What If Deku Remained Quirkless?

Key Takeaways

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

Often in anime, there are worlds filled with protagonists possessing special powers that they use to save humanity or fulfill personal quests. Not every hero starts their journey with superhuman powers. This is a universal theme in which the reflection of whether heroism is defined by power or by character is one of the deepest questions. Within this landscape, My Hero Academia is featured; it particularly displays the determination and struggles of people wanting to be heroes in a society structured around superhuman quirks.

Being quirkless in the world of My Hero Academia is like lacking any form of basic societal advantage. A quirkless person does not have the capability to fight against villains effectively and is not considered a protector. Izuku Midoriya, born without a quirk, depicts this struggle. Despite the ridicule from society and great perils, his strong resolution and selflessness define his character: whether one with no powers can be a true hero or not—a question standing central in the series.

Fated, Destiny or Coincidence

What if Deku never met All Might?

Meeting All Might marks a turning point in the life of Deku, as his bravery to save his childhood friend Bakugo gives him this opportunity to inherit One For All, the quirk passed down to shape future heroes. Without meeting up with him, Deku’s journey could have gone considerably differently. Perhaps he would have stayed merely a dreamer, watching from afar as others became heroes, or found an alternative way to contribute.

Without All Might’s mentorship, Midoriya could have had a more intellectually dependent route to heroism; he could have become an innovator in the creation of support items or strategies that could help heroes, much like Melissa Shield or Mei Hatsume. Alternatively, without the encouragement from his idol, he could also be swallowed up by despair and unable to envision a future where he could obtain his desires.

Would Deku Have Given Up?

One of the most defining traits of Deku is his persistence. Even as a quirkless boy, he never stopped aspiring to be a hero. If he had been unable to inherit One For All, his determination would likely have pushed him to find another way to help people. As technology improves in the series, he could’ve used support gear to level the playing field, much like how some quirkless individuals contribute to hero society.

Sometimes I do feel like I’m a failure… …But even so, I’m not gonna give up!

But it’s also possible that such overwhelming odds against him just got too much to handle, and so watching others take flight where he never could, might have discouraged him from continuing to dream of such a fate. Yet, given Deku’s admiration for All Might and his selfless nature, he might find satisfaction in being able to support heroes from behind the scenes, redefining what it means for him to be a hero.

Worthy Successors

What If All Might Passed OFA to Someone Else

The dynamics of the story would have completely flipped if All Might chose a different successor, say Mirio Togata. Mirio is already a promising hero who could have used OFA with great competence and determination. For Midoriya, seeing his idol losing his powers without ever even meeting him would have emotionally destroyed him, which could have turned out to be the push he needed to make him find another way to contribute to hero society.

Full Circle Journey

Deku’s Return To Being Quirkless

By the end of the series, Deku once again becomes quirkless, bringing his journey full circle. This scenario mirrors the “what if” question of him never inheriting OFA in the first place. Even without quirks, he continues his heroic endeavors, relying on his intellect, training, and determination to make a difference. Although we could argue that he was able to continue his journey because he went through all those experiences and training due to having OFA, as he might have died a heroic death long ago without it, this also means that he might have been much more careful before he faced any villains.

These speculations prove the main theme of the series: being a hero doesn’t mean having powers, but selflessness and persistence. Whether with quirks or not, through Deku’s story, viewers can believe in their hearts that heroism isn’t defined by extraordinary abilities but by heart and courage. It is a testament to how strong the human spirit is. Be it quirkless or with OFA, his determination to protect and inspire shines through. My Hero Academia asks one pertinent question: is heroism defined by what we have or by who we are? And through the story of Deku, the series answers with an inspiring reminder: true heroism comes from within.