8 Seasons Later, My Hero Academia Still Refuses To Answer Its First & Most Important Question

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As the anime adaptation of My Hero Academia approaches its conclusion after eight seasons, a central question from the very beginning remains unanswered. The series, which premiered in 2016, quickly became a fan favorite, mirroring the success of Kohei Horikoshi’s original manga. A key to its appeal is the relatable protagonist, Izuku Midoriya. His journey as an underdog striving to become the top hero is inspiring, demonstrating that hard work and determination can make even the most ambitious dreams achievable.

The idea of what makes a hero is a recurring question in My Hero Academia. At the beginning of the series, Midoriya seems like an impossible candidate – he’s born without any superpowers, or ‘Quirk’. This leaves both him and the audience wondering how he could ever become a hero. While All Might encourages him to believe he can be a hero early on, he immediately gives Midoriya the powerful ‘One for All’ Quirk. This feels like a contradiction – All Might initially suggests heroism comes from within, but then provides a power boost. Even by Season 8, the anime hasn’t clearly resolved this question of whether someone needs powers to be a true hero.

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for My Hero Academia Season 8, Episodes 1-8.

My Hero Academia Season 8 Still Can’t Answer Season 1’s Earliest Question

The first two episodes of My Hero Academia suggest Deku can be a hero even without a Quirk, but this idea isn’t fully developed. While Deku’s attempt to stop the Sludge Monster helps save Bakugo, it still takes teamwork, and he only succeeds because All Might arrives in time. The show’s core idea is somewhat contradictory: Deku, the underdog without a Quirk, ultimately needs to gain a power to become a Pro Hero. Although All Might notices Deku’s kindness and determination, those qualities alone wouldn’t have been enough. The fact that Deku has to inherit One for All clashes with the message that he could be a hero without a power.

Season 8 of My Hero Academia keeps presenting conflicting ideas, even as it tries to establish a clear message. In the final fight, Midoriya gives up the power of One for All to beat Shigaraki, and then uses the very last bit of it to destroy All for One. This leaves him without a Quirk again, and the anime seems to suggest this sacrifice is what ultimately defines him as a hero. This fits with the show’s overall theme that saving people and achieving victory aren’t just about strength. It’s the answer the anime wants to give to the question Midoriya first posed, but it overlooks a significant problem.

Midoriya’s willingness to sacrifice his Quirk is only meaningful because he had one to begin with, and this creates a contradiction in the story’s message. While Midoriya tells Aizawa he’s grateful for even having it briefly, it’s clear that One for All is what allows him to become a top hero. He could still have helped people without a Quirk, but he wouldn’t be in a position to fight powerful villains like he is now, making the story’s central idea feel less convincing.

My Hero Academia’s Contradictory Premise Was Inevitable From The Beginning

It was always going to be difficult for My Hero Academia to truly deliver on its message. The story needed a way to keep audiences engaged, and in a world of superpowers, a powerless main character simply wouldn’t have been as compelling. While the writers could have forced him into the action, it wouldn’t have felt right. Giving Midoriya a power guarantees exciting battles, but it also undermines the series’ central idea: that you don’t need superpowers to be a hero. Ultimately, Midoriya’s journey only works because he does receive a power.

Warning: SPOILERS for My Hero Academia‘s manga ending ahead.

My Hero Academia’s Coming Episodes Will Fix the Problem, but Not Fully

The last episodes of My Hero Academia will start to explain how Midoriya can continue being a hero even without his Quirk. The series has already hinted at this possibility, showing All Might joining the battle against All for One in a special suit. Fans of the manga know that Midoriya eventually becomes a teacher at U.A. High and later receives a similar suit, allowing him to actively work as a hero. Both of these paths will ultimately prove All Might’s belief in him – that Midoriya can be a hero without a Quirk.

The show doesn’t quite prove this idea, because the character’s current situation is still a result of everything that happened over the past eight seasons – a story driven entirely by the power he inherited. This brings the anime back to a repeating cycle, unable to truly resolve its initial mystery. It seems to support both possible explanations, which is likely why the ending of My Hero Academia is so controversial.

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2025-11-29 04:11