While himbo is a term that wasn’t really heard or used much until the very recent past, it’s become a term of endearment for many beloved male fictional characters. A himbo is a man who generally is very muscular and conventionally attractive but who is also not super smart and a bit naive. Another important component of the himbo is that he has to respect women and not be a jerk.
In the MCU, fans generally talk about and see Steve Rogers and Thor as the two biggest himbos from the franchise. They are both ripped, attractive men who are seen as sweethearts. And, while they aren’t always dumb, they often tend to act without thinking and are more driven by their emotions and impulses than their brains.
Captain America
“I Understood That Reference.”
The MCU is known for its many pop culture references and quips which can sometimes make Cap feel left out. Though he tries his best to catch up on the modern world, coming from the 1940s leaves him with a lot to get caught up on.
When the heroes first gather in The Avengers, it is clear Cap is having trouble understanding all these quips. When Thor admits he doesn't understand a reference about "flying monkeys," Cap is a little too excited to finally get one.
USO Tour
Though Steve Rogers successfully goes through the super-soldier procedure and becomes Captain America, the military makes the baffling decision not to use him for battle but rather as a USO propaganda figure.
It is hard not to laugh at Cap's silly uniform as he participates in these song-and-dance numbers in which he punches out an actor playing Adolf Hitler. It is made much worse when Cap takes the show overseas to the actual troops fighting in the war who are not too impressed with the show.
“I Am Steve Rogers.”
There are many different ways to be a himbo, and one of the reasons Steve Rogers can be considered one is that he is very earnest. He often takes things somewhat literally and is also very sincere, and this results in some unintentionally hilarious quotes from Captain America.
One of the best examples of this is when he first meets Groot, and Groot says “I am Groot.” Steve responds very intently with “I am Steve Rogers,” and the fact that he's so respectful is also himbo behavior.
He’s A Flirt
A himbo doesn’t have to be a flirt per se, but it doesn’t necessarily hurt their status. The key thing here is that the himbo has to be sincere and respectful when they flirt, not abrasive or harassing. And, being rather dorky while flirting is also a big element.
Steve is a great example of this. Steve flirts with many characters to some degree including Sam Wilson, Natasha Romanoff, Bucky Barnes, and Sharon Carter. He’s not really that smooth, but he’s always endearing.
He Had Close Female Friends
One of the best elements of the himbo character is that they are a man who treats women well. They respect women as their equals, and they don’t belittle them. Steve is a good example of this because he is able to have female friends in his life that he doesn’t try to date.
One of the best examples of this is Natasha Romanoff, who is a close friend that he doesn’t ever disrespect. While they do share a kiss, they never try to actually date, and their relationship is one filled with mutual trust and admiration.
His Tight Clothing
It goes without saying that Captain America's costume from Marvel comics is iconic. He’s also rather dorky in his fashion sense as he either wears somewhat old-fashioned looks, like pleated slacks or wears workout gear including tight t-shirts.
This is another key element of the himbo in some cases. They need to be strong, beefy, or muscular and if they often show off their assets, it’s a pro in the himbo column. Steve definitely isn’t ashamed of the way he looks after getting the Super Soldier serum.
“Internet. So Helpful.”
While Steve might not come from a different planet, he does come from a different time. This adds to his entire dorky and naive appeal, and it’s often seen as very cute by fans. One of the greatest examples of this is when Steve says the line “Internet, so helpful.”
He doesn't always get the modern age, but it's not really his fault. But, another similar moment happens in the first Avengers movie when he understands the reference to the Wizard of Oz.
Thor
“Saving” The Sacred Temple
After the tease at the end of Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder continue the storyline of Thor joining the Guardians of the Galaxy. He and the intergalactic misfits take on various missions across the galaxy, including protecting a sacred temple for a race of aliens.
Thor quickly proves he is a powerful new member of the Guardians and takes on most of the battle by himself. But through his arrogance and reckless approach, he also succeeds in demolishing the temple with it crumbling behind him as he delivers his victory speech.
“I Need A Horse!”
Just like how Cap deals with life in the 21st century, Thor has a bit of a fish-out-of-water nature to him as well. After being banished from Asgard, he finds himself acting like the same arrogant god while on Earth which leads to some awkward moments.
These moments are all the funnier because Thor doesn't realize how silly he looks. When he storms into a pet store and demands a horse, it is hard to take him seriously. And when the clerk explains that they only have dogs and cats, he demands one of those big enough to ride.
Being Worried The Other Avengers Could Wield Mjolnir
Thor is a very likable and charismatic character, and viewers, as well as other characters in the franchise, are drawn to him. One thing that makes him a himbo is his attachment to Mjolnir, Thor's mightiest weapon of all, and his ability to wield it when others cannot.
He is denied by his ability to be a warrior while also being charming. And, so it’s rather hilarious when he’s worried that some of the other Avengers, especially Steve, will be able to lift Mjolnir in the scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
His Jovial But Arrogant Personality
Thor is an interesting example of a himbo because he can be a bit arrogant at times. This is more the case in the very first Thor movie than in the other films, but even still, he does see himself as above your average human. However, he’s also generally pretty jovial and easy to get along with, and his arrogance isn't too threatening because it often is just harmless bravado.
He isn’t always the most self-aware character which is part of his homo appeal. And, while at times he talks about his own greatness, he also is happy to support and empower others around him.
He Hypes Up Strong Women
Thor, similar to Steve Rogers, also treats women well and sees them as his equals. He’s very complimentary of Jane Foster and is proud of her intellect. Then, when he meets Valkyrie, he supports her skills and expertise.
He is often hyping up the women in his life, as well as the men, and despite being a big, beefy guy, he’s not threatening to women which is important. He even gives Valkyrie the title and position of King of Asgard.
Breaking His Coffee Cup
Both Thor and Steve have himbo moments where they aren’t super aware of what’s going on and are acting “dumb.” But, they do both have good reasons for this. Thor comes from Asgard, so his culture and experiences are very different from that of someone on earth.
As a powerful Asgardian god, it makes sense that Thor doesn't have great manners. This leads to some very entertaining moments such as when Thor tries coffee for the first time and asks for more by smashing his empty cup on the floor.
The “A Friend From Work” Scene
Perhaps one of the best himbo moments that Thor has in the franchise is when he encounters Hulk in the gladiator arena in Thor: Ragnarok. Overall, Thor is at his peak himbo in this film as he’s looking good, acting a bit dumb and hilarious, and respecting women and his friends.
His excitement when he sees he’s facing off against Hulk is very adorable, and it’s rather depressing when he realizes that Hulk doesn’t recognize him and can’t turn back into Bruce Banner.