My Hero Academia has introduced countless heroes and villains, each with unique Quirks that shape their role in the story. Among the most fascinating abilities are fire-based powers, which represent both destruction and determination. Two characters stand out in this regard: Enji Todoroki, better known as Endeavor, the No.1 Pro Hero after All Might’s retirement, and his estranged son, Dabi, a villain who wields devastating blue flames under the alias of the League of Villains.
A long-standing debate among fans is whether Dabi’s blue flames are truly stronger than Endeavor’s Hellflame. At first glance, blue fire is scientifically hotter and more destructive than red or orange fire, which seems to give Dabi an edge. However, the question of strength is not as simple as fire temperature alone. To understand this rivalry, we must dive deep into both their Quirks, their strengths and weaknesses, and how they compare in a true battle of power.
Understanding Endeavor’s Hellflame
Endeavor’s Quirk, Hellflame, allows him to generate and manipulate extremely hot flames at will. As the long-time No.2 Pro Hero under All Might and eventually the No.1, Endeavor has spent his entire career refining his Quirk to maximize both raw power and precise control.
Endeavor’s arsenal includes powerful techniques such as:
- Prominence Burn – a finishing move capable of incinerating enemies instantly.
- Jet Burn – a high-output fire blast used for mobility and attack.
- Flashfire Fist – a technique that superheats his flames for rapid-fire attacks.
One of Endeavor’s greatest strengths lies in his physical durability and stamina. Unlike Dabi, Endeavor has a body built to withstand extreme heat, allowing him to sustain prolonged use of Hellflame without serious damage. His ability to combine raw firepower with martial combat training makes him a balanced fighter.
Dabi’s Blue Flames Explained
Dabi’s Quirk, Cremation, is notorious for its sheer destructive capacity. Unlike Endeavor’s red and orange flames, Dabi’s fire burns blue, which in scientific terms indicates a much hotter combustion. This means that, at its core, his fire is more powerful in raw temperature and destructive potential.
Dabi has demonstrated devastating techniques such as:
- Cremation Fire Blasts – waves of blue fire capable of engulfing large areas.
- Firestorm Attacks – covering entire battlefields in uncontrollable infernos.
- Continuous Flame Barrages – overwhelming his enemies with relentless firepower.
However, Dabi’s greatest strength is also his greatest weakness. His body is not naturally resistant to his own flames. Prolonged use causes severe burns to his skin, tearing his body apart during combat. Unlike Endeavor, who trained his body to endure fire, Dabi suffers from a genetic disadvantage. His body was not meant to handle Hellflame-level output, yet he inherited its destructive potential without the natural resistance.
This creates a tragic contrast: Dabi has the hotter fire, but his body betrays him every time he uses it.
Power Comparison: Dabi vs. Endeavor
To determine who is stronger, we must compare key aspects of their abilities.
Raw Temperature and Output
Blue fire is scientifically hotter than red or orange fire, meaning Dabi’s flames have the potential to burn more intensely. In pure destructive capability, Dabi has the edge. Entire battlefields can be consumed when he lets loose.
Control and Precision
Endeavor has years of combat experience and refined techniques, giving him superior control over his flames. While Dabi unleashes overwhelming blasts, Endeavor can direct his fire with pinpoint accuracy, combining brute force with tactical skill.
Stamina and Endurance
Endeavor’s body is resistant to heat, allowing him to use his Quirk for extended periods. In contrast, Dabi’s body deteriorates the longer he fights. His own flames injure him, limiting his stamina and making prolonged battles dangerous.
Combat Style
Endeavor combines his flames with physical combat, striking enemies with fire-enhanced punches and kicks. Dabi relies heavily on overwhelming firepower and psychological intimidation, using chaos to his advantage rather than strategy.
When comparing these aspects, it becomes clear that while Dabi may have the hotter flames, Endeavor holds the advantage in endurance, precision, and survivability.
Psychological Edge and Fighting Style
Fire is not just about heat—it represents willpower, control, and the ability to dominate. Both Endeavor and Dabi bring their own psychological edge into battle.
Endeavor is disciplined, tactical, and driven by his obsession to surpass All Might. His years of professional hero work have taught him how to assess opponents, adapt mid-battle, and conserve his stamina for decisive strikes. His mindset is one of dominance, fueled by pride and responsibility as the Symbol of Justice after All Might’s retirement.
Dabi, on the other hand, fights with reckless abandon. His flames embody his rage, pain, and desire for vengeance against Endeavor and hero society. He does not care for collateral damage, often creating uncontrollable infernos that threaten both enemies and allies. His lack of restraint makes him unpredictable, but also dangerous to himself.
In psychological terms, Dabi fights like a wildfire, destructive and uncontrollable. Endeavor fights like a controlled blaze, efficient and purposeful.
Who is Truly Stronger?
The debate over who is stronger—Dabi or Endeavor—depends on how we define “strength.”
If we measure by raw flame temperature, Dabi is undoubtedly superior. His blue flames burn hotter and can cause catastrophic destruction when unleashed. In a short, explosive battle where endurance is not a factor, Dabi’s fire could overpower Endeavor’s.
However, strength in battle is not just about destructive power. Endurance, control, and mastery matter just as much. Endeavor can fight for longer, withstand his own flames, and use his Quirk strategically. Dabi’s self-destructive body means he cannot sustain prolonged combat.
In a real one-on-one fight, Endeavor’s superior durability and refined techniques would likely give him the upper hand. Dabi could win in short bursts of overwhelming firepower, but if the battle drags on, his body would betray him.
Thus, while Dabi’s blue flames may be “stronger” in temperature, Endeavor remains the more complete and capable fighter.
Story Significance
The question of who has stronger flames goes beyond combat—it reflects the deeper themes of family, legacy, and tragedy in My Hero Academia.
Endeavor spent his life seeking power to surpass All Might, even going as far as to push his children into inheriting a perfect Quirk. His abusive past created resentment and fractured his family. Dabi, born as Toya Todoroki, is the living embodiment of that failure. He inherited flames more powerful than Endeavor’s but a body too weak to endure them.
Dabi’s blue flames symbolize the destructive consequences of Endeavor’s obsession. They are hotter and more dangerous, but they consume the very person wielding them. In contrast, Endeavor’s Hellflame, though not as hot, represents endurance, control, and the burden of responsibility.
Their eventual confrontation is not just a battle of firepower—it is a clash of ideology, past sins, and unresolved family trauma. It asks the question: is true strength about raw power, or is it about control and the ability to bear the weight of that power?
Conclusion
Dabi’s blue flames are undoubtedly hotter and more destructive than Endeavor’s Hellflame. On a purely scientific and raw-power level, Dabi seems to hold the upper hand. However, power alone does not determine true strength. Endeavor’s superior control, endurance, and refined combat skills make him the stronger fighter in practical terms.
The battle between Dabi and Endeavor is more than just fire versus fire—it is father versus son, past versus present, destruction versus control. In many ways, Dabi’s flames represent what Endeavor could have been if his obsession had consumed him, while Endeavor’s flames represent resilience and mastery.
FAQs
Q1. Why are Dabi’s flames blue?
Because they burn at a higher temperature than normal fire, giving them a blue appearance.
Q2. Is Dabi stronger than Endeavor?
In raw firepower, yes—his flames are hotter. But Endeavor is stronger overall due to endurance and control.
Q3. Can Endeavor survive Dabi’s blue flames?
Yes, his body is resistant to heat, giving him higher survivability compared to Dabi himself.
Q4. Why does Dabi’s body burn when he uses his flames?
He inherited the firepower from Endeavor but not the heat resistance, so his body damages itself.
Q5. Will Dabi and Endeavor have a final showdown?
The story strongly builds toward a dramatic father-son battle, central to the Todoroki family conflict.
