Shota Aizawa/Synopsis

History
Sometime during his adolescent years, Shota attended U.A. High School with Present Mic. While picking their hero names, Shota was unable to decide so Hizashi chose the name "Eraser Head" for him.

Vigilante - My Hero Academia: Illegals
A year prior to starting his teaching career, Shota Aizawa was called into a meeting with Best Jeanist, Manual, Death Arms, Snipe, Thirteen, Endeavor, Air Jet, Midnight, Ingenium, and Gunhead. They met with an unnamed police officer to speak about the unwilling civilians injected with Trigger.

Afterwards, Midnight approached Eraser Head asking about where Present Mic was because he was supposed to be at the meeting. He explained that Present Mic had a cold and could not make it. Midnight scolded Eraser Head on his attire. In response, he teased her saying she should become a teacher or something if she likes counseling others so much. Much to his chagrin, she told him that's exactly what she plans on doing. Continuing on she revealed that principal Nezu personally requested her and that she would start next year at U.A. She detailed in constant innuendos her beliefs on teaching. Shota disagrees with her methods and as she begins a rebuttal; a Suicide Bomber attacked the police station.

Midnight returns to her conversation with Shota telling him he should also become a teacher because a wide variety of opinions and teaching styles is required to educate the youth. He asks if she is joking saying if he became a teacher that would be the epitome of irrational. The next day he was told Midnight had submitted a recommendation for him to the principal thus starting his career as a teacher.

Quirk Apprehension Test Arc
On the first day of the initial term for Class 1-A, Shota arrives outside the class in his sleeping bag. He overhears Ochaco Uraraka talking about making friends, and interrupts. He tells her she can go home if she is only at U.A. to make friends and promptly introduces himself as Class 1-A's homeroom teacher. He warns his students it took them eight seconds too long to get ready for class and says that rational students would be silent and seated already. Without any further interruption, Shota forgoes orientation and takes the class outside for the Quirk Apprehension Test.

Shota instructs Katsuki Bakugo to throw a softball using his Quirk to preview the purpose of the test. The students get excited to use their Quirks but Shota warns them that the test is to gauge the students potential and the student who comes in last has none and will be expelled immediately.

He monitors the students as they go through each test in order to assess their room for growth. During the ball throw exercise, Shota immediately stops Izuku Midoriya from breaking himself by erasing his Quirk before he can throw the ball. A stunned Izuku recognizes his goggles and reveals to the class that Shota is the Pro Hero "Eraser Head". Shota claims that the judges should not have let Izuku enroll at U.A. because of his lack of control over his own Quirk. He tells Izuku that he cannot become a hero and instructs him to take his final throw.

Shota ponders whether Izuku will break himself or give up, but to his surprise, Izuku channels his Quirk into his finger and throws the ball over seven hundred meters. Izuku turns to his teacher and tells that him he belongs at U.A. Shota is deeply impressed and responds with a wide grin. Katsuki gets angry with Izuku and tries to attack him, but Shota stops him by using his Capturing Weapon and his Quirk. He warns Katsuki to stop wasting time and asks the next person to step up.

Following the conclusion of the fitness tests, Shota reveals the rankings to the class. Although Izuku comes in last place, Shota chooses not to expel him and instead tells the class he was lying. He writes it off as a logical deception to make sure each student did their best. As he leaves, Shota is confronted by All Might. All Might claims Shota was always planning to send someone homes because Shota's file in the teaching directory revealed he expelled his entire class before. Shota admits that Izuku does not have zero potential, but he can sense a connection between Izuku and All Might.

U.S.J. Arc
Once the news about All Might becoming a teacher at U.A. breaks out, the media surrounds the entrance of the high school looking for a scoop. Shota confronts them himself, telling them to stop disturbing his students because All Might is not on campus. He returns to homeroom and informs Class 1-A that he has reviewed the results of combat training. First, he tells Katsuki that he is talented and not to sulk over his loss childishly so he does not waste his potential. Then he tells Izuku to work harder to gain control over his Quirk because it can be useful if he gets a grip on it.

Moving on to their next order of business, Shota tells the students they need to elect a class president. Tenya Iida suggests the class holds an election and Shota tells them to have it done by the time he finishes his nap. Following the voting, Shota announces that Izuku is the president and Momo Yaoyorozu will be the deputy. After lunch, Izuku nominates Tenya for the job. Shota tells them to stop wasting time because he does not care who the president is.

Shota announces to the class that he, All Might and another instructor will host rescue training for the students at another facility. He tells them to get ready, but also to be mindful of their costumes. They take a bus to the Unforeseen Simulation Joint where Thirteen greets the class. He asks Thirteen where All Might is and she replies that he used up all his power and needs to rest before joining them.

Moments later, Shota feels an ominous presence as supervillains teleport inside the facility using a warp hole. He commands the students to stay back and remain together and tells Thirteen to protect them. The students are confused by the villains' arrival, so Shota makes it clear that they are real villains. He asks Denki Kaminari to use his Quirk to try and contact the school's main campus. Although Izuku expresses his doubt in his teacher's ability to fight all the villains alone, Eraser Head reassures the young man he has some tricks up his sleeve before he leaps into battle.

The villains firing squad takes aim at Shota, but he uses his Quirk to erase their powers and then knocks them out using his capturing weapon. The other villains soon recognize him as Eraser Head and reveal his quirk. One of them uses his Mutant Quirk to attack and is confident that Shota will not be able to erase it. Shota admits he cannot erase Mutant Quirks and instead subdues the villain using his restraining bonds. While fighting off the remaining villains, Shota notices Kurogiri got past him but cannot pursue him until he deals with the other criminals.

Continuing his brawl in the Central Plaza, Eraser Head is confronted by Tomura Shigaraki. He figures Tomura is the League of Villains' leader and manages to land an elbow strike. However, Tomura finds the weak point in Shota's erasures and manages to decay his elbow. Shota's hair moves out of his face while he is using it and this shows Tomura when he blinks. Shota punches Tomura away and backs away before he realizes the monstrous villain Nomu behind him.

Nomu crushes Shota with its overwhelming strength; as Izuku, Tsuyu Asui and Minoru Mineta watch on hidden nearby. He tries to erase Nomu's Quirk, but realizes he has super strength without the need of one. Tomura eventually notices the students and attacks Tsuyu. Despite Nomu breaking many of Shota's bones, the teacher manages to erase Tomura's Quirk and saves Tsuyu from being disintegrated, as Tomura compliments his will. Nomu smashes Shota's head into the ground to subdue Shota, knocking him out. All Might arrives before the beast can kill him and saves him.

All Might gives Shota's unconscious body to the students and they carry him back to the entrance. When the battle against the League of Villains concludes, Shota is taken to be treated for his injuries by Recovery Girl and his condition worries the students.

U.A. Sports Festival Arc
The two days after the League of Villains assault, school resumes at U.A. Much to the surprise of his students, Shota returns to class covered in bandages. He tells them his well being is irrelevant and that their battle is not over yet. Afraid of possibly facing more villains, the class questions what Shota means. He replies that their fight is not over because the U.A. Sports Festival is approaching. Minoru and Denki question whether it is a good idea to hold the festival so soon after the villain attack. Shota explains that it is a show of good faith, and the festival is simply too important to cancel. Many pro-heroes will be in attendance and the students must keep training and make the best of their time in the upcoming Sports Festival.

Present Mic is able to convince Shota to commentate alongside him for the first years stage of the festival. When he asks Shota what competitors should look out for to start the obstacle race, Shota replies they need to watch doorway. Shoto freezes one of the giant robots at the first obstacle, Shota comments that his action was both offensive and defensive.

For the first leg of the race, all the pack leaders are from Class 1-A. Shota explains it is because his students have learned not to hesitate. The fear they felt facing real villains has helped them grow. They all know that they must act quickly if they want to stay alive. Present Mic mentions it is difficult for heroes to get popular without a flashy Quirk. Shota replies that he does not know what Hizashi means and calls him an idiot. Once the students reach the final obstacle, Shota tells Hizashi to calm down after he gets overzealous explaining the final obstacle. Izuku manages to clear the final leg of the race instantly, prompting Present Mic asks Shota what he is teaching them. Shota replies it has nothing to him. His students are powered by their own drive to succeed.

Just as the Cavalry Battle is about to begin, Hizashi wakes up Shota in preparation for the battle royale. Shota notices some very unexpected student combinations. When Team Todoroki manages to freeze many of the other teams, Shota notes that Shoto Todoroki adjusted his strategy to have Denki immobilize them with his electricity because he was surprised when so many people avoided his ice during the race. Towards the end of the round Team Bakugo battles Team Monoma. Shota comments that although Neito Monoma had a good strategy, there was one thing they did not consider. Katsuki defeats Team Monoma by taking their remaining points. Team Monoma forgot to consider Katsuki's overwhelming tenacity. There is a break between the second round and the finals. Present Mic asks Shota to join him for lunch, but Shota takes a nap instead.

Everyone is surprised that the girls from Class 1-A are dressed as cheerleaders for the recreational games. When Nirengeki Shoda and Mashirao Ojiro elect to drop out of the finals, Shota points out that Midnight has the final say in the matter. During Izuku's match with Hitoshi Shinso, Shota talks about how the entrance exam isn't rational because students with a powerful Quirk like Hitoshi's get left out. He also ponders to himself about how Izuku would likely defeat Hitoshi in a fight without their Quirks. Once Izuku wins, Shota thinks about how Izuku is using every trick he has picked up so far to achieve victory. During the next match, Shota watches in pure awe as Shoto freezes Hanta Sero in a giant ice prison.

Shota and Present Mic continue to announce the remaining matches. He is fairly annoyed when Mei Hatsume uses her match with Tenya as a commercial for her gadgets. Katsuki's match with Ochaco is ridiculed by Present Mic and the crowd because of Katsuki's brutality. When the crowd starts to boo him, Shota comes to the defense of his student. He clubs Present Mic and takes the mic to call out the Pro Hero who started the uproar against Katsuki. He tells the hero to go home and hang up his cape because Katsuki's fierceness is a show of respect to Ochaco. He cannot afford to let his guard down if he wants to defeat her. Ochaco eventually counters with a meteor shower of debris from the damage stage created by Katsuki's explosions. Shota had already noticed the debris hovering above the arena during the fight. While everyone else is in shock from her sudden comeback, Shota teases them for just noticing it.

Izuku faces Shoto in the first match of the second round an breaks all of his fingers to counter Shoto's ice. Shoto notices Izuku has lost some power but gained some control over his Quirk. Izuku is not fighting recklessly and says that he is simply doing whatever he can to win at his current skill level. Amazed by Izuku's resolve, Shota wonders what is driving Izuku to win despite his injuries. Izuku and Shoto's final clash destroys the stage. Shota explains the explosion is because the air was thoroughly cooled and then rapidly heated.

In the final match between Shoto and Katsuki, Shota notes that Katsuki's aptitude for combat is becoming more obvious with every battle. He also says that Shoto is not fighting poorly, he has simply lost his spark since fighting Izuku. Once the Sports Festival concludes, Shota meets his students back in their homeroom. They can next two days off from school to recuperate, and he will organize the offers from Pro Heroes for them after the break.

Vs. Hero Killer Arc
Classes resume at U.A. High two days after the Sports Festival. Shota returns to teach his homeroom class absent of his bandages. Tsuyu notes his healed injuries and he confirms Recovery Girl went overboard on his treatment. He announces that the class will be on hero informatics, worrying some of the students. Then he reveals that the students will need to formulate their hero names, much to their excitement. Shota orders them to calm down and then continues to explain that they will need to choose code names because of the Pro Hero draft nominations following the festival.

Normally U.A. students would not have to deal with the draft until their second or third year, but Class 1-A is an exception. Pro-Heroes are essentially investing in their potential, but any nominations can be rescinded if their interest in the student dies down before graduation. He reveals the total tally for the Class draft offers on the board. It is normally balanced between students, but this year there are many more nominations for Shoto and Katsuki compared to the rest of the students. Regardless of nominations or not, Class 1-A will all be interning with real Heroes. Although they got to fight against real villains, getting real field training will still but a fruitful experience. They will also need code names for the internship.

Midnight arrives to help evaluate the student's choices for their hero names. Shota explains that a heroes name represents them and is used to project their desired image. While Midnight helps the students, Shota takes a nap in his sleeping bag. After the students finish choosing their code names, Shota tells them they will spend one week interning with pro heroes. Students with nominations can choose from their offers while anyone who did not receive any will choose from forty hero agencies who have agreed to take students on. He gives them until the end of the week to make their choices and dismisses them from class.

In the staff room sometime after school, Shota looks over a few draft forms for those students who already chose where they want to intern. He is surprised to see that Tenya has chosen to intern in Hosu, Tokyo and nowhere else, figuring that he must have gotten better offers. Once the first day of the internships arrives, Shota meets Class 1-A at the train station where he instructs them to mind their manners with the heroes and reminds them to be responsible for their costumes.

While working with Present Mic in the staff room, they are both fairly annoyed by All Might's ringtone when he receives a call from Gran Torino. Shota even thinks to himself that All Might cannot possibly be serious. Following the end of the internships, Shota mentions during class that summer vacation is approaching and Class 1-A will be training at a lodge in the forest. The students are very excited about this news, but whoever does not pass the final exams at the end of the term will have to serve in remedial school instead.

Final Exams Arc
One week prior to the end of the term, Shota reminds his class to prepare both their minds and their bodies for the written and practical portions of the final exams. Later on, when Katsuki storms out of class, Shota notices that he has gotten worse. Shota oversees the written exams and meets with his class at the practical exam area after. Shota and several other teachers remind the students that it is possible to fail the practical. Some of the students have gathered information and know what to expect from the final. Denki and Mina Ashido are excited to say that they think they are fighting robots.

However, Nezu pops out of Shota's scarf and declares that the practical exam is being changed for various reasons. Students will now work in pairs to defeat one of the teachers before them. The pairs and opponents were already chosen by Shota. He announces that Shoto and Momo will face him, and Izuku and Katsuki have been paired together to fight All Might.

A few days before, Shota met with all the teachers to discuss changing the practical test. In order to reflect the current times where battles against villains look to intensify, they believe make the final exam more difficult is necessary. Shota noted that they can ignore complaints about student safety, as that is the reason they utilized robots in the past. With the final say, Nezu agrees they should change the test to teachers against pairs of students in order to make the students as strong as possible. Shota explained his reasoning for each of the matchups. He decided to take on Shoto and Momo himself to teach them not to rely so heavily on their Quirks. He also assigns Izuku and Katsuki to All Might in order to help mend their broken relationship.

All of the matchups between student pairs and teachers are revealed in order. The students must either capture the teachers using handcuffs are run away by getting through a designated escape gate within thirty minutes. This is to simulate situations where heroes must choose to fight or run to get help. Shota believes Izuku, Shoto, and Tenya know full well about needing to run and get help because of their interaction with the hero killer. Each teacher wears ultra compressed weights to give the students a handicap. Shota tells everyone it is time to begin and whoever is waiting to fight can watch in the monitoring room or strategize with their partners.

Eraser Head portrays the role of villain in the practical battle against Shoto and Momo. He finds them with their guard down and takes them by surprise by hanging by his scarf from telephone cables. He takes their Quirks from them and tells them to prioritize evasion. Shoto orders Momo to run for the gate while he swings and misses at his opponent.

Unimpressed with Shoto's plan, Eraser Head swiftly binds him using the capturing weapon and suspends him in mid-air from the cables. Shoto claims he can free himself at any moment, so Eraser Head responds by throwing caltrops beneath him and warning him to watch where he lands. Before departing to chase Momo, Eraser Head takes the time to tell Shoto his plan places too much burden on himself. He says was nice of Shoto to be considerate of the girl, but they should have talked it over more first.

Traveling along the telephone cables, Eraser Head uses his restraining bonds to move quickly through the replica city. He catches up to Momo before long and tries to restrain her, but he is unable to keep her Quirk erased and so she escapes. Despite getting free, she runs back towards Shoto rather than towards the escape gate. Shota knows Momo lost her confidence after the Sports Festival and by comparing herself to Shoto, she deems him the better student and doubts her own instincts and abilities. He would like to help her get her confidence back, but "that is not [his] job at the moment," and continues chasing her.

Momo reaches Shoto, but Eraser Head is not far behind her. Shoto takes his teachers advise and encourages Momo to form a plan. When Shota reaches them, Momo stuns him with a flurry of flash grenades. She frees Shoto and tells him that she has a plan to pass the exam. Excited to see his students redemption, Shota wipes his eyes and smirks at his opponents.

Due to his injuries from fighting Nomu, Shota cannot use his Quirk for as long and has to rest more between erasures. He commends Momo for noticing that and planning her attack accordingly. They both run away to put distance between them and Shota. They're not fast enough to escape him, but Shota's unable to keep their Quirks erased and Shoto blocks visibility completely by using his biggest move: Giant Ice Wall. Shota's impressed that they took advantage of his weakness and waited for the right moment. While his students strategize behind the ice, Shota remains in place to watch their approach because the escape gate is behind him. He recalls Momo telling Shoto about her plan to win and admits he is excited to see it.

Momo and Shoto run from behind the ice covered in cloaks. Shota cannot erase their Quirks if they are disguised but attacks anyway because it is a disadvantage for them as well. He restrains them with his scarf, but upper bodies turn out to be just mannequins. Momo uses a hidden catapult to send bundled up restraining bonds at Eraser Head, then Shoto shoots out his flames to heat them up. Momo tells Shota the bonds are made from nitinol alloy: a is a metal with shape memory. When heated it returns to its bundled shape in an instant and ties up Eraser Head.

After the battle, Momo and Shoto discuss how smoothly her plan went. Momo admits she missed the catapult trigger and Eraser Head could have stopped them. She claims that perhaps he allowed them to win. Shota explains that while Momo was revealed, he backed off because Shoto was still cloaked and could have frozen him. Shota is handcuffed by his students and Team Todoroki & Yaoyorozu pass their final exam.

The following day, Shota announces to his class that some did not pass their practical exam. Despite those who failed, Shota reveals that everyone is still going to training camp in the woods. No one managed to fail the written exam, but two teams and Hanta all failed the practical. The teachers left a window for the students to win during the practical battles and only told the students they were trying to defeat them to put them on edge. The training camp is meant to build student strength, so those who bombed the practical need that training the most.

Shota admits they were never going to be separated from the others and that was just another logical ruse. Tenya is upset that Shota has lied to them again and asks if he fears his students losing faith in him. He replies that he was not lying about everything. Those who did not pass will undergo extra lessons that are far tougher then what they would face in summer school.

Forest Training Camp Arc
Prior to summer break, Shota and Vlad King discuss the upcoming train regiment for their students and review each of their quirks. They're interrupted by Denki, Minoru, and Izuku who ask permission to use the school pool. Shota confirms that U.A. grants them permission and dismisses them. When their allotted pool time ends, Shota kicks all of Class 1-A out of the pool and tells them to go home.

Summer break begins and Shota meets with Class 1-A outside U.A. High School. He informs them that unlike other students, they will not rest during the break and they will train hard instead. Shota and his students board their bus and head to the training camp in the woods. While on the way, Shoto tries to inform the students that they will stop in an hour but they're all fooling around and not paying him any mind. Shot allows their behavior to slide because he knows this will be their only time to mess around.

The bus stops an hour later at the top of a mountain. Shota announces theirs no point in stopping the bus without reason and introduces the students to the Wild, Wild Pussycats members Mandalay and Pixie-Bob. Once the students realize they have to travel to the base of the mountain on their own, Shota informs them that training camp has already begun. Pixie-Bob tosses the students into Beast's Forest and Mandalay challenges them to reach camp in three hours time. Mandalay questions Shota's intended training schedule for the students because of its intensity. Shota explains that he's trying to get an entire terms worth of training into the students so they can gain provisional hero licenses and defend themselves against villains.

The students don't make it back to camp for several more hours. Shota instructs them to bathe and eat before going to sleep. The next day, Shota makes an example out of Katsuki by having him toss another ball using his quirk. Katsuki only manages to throw it four meters farther than he did during the fitness tests. Shota explains that although the students have grown on mental and technical levels their quirks have not improved at all. The training camp will emphasize expanding the student's quirks. Shota says it will be so hard the students will feel like their dying and he encourages them to stay alive.

Class 1-B arrives sometime later and Vlad King introduces them to the quirk training. Itsuka Kendo questions how Vlad and Shota could look over all the students of both classes. Shota explains the Pussycats have a variety of quirks and experience that will handle all the students at once. Shota brings Eijiro Kirishima, Rikido Sato, Hanta, Denki, and Mina to a separate facility for extra lessons until two in the morning. At seven in the morning, he brings them to join their classmates for more quirk training. During that day's training, Izuku asks if All Might and the other teachers will join them. Shota confirms that no one else is coming because the camp is a secret. Shota escorts the extra lessons group back to the facility while everyone else undergoes the Pussycats' test of courage.

While Shota and Vlad King discuss the extra lessons curriculum, Mandalay sends out a telepathic message about an attack on the training camp. Shota rushes out of the building worried about the costs of a full scale attack. Distracted, Shota doesn't notice Dabi standing outside and is suddenly ambushed by a blast of blue flames.

Shota narrowly evades the attack and uses his scarf to hang from the building's roof. He erases Dabi's Quirk and uses the capturing weapon to pin him down. Shota breaks Dabi's arms while interrogating him to find out the villain's numbers and motives. Some of the students arrive at the facility and distract Shota, allowing Dabi to break free. Shota tries to restrain him again, but Dabi turns out to be a clone. As the clone disintegrates into a puddle, Dabi threatens the safety of the students.

Shota rushes into the forest and happens upon Izuku. Izuku is heavily injured from combat with one of the villains. Izuku asks Shota to look after Kota Izumi because he needs to give Mandalay a message immediately. Before Izuku rushes off, Shota warns him about going beyond his physical limits. He also gives Izuku a message for Mandalay. Thanks to Dabi's message, Shota knows that the students are the targets of the attack. He grants the students permission to engage the villains and defend themselves using their training. He worries about Izuku and his students, pleading for them not to let their journies on this night. Kota tearfully asks Shota if Izuku will be okay despite his injuries. Shota tells the young boy that Izuku will be okay, and to focus on thanking him for the next time they meet.

Shota and Kota reach the facility. Shota defeats a second double of Dabi and entrusts Kota's safety to Sekijiro Kan. The Class 1-A students want to fight, but Shota prevents them from doing so since they do not have enough information on the villains. Shota heads towards the front lines. Along the way, he helps rescue a few Class 1-B students. The attack of the Vanguard Action Squad ends and the training camp comes to an abrupt ending.

One day later, Shota and Sekijiro are questioned by the Police Force regarding the events that transpired at the training camp.

Hideout Raid Arc
Nezu, Shota, and Sekijiro appear in U.A.'s public apology broadcast. However, the apology and their safety measures are still criticized by society. Shota tells the reporters that he decided to let the students fight due to not knowing the full situation in order to prevent the worst possible situation from happening and as a result no students were killed (which would have been the worst possible outcome in his opinion); Nezu states that the situation would have been much worse if Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu and Itsuka Kendo did not defeat Mustard. Nezu also says that they are seeing to the well-being of their students and have not seen any signs of emotional trauma. The reporter asks the principal if U.A. had already failed in securing the students' well-beings due to not checking Katsuki's mental instability and his "villain-like" performance during the Sports Festival. Remaining calm even under pressure, Shota answers that out of all the students, Katsuki was the one who showed that his conviction to be a Hero was the strongest and believes the villains' to be foolish if they think that they can turn Katsuki into a villain. Nezu backs up Shota by saying that they are working with the Police Force to investigate Katsuki's whereabouts and promises to retrieve him.

After the broadcast, Shota, Nezu, and Sekijiro watch All Might fight against All For One. After All Might's victory and return to U.A., Nezu announces his plan to transition U.A. to a boarding school as a means to mitigate the safety issues, and asks for Shota's cooperation.

Shota and Toshinori visit the homes of Class 1-A. During the visit to Kyoka's home, Kyotoku Jiro is not too happy with U.A.'s safety measures and has doubts in U.A.'s ability to protect her if she were to relocate to U.A.'s dormitories; Shota acknowledges that U.A. has been negligent in its duty to safeguard its students and vows to correct this safety issue as well as promising to make Kyoka into a fine Hero. Kyoka tells Shota to relax as her father has already agreed to allow her to relocate to U.A.'s dormitories.

During the visit to Katsuki's home, Mitsuki Bakugo is more than happy to allow her son to relocate to U.A.'s dormitories. She is confident in U.A. because Shota sees her son for who he is instead of what he can do. She also reasons that her son, even though she was worried, returned home safe and sound from his captors thanks to the Pro Heroes, which is why she is confident in U.A's ability to safeguard and raise her son. After leaving the Bakugo household, Shota decides to visit the other Class 1-A families by himself while Toshinori goes to visit Izuku.

Provisional Hero License Exam Arc
Ten days before the beginning of the second semester, Shota is glad that everyone arrived safely. He tells Class 1-A that at the training camp they were supposed to get their "Provisional Hero Licenses" but due to the League of Villains' attack, they did not. Shota is disappointed that some of them tried to act like they have their licenses; Shota calls out Shoto, Eijiro, Izuku, Momo, and Tenya. Shota tells them that he knows that they were present at the site of Katsuki's rescue and took it upon themselves to rescue him. The rest of Class 1-A are shocked and surprised that they actually went to rescue Katsuki. He also knows that the rest of Class 1-A except Katsuki, Toru, and Kyoka also knew about their plan to rescue Katsuki. He explains that their actions have been covered up but tells them that if All Might did not retire, he would have expelled them all as punishment, with the exception of Katsuki, Toru, and Kyoka. Shota advises them to go through the proper procedures next time, which will also restore the trust between them.

After Class 1-A's mood has become better as a result of Katsuki's actions, Shota shows them their new dormitory; Heights Alliance has one dorm per class and Shota takes them to the Class 1-A dormitory. Shota explains that their dorm is separated by gender: the right wing for females and left wing for males. However, the first floor is common space and contains the dining area, baths, and laundry facilities. Class 1-A take a look at their new dorm and become excited about living here. Shota then explains that their bedrooms are on floors two, three, four and five; every student gets their own private bedroom with each room having an AC unit, bathroom, refrigerator and closet. Shota gives Class 1-A a map of their room allocations and says that their luggage has already been sent into their allocated rooms. Shota ends his explanation by telling Class 1-A to spend the rest of the day unpacking and organizing their rooms. Tomorrow, he will explain the operations of their new lifestyle.

The day after, Shota re-emphasizes that the classes’ priority is earning their licenses, and impresses upon them both the seriousness of the responsibilities that come with it and the difficulty of passing the exam. He then announces that the students will be creating Super Moves. Shota explains to Class 1-A that the Hero License Exam is designed to test the students' aptitudes such as information gathering, judgement, mobility, leadership, and communication in various types of trouble. However, the aptitude that is most prevalent is fighting ability.

He explains to Class 1-A that the training camp's purpose, before being abruptly brought to an end, was to help develop their special moves. Shota decides that the remaining ten days they have of summer break Class 1-A that in addition to creating their special moves, he advises them to consider upgrading their Hero Costumes to aid them in the creation of their special moves. Shota tells the class that they will spend the remainder of the summer perfecting ultimate moves before the second semester begins will be entirely spent on developing their Quirks and creating their special moves. Shota also tells that they should also think about costume upgrades. With that said, the class begins training by fighting against Ectoplasm clones.

All Might appears at the entrance to the gym. Shota tells him he should focus on recovering but All Might replies that is his job as a teacher to oversee the training of his students. He gives out advices to the students to help them develop their special moves. Shota wonders why that sudden interest in helping students, when he looks on a book sticking out of his back pocket. It is titled "Even Dummies can be Teachers! Easy Education Theory". Shota is stunned.

Four days later at Gym Gamma in the midst of training, All Might shows up and Shota Aizawa tells him that Class 1-A are progressing nicely. However, a rock Katsuki used his AP Shot on cracks and begins falling towards All Might. Katsuki and Shota warn All Might, but Izuku jumps out with One For All: Full Cowl activated. Izuku destroys the falling wall with a single kick. Shota Aizawa asks All Might to move to safety; All Might apologizes to Katsuki Bakugo.

The remaining days of training came and went. On the morning of the Provisional Hero Licensing Exam, Class 1-A travels to the Takoba National Stadium. Some of Class 1-A are nervous, but Shota encourages them to do their best so that they can get their licenses and further their goal in becoming Heroes.

Eijiro gets hyped up and initiates a Plus Ultra chant, but is interrupted when Inasa Yoarashi appears and chants it himself. One of his classmates tells him that he shouldn't barge in like that. Inasa apologizes by slamming his head into the ground and loudly proclaims that he's sorry. Inasa energetically expresses his excitement about competing with U.A and wishes Class 1-A the best of luck. As the other students of Shiketsu High and Inasa leave, Shota tells Class 1-A that the energetic student's name is Inasa Yoarashi and states that he is a powerful contender; at U.A.'s entrance exam, the same year Class 1-A took it, Inasa received the top score and passed. However, despite receiving the top score, Inasa declined his admission offer.

Hanta is confused as to why Inasa would refuse enrollment into U.A. even though he admires the school. Shota replies that while Inasa can be awkward, his strength is great and warns Class 1-A to be careful. Suddenly, a female hero approaches Shota and states that it has been a long time since they’ve seen each other, although Shota seems upset about her presence. She is Emi Fukukado, know as “Smile Hero” Ms. Joke and tries to make him laugh and flirts with him, but Shota shoots down all of her advances. When Tsuyu comments about their closeness, Ms. Joke replies that it is because their workplaces were close to each other, working together several times, and ended up falling in love. Shota denies the part about them being lovers.

In order for her to stop joking, Shota asks her what she is doing there. She replies that she is a teacher from Ketsubutsu Academy, and she is there with her students, who also participate in the exam. After the students of both schools introduced each other. Shota tells his students to get ready for the exam, and Emi ask if he told his class about something that happens every year at the Provisional Hero License Exam and Shota replies that he hasn’t.

Later, watching from the bleachers, Ms. Joke sits near Shota and jokes about his fly being down, to his displeasure, but soon she changes the subject and remarks she is surprised that he hasn't expelled any of his students and wonders if Shota likes his current class, although Shota is indifferent about Class 1-A, much to Ms. Joke’s laughter.

The preliminary round of the Provisional Hero License Exam begins. Emi decides to bring up the piece of information that Shota did not tell his class yet. Ms. Joke says to Shota that while the format changes every year, one tradition remains the same in every Provisional Hero License Exam: The "Crushing of U.A.". While contemplating how his students defend themselves with great efficiency from the attacks of students from other schools, Shota tells Emi that it didn’t matter if he told them or not about the tradition of taking out U.A because it wouldn't change the fact that they'd have to overcome obstacles like true heroes must do every day. He also says that Pro Heroes Quirks are also widely known and apologizes that his students are more advanced than hers.

As the first exam progresses, and the number of participants remaining to pass it is announced. Shota says it's frustrating he can't tell who pass and fails the exam. Ms. Joke wonders why he is worried. Shota explains that he is not worried but has high expectations because two of his students (Izuku and Katsuki) have a big effect on the rest of the class. They aren't leaders or the most popular, but Izuku and Katsuki's passion inspire everyone in the class and raises the standard for success. As a result of their presence, Shota feels that Class 1-A should perform spectacularly which is why he has high expectations.

Shota continues to observe the performance of his students from the stands until the Provisional Hero License Exam finally ends. Everyone in Class 1-A, except for Katsuki Bakugo and Shoto Todoroki, have managed to pass and obtain their provisional licenses. After this, everyone returns to U.A.

Shie Hassaikai Arc
Later that night, while preparing tomorrow's classes, one of the security robots reports him about a fight between Izuku and Katsuki in ground Beta, and tells him to come and stop them. Shota leaves his room to go discipline the boys, but before he can proceed further All Might stops him and asks to let him handle it instead.

After their fight, Shota restrains Izuku and Katsuki while scold them for having a fight on school grounds. Shota wants to punish them severely for breaking the rules, but Toshinori steps in and tells him the reason for the fight was brought about due to Katsuki feeling guilty about his retirement. Although Shota understands the reasons, he considers that they still deserve an appropriate punishment for their transgression.

Shota punishes them by placing them under house arrest; Izuku three days and Katsuki four days. During their house arrest, Shota states that they will be cleaning the dormitory common spaces day and night and they must write a written statement of regret. Shota tells them that if their injuries do not heal they must go to the infirmary and they must not dare think about relying on Chiyo Shuzenji. Having criticized them enough, Shota tells them to go to bed.

In the classroom, Shota tells his class that starting from today they will resume normal class activities. Shota warns them that the training will be tougher than last semester.Tsuyu asks him to tell the class more about the Hero Work-Studies. Shota obliges, describing it as hero activities done off campus, closer to the real thing than the Workplace Training after the Sports Festival. Ochaco expresses frustration at needing to work so hard to be scouted after the Sports Festival if they were to do internships anyway. Shota explains that the Hero Work-Studies are an opportunity to make use of the connections they garnered at the Sports Festival. The Hero Work-Studies are managed at the discretion of students themselves nowadays because in the past each office would conduct their own recruiting efforts which would cause them to fight over U.A students. Since most of them have Provisional Hero Licenses, Class 1-A can now participate in formal, longer term activities. Shota tells Class 1-A that they will be expected to write about their experiences but he will explain it at a time later.

Shota says they will learn more details later, and introduces Present Mic to teach the first period, English. Shota also instructs his students not to share any information to Izuku or Katsuki until their punishments are over.

Three days later, just when Izuku's house arrest ends and he can return to class, Shota decides to properly talk about the Hero Work-Studies. He brings in three third-year students who have experience with Work-Studies and rank among the top of all U.A.; Mirio Togata, Tamaki Amajiki and Nejire Hado, known as The Big 3. Shota asks the three students to introduce themselves, but each one acts in a disconcerting and bizarre way, only managing to confuse the students of Class 1-A, who wonder if they really are the best in the UA.

Shota sees that U.A's Big 3 lacks rationality. Mirio Togata tells him not to worry as he is the star performer today. Mirio steps in and tries to break the ice with a joke but no one in Class 1-A understands his joke. Mirio insists that the best way for the first year students to learn about work studies is to fight him, much to Class 1-A's surprise. Shota tells Mirio to do as he pleases.

Everyone moves to Gym Gamma where Class 1-A (save for Shoto and Katsuki) all at once against the lone Mirio. Hanta Sero asks Mirio if he really wants to fight all of Class 1-A at the same time, to which Mirio replies that he is serious and tells Class 1-A to attack him whenever they want. Class 1-A students attack Mirio, but he, skillfully using a combination of his Quirk and technique, Mirio has defeated half of Class 1-A within a few minutes. Shota tells Class 1-A to take this great opportunity and learn from it because as he knows it, Mirio Togata is the closest man to becoming the Number One Hero which includes the pro heroes as well, which shocks the rest of Class 1-A.

Shoto is astonished and surprised at the level of great strength Mirio Togata has displayed. Shota Aizawa asks Shoto why he's not fighting and the student replies it's because he didn't earn a Provisional Hero License and feels that he doesn't have the right to engage Mirio in combat. Meanwhile, the fight continues. The remaining half of the students try to fight back, after Deku could discern how his Quirk works, but still, Mirio defeats them all without any problem. While Class 1-A recovers, Mirio states that the reason he wanted to fight Class 1-A is to show the experience he gained from the Hero-Work Studies; Mirio was able to transform his Quirk and reach the top. Mirio encourages the first years to participate at Hero-Work Studies, even if they're scared so that they can grow stronger. Class 1-A start seeing that Hero Work-Studies are different from the Field Training they went through.

Next day, Shota tells Class 1-A that the majority of teachers have voted against the Hero-Work Studies and have called it off. This news saddens Class 1-A. However, Shota says that the first years will be allowed to have Hero Internships with offices that have a good track record. Izuku, Ochaco, Tsuyu, Eijiro and Fumikage are the only students who decide to participate.

Weeks later, Shota is invited to a meeting regarding Shie Hassaikai in Sir Nighteye's offices, the hero who trains Mirio and with whom Deku is doing his Hero-Work Studies. Deku, Ochaco, Tsuyu and Eijiro along with the Big Three, also participate in the meeting, as well as numerous heroes, among which are Fat Gum; Eijiro and Tamaki's Hero-Work mentor, Ryukyu; Ochaco, Tsuyu and Nejire's Hero-Work mentor, and Gran Torino. Ochaco and Tsuyu ask why Shota is here, to which he explains that they asked him for his help. Sir Nighteye reveals that he called for this meeting to share information as well as to discuss how to proceed in dealing with an organization named Shie Hassaikai. Thanks to the information all the Heroes provided him with, Sir Nighteye was able to make substantial progress with his investigation.

Shota is one of the heroes involved in rescuing Eri.

The villains were interested in Shota’s quirk but couldn't defeat him. When Izuku's quirk starts to act out of control, Shota uses his quirk on Eri to deactivate her quirk and save Izuku.

Sometime later, Shota spoke with Mirio and told him of a possibility of Eri getting control of her Quirk in the future, which will allow her to be able to restore him to a state where he had his Quirk.

U.A. School Festival Arc
In Class 1-A, Shota announces that U.A will be having a School Festival and explains that the School Festival is sponsored by the other departments such as the General Department. However, Shota points out that part of the festival will be within U.A and tells Class 1-A to pick out a program to perform at the School Festival. Tenya asks ideas from Class 1-A; many of them give creative ideas such as Denki's maid cafe or Ochaco's mochi shop. Soon, Class 1-A reaches many ideas. Before class ends, Shota tells Class 1-A to make a decision by tomorrow otherwise the class will be doing a public lecture.

Shota Aizawa tells Izuku that Eri has requested to see him and Mirio.

Izuku asks Shota if Eri can come to the School Festival. Mirio explains to Eri that the School Festival is an occasion that U.A. High School hosts where there will be lots of events on display where people can enjoy themselves while tasting delicious food such as candied apples, which catches Eri's attention. As Shota phones Nezu to get his approval, Izuku asks Eri about his idea; Eri wants to get to know the people who saved her and agrees to go to the School Festival.

At U.A. High School, Sekijiro Kan comments to Shota Aizawa on his Class 1-A's band and dance performance, considering it to be admirable.

Pro Hero Arc
At U.A., Shota watched a report of a Nomu attack and was horrified as it showed Endeavor overwhelmed by the Nomu's attack. Shota ordered his fellows to get Eri in another room so she wouldn't watch the scene, while he went to find Shoto. Shota found Shoto watching the report with his friends, and later stood over him as he prayed for his father. When Dabi appeared before Endeavor and Hawks, Shota commented on his actions.

Joint Training Arc
As Izuku and Toshinori are walking down the hallway, they run into Shota and Shinso walking out of a room. He comments on Izuku’s and Toshinori’s close relationship, and tells Toshinori to calm down when he acts flustered. He then tells Izuku to suit up, as they have a busy day ahead. When he arrives at Ground Gamma, he uses his Capturing Weapon to choke Monoma in the middle of a rant, and announces that Shinso is trying to join the hero department, and will be joining their exercise.

Shota asks Shinso to introduce himself to the other students, and helps Vlad King explain the rules of the Joint Training Battle. Shota watches silently during Shinso’s first battle of the exercise.

After the first battle ends, Shota asks his students to state what they’ve learned during the exercise. When Shinso expresses his frustration about his difficulties with the Capturing Weapon, Shota reassures Shinso by pointing out that it took him 6 years to master the weapon, and tells him to use his feelings as motivation in the next battle. He then advises the rest of the team about how to improve for the future. As Toshinori and Midnight contemplate their students’ growth, Shota and Vlad join them and asks for their opinion on Shinso, and Shota explains that the exercise is Shinso’s “exam” to determine whether or not he will join the hero program.

During the second battle, Shota watches silently as Momo declares her confidence.After Class 1-B’s victory, Shinso notes the destruction caused by the battle, and Shota replies that this normal, but scolds Manga and Itsuka for causing too much damage.

When Kaminari and several other Class 1-A students protest Vlad’s biased commentary during the start of the fourth battle, Shota tells them to stop, reminding them that their losses would be serious in the real world, and that the Class 1-B students have had better tactics.After Class 1-A’s victory in the fourth battle, Shota complimented his students on their teamwork, then rejoined Toshinori, Midnight, and Vlad to watch the final battle.

As the final battle of the exercise progresses, Shota watches with shock as a strange black substance appears from Izuku’s arm.Once the crisis is averted, Shota asks that the battle be allowed to continue, despite Vlad’s protests, as the students still want to fight. While watching the fight between Izuku and Shinso, Shota remembers his time training Shinso to use the Capturing Weapon.Shota expresses confusion when Izuku uses Blackwhip properly for the first time, and comments when it disappears.

After the end of the battle, Shinso once again laments his performance, and asks if this was his “exam”, to which Shota avoids the question and announces the assessments. He asks Izuku about his outburst during the battle, and compliments Uraraka’s growth. When Shinso continues to berate himself, Shota briefly chokes him with his weapon and reminds him that the other students went through a lot of training to achieve their skills, telling him to focus on improving himself. Shota announces that Shinso has passed his test. He then asks Monoma to visit Eri the next day.

The next day, Shota presented his case for Shinso’s transfer to the other faculty, and earned Nezu’s approval. As he was walking down the hall, Present Mic notes the similarities between Shota and Shinso, and asks if he’s taking another pupil, to which Shota asks him to keep it short, as he has somewhere to be. Shota meets Eri, Monoma, Izuku, and Mirio outside of the teacher dorms, and explains why he asked for Monoma’s help.