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Tsuyu Asui (sometimes called Froppy) is an incredibly cute character in My Hero Academia. Like many girls in the series, she is presented as a semi-support character that excels around water. Her quirk is called Frog, and she can basically do all the things that a frog can.
Among others, Tsuyu Asui can utilize camouflage to escape or hide from the enemies, as well as her long tongue to subdue them. She is a great swimmer, and you don’t want to attack her when she’s close to a body of water. In this Tsuyu Asui guide, I will talk about her powers and appearance and share some cool trivia.
Key Info Up Front
Tsuyu Asui is a character that utilizes a quirk called Frog. It allows her to jump around, swim really fast, and use her tongue to attack and subdue enemies. Despite the fact that she is not the strongest hero physically, she makes it up with her intelligence and cooperativeness.
Tsuyu Asui’s Personal Info
Although we don’t have a lot of background info about Tsuyu, she does have an important role within the universe. The character is featured during various arcs, and on a few occasions, such as Shie Hassaikai Arc, she is one of the few students that were a part of the storyline.
In many ways, Tsuyu is a very positive character. Due to the fact that her parents had to travel a lot, she had to raise her siblings, Satsuki and Samidare, almost alone. However, she never complained about it and always regarded herself as lucky.
Unfortunately, this led to numerous social issues. The fact she looked like a frog, and had very limited time for other people, made it hard to create long-lasting friendships during middle school. One of the rare people who wanted to socialize with Tsuyu was Habuko Mongoose, another introvert who would often stalk Asui.
By the end of middle school, the two made a nice bond, which persisted even when they went to different high schools.
Froppy is portrayed as an intelligent, mature character who doesn’t have a problem confronting other characters and speaking her mind. Despite being very outspoken, he tries not to hurt her allies by being too direct. Her rational thinking is a great asset both in social situations but also in battle.
Tsuyu Asui Appearance
As mentioned, Asui has numerous characteristics that are akin to a frog. Perhaps the most pronounced features are her lips and mouth, which are noticeably different than the other characters’. Tsuyu has long dark green hair, which she gathers with a tie. Furthermore, her eyes are significantly larger than those of other protagonists.
The hero’s long legs, arms, and fingers allow her to swim in the water. The support team has created a costume for her that is specially made for lakes and rivers. It is a green suit with several black parts and a utility belt. The outfit also has flippers and large gloves ideal for swimming. Even if her natural physical appearance might not resemble that of a frog, the costume will definitely do the trick.
Tsuyu Asui’s Appearances in Manga and Anime
Although Tsuyu doesn’t have such a big role as Bakugo, Todoroki, or Uraraka, she is one of the most featured classmates in the show. She even has a backstory describing her childhood, siblings, and best friend, Habuko.
The show creators made sure to put her in situations where she could showcase the Frog quirk. Unlike many other characters, she even has a filler story where she works under Selkie.
Quirk Apprehension Test Arc
This arc is rather short. It is utilized for showcasing various students’ quirks, introducing the viewers to the new class of 1-A. Among others, we can see Tsuyu Asui’s quirk Frog that allows her to do just about everything a frog can.
Battle Trial Arc
As the name implies, Battle Trial Arc tests students’ skills and ability to work as a part of a team. The trials are done by performing 2 vs. 2 simulations where one group takes the role of villains, and the other one takes the role of heroes.
Tsuyu works with Fumikage Tokoyami, who has the power of a Dark Shadow. He creates a crow-like entity that has incredible battle abilities and works the best in a dark room or during the night. During the trial, they manage to beat a team of Eijiro Kirishima and Hanta Sero.
U.S.J. Arc
U.S.J. Arc was a good opportunity to properly showcase the students’ quirks to viewers. During this series of episodes, our protagonists test their skills at Unforeseen Simulation Joint Facility. Suddenly, they are attacked by a group of enemies appropriately calling themselves “The League of Villains.”
The present teachers, Eraser Head and Thirteen, tried to isolate the students so they could take on the threat themselves. Alas, the students get randomly displaced around the facility by a teleporting villain that goes by the name Kurogiri.
Our main protagonist, Midoriya Izuku, is teleported with Tsuyu Asui and Minoru Mineta to a training zone called Flood Zone. This is just the right environment for Tsuyu, as there is a large body of water surrounding them. She even saves Midoriya when one of the attackers tries to devour him.
The three of them quickly develop a strategy. Midoriya used Delaware Smash to create a whirlpool that pulls all enemies towards a center, sticking them together with Mineta’s sticky balls. Then, Tsuyu grabs hold of them with her tongue and extracts them from the flood zone.
Asui, Midoriya, and Mineta go to check on Eraser Head, who is now in dire straits, attacked by two villains at once. As the enemies are slowly getting overwhelmed, their leader Tomura tries to disintegrate Tsuyu Asui. At the last moment, she is saved by Eraser Head, after which, All Might appears to save the day.
Vs Hero Killer Arc
Although our students have already been exposed to enemies, and have faced several threats, none of these antagonists were as intimidating as Hero Killer Stain. This villain made a name for himself by killing good guys, and he almost took the lives of Tenya Iida, Todoroki Shoto, and Midoriya Izuku. However, the trio managed to overpower the villain and ultimately capture him.
Tsuyu was also featured in this arc, but only during Innsmouth’s Attack interlude. The Frog hero was taken under Selkie’s wing, working as a part of his Oki Mariner Crew.
During a smaller mission, Selkie and the crew receive a mission where they need to check a cargo ship for contrabands. When Selkie and his crew become temporarily disabled, they need to rely on their first mate, Sirius, and Tsuyu, to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Two of them managed to find the smugglers. Unfortunately, Sirius is almost instantly captured by the bad guys. Using Sirius as a bargaining chip, the main antagonist, Innsmouth, commands Tsuyu to call Selkie and tell him they haven’t found anything. Tsuyu disobeys and does the opposite enraging Innsmouth in the process.
Just as the villain was preparing to end Sirius, Selkie appears on the scene and apprehends the enemy. Later on, Tsuyu is commended for her bravery.
Final Exams Arc
During the Final Exams Arc, all the 1-A class students are placed in 10 groups of 2 and have to fight one of the teachers. Tsuyu and Fumikage have the opportunity to work together once again. They are meant to fight Ectoplasm, who can clone himself and is very proficient in hand-to-hand combat.
Here, we can see how Tsuyu works under pressure. Despite the fact that Fumikage doesn’t feel comfortable on the defense and especially against numerous opponents, Asui provided good support, which somewhat managed to offset his weaknesses.
On one occasion, Tsuyu even saves Fumikage with his tongue as one of the clones was getting ready to strike him.
Eventually, the duo managed to find the real Ectoplasm. The pro hero uses his special move, Forced Internment Giant Bites, which creates a supersized clone. This entity manages to trap both Tsuyu and Fumikage. Thinking on his feet, Fumikage releases Dark Shadow, which proceeds to fight Ectoplasm alone.
While all of this is happening, Tsuyu manages to regurgitate the handcuffs that were stored in her stomach. After that, Dark Shadow quickly got back to Fumikage and Asui, taking the item with him. He then used the handcuffs to bind Ectoplasm, bringing victory to the team.
Forest Training Camp Arc
Once again, during Forest Training Camp Arc, the League of Villains attacks our heroes. This time around, their main target is Bakugo, which is revealed after a few episodes. Students go to the woods to hone their survival skills. Ochaco Uraraka and Tsuyu Asui are paired together. They are ambushed by Himiko Toga, who manages to wound Uraraka.
Toga’s Transformation quirk works by draining the blood of her enemies, and the more she ingests, the longer she can maintain this second form. What’s even more troublesome, she can take the shape of several enemies.
During this skirmish, the battle goes back and forth between the three of them. Although Togo has drained enough blood to transform, she doesn’t manifest the ability on this particular occasion. As the Bakugo Escort Team reaches the place of battle, Toga decides to retreat, not wanting to face an overwhelming enemy.
Briefly after that, Bakugo Escort Team, Asui, and Uraraka are faced by Mr. Compress. Unbeknownst to the heroes, the villain’s mission was just to distract them. After a brief chit-chat, he escapes. Although the students try to catch up with Mr. Compress by combining Uraraka’s gravity and Tsuyu’s tongue throw, they don’t manage to do so.
Later on, they learn that Bakugo was apprehended by the villains.
Provisional Hero License Exam Arc
One of the first instances involving Tsuyu shows her in a highly vulnerable state. During the previous arc, she said that they shouldn’t be rash in saving Bakugo, claiming that impulsive behavior is something that villains would do.
After seeing her teammates scour to save Katsuki, she regretted those words perceiving her actions as cowardly.
Tsuyu is in tears, and she has a very heartwarming moment with the rest of the squad. Among others, she was afraid that she would lose friends after finally making some. In return, the rest of the squad also apologizes to Asui, and they fix the issue.
During the exam, Tsuyu is paired with Momo, Kyoka Jiro, and Mezo Shoji. Initially, Tsuyu is forced to hibernate when the opponents start pouring cold air through ventilation. As someone who has frog traits, the shift in temperature causes her to hibernate.
Luckily, she comes to her senses later on and even manages to save Momo by apprehending Saiko Intelli. Saiko, the leader of the opposing team, quickly admits defeat.
Shie Hassaikai Arc
This arc revolves around a young girl called Eri, whose blood can be used for the creation of bullets that would permanently eliminate anyone’s quirks. She is held by a criminal Yakuza organization known as Shie Hassaikai, led by notorious Overhaul.
First, we are shown a smaller skirmish involving Ochaco, Nejire Hado, and Tsuyu. They managed to apprehend a minor villain group by combining Ochaco’s gravity manipulation and Tsuyu’s tongue. A calm but quick reaction earns them praise from Dragon Hero Ryukyu, who is their mentor.
Later on, Urahara and Tsuyu are involved in the main storyline. Their task is to raid Shie Hassaikai’s headquarters and release Eri. For the most part, they remain on the outside while Midoriya, Miro, and Shota go inside their headquarters.
Joint Training Arc
After the Shie Hassaikai arc, Tsuyu had a minor role in U.A. School Festival Arc and Pro Hero Arc. She got much more air time during Joint Training Arc. Like most other training/exam arcs, our heroes are forced to join forces to beat an opposing team consisting of other students.
Tsuyu is the team leader, and her squad goes against team Shiozaki. She works together with Hitoshi Shinso, Denki Kaminari, Eijiro Kirishima, and Koji Koda.
During the strategy phase, Tsuyu and Hitoshi Shinso agree that they should target the strongest opponent on the enemy team. While forging their strategy, they are bum-rushed by Jurota, who quickly takes down Tsuyu and Eijiro.
While all of this was happening, Jurota’s teammate, Kosei, managed to trap Koji. Tsuyu retaliates by capturing Kosei and sending him to prison.
As the story progresses, Froppy and Denki forge a plan that would help them find Jurota, the most troublesome member of the opponent’s team. At this time, Asui used one of her amazing abilities to secrete mucous and mask her presence from bestial Jurota.
After that, the team has to face Hiryu Rin, who can create scales and shoot them off of his hands, and Ibara Shiozaki, who controls vines. Eventually, Tsuyu manages to disable Hiryu by delivering a powerful dropkick. Ibara was brainwashed by Hitoshi and would eventually place Jurota and herself in jail.
Upon apprehending all the opponents, Asui’s team is declared a winner.
Paranormal Liberation War Arc
In the following arcs, Tsuyu had minor roles all until Paranormal Liberation War Arc. Here, she is paired with Ochaco, and the couple does a great job evacuating and helping civilians caught in the conflict. Later on, we can see Tsuyu saving Ochaco as Himiko tries to stab her.
Quirk and Abilities
Tsuyu is born with all of the physiological traits of a frog. As a result, she is a great swimmer, can jump really well, stick to walls, and use her tongue at a distance of 20 meters. Unlike most other heroes, he moves around the battlefield by jumping and hanging off the walls. Tsuyu can also wash her stomach, regurgitating anything that is within her.
Although these abilities are really cool, allowing Froppy to maximize terrain features, she suffers from the same issues that affect frogs. For example, she cannot stand extreme cold and, if exposed to such a temperature, can easily enter into hibernation.
Tongue
When combating enemies, Tsuyu Asui utilizes her tongue to throw large objects, hit them, or apprehend them. It is her main offensive tool, but there were also a few instances where she used her tongue to catch allies and help them in a pinch.
Tsuyu’s special move, Meteor Fafrotskies, also relies on the tongue. Uraraka and Asui create debris which is then thrown on opponents. The tongue can be used in various situations and is basically an improved appendage adding extra range to the hero.
Camouflage and Mucous Secretion
Asui is great at camouflaging her presence. She can adapt body temperature and color to match the surrounding. Tsuyu also has camouflage costumes that help her with that.
As mentioned in some of the arcs, this hero can secret mucous to fool enemies. This makes it hard for heroes with a heightened sense of smell to detect the real Asui. But, the mucous performs a few other important functions. It can also cause paralysis and cause itch.
Equipment
Tsuyu’s equipment has a two-fold purpose. It allows her to maximize her abilities, and it also tackles some of the hero’s weaknesses. Although she can still be a very potent fighter even without access to her equipment, these powerful items take her quirk to the next level.
Camouflage Costume
Camouflage costume can meld together with Froppy. This is more of an anesthetic solution. Basically, if she was naked, Asui could hide naturally, melding with any environment. Given that she needs to wear clothes in a social environment, this suit allows her to fight properly without being indecent in front of her teammates.
Froggy Neck Ring
As the name implies, this is an item that you put around your neck. It is placed at the back of a wetsuit, seemingly attaching to the outfit. Each end of the ring has a muff, which is made according to Tsuyu’s cheeks. The neck ring addresses one of the hero’s biggest weaknesses, which is vulnerability to extreme temperature. In other words, it can regulate her body temperature.
Tsuyu Asui’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Froppy can be a very potent fighter or support character due to a plethora of abilities. Although she excels in the water, she has several great talents that could help her tackle enemies on the ground. The hero can quickly adapt to various situations, and her high I.Q. helps her make a quick decisions and lead teams.
Strengths
Lots of great abilities that allow Tsuyu to adapt to various situations.
- An amazing fighter in water.
- Although not necessarily portrayed as such, Asui has high endurance and resilience, which is very rare among students.
- The hero has incredible dexterity that allows her to perform several actions at once with high precision. Her dexterous nature is best shown when she uses her tongue from a long distance.
- She is really hard to track and capture due to her ability to camouflage and leave mucous with her smell.
- Very intelligent, both as a leader and as a follower.
- Tsuyu can provide great support to teammates and can also work well for extraction, reconnaissance, and evacuation missions.
Weaknesses
Although competent on the ground, a lot of heroes have a notable advantage over her.
- The lack of physical strength makes her a poor choice in direct combat despite all the nifty abilities she has.
- She struggles in the open field
- Even though she has protection against temperature fluctuation, she isn’t particularly good against fire and cold types.
Tsuyu Asui Trivia
On the surface, Asui looks like a very cute hero meant to work as a semi-mascot. However, as the story unfolds, we realize there are layers and layers to her character. Although most people don’t perceive her as such, she is a very cerebral, calculated protagonist.
Very Limited Information about her Quirk
Initially, the creators described Tsuyu’s quirk as: “able to do everything a frog can.” So, most people would associate this with quick swimming and great leaping ability. Later on, we can see that there is much more to the hero than initially described.
She can excrete mucous, use her tongue to perform various tasks, camouflage herself, regurgitate objects, etc. In that regard, she is full of surprises, and it felt really cool each time we were shown a new ability.
The Character Got Progressively Better
My Hero Academia is a show that does a great job developing its secondary characters. Aside from Midoriya and Bakugo, there are numerous other students that you can get attached to.
Tsuyu is definitely one of them. Initially, we knew very little about her. But, as the series goes on, we learn how amazing she actually is. I personally didn’t expect much character development for Tsuyu, but I’m glad that I was wrong.
Although she was very timid in the past, Tsuyu found her voice when she joined U.A. Based on her background story, we can deduce that she was struggling with confidence. So, it’s really cool when we see her become more outspoken, ultimately leading a team of students.
Family-driven Character
We learned about Tsuyu’s family later on in the show. To be precise, her story was told during the OVA series. She is very fond of everyone, especially her younger siblings. Tsuyu takes her family responsibility very seriously and doesn’t mind being a hard-working older sister.
In fact, this is one of the things that helped her develop discipline and quickly mature. Her father is called Ganma, her mother is Beru, and her sister and brother are Satsuki and Samidare. Tsuyu Asui bears a striking resemblance to her mother.
Sex Change
Tsuyu Asui was meant to be a guy, similar to Toru Hagakure. However, the creators wanted to have a class with a similar number of boys and girls. So, they turned both of them into female characters later on. This decision might have saved the hero in several ways. First off, if she was a guy, she might not have received as much development as she did. Also, it made it easier to do all these emotional, heartwarming scenes with a girl.
Food Preferences
Given that this character shares numerous traits with frogs, you would presume that she would eat insects. Most likely, the creators didn’t want to add these details as it might be gross for some viewers.
Furthermore, it could’ve hindered the development of Tsuyu as a likable character. So, she is shown eating regular human food. Among others, it is mentioned that her favorite delicacy is jelly.
Heavily Reliant on Intelligence and Strategy
Another thing that I really liked about the character is that they made her very smart. In my opinion, this makes it easier for Froppy to maximize her abilities and use them in different situations. They could’ve made her a generic frog character, but instead, they made sure to give her numerous layers. In my onion, her intellectual potential, coupled with a flexible quirk, makes her a very hard opponent to go against.
Relationship to Habuko Mongoose
The friendship between Habuko Mongoose and Tsuyu Asui is both cute and funny. First off, Habuko Mongoose is a gray snake, which makes their relationship (frog and snake) very ludicrous when you think about it.
Furthermore, Habuko would constantly hypnotize Tsuyu during the initial encounters making it look as if she could’ve killed her. However, Froppy was generally undisturbed by the fact that Habuko used her quirk against her.
Both of them are natural outcasts due to their looks, so it was interesting to see the frog and snake help each other. Lastly, I have to mention Habuko’s last name, Mongoose. This might’ve been a reference to the animal mongoose, a natural enemy of snakes.
FAQs
Question: Is Tsuyu Asui a Boy?
Answer: Tsuyu Asui is a female character, although she was meant to be a male hero. As there weren’t enough girls in the class at the time, the creators decided to perform a sex change giving Tsuyu a female appearance.
Ultimately, this might have had a positive impact on her character development. It definitely changed how she is portrayed in the story, sometimes depicted as cute, sensitive, and emotional.
Question: How Tall is Tsuyu Asui?
Answer: Tsuyu Asui is 150 centimeters, or 4.11 inches, tall. This makes her slightly shorter than some other girls in the class. Overall, she is very slender, which makes sense given her frog appearance.
Question: Who is Tsuyu’s Most Common Partner?
Answer: Tsuyu Asui’s most common partner is Fumikage Tokoyami. Although the two of them have very different characteristics, they seem like a duo that can excel during nighttime.
In both instances, when they worked together, Tsuyu and Fumikage managed to beat their opponents. Both of them are regarded as great strategists.
Question: Who is Tsuyu Asui’s Crush?
Answer: There isn’t a clear indication as to who might be Tsuyu Asui’s crush. However, if we were to speculate, her hidden love might just be the teacher, Shota Aizawa. She is usually the first one to ask how he is doing or if he has survived a mission.
Conclusion
When the hero was first introduced, I felt that Tsuyu would be boring. On the surface, her quirk doesn’t allow for much experimenting. But, as the show went on, we realized how many different things Froppy can actually do. As if that wasn’t enough, she is portrayed as a caring, lovable character that has no problem helping teammates in a pinch.
Although we don’t know that much about her background, we were given enough information to care about her wellbeing.