My Hero Academia’s Kohei Horikoshi Defines Who a Hero Truly Is; And It’s Not Deku

Horikoshi acknowledged the challenge of answering that question. He explained, “If I could explain it succinctly, perhaps I wouldn’t be creating manga.” So, his suggestion was, “Kindly check out my manga for a clearer understanding.” At first, heroes were individuals who seemed beyond him – like Eiichiro Oda or fictional characters such as Goku from Dragon Ball. However, as Horikoshi grew older, and with it came maturity, the narrative of My Hero Academia evolved to reflect this change.

As I turned 30, I gained a newfound respect for the people around me who provide assistance. This idea connects with the ongoing tale of My Hero Academia that I’m crafting. The people who extend a hand or offer words of encouragement have been invaluable to me, and I’ve come to view them as heroes. For instance, Imamura-san, my editor, has been an incredible source of support. I now believe that anyone can embody heroic qualities, not just those with extraordinary abilities.

Kohei Horikoshi ensures that his story contains realistic elements

In an interview posted on the BokuNoHeroAcademia subreddit by Reddit user Nakurawari, Kohei Horikoshi shared his perspective that his narrative isn’t consistently cheerful or glorious. He chooses not to sugarcoat reality in his writing, acknowledging that All Might gradually loses strength and Izuku gets injured occasionally. Even the triumphs of the protagonists are complex and multifaceted, rather than simple and straightforward victories.

In My Hero Academia, the characters endure both physical and emotional wounds during battles, which author Horikoshi doesn’t shy away from portraying. This authentic representation adds depth to their victories, allowing viewers to appreciate the dedication and effort put into each fight. The heroes are imperfect and vulnerable beings, yet they bravely stand up to defend others, showcasing their courage even in the face of peril.

In My Hero Academia, Horikoshi emphasizes that All Might and Deku exhibit vulnerability as key characters despite their moments of power. All Might’s deterioration into frailty is pivotal to the storyline, and he selected Deku as his successor due to his realization that his Quirk, One for All, could no longer be utilized efficiently near the end of his heroic career. Their human flaws and imperfections make them more engaging characters rather than just superhuman figures.

In a compelling way, My Hero Academia showcases the struggles of All Might and Deku as they deal with the unique abilities, or Quirks, One for All. All Might’s use of this powerful Quirk takes a toll on him, making it clear to viewers that even the strongest heroes must face the realities of aging. Unlike other anime heroes who maintain their strength in old age, My Hero Academia presents a more authentic narrative by portraying All Might’s journey toward the end of his hero career.

Although One for All drained him significantly after brief usage, making him tired and feeble, All Might remained powerful and dedicated until passing on his Quirk to Deku. Meanwhile, Deku encountered his own challenges, enduring severe injuries upon initial use of the Quirk and continuing to suffer painful setbacks.

While some anime characters naturally possess powerful abilities since birth, Izuku’s Quirk required rigorous training and unrelenting effort to master. Unfortunately, despite his dedication, he continued to get injured as a result of using it.