My Hero Academia’sAll Mightredefined conceptions of what a superhero can be, defying society’s expectations bycontinuing his hero work even after losing his One For All Quirkpowers. As a huge Marvel and DC fan as well, All Might’s journey particularly stands out to me because of how different it is from most traditional superhero stories, because he does not allow losing his supernatural powers to hinder his mission and boldly redefines the term “hero” instead.
From day one, All Might offered security to a world plagued by villains, comforting them with his trademark proclamation,“I am here.” He took his solemn vow to his citizens seriously, and even when the last embers of his Quirk died out, he refused to go back on that promise, which proves the earnestness ofhis commitment to the hero title, even when he was no longer a typical superhero.
All Might Losing His Powers in the Kamino Incident Proved Heroes Come In All Varieties
During the Kamino Incident arc,All Might was sapped of the final dregs of One For All,leaving him unable to transform into his hulking, muscular persona. He lost his powers to save Bakugo, who had been kidnapped by the League of Villains, who hoped to recruit the U-A student to their cause. All Might’s weakened form terrified onlookers who watched his fight with All For One as it was televised. Even fans watching the episode, like myself, became anxious, wondering who would protect humanity now that All Might was seemingly out of commission for good.
There was no need to fear though, because although All Might did pass down his Quirk to Deku and no longer had the ability to use even embers of One For All,he was not willing to give up his status of hero that easily.The term “hero” has typically been used to describe someone muscular, physically mighty, and gifted with amazing superhuman powers. All Might fit this description earlier on in his career, but he proved through his behavior and steady dedication to keep protecting humanity even after the Kamino Incident that he was still very much a superhero without those accolades.
All Might and Marvel’s Captain America’s Journeys Share Many Similarities
Both Were Born Powerless but Were Determined To Become Heroes Anyway
In many traditional superhero films and comics, heroes are born with powers or unique genes that predispose them to develop these abilities later. Superheroes like Wolverine and Thor fit this bill because, although much of their success is due to hard work, they alsohad a boost thanks to the skills naturally ingrained in their biology.These days, it is all too rare to see someone born truly average and ordinarily human become a hero in fiction, but these are the stories fans like myself enjoy and connect with the most, because they feel relatable and more profound.
My Hero Academia Teases The Surprising Way Deku & Bakugo Surpassed All Might
There’s at least one area in which Bakugo and Deku are both far better equipped than their mentor, and reliving the experience has All Might reeling.
All Might can best be compared to the Marvel hero, Captain America, because both of these men were not born with any special physical aptitude, but were determined enough to fight their way to the top. When Steve Rogers attempted to join the military, he was rejected because of his frailty and multitude of health conditions, while All Might was born Quirkless in a society where having a Quirk was basically required to fight as a hero. Both men persevered in spite of these setbacks, but could not accomplish their goals through their own physical abilities, and needed some additional outside help.
Creative Workarounds, Like an Armored Suit, Helped All Might Uphold His Hero Status
The Persistence Nana Shimura Noticed in All Might Never Wavered, as He Continued Fighting When Others Might Have Given Up
Super-Soldier Serum aided Captain America, whilethe One For All Quirkwas what helped All Might grow stronger. Both of these characters became symbols of heroism, peace, and bravery despite their initial weakness, with truly inspiring story arcs. There is a reason both of these men are considered the best heroes in their stories:everyone, myself included, loves a good underdog success story.Marvel would be wise to follow All Might’s example and include more stories featuring someone who is a normal person, but was gifted an incredible power and works hard to use it to help others.
After All Might’s powers vanished for good, he even fought All For One again,using an armored suit as a workaround for his lack of a Quirkduring the Final War arc. All Might’s persistence cannot be matched, even by most traditional superheroes, who give up long before the point that All Might did. Most superheroes take losing their abilities as a sign to step down from their role, but All Might only grew more determined, while still being reasonably careful to take care of his body well enough to survive and continue shaping Deku intoa suitable heir of One For All.
Heroes Do Not Have To Sacrifice Themselves to Make For a Good Ending, and All Might Proves This Fact
His Story Did Not Conclude in This Dramatic Manner; All Might Kept Working as a Hero His Own Way
All Might is the best hero, because even when it would have been reasonable for him to throw in the towel and enjoy a more peaceful way of life after the Kamino Incident, he kept teaching his students, and even kept fighting when needed, using creative support weapons like the suit. Even the MCU’s Captain America eventually retired,passing the torch to Sam Wilson, but All Might fought until the bitter end. Nana Shimura originally passed down One For All due to this sametenacity and refusal to give up that makes All Might the series' greatest hero.
All Might’s Final My Hero Academia Attack Is The Perfect Insult To His Nemesis
The inspiration for All Might’s big attack was a Quirk that All for One looked down upon, making its use to bring him down the ultimate insult.
All Might also did not sacrifice himself in his final fight, but rather battled until he was too injured and gave up his suit to Bakugo. All Might continued being a hero in a new way, and although his days of teaching looked vastly different from his heyday serving as a pillar of peace,he effectively proved that a hero’s journey does not always have to end in a dramatic fashion or major sacrifice,because there are other ways to fulfill this duty. All Might’s story may not fit the typical superhero story mold, but that is precisely whyMy Hero Academiais so impactful.
My Hero Academia
Cast
Anime series My Hero Academia follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without superpowers in a world where most have them. Despite his lack of abilities, he enrolls in a prestigious hero academy, striving to learn the true essence of heroism and fulfill his dream of becoming a hero.
