The Beautiful Message of My Hero Academia

Haven't had a 'geek' post in a while, all theology based and what not... so with Toonami getting one of my number 1 anime of all time last night, thought what better way than to talk about it a bit.


"My Hero Academia" or "Boku no Hīrō Akademia" is an anime based on a Japanese manga drawn and written by Kōhei Horikoshi. the manga has ran 12 volumes and the anime has just began it's 3rd season.


The series follows Izuku "Deku" Midoriya in a unique world where majority of the population is born with "Quirks" or one or more super powers. but Deku was one of the few to be born without any powers at all. And yet, despite this, he longs to be a superhero, like his idol "All Might", who for all extents and purposes is like a hybrid Superman and 80's era Hulk Hogan.


Eventually, through a chance encounter with All Might, and learning a secret All Might keeps from the public, Izuku Midoriya not only gets the chance to enter U.A. High School, the most sought after school to become a "Pro Hero" but begin a journey that apparently leads him to become the world's greatest superhero.


The thing about My Hero Academia that stands out over other Anime I enjoy and not enjoy a like. Almost all anime have a somber tone with little real hope in the story. Not so with MHA. the plot is uplifting and positive. especially when you really look at the picture it paints.


Midoriya has the equivalent of a disability in his world. he's told from childhood he will never be able to achieve his dreams. He'll always be just 'Quirkless', someone to be saved by those who use their Quirks responsibly. Even his mother gives up hope on his dreams of being a hero. telling the devastated youth she wishes things could be different. But then one day, of all people, Midoriya's hero, All Might, sees something in the youth. And in one of the most stirring scenes of all anime I've ever seen. He looks Midoriya in the eye and tells him this:

"There are stories about every hero. How they became great. most have one thing in common. Their bodies moved before they had a chance to think, almost on their own. And today... that's what happened to you."

Midoriya broke down and lamented that even his mother never told him the thing he wanted her to say, the words that he needed to hear. and in that moment he heard it at long last. And from the one he admired the most no less...

"Young man!! You, too, CAN become a Hero!" 

When I watched this, I think of my nephew Connor, who has down syndrome. Unlike Midoriya I know he has parents who support and stand for him, and have not nor will ever give up on him. But I would love nothing less than one day to be Connor's All Might, to be able to look at him and tell him that "You too CAN become a hero." And that I look forward to witnessing his adventures and successes.

My Hero Academia is a testament that no matter the odds, no matter what is in your way, you can become what you desire to become.

Dreams CAN become a reality.

to any young men or women reading this who have been told you can't do this, or you'll never become that for whatever reason. I want to say this to you:

 You, too, CAN become a Hero! 

Always remember, dreams can become a reality.