Overview
- Deku has surpassed All Might’s enduring legacy through his mastery of One For All, performing remarkable feats that were beyond All Might’s capabilities.
- Despite his escalating fame, Deku prioritizes saving others over achieving rankings or receiving accolades.
- Deku is acknowledged globally as the greatest hero, effectively eclipsing the legacy left by All Might.
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Midoriya Izuku, the central character of My Hero Academia, has always dreamt of becoming the ultimate hero, inspired by the legendary All Might. His journey took a significant turn due to being born Quirkless, which subjected him to bullying in middle school. Despite the adversities, Deku eventually inherits a Quirk known as One For All, which changes not only his life but also affects many around him.
All Might’s legacy is an extraordinary measure to match, especially for Pro Hero Endeavor, who vigorously seeks the title of the Number 1 hero. While holding such a title brings fanfare and a loyal following, it prompts deeper contemplation on the essence of heroism. Deku has accomplished various feats, some that even All Might never achieved, leading to a pivotal question: Does Deku genuinely surpass All Might’s legacy?
Defining All Might’s Legacy
All Might’s Legacy: Decades of Heroism
To truly evaluate whether Deku has surpassed All Might’s prestigious legacy, it’s essential to dissect the elements that constitute All Might’s impact. Established as the Symbol of Peace since the early days of My Hero Academia, All Might flourished shortly after graduating from U.A. High School. He traveled abroad to America to commence his heroic career, thus inspiring many aspiring heroes, including Star and Stripe, America’s top Pro Hero.
As the embodiment of peace, All Might constantly embodies a spirit of helpfulness, regardless of the circumstances. His vigilance to assist others is showcased in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, where he swiftly transforms into his heroic form to aid those in distress. Furthermore, All Might never prioritized financial rewards within his heroic pursuits; he was constantly motivated by a genuine intent to help others rather than chasing the accolades associated with his title.
Many of the leading heroes exhibit their superiority from a young age, often indicating that their actions came instinctively!
Throughout his career, All Might attained immense wealth, remarkable status, and significant accomplishments, holding the title of the Number 1 Pro Hero on the Hero Billboard Chart JP for many years. His relentless courage cultivated a legacy that motivates others to pursue heroism, safeguard peace, and instill fear in the hearts of villains. Nonetheless, villain activities have persisted despite All Might’s successes. Importantly, when All Might announced his retirement, the hero society experienced a severe decline, leading to a surge in villainous behavior in the absence of a guiding Symbol of Peace.
In essence, All Might epitomizes the ideal hero, whose primary goal is saving lives, rather than clinging to titles. His understanding that true recognition stems from actions, rather than fame, explains why Endeavor grapples with the concept of heroism while characters like Stain idolize All Might.
Examining Deku’s Accomplishments
What Does it Mean to Surpass the Previous No.1 Pro Hero?
While Deku has not wielded One For All for as long as All Might, he has unlocked abilities that were previously unattainable to All Might. This is primarily because All Might never needed to tap into those advanced powers; his strength alone was sufficient to overpower his adversaries, including All For One, before Dr. Garaki intervened.
- Before acquiring One For All, Deku underwent rigorous training to prepare his body so that its overwhelming power would not overpower him.
- Due to One For All being a stockpile Quirk, its power increased significantly over time, culminating in Deku being the final holder of this Quirk.
Consequently, Deku has surpassed All Might in terms of both strength and agility through his exceptional mastery of One For All. Deku’s rise in rank is significantly aided by his access to multiple Quirks contained within One For All. Mirroring All Might’s power in Chapter 1, Deku is capable of generating sufficient energy to alter weather conditions; in Chapter 422, he clears ominous clouds with a single blow.
Deku’s Major Accomplishments
During his tenure as a hero, All Might saved countless lives, becoming an emblem of hope and aspiration. In a similar vein, Deku has realized numerous heroic feats, always responding instinctively to the crises that unfold around him. His readiness to assist those in need has earned him the admiration of those he has rescued, whether they are ordinary civilians or even former adversaries.
Despite being born Quirkless, Deku harbored the dream of becoming a great hero. While this aspiration might lead others to interpret it as seeking the title of Number 1 Pro Hero, for Deku, it was more about following in All Might’s footsteps, prioritizing saving lives over seeking accolades. His long-standing rivalry with Bakugo Katsuki adds pressure, but Deku remains consistent in wanting to embody All Might’s spirit, rescuing others with unwavering dedication.
Deku achieved a remarkable milestone in his confrontations with Shigaraki and All For One, thereby eclipsing All Might’s legacy. This conflict is not just a singular event; it represents a long-standing battle stretching across generations of One For All users. Although numerous heroes, including All Might, have faced All For One, none succeeded in defeating him until Deku stepped up, making his triumph particularly noteworthy. Furthermore, his success was collaborative, setting it apart from All Might’s solitary victories.
“Young Midoriya… that day, you rushed out… and allowed my body to move. And since then, you’ve always been… the greatest hero to me!”
All Might had long resolved to confront the formidable All For One by himself. This decision may have stemmed from the unavailability of anyone possessing comparable strength to challenge All For One. In contrast, Deku recognized the importance of teamwork, allowing him to draw strength from those around him to ultimately triumph over All For One. Notably, after gaining the One For All Quirk, Deku chose to part with it, opting instead to pursue a career as a mentor while still acting as a part-time Pro Hero, signifying that he places little emphasis on hero rankings but is committed to aiding others.
At the core of heroism is the will to assist those in peril. Even recognizing Shigaraki as a victim shaped into a villain by All For One, Deku’s resolutions to save him highlight his true heroism. In the heat of battle, Deku’s inclination to rescue Shigaraki, regardless of his villainous associations, exemplifies the attributes of a genuine hero. Despite Shigaraki’s potential demise in their confrontation, Deku sought to protect him from the darkness threatening to engulf his path, embodying the spirit of salvation.
Is Deku as Iconic as All Might?
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Epilogue |
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425 – 431 |
Another angle of evaluation regarding whether Deku has truly exceeded All Might’s legacy revolves around his moral integrity, closely resembling that of the retired hero. Since taking up One For All, Deku has immensely impacted many lives, contributing to his rising prominence. Throughout the Final War, various media outlets extensively covered Deku’s and the Pro Heroes’ valiant efforts against villainy.
Given this broad coverage, Deku has become well-known worldwide, especially after his victory over the Demon King. Following the graduation of students from U.A., a first-year student publicly declared his intention to follow in Deku’s footsteps, prompting his enrollment at the prestigious hero school. Even eight years post-Final War, as illustrated in Chapter 430, Deku continues to be recognized for his heroic contributions during the tumultuous conflict, despite stepping back from active heroics. Though he has not received a commemorative statue analogous to Monoma Neito, Deku is celebrated as the premier hero, confirming that he has indeed surpassed All Might’s legacy.
However, with an eight-year hiatus from hero duties, many may have overlooked Deku’s wartime contributions, as he works in a teaching capacity at U.A. In the wake of Deku’s efforts, there has been a notable decrease in crime and villainy over the last eight years, leading to a safer society and a diminished reliance on heroics. While All Might served as the Symbol of Peace, providing stability to society, Deku’s post-war existence represents a newfound peace where community members no longer depend solely on a singular hero.
My Hero Academia is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.