What if Deku stayed quirky?

Key things

• Deku's journey in My Hero Academia challenges the notion that heroism is defined by power and emphasizes selflessness and determination.
• Meeting All Might significantly alters Deku's destiny and shows the importance of mentorship in shaping one's path to heroism.
• The series explores the alternate paths Deku could have taken without the One For All, and highlights the essence of heroism beyond superpowers.

In anime, there are often worlds filled with protagonists who have special abilities that they use to save humanity or fulfill personal tasks. Not every hero begins their journey with superhuman powers. It is a universal theme in which reflection on whether heroism is defined by strength or character is one of the most profound questions. In this landscape, My Hero Academia is featured; in particular, it shows the determination and struggle of people who want to be heroes in a society structured around superhuman antics.

To be quirky in the world My Hero Academia it is like lacking any form of basic social advantage. Quirky doesn't have the ability to effectively fight bad guys and isn't considered a protector. Born without eccentricity, Izuku Midoriya portrays this struggle. Despite the ridicule of society and great danger, his strong determination and selflessness define his character: whether or not a person with no abilities can be a true hero – the question at the center of the entire series.

Fate, destiny or chance

What if Deku never met All Might?

Meeting all the forces marks a turning point in Deku's life, as his bravery to save his childhood friend Bakugo gives him the opportunity to inherit One For All, a trait passed down to shape future heroes. Without meeting him, Deku's journey could have gone much differently. Maybe he would just remain a dreamer and watch from afar as others become heroes, or find an alternative way to contribute.

Without All Might's mentorship, Midoriya might have had a more intellectually dependent path to heroism; he could become an innovator in creating support items or strategies that could help heroes, similar to Melissa Shield or Mei Hatsume. Alternatively, without encouragement from his idol, he might also be consumed by despair and unable to envision a future where he could achieve his desires.

Would he give up on Dek?

One of Deku's most defining characteristics is his endurance. Even as a quirky boy, he never stopped wanting to be a hero. If he wasn't able to inherit One For All, his determination would probably make him find another way to help people. As technology improves in the series, he could use a support device to level the playing field, similar to how some quirky individuals contribute to the heroes' society.

Sometimes I feel like I've failed… …but I still won't give up!

But it's also possible that the odds were too overwhelming against him, and so watching others run where he never could could have deterred him from ever dreaming of such a fate again. Still, given Deku's admiration for All Might and his selfless nature, he might find satisfaction in supporting the heroes behind the scenes and redefining what it means to be a hero.

Worthy successors

What if they all gave OFA to someone else

The dynamics of the story would be completely reversed if All Might chose a different successor, says Mirio Togata. Mirio is already a promising hero who could use OFA with great competence and determination. For Midoriya, having his idol lose his powers without ever meeting him would be emotionally devastating, which could prove to be the push he needed to find another way to contribute to the heroic society.

Round trip

Deku's Return To Being Quirkless

At the end of the series, Deku becomes quirky again, bringing his journey full circle. This scenario reflects the “what if” question of never inheriting OFA in the first place. Even without the quirks, he continues his heroic efforts, relying on his intellect, training, and determination to make a difference. While we could argue that he was able to continue his journey because he went through all that experience and training due to having an OFA, because without it he might have died a hero's death a long time ago, it also means that he could have been a lot more careful. before facing some villains.

These speculations prove the main theme of the series: being a hero is not about having abilities, but selflessness and perseverance. Quirks or not, through Deku's story, viewers can believe in their hearts that heroism is not defined by extraordinary abilities, but by heart and courage. It's a testament to how strong the human spirit is. Whether quirky or with OFA, his commitment to protect and inspire shines through. My Hero Academia it asks one relevant question: is heroism defined by what we have or by who we are? And through Deku's story, the series responds with an inspiring reminder: true heroism comes from within.