My Hero Academia’s Deku Replacement Is Even More Like the Marvel Hero Everyone Compares Him To

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Like many superhero stories, My Hero Academia takes cues from franchises like Marvel and DC. Fans often compare the main character, Deku, to a specific hero, but a newer character actually shares more similarities. While all superhero anime generally follow established patterns, My Hero Academia is unique in how directly it references and pays tribute to these classic franchises, borrowing visual elements from their comics and creatively adapting familiar powers into unique abilities called Quirks.

Fans of Marvel and DC comics will enjoy spotting all the hidden references and nods in My Hero Academia, adding another layer of fun to the show. The series is full of these details, from subtle things like Toga’s mask to clear inspirations like Deku’s pose resembling Batman. Even if you don’t know what to look for, you’ll likely notice the connections, especially which Marvel hero Deku most closely resembles. The similarities are undeniable, and the current successor to that hero really captures the spirit of the original character.

My Hero Academia Fans Often Compare Deku to Spider-Man

Fans often compare Deku from My Hero Academia to Spider-Man, and it’s easy to see why. Both characters begin as ordinary people who look up to established heroes. This is particularly true when comparing Deku to the Spider-Man we see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They both get incredibly excited about meeting famous heroes, and both are mentored by those they admire – All Might for Deku, and Iron Man for Spider-Man.

As Deku learns more about the different powers within One for All, the similarities to Spider-Man become really obvious. One power, Blackwhip, works a lot like Spider-Man’s web-shooters, and both characters use them to swing around and capture enemies. Deku also gains a ‘danger sense’ ability that’s very similar to Spider-Man’s Spidey Sense, both in what it does and how it’s named. Because of these strong parallels in both personality and powers, it’s easy to see Deku as the anime version of Spider-Man. However, I think the character Koichi actually fits that description even better.

Vigilantes’ Koichi Is Even More Like the Marvel Hero Than Deku Is

Although Deku from My Hero Academia shares similarities with Spider-Man, Koichi from My Hero Academia: Vigilantes actually embodies the Marvel hero’s traits even more. As Koichi gains prominence within the anime, these parallels become clearer. Initially, his power seems different from Spider-Man’s, but he discovers he can use it to cling to and scale walls, just like the iconic hero. While not as directly connected as Deku’s two Quirks, Koichi also mirrors Spider-Man in terms of his overall role and personality.

Both characters strive to emulate their heroic idols, but Koichi achieves this by acting as a local vigilante, much like Spider-Man’s focus on protecting his neighborhood. This is a key aspect of Spider-Man that Deku doesn’t quite capture, as Deku often finds himself involved in large-scale conflicts with national consequences. Koichi’s dedication to stopping smaller crimes makes his approach more similar to Peter Parker’s at his core. He even occasionally annoys the professional heroes he’s trying to assist, which is a common trait of Spider-Man. Interestingly, many people don’t realize Koichi is the Crawler, often because he simply covers his face.

Koichi’s Spider-Man Similarities Are What Make Vigilantes So Compelling

What makes My Hero Academia: Vigilantes so engaging is how similar its protagonist, Koichi, is to Spider-Man. While the main My Hero Academia series is excellent, it’s easy to feel less connected to Deku as the story progresses. Many superhero stories focus on huge conflicts and impressive feats, but Vigilantes excels at telling smaller, more personal stories that resonate with viewers. Like Spider-Man, Koichi shows us that even seemingly minor actions can make a difference. He also demonstrates that achieving your goals doesn’t always follow a straight path. These qualities make Koichi a compelling character to support, and offer valuable lessons for the audience.

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2026-01-13 02:13