My Hero Academia: How Midoriya’s Narrative is a Deconstruction of the Chosen One Trope

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Summary

  • Midoriya starts powerless, unlike the typical Chosen One trope, struggling to stand out in a world full of quirks.
  • Midoriya earns his powers, breaking the Chosen One mold, as he faced struggles and relied on others for support.
  • Unlike Chosen Ones who bear their responsibilities alone, Midoriya’s journey to defeat All For One relies on his classmates and allies.

As a lifelong fan of anime and manga, I have seen my fair share of “Chosen Ones” – those special individuals destined for greatness from the moment they were born. But when it comes to Deku, the protagonist of My Hero Academia, he is anything but your typical Chosen One.

In the anime “My Hero Academia”, we find ourselves in a universe where the majority of people possess extraordinary abilities, called quirks. Contrary to what one might assume, the central character, Midoriya, isn’t born with the strongest quirk. Instead, he is quirkless and carries the weight of being the chosen one to bring about change. However, his lack of a quirk initially seems to contradict this destiny. Midoriya is tasked with defeating All For One and restoring tranquility to Japan. Unlike typical Chosen One narratives, Midoriya’s journey takes an unconventional path.

In simpler terms, The Chosen One refers to the main character who’s either gifted with exceptional talents or descended from a powerful lineage, making them stand out among others, foretold for greatness. Contrastingly, Midoriya’s story deviates from this pattern as he is born without any special powers (quirkless), and his parents possess ordinary quirks. Even when Midoriya obtained a quirk later on, life didn’t miraculously become easy for him; instead, he faced challenges and had to depend on those around him for support and growth.

How Midoriya Started

Powerless And Ordinary As Opposed To Being Born With Powerful Abilities

  • Anime Appearance: Episode 1

In a world where more than eighty percent of people possess extraordinary talents called “quirks”, Midoriya finds it hard to make an impact. Born without a quirk, he faces the challenge of never developing one. This lack of a quirk often leaves Midoriya in the shadows, as everyone around him – children and adults alike – all have their unique abilities, causing him to feel lonely and undervalued. Despite his best efforts to rise above these feelings, they still weigh heavily on him.

From the outset, Midoriya’s circumstances rule out the possibility of him being the Chosen One as traditionally understood. However, the makers of My Hero Academia had a unique plan in mind to initiate Midoriya’s heroic journey, as he lacks both the innate abilities and lineage associated with typical Chosen Ones.

Midoriya’s Encounter With All Might

The Beginning Of Midoriya’s Journey As A Hero

When Midoriya tried to rescue Bakugo from the sludge villain, it grabbed All Might’s focus. He saw himself in the young boy – powerless, quirkless, and eager – but initially, this didn’t prompt All Might to choose Midoriya as his successor or the new holder of the One For All ability. It wasn’t until Midoriya pleaded with All Might for a chance that the hero agreed to give him one, since he too had once been in a similar position.

In contrast to the Chosen Ones who usually receive their power as a birthright or divine bestowment, Midoriya acquired his extraordinary abilities not in that manner. Instead, he seized an opportunity when it presented itself and humbly pleaded with All Might for a chance. What truly resonated with All Might was Midoriya’s innate heroic qualities, which shone brightly even without powers. It was Midoriya’s selfless actions and unwavering determination, despite his physical limitations, that ultimately persuaded All Might to bestow upon him the One For All quirk.

Midoriya’s Struggled And Reliance

The One For All Quirk Was A Burden, But Midoriya Carried It Regardless

Typically, The Chosen Ones effortlessly develop their abilities with few obstacles. However, this isn’t true for Midoriya, who endured numerous hardships due to the One For All quirk. This powerful quirk took a toll on his body, causing him multiple fractures, torn muscles, and overall physical stress. Given that One For All is a blend of six individual quirks, even one could overpower a human body, let alone six. Consequently, Midoriya’s journey to greatness was marked by tireless effort, pain, self-doubt, and constant struggle.

Despite instances when Midoriya showed great resilience, there were many times when he questioned his self-worth regarding One For All and felt unworthy. His relentless determination to save others, often at the expense of his own health, highlights the heavy emotional burden that comes with being chosen for this power.

In other words, those endowed with significant abilities often face immense duties, especially when it comes to safeguarding the world. Typically, these heavy burdens are shouldered by the ‘Chosen Ones’ themselves, receiving only limited assistance from allies who act as companions or secondary figures in their journey.

In contrast to other characters, Midoriya found himself in a unique predicament where he couldn’t go it alone. No matter how hard he tried, his abilities didn’t allow for solitary success. Ultimately, he was compelled to lean on and trust his fellow classmates, instructors, and allies in the world of My Hero Academia. This narrative deviates from the typical ‘chosen one’ trope, but it effectively alleviates some tension and pressure from Midoriya’s shoulders, making it a fitting choice for this series.

Midoriya’s Legacy

The Anti-Chosen One

In the story of “My Hero Academia”, Midoriya’s narrative challenges the traditional idea of the ‘Chosen One’ character by presenting a hero who gains his abilities, grapples with his weight issues, and leans on others for encouragement.

Midoriya’s tale underscores the essence of heroism in an imperfect world, highlighting the importance of perseverance, camaraderie, and the belief that true greatness isn’t innate but is earned through unyielding dedication.

My Hero Academia is now available to stream on Crunchyroll.

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2024-12-15 00:34