion at Reiko Yanagi's words about Izuku, so Nirengeki explains that that's her way of calling someone scary.

He listens to the assessment of Izuku’s skills and suggests that they prioritize him in the upcoming fight, though he reveals that he's able to break free from his Brainwashing. He tells Neito they must work together to use his Brainwashing to stop Izuku. Neito discusses how he fears drawing a "bad card" with Izuku, and tells Hitoshi that he's counting on him to take out Izuku first.

As Class 1-B travels through Ground Gamma, Neito speaks with Hitoshi about his own past, and how people always told him that he'd never be a hero with Copy as his Quirk. He questions the point of the conversation, and Neito reveals that he sees some similarities between himself and Hitoshi, and suggests that he embrace his "darker side". Hitoshi refuses, much to Neito's amusement. Neito then asks how he was able to trick Izuku into speaking at the Sports Festival. Hitoshi confesses that as he didn't know much about him at the time, he simply insulted his friend. Neito once more comments on the similarities of their two Quirks, suggesting that Hitoshi had felt that his Quirk was a "curse".

After the battle begins, Hitoshi hides near Neito, and spots Izuku. He uses his Artificial Vocal Cords: Persona Chords to imitate Ochaco Uraraka's voice and screams, startling Izuku.

Soon after, he witnesses Blackwhip's power exploding out of Izuku, and his struggles to contain it. The black tendrils begin to latch on to objects in the area, pulling Izuku through the maze of pipes to where Hitoshi's hiding. He yells for Hitoshi to run, terrifying him.

He witnesses Ochaco grabbing Izuku. She yells for Hitoshi to brainwash him in the hope that his power will subsequently stop. Hitoshi panics and tries to think of a correct question he could ask Izuku that he would actually answer to. He quickly calms down and reminds himself of his first clash with Izuku, realizing that he's come a long way since then and truly wishes to prove it. He removes his mask and asks Izuku if they can have their proper rematch. Izuku confirms and allows himself to fall under Hitoshi's Brainwashing once again.

Very quickly, the two teams are drawn together in an all-out brawl. Hitoshi witnesses Neito attacking Izuku and Ochaco, and sends his Capturing Weapon flying at Ochaco, but Izuku darts out in front of her and grabs it, ready to face Hitoshi once again.

He yanks Izuku off the tanks with his capture weapon. He continues to closely observe the fight between Neito, Izuku, and Ochaco. After Neito is subdued by Ochaco, Hitoshi realizes his teammate's been caught and calls out to him, readying his binding cloth to use to support Neito, but Izuku uses Ochaco's Quirk to float up to his position above the battlefield, distracting him from his captured teammate. They both start grappling and Hitoshi reminds Izuku of their last bout, and Izuku knows Hitoshi is too big of a threat not to neutralize now. Hitoshi remembers some of his training with Shota, and exclaims he's not the same as before. He tries to bring several pipes down on Izuku, the same way he did in the first round of the exercise.

Hitoshi is surprised by this new development and asks if Izuku was only faking being in pain before. He picks up his Artificial Vocal Chords, and begins to flee from Izuku, attempting to join the all-out brawl in the hopes of getting lost in the scramble, to better use his powers. He silently apologizes to Neito for wasting the opportunity he was given, but affirms that he won't let things end in such a way.

As Hitoshi scrambles for the all-out brawl, Izuku suddenly catches up to him. At that point, Neito's copied Twin Impact activates, momentarily stunning Izuku. Hitoshi expresses his surprise, but silently thanks Neito. He throws his capture weapon at Izuku, but he completely dodges the attack. He grabs the capture weapon, using it to pull Hitoshi towards himself, and pins him down.

Hitoshi expresses his surprise and frustration with his loss, but nonetheless smiles, musing that the Hero Course is rather impressive. He's tied up with his own Capturing Weapon, and thrown in jail alongside Neito, Reiko and Nirengeki, resulting in his team's loss.

Hitoshi sadly apologizes to Shota, and reveals to him and a very surprised Vlad that he knew the entire battle was meant to serve as his entrance exam for the hero course, also saying that he was disappointed in his performance as he apparently lacked the strength to do anything on his own after Neito was captured.

At the reflection, Hitoshi stands alongside Class 1-B, and listens as Izuku explains his loss of control over the Quirk. When Izuku thanks him for helping him, he expresses his surprise at his gratitude. Hitoshi, on the other hand, claims that he didn’t save Izuku out of kindness nor because it was what Ochaco told him to do, instead admitting that he acted on his own desire to have a rematch with his old rival. His explanation is interrupted when Shota chokes him with his Capturing Weapon.

Confused, Hitoshi listens to Shota, who scolds him, telling him that it's okay that he acted selfishly like that. Shota goes on to explain that people can’t help others if they can’t act on their own, commending Hitoshi for acting like a real hero. Izuku follows up by also praising Hitoshi for his performance.

Hitoshi is bewildered by the kind words, but even more bewildered when Vlad King announces that Hitoshi will be joining the Hero Department starting from his second year. Hitoshi is congratulated by his peers, and appears satisfied and proud of himself for accomplishing his goal.

The next day, the teachers of the Hero Course review footage of Hitoshi's performance, and agree to his transfer into the Hero Course in the second year. Nezu announces that he will handle the paper work, and asks the teachers to ensure Hitoshi is given the education he deserves.