Deku's character arc proves why he's the most selfless hero in My Hero Academia

Modified Aug 31, 2024 04:30 GMT

My Hero Academia has ended, and it has cemented Izuku Midoriya, aka Deku, as the most selfless hero of them all. Within this story about a world where nearly everyone harbors superpowers, better known as Quirks, Deku's shines brighter.

When he was born Quirkless, his idol, All Might, gave him one of the strongest Quirks, One For All. He used it to save others, bringing dire consequences upon himself. Without hesitation, his ambition to save everyone, including his enemies, in some of the most intense battles against villains or facing strenuous situations evokes much compassion and selflessness in Deku.

Actions and decisions like these in the series' final moments prove one undeniable fact: Deku's true strength did not come with a quirk, but it was in his perseverance and commitment to protecting the people around him.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the My Hero Academia manga.

The real reason why Deku is the most selfless hero in My Hero Academia

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The real reason Deku is the most selfless hero in My Hero Academia lies in the final battle when he truly made the most of it. Throughout the series, Deku grows from a quirkless boy into a powerful hero who has inherited and mastered the One For All Quirk. Yet, Deku resolves to forsake this symbolic power to save the world and redeem Shigaraki, knowing full well that One For All defined his entire journey.

Such a decision testifies to the readiness of the personality of Deku to sacrifice one's desires for the sake of a higher purpose. He doesn't just give up his power; he gives up something that defines him as a hero. This self-sacrifice simply defines his character, to see others before himself.

He fought further to change the world, to prove that real heroism lay in the selflessness of it, not just the power. His sacrifice makes him one of the series's most respectable and selfless heroes.

What happens to Deku in the final chapter of My Hero Academia

Izuku Midoriya as seen in anime (Image via Studio Bones)

Deku had become a teacher at U.A. High School in the last chapter of My Hero Academia. Such a change in his career shows how he grew from being a quirkless boy into a seasoned hero, now ready to pass on his expertise to the next generation. He was great for the role because his fixation on quirks and his experience with One For All would enable him to mentor and inspire young students, much as All Might inspired him.

Deku meets a student with the ambition of being a hero despite his quirk seeming unimpressive. The scene is reminiscent of when Deku himself was similarly encouraged, and he reassures the child with the same encouragement once given to him: "You can be a hero." It's a full-circle moment to single out Deku as an example of a mentor to instill the values he was given in his journey.

Deku's journey in My Hero Academia epitomizes why he is the most selfless hero in the series, from his beginnings of being a Quirkless boy to inheriting One For All. In every one of his actions, he happens to be selfless in each decision. His ultimate sacrifice, being deprived of the power that had defined him, aptly highlights his commitment to the greater good.

Even when he lost his Quirk, his determination to be a teacher and inspire other heroes reflected his continued commitment to others. This steady, selfless interest in lifting and guiding others grounds Deku as a paragon of heroism whose true strength is boundless compassion.

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Edited by Shreya Das