Deku vs All Might: Has the Student Surpassed the Master?

Summary

Deku has surpassed All Might‘s legacy by mastering One For All, achieving feats even All Might couldn’t.
Despite Deku’s immense fame, his priority remains aiding and saving others, not seeking rankings or accolades.
Deku’s heroism is recognized worldwide, and he is celebrated as the greatest hero, effectively surpassing All Might’s legacy.

Izuko Midoriya, from the series “My Hero Academia”, has long dreamt of becoming an exceptional hero, inspired by the renowned Number 1 Pro Hero, All Might. Yet, his path veers off course since he is born without a superpower (Quirk), which resulted in him being bullied during his middle school years. In spite of these hardships, Deku eventually obtains a Quirk called One For All, leaving an indelible mark on those around him.

The greatness left behind by All Might is hard for Endeavor (Pro Hero) to emulate, as he strives tirelessly for the top spot. Carrying the mantle of the nation’s strongest hero offers immense popularity and a devoted fanbase, but it also brings up the issue of what truly defines a hero. Midoriya has accomplished many remarkable feats, some that even All Might hadn’t achieved, yet the question lingers: Has he truly surpassed All Might’s legacy?

What Is All Might’s Legacy?

All Might’s Legacy Spanned Decades of Dedication to Heroism

To determine if Deku, or Izuku Midoriya, has truly surpassed the impact of All Might, it’s crucial to look at the elements that make up All Might’s influence. In the world of “My Hero Academia,” All Might is known as the Symbol of Peace. Soon after graduating from U.A. High School, he moved abroad to start his hero career in America, which inspired many to dream of becoming heroes like him, as represented by Star and Stripe, America’s top Pro Hero.

In my observation, I’ve noticed that as the Beacon of Peace, All Might is unfailingly dedicated to helping others with an unwavering optimism, no matter where or when it happens. Just like in the story My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, All Might keeps a sharp eye out for those in distress, ready to swiftly put on his hero gear and leap into action. Unlike many heroes who are driven by the accolades that come with their profession, All Might’s motivations have always stemmed from a heartfelt desire to help people, not for recognition or rewards.

Many prominent heroes exhibited traits of greatness at a young age, with some stating that their actions preceded their thoughts!

Over time, All Might has built an impressive reputation, amassed wealth, and achieved remarkable feats, placing him at the top of the Japanese Hero Billboard Chart for many years as the Number 1 Pro Hero. His tireless work ethic has left behind a legacy that inspires others to strive towards heroism, promotes peace, and instills fear in villains. However, despite All Might’s numerous victories over villains, their nefarious activities have continued unabated. It is crucial to note that when All Might stepped down as the Number 1 Pro Hero, the hero community experienced a significant decline, resulting in an increase of villain uprisings due to the absence of the Symbol of Peace.

In numerous aspects, All Might truly embodies the perfect image of a hero by always putting the safety of others before his own status. He never sought the limelight, realizing that genuine acclaim for heroes is earned through their deeds rather than titles. This fact likely contributes to Endeavor’s difficulty in comprehending true heroism, while Stain admired All Might as an authentic embodiment of a heroic figure.

Has Deku Surpassed All Might’s Legacy?

What Does it Mean to Surpass the Previous No.1 Pro Hero?

Despite not having possessed the Quirk One For All for as long as All Might did, Deku has unleashed powers that even All Might didn’t manage during his time with the Quirk. This is mainly because All Might didn’t have to tap into those abilities; his strength was enough to overcome villains and face All For One, particularly before Dr. Garaki rescued All For One.

Before obtaining One For All, Deku trained his body for several months before receiving the Quirk so that its sheer power would not blow him away.
As One For All is a stockpile Quirk, it grew so strong that Deku would be its last user.

To clarify, Deku has now exceeded All Might’s strength and speed due to his proficiency with One For All, significantly boosting his capabilities. This rapid progression of Deku is partly attributed to the multiple Quirks he can utilize within One For All. Just as All Might demonstrated in Chapter 1, Deku possesses the ability to generate such immense power that he can affect the weather; for instance, in Chapter 422, he cleared dark clouds from the sky with a single powerful punch.

What of Deku’s Accomplishments?

In his long-lasting career as a hero, All Might has saved countless lives, standing as a beacon of hope and motivation for many. Likewise, Deku has demonstrated heroic acts through numerous rescues. He’s always on the lookout for those in need, promptly stepping up to save them, truly embodying what it means to be a hero. This selfless approach has earned him admiration from those he’s saved, whether they are ordinary citizens or villains.

Regardless of not having a Quirk, Deku has constantly pursued becoming an exceptional hero. Although some might view this ambition as striving for the position of the Number 1 Pro Hero, for Deku, emulating All Might was more about rescuing people, and rankings held no significance to him. Despite the persistent competition with Bakugo Katsuki over who will become the leading hero, Deku’s true aspiration has always been to mirror All Might, saving others while maintaining an upbeat attitude.

In his epic battles against Shigaraki Tomura and All For One, Deku realized his ambition, surpassing the greatness of All Might’s legacy. The struggle between All For One and One For All spans over decades and multiple generations of bearers. Despite numerous attempts by many, including All Might himself, All For One remained undefeated, making Deku’s victory against the Demon King all the more meaningful. What sets apart Deku’s success is that he wasn’t alone in his journey, a contrast to All Might’s solitary triumph.

On that day, young Midoriya, you hastily dashed outside, which in turn set my body in motion. Ever since then, you’ve consistently been the most remarkable hero I’ve ever known!

All Might decided to face off against All For One alone, possibly because there was no one else with comparable power to challenge him. Deku, aware of his own weaknesses, found inspiration in relying on others to defeat All For One. He eventually gave up the One For All Quirk, but instead of pursuing a high-ranking hero career, he opted to teach at school and work part-time as a Pro Hero. This shows that Deku values helping others more than his own rank or status.

The heart of being a hero involves assisting those in need. Though Shigaraki Tomura was turned into a villain by All For One, Deku saw him as a victim too. In the heat of battle, Deku’s choice to rescue Shigaraki showcases his heroism. A true hero extends help to others without regard for their status as good or evil. Although Shigaraki was killed in the fight, Deku still aimed to save him from his predicament, ultimately striving to preserve the world.

Is Deku as Well-known as All Might?

Arc	Epilogue
Chapters	425 – 431

The question of whether Deku has really exceeded All Might’s legacy is often debated from the angle of his moral character, mirroring that of the former hero. After inheriting One For All, Deku has played a crucial role in helping numerous individuals, boosting his popularity. During the Final War, news outlets consistently highlighted Deku’s actions and those of the Pro Heroes as they fought against the villains.

Across the globe, Deku’s fame has grown significantly following his triumph over the Demon King. This recognition led many to admire him. Upon their return to U.A., one first-year student openly declared his desire to mimic Deku, explaining why he decided to attend the prestigious hero academy. Eight years post-Final War, as portrayed in Chapter 430, Deku remains revered for his role during the conflict, even though he’s no longer actively involved in heroics. Although Monoma Neito received a commemorative statue instead, Deku is celebrated as the foremost hero, outshining All Might’s legacy.

After an eight-year gap in Deku’s heroic activities, it seems many people may have forgotten his war contributions since he now teaches at U.A. High School. Moreover, Deku’s participation post the Final War has significantly reduced crime and villainy, resulting in a safer society where fewer heroes are needed. Although All Might was the Symbol of Peace and hero society stabilized under his influence, following the Final War, Deku found true peace as society no longer relied on a single hero for protection.

My Hero Academia is now available to stream on Crunchyroll.

2025-03-30 18:25