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
Izuku spots Hitoshi walking along with Shota Aizawa in the hallways and waves to him, but he ignores the greeting and continues walking.

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, Hitoshi struggles with his training, and gets tangled up in the Capturing Weapon. Shota tells him that he believes that the two of them are similar, and tells him that they have to learn to rely on themselves if they want to survive. He tells Hitoshi to keep practicing, but also reminds him that he's not the type to waste time on hopeless causes, surprising Hitoshi.

Later in the school year, after Izuku and All Might finish conversing inside the break room and leave, they run into Shota and Hitoshi leaving another room. Izuku notices Hitoshi and excitedly greets him, telling Hitoshi he'd seen the him hanging out with Shota a few times. Hitoshi sheepishly confirms, before Shota interrupts to tell Izuku to get ready for class.

Later, Class 1-A and Class 1-B gather at Ground Gamma for their first Joint Training Battle exercise. Vlad King and Shota settle down the classes and introduce Hitoshi, revealing he's a special guest participating in the exercise, and that he hopes that he can join the Hero Course.

The class enthusiastically greets Hitoshi, while commenting on his outfit, noting his mask and the Capture Weapon he's wearing. At Shota's urging, Hitoshi introduces himself to the class. He tells everyone that his goal is to become a great hero who can help people with his Quirk, and that he's not looking to make friends. He tells them that he considers all of them obstacles to overcome in his journey to become a great hero, glaring at Izuku in particular, who smiles determinedly.

As Shota and Vlad explain the rules of the exercise, Jurota Shishida asks how Hitoshi will be incorporated into the exercise. 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, citing Hitoshi's inexperience and the rule that only four members of a team need to be captured for that team to lose. He states that Hitoshi will be a handicap to whatever team he's on, an explanation the other students find unpleasant. Hitoshi simply agrees with Shota's assessment, impressing everyone.

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 and Class 1-B's Team 5. He greets both teams, thanking them for having him on their team. Eijiro Kirishima expresses his delight at having Hitoshi on their team, Tsuyu Asui asks for details about his Quirk, and Denki Kaminari suggests that Hitoshi must be popular with the ladies. Neito Monoma expresses his joy at Shinso's inclusion on his team, and reiterates his desire to crush Class 1-A, and Nirengeki Shoda tells Hitoshi to ignore everything Neito says. Preparing for the first match, Hitoshi fastens his mask onto his face.

As Class 1-A prepares for the fight to start, Hitoshi explains his Quirk to his teammates, going over the strengths and weaknesses of the Quirk. Tsuyu and Denki both commend his strength, but Denki laments that if Hitoshi becomes a Hero, his Quirk's abilities would become more widely known, hindering its effectiveness. Hitoshi explains the properties of his mask, explaining that the Artificial Vocal Cords allow him to change his voice, helping against those who know his weakness.

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'll have to fight to win.

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

Suddenly, the team hears a roar, and pause. Jurota, carrying Kosei Tsuburaba on his back, suddenly leaps from the air in his Beast form and smashes both Eijiro and Tsuyu into nearby pipes with Roaring Rage. After a short scuffle, Hitoshi adjusts his mask, and uses Kosei's voice to commend Jurota. Jurota, thinking that it was Kosei speaking, replies and falls under Hitoshi's Brainwashing. Denki congratulates Shinso, while Kosei expresses surprise that Shinso spoke with his voice. Shinso states the name of his Super Move: Artificial Vocal Cords: Persona Chords.

Hitoshi tries to capitalize on the situation by restraining Jurota with his Capturing Weapon, but Kosei quickly traps him with Air Prison. Surprised by the voice changer, Kosei wakes Jurota up with a slap to the head, and turns his attention to the rest of Class 1-A.

After the skirmish, Class 1-B has captured Eijiro and Koji Koda. Tsuyu frees Hitoshi from Air Prison and commends Class 1-B on their strength. She laments that the team took too long adjusting to Hitoshi, and got caught off guard. Hitoshi apologizes for his lack of battle readiness, but Tsuyu counters with her own apology, saying she should've come up with a better plan to keep him off the front lines. Denki tries to cheer Hitoshi up, commending him for his efforts in the first battle.

Hitoshi brushes off the praise, and asks what the plan is. Tsuyu reveals her plan: to use the mucus she secretes to mask their scents from Jurota's Quirk, in order to get closer, and make use of Hitoshi's Brainwashing to take control of the battle. She tells Denki Kaminari to use his Sharpshooting Gear to locate Jurota, having noted that one of his pointers latched on to Jurota's leg in the previous skirmish. The trio puts their plan into action. As the trio head towards Jurota's position, Shinso expresses his concern about the location of the other members of the team, but Denki tells him they should focus on taking down Jurota first. The trio are then confronted by Ibara's Vines, surprising them. Hitoshi suggests they retreat, but Denki suggests that he use himself as bait, postulating that Class 1-B will be most wary of him, and figuring that he can tie up most of Ibara's Vines, helping Tsuyu and Hitoshi get into place unnoticed.

Hitoshi gets into position within the maze of pipes, and waits for his opportunity to strike. 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 calling to her, and responds, falling victim to Hitoshi's Brainwashing, much to Hiryu's surprise.

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. He begins to prepare his trap. Elsewhere, Hiryu expresses his frustration at Shinso, noting that he's singlehandedly destroyed Class 1-B's communication.

Jurota searches the battlefield for Tsuyu and Hitoshi. He eventually identifies Hitoshi's location, and proceeds towards him, crashing through the maze of pipes, while silently chastising himself for dismissing Hitoshi, noting he's already an impressive threat. He eventually reaches Hitoshi's hiding spot, at which point Hitoshi uses his Capturing Weapon to bring down a large pipe on Jurota's head. His plan fails to knock out Jurota, but Tsuyu throws Hiryu at him and knocks them both out, saving Hitoshi.

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 refutes her assessment as they secure their win, noting that he still has a long way to go, telling Tsuyu that he can't rely on others, and that he needs to become a Hero with his own power.

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 in the future. After Neito Monoma commends his classmates for their efforts, he manically confronts Hitoshi, much to Hitoshi's surprise, asking to form a plan for their battle later on.

As the classes group together to form plans, the teachers step off to one side. Vlad asks Midnight and All Might about their thoughts on Hitoshi's performance. All Might expresses his admiration of Hitoshi's skills, and stated he was impressed that he was frustrated by his shortcomings. Shota reveals that the training will serve as the main test regarding Hitoshi's transfer into the Hero Course, and expresses his certainty that he'll step things up in his next match.

Following the conclusion of the second round, Hitoshi expresses his awe at the damage done to Ground Gamma by the two teams, contrasting it with the first match. Shota tells him that that's how training in the Hero Course goes, but agrees 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 of Heroes versus Villains.

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

Following the fourth round, Hitoshi silently watches the confrontation between Katsuki Bakugo and Izuku. He then turns to listen as Neito discusses the results of the previous four rounds, and listens to 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, but 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 Izuku is able to break free from his Brainwashing. He tells Neito they must work together to stop Izuku. Neito discusses his fear of drawing a "bad card" with Izuku, and tells Hitoshi that he's counting on him to take out Izuku first.

The four teachers gather once more before the start of the fifth round, and discuss Hitoshi again. They note that his performance in the first round was great, but note that the same tactics may not work in this round, though they remain optimistic about the upcoming match.

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, intimating that Hitoshi may believe that his Quirk is a "curse", much like himself.

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 later witnesses Ochaco grabbing Izuku. She yells for Hitoshi to brainwash him, in the hope that the out of control 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 says, "Let's fight!" to Izuku. Izuku replies by agreeing, and falls under Hitoshi's Brainwashing once again.

Hitoshi witnesses the start of the all-out brawl between the two teams, and Ochaco's efforts to snap Izuku out of the Brainwashing. Taking advantage of Neito's distraction, he sends his Capturing Weapon flying at Ochaco, but Izuku darts out in front of her and grabs it, glaring up at Hitoshi, who returns the glare with a determined smile.

He yanks Izuku off the tanks with his Capturing 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 Capturing Weapon, 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 witnesses Izuku's more controlled usage of Blackwhip, and expresses his astonishment, asking 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 make better use his powers. He silently apologizes to Neito for wasting the opportunity he was given, but affirms his desire to win in the end.

As Hitoshi scrambles for the all-out brawl, Izuku nearly 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 Capturing Weapon at Izuku, but he completely dodges the attack. Launching off a nearby pipe, Izuku grabs the Capturing Weapon, using it to pull Hitoshi towards himself, and slams him down on the ground, pinning him.

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

After being freed from jail, Hitoshi sadly expresses his frustrations to Shota and Vlad, and reveals that he knew the exercise 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. His assessment surprises Vlad, but Shota simply tells Hitoshi to regroup with the rest of his team for the reflection.

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, Hitoshi expresses his surprise at his gratitude. However, he declines Izuku's gratitude, claiming that he didn’t save Izuku out of kindness nor because it was what Ochaco told him to do. He admits that he acted on his own desire to have a rematch with his old rival. As he laments his selfish behavior, he's interrupted by Shota, who chokes him with his Capturing Weapon.

Confused, Hitoshi listens to Shota, who scolds him, telling him that it's okay that he acted selfishly, noting that Heroes can't help others if they can't find a strength to drive them forward. Much to Hitoshi's bewilderment, Shota commends him for acting like a real hero. Izuku follows up by also praising Hitoshi for his performance, contrasting his own performance with Hitoshi's.

Hitoshi is bewildered by all the kind words, but even more bewildered when Vlad King announces that Hitoshi will be joining the Hero Department starting from his second year, noting that he has the potential to be as great a Hero as anyone else in the Hero Course. Hitoshi, though bewildered, 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 his second year. Nezu announces that he will handle the paper work, and asks the teachers to ensure Hitoshi is given the education he deserves.