Warning: The following cotains spoilers for My Hero Academia!!
As the final battle against All For One in the My Hero Academia manga comes closer to commence, more and more Heroes are joining Deku on the battlefield. Many of them, mainly those who have a personal connection with Izuku, have commented on how much he has inspired them. It was not his power or resilience during combat that motivated them to join the fight, but rather his heroic spirit, kindness, and desire to do good.
One For All may have given Deku the encouragement to follow his dream, but it is not what makes him an amazing Hero. The real strength of Izuku lies in his heart, his determination, and the deep connections he can make with people.
The Final War arc proves that Deku never needed All Might’s power to become the greatest Hero in history, although it helped him greatly on his journey.
One of the first details we learn about Izuku in My Hero Academia is how incredibly heroic he has always been. Even since he was a child, he would always stand up for those who couldn’t, as seen in chapter #1 when he saved a classmate. No matter what happened to him, Izuku would never allow an injustice to take place without him doing something to help. This same heroic spirit is what caused All Might take an interest in the young man, choosing him as his successor. Izuku was the only worthy inheritor in Toshinori’s eyes.
Throughout this latest arc, we have only seen Deku’s heroic nature manifest itself stronger than ever. Not only did Izuku choose to fight Shigaraki alone after watching what the villain did to his friends, but he also made the controversial choice of saving Tenko. His self-sacrificing nature and reluctance to give up, even when faced with unsurmountable odds, has maintained the fragile hope of the world intact. The fact that his friends, despite being equally tired and injured, keep fighting by his side, just proves that Deku’s real power was always his heroic heart.
The world of My Hero Academia, despite living in relative peace before All For One’s rise to power, was never shown as united. When Shigaraki first became a threat to the world, most countries decided that it would be better to appease the Villain than to fight him. In chapter #364, the President of the United States tells his commander, Timothy Agpar, that they will not be joining the efforts to defend the planet. This is an understandable approach, as most leaders would be more worried about their people’s safety than the rest of the world.
Yet, the world slowly began regaining hope and becoming one while supporting Deku and his friends. The bravery of Japan’s Heroes caused a ripple effect, bringing everyone closer and inspiring them to keep fighting. Izuku’s optimism and tenacity have reached the further corners of the Earth, motivating people to become real Heroes. The fight against All For One for the sake of the Earth will likely be the catalyst for the world to become more united, and for Hero Society to become what it should have always been.
Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of My Hero Academia, has often tried to incorporate criticisms of current events in his manga. From the civil rights movements to discrimination; the world Deku lives in, just like the real world, still has a lot to learn. How Izuku inspires people to come together and fight for justice and peace may not solve every problem, but it is an amazing start.