My Hero Academia’s Final War Arc may have just proven that All Might’s vision of the world, centered around the ideal of becoming the Symbol of Peace, was flawed. In the past, the former Number One Hero always tried to keep the people affected by his battle against All For One at a minimum. However, despite Deku’s best attempts to follow in his mentor’s footsteps, he has been unable to face the Symbol of Evil alone.
This is an indication that the idea of a single person being responsible for the country’s safety is flawed. All Might’s unwillingness to share his burden and his desire to be seen as a symbol caused others to become overreliant on him. This facilitated All For One’s return, as most Heroes in Japan were not prepared to face such a dangerous opponent.
In chapter #420 of the My Hero Academia manga, the creator, Kohei Horikoshi, proved that Deku alone could not beat All For One now that he has possessed Shigaraki. After Izuku was heavily damaged inside Tenko’s mind, Eraserhead and various other Heroes and students arrived at the battlefield to aid him. While Deku wanted to fight the Symbol of Evil alone and prevent others from suffering at the villain’s hands, it is clear that no one could achieve such a feat by themselves. All Might’s mentality, inherited by Deku, was confirmed to be wrong.
One person cannot be responsible for the safety and happiness of an entire country, let alone the world. All Might’s desire to become a symbol that would make people feel safe and bring them happiness, while noble, was beyond naïve. Not only did this way of thinking make Toshinori spend most of his life alone, but it was also a major factor in the destruction of Hero Society. When All Might retired, Villains became emboldened, with crime rates increasing all over Japan. This caused many civilians to begin losing fate in Heroes and the government.
According to Villains like Stain, Heroes used to be public servants who would help people without expecting anything in return. When All Might appeared, things changed entirely, as people realized that being the most powerful Hero came with many benefits. Toshinori’s popularity made young Heroes yearn for the possibility of being equally recognizable and successful. The Hero Commission, known for its underhanded practices, used this newfound desire for the number one spot and implemented the Hero Rankings. With this simple decision, the fate of Japan was sealed.
Many newcomers were not trying to do the right thing for the sake of being righteous, they were trying to become rich and famous. Even those who once were inspired by All Might’s courage, like Endeavor, got corrupted by their desire to surpass Toshinori, becoming cruel and ruthless. This helped the Hero Commission keep society in check while creating a harmful and ridiculously competitive environment. Since new Heroes were more interested in becoming the new number one than helping others, vulnerable members of society were drawn to the villainy, like Tenko Shimura or Toya Todoroki.
Although they all aspire to become the number one Hero in the future, the members of Class 1-A have never shied away from working together. Even the most reluctant members like Bakugo and Todoroki began slowly opening up to their classmates. Whenever one of them is in danger, they know that their friends will do the impossible to come to their aid. This behavior has seldom been seen among Pro Heroes, with most preferring to work alone, as doing so will bring them more fame. Yet, the war against All For One has forced them all to fight hand-in-hand.
As of My Hero Academia chapter 420, Class 1-A is at the center of the conflict, with all available members joining Deku in their last stand against the Symbol of Evil. This heavily implies that Aizawa’s students will fight together, while millions of people around the world watch them on their screens. Deku will have to let go of All Might’s influence and accept that the world cannot rest on a single person’s shoulders. New generations will be inspired by their teamwork, creating a new Hero Society where cooperation is seen as the norm.
Once All For One has been defeated, it will be time for Hero Society to be born anew. Those who survived the war will now be aware of the errors of their predecessors and will have the opportunity to create something better. It will be crucial during this time that the idea of having a Symbol of Peace is discarded. All Might’s ideals are not sustainable, as proven by the events of the Final War arc. Deku, despite his admiration for Toshinori, will have to make sure that his mentor’s dream is transformed into something more positive for everyone.
Heroes should all work equally to ensure the safety of the citizens of their nation. Rivalries and friendly competition will help youngsters learn and grow, but should not be the main focus of their careers. Heroes exist to save those in need, bring happiness and hope to civilians, and make sure that justice is served. This would not only make it more difficult for a Villain like Shigaraki to be created, but it would also give those in power more time to address issues like Quirkless and Mutant discrimination.
Horikoshi is taking the time during this final arc to make sure that these issues are brought to light. How Hero Society is reborn after the battle against All For One ends will be no doubt truly intriguing to witness. All Might is and will forever be one of the best and most beloved characters of My Hero Academia, but it is hard to ignore the flaws in his logic.
All chapters of My Hero Academia are available to read on Manga Plus.
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