Shocking Similarities Between Avatar and My Hero Academia Revealed!

Summary

My Hero Academia follows Deku, a quirkless boy, who inherits a powerful quirk from All Might to become a hero.
Avatar: The Last Airbender and MHA share similarities in coming-of-age stories and having adolescent protagonists.
Both shows feature world-saving missions with young heroes facing power-hungry antagonists and exploring complex societal conflicts.

One of the most acclaimed anime and manga series from the 2010s, possibly even throughout history, is Kōhei Horikoshi’s “My Hero Academia”. It carries on the legacy of Shōnen Jump’s enduring battle manga successors, filling the void left after the final episodes of Masashi Kishimoto’s “Naruto” in 2015 and Tite Kubo’s “BLEACH” in 2016. It stands alongside other notable titles such as Yuki Tabata’s “Black Clover” and Koyoharu Gotouge’s “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba”.

It’s quite clear that “My Hero Academia” draws heavily from the author’s affinity towards comics published by Marvel and DC. Upon closer examination, however, another potential source of influence emerges: the iconic Nickelodeon animated series, “Avatar: The Last Airbender“. Let’s explore how these two series share similarities and discuss the possibility that “Avatar” may have directly inspired “My Hero Academia”.

Both shows present a world where individuals possess unique abilities, or “powers”, which are often categorized into distinct groups. In “MHA”, these powers are called Quirks, while in “Avatar”, they are referred to as bending. Both series also feature a central protagonist who is initially ordinary but later discovers their extraordinary potential and must learn to master their unique ability to save the world.

As for the likelihood of “Avatar” being a direct inspiration for “My Hero Academia”, it’s challenging to definitively say without insider information. However, given the striking similarities between the two shows and the fact that they were both popular during the same time period, it’s reasonable to assume that the creator of “MHA” may have been influenced by “Avatar” in some way. It’s also worth noting that both series share a common theme of friendship and teamwork, which is an essential element in many coming-of-age stories.

In conclusion, while it’s not entirely certain whether “Avatar” was a direct inspiration for “My Hero Academia”, the similarities between the two shows suggest a possible connection, and it’s intriguing to consider how these influences may have shaped the development of both series.

The Plot of My Hero Academia

A Superpowered Society and a Boy Entrusted With the Future

In the story of My Hero Academia, we follow 15-year-old Izuku “Deku” Midoriya, a shy young man who has always dreamed of becoming a superhero but was unable to due to his lack of a unique ability. In this universe, approximately 80% of the population possesses some form of power or adaptation known as a “Quirk”; an extraordinary trait in human biology that transformed comic book superheroes into real-life figures and a viable career choice for many. The emergence of Quirks led to an unprecedented increase in crime before the appearance of All Might, the top Pro Hero, who is often referred to as “The Beacon of Peace” due to his heroic acts and heralding a new era for superheroes.

In the past, Deku admired All Might immensely, but due to being Quirkless, his dream of becoming a hero seemed unattainable. However, on a particular day, he finds himself in a perilous situation when attempting to rescue his tormentor, Katsuki Bakugo, from a villain. Miraculously, they are rescued by All Might, who recognized Deku’s selflessness. In a pivotal moment, All Might shares a crucial secret with him: the Quirk known as One For All, which he possesses, is not an individual ability but one that can be passed down. He chooses Deku to be his successor, marking the beginning of Izuku Midoriya’s journey towards becoming history’s greatest hero.

A Little About Avatar: The Last Airbender

One of the Greatest TV Shows of All Time

In the widely praised animated series “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, we’re transported to a world divided into four elemental nations – Water, Earth, Fire, and Air – each in the midst of a century-long conflict instigated by the aggressive Fire Nation. This extraordinary world is inhabited by individuals known as “Benders” who can control one of these elements. However, every so often, an individual called the “Avatar” arises, someone capable of manipulating all four elements to maintain harmony and order. The series centers around Aang, a 12-year-old Airbender from a peaceful, nomadic tribe, who is the current Avatar. Overwhelmed by his responsibilities, he flees his temple one night, embarking on a journey that will shape not only his life but the fate of the entire world.

He finds himself in a tempestuous sea, shielding himself with a solid layer of ice. After 100 years, the Air Nation is almost wiped out by the Fire Nation, and their expansion covers the entire world, leaving people questioning the whereabouts of the Avatar. Later, Aang is discovered by Katara, a girl from the Southern Water Tribe, along with her brother Sokka. They set off on a quest to locate teachers for Aang so he can learn to control all elements before Sozin’s Comet, which reappears every 100 years and amplifies Fire Benders’ abilities significantly, allowing the current Fire Lord, Ozai, to potentially gain an edge in the ongoing war.

The Tie That Binds

The Weight of the World On the Shoulders of An Adolescent

What makes Avatar: The Last Airbender and My Hero Academia similar, aside from both being stories about young characters who must save their world from a powerful enemy, is that the main adversaries in both tales have wreaked havoc on the world and are ruthless, power-hungry individuals who deal death. In Avatar: The Last Airbender, there’s a cycle of reincarnation where each new Avatar comes from a different nation according to a predetermined pattern. The Spirit of Light, Raava, resides within every Avatar, enabling them to manipulate the energy within all things, although they are still their own individuals. Each Avatar has a connection to their past lives that can provide guidance until the link was severed during Avatar Korra’s lifetime as she confronted an adversary faced by only one other Avatar before her.

In essence, Deku’s journey with the One For All power mirrors the Avatar Cycle idea quite closely, as remnants of past users influence each new bearer, much like how an Avatar’s life can serve as a learning tool for their successors. As each user takes hold of the Quirk, it evolves and transforms, similar to how each Avatar adapts over time.

Moreover, there’s a striking resemblance between characters like Prince Zuko and Shoto Todoroki, both having complicated relationships with their fire-wielding fathers who were power-hungry, and both bearing facial scars from burn injuries inflicted by their parents. The narrative of Avatar: Legend of Korra, particularly the conflict between Benders and non-Benders, finds a parallel in My Hero Academia, as it explores various societal struggles – conflicts between Heroes and civilians, Heteromorphs and ordinary humans, and to some extent, those with Quirks versus those without.

You can stream My Hero Academia on Crunchyroll. The eighth and concluding season is set to debut in the fall of 2025.

2025-01-30 04:26