If you’ve spent any time in the My Hero Academia fandom, you know that Kohei Horikoshi doesn't really do "accidents." Everything is a choice. From the specific kanji in a character's name to the precise height differences between rivals, there is a layer of intentionality that borders on the obsessive. That’s why looking at the Class 1-A seating chart isn't just a quest for trivia. It's basically a blueprint for how the social dynamics of U.A. High School were built from day one.
Think about it.
Where you sit in a classroom defines your entire day. It dictates who you whisper to when the teacher isn't looking, who you partner with for quick drills, and whose quirks you literally have to watch out for. In a world where kids are training to be literal gods among men, where a sneeze could level a desk, seating isn't just about ergonomics. It's about safety, narrative foreshadowing, and character growth.
Honestly, some people think it's just a grid. It's not.
The Logic Behind the Class 1-A Seating Chart
The seating arrangement in Class 1-A isn't based on grades or height. It’s strictly alphabetical. In the Japanese school system, students are typically seated according to their names using the gojuon order (a-i-u-e-o). This is why Yuga Aoyama is at the front and Momo Yaoyorozu—despite being a top-tier recommendation student—is tucked away in the back.
This creates some hilarious, and occasionally tense, proximity issues.
Take Bakugo and Midoriya. Because "B" and "M" (or rather, Ba and Mi) are spaced out, they aren't right on top of each other. That’s probably a good thing for the structural integrity of the classroom walls. But look at who sits right behind Izuku Midoriya: Minoru Mineta. This isn't just a random placement; it allows for constant visual gags where Mineta’s cowardice or perversion acts as a foil to Deku’s relentless, sometimes exhausting, sincerity.
The Specific Grid Layout
If you're trying to visualize the room, imagine a standard five-column, four-row grid.
In the first column, closest to the door, you've got Aoyama at the front (Seat 1). Behind him sits Mina Ashido, then Tsuyu Asui, then Tenya Iida. Iida’s placement is perfect. He’s the class representative, and he’s positioned near the door and the front, ready to jump up and enforce rules at a moment's notice. It fits his "engine" persona—he's the literal entry point for the class's discipline.
Column two starts with Ochaco Uraraka. Behind her is Mashirao Ojiro, followed by Denki Kaminari and Eijiro Kirishima. This is a "power" row. You have the gravity manipulation of Uraraka at the front and the sheer hardening of Kirishima at the back. It’s a mix of utility and brawn.
Column three—the center of the room—is where things get interesting.
Koji Koda sits at the front, followed by Rikido Sato, Mezo Shoji, and Kyoka Jiro. This is arguably the "quietest" row in terms of personality, though Jiro’s Earphone Jack quirk makes her the ultimate eavesdropper for the rest of the class.
Why Proximity Drives the Plot
You’ve probably noticed that certain characters interact more frequently during homeroom scenes. That’s the seating chart doing its job.
Shoto Todoroki sits in Seat 15, which is the third seat in the fourth column. Directly in front of him is Hanta Sero, and behind him is Fumikage Tokoyami. This puts three of the most powerful, yet stoic, students in one line. Todoroki’s placement is a stroke of genius by Horikoshi. He’s not at the very back, but he’s far enough away from the teacher's podium to maintain that "cool, distant" vibe he had during the first two seasons.
Meanwhile, Katsuki Bakugo is in Seat 17—the front of the fifth column, furthest from the door.
This is the "troublemaker" seat. It’s tucked in the corner. If Bakugo wants to ignore Shouta Aizawa, he can just stare out the window. It also puts him in a position where he has to walk past almost every other student to leave the room, which usually results in him bumping shoulders or growling at someone. It’s a physical manifestation of his friction with the rest of the group.
Behind Bakugo is Toru Hagakure. Imagine being invisible and sitting behind the guy with the shortest fuse in the world. It’s a comedy goldmine that the manga exploits whenever possible.
Hidden Details in the Background
If you watch the anime closely, especially during the "filler" moments where Aizawa is lecturing, the Class 1-A seating chart becomes a tool for world-building.
You’ll see Momo Yaoyorozu (Seat 20) at the very back of the fifth column. She’s the tallest girl and arguably the most academically gifted. Sitting in the back gives her a view of everyone else’s desks. For someone with a "Creation" quirk that requires a deep understanding of molecular structures and situational awareness, being at the back is a tactical advantage. She sees the whole board.
Breaking Down the Numerical Order
Sometimes it’s easier to just see the list. Here is how they are actually numbered in the official U.A. registry:
- Yuga Aoyama
- Mina Ashido
- Tsuyu Asui
- Tenya Iida
- Ochaco Uraraka
- Mashirao Ojiro
- Denki Kaminari
- Eijiro Kirishima
- Koji Koda
- Rikido Sato
- Mezo Shoji
- Kyoka Jiro
- Hanta Sero
- Fumikage Tokoyami
- Shoto Todoroki
- Katsuki Bakugo
- Toru Hagakure
- Minoru Mineta
- Izuku Midoriya
- Momo Yaoyorozu
Wait, did you catch that?
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If you look at the Japanese alphabetical order, Bakugo (Ba) comes way before Midoriya (Mi). In a standard 20-person class, the seating shifts based on how many columns are used. Most official art shows them in a 4x5 or 5x4 configuration. In the most common 5-column setup, Bakugo and Midoriya are actually quite far apart. Bakugo is the "anchor" of the right side of the room, while Midoriya is buried in the middle-right.
This separation was vital early on.
In the beginning of the series, their relationship was toxic. Putting them next to each other would have turned every single classroom scene into a fight. By keeping them separated by a few desks, Horikoshi allowed them to grow as individuals before their inevitable "Deku vs. Kacchan 2" confrontation. They had to look across the room at each other, which built more tension than sitting side-by-side ever could.
The Cultural Impact of the Desk
In Japan, the "back of the class, by the window" seat is iconic. It's the protagonist's seat. It's where the dreamer sits.
In Class 1-A, that's Bakugo.
Usually, the underdog hero gets that spot. But Horikoshi flipped the script. He gave the "main character seat" to the rival/antagonist and put the actual protagonist, Deku, right in the thick of the crowd. This reinforces the idea that Deku isn't a "chosen one" in the traditional, isolated sense—he is a hero because of his connection to others. He is surrounded. He is part of the collective.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Artists
If you are a fan-fiction writer, an artist, or just a die-hard theorist, understanding this layout changes how you view the "slice of life" moments at U.A. High.
- Check the Line of Sight: If Kaminari is making a joke, he’s likely looking back at Kirishima or over at Mineta. Their proximity in the middle-right of the room creates a "chaos pocket."
- The Recommendation Dynamic: Todoroki and Yaoyorozu are both recommendation students. They sit in the same column (the far right). This creates a subtle visual link between the two "elites" of the class, even if they don't talk much in the early chapters.
- Aizawa's View: From the teacher's podium, Aizawa has a direct line to Aoyama (the flashy one) and Uraraka (the earnest one). He can keep an eye on the "problem child" Bakugo in the far corner, but he has to look past everyone else to do it.
To truly master the layout, try sketching the room from the perspective of the chalkboard. You'll quickly realize that the Class 1-A seating chart isn't just a list of names—it's a map of the emotional and tactical heartbeat of the series. If you're building a collection or a display, grouping the figures according to this chart adds a layer of authenticity that casual fans will definitely notice.
Next time you re-watch the U.A. Sports Festival or the Provisional Hero License Exam arcs, pay attention to who gathers together first when the bell rings. It’s almost always the people sitting in the immediate vicinity of each other. That’s how real friendships start in high school, and it’s how Horikoshi makes his world of superheroes feel grounded in reality.
Key Takeaway: Always look at the background characters in the manga. Often, the students in the "unimportant" seats are reacting to the main plot in ways that foreshadow their own future character arcs. For example, Shoji’s quiet observation from the center of the room often precedes his moments of tactical brilliance later in the series.