Deku’s Major Goal Failed: Fans Were Misled About His True Dream

This article contains spoilers from My Hero Academia‘s End.

Summary

Deku’s goal was misunderstood – he didn’t aim to be the Number One Hero.
Deku didn’t become the Greatest Hero as expected, All Might retains the title.
Fans anticipated Deku’s victory, but Horikoshi crowned Class 1-A as the greatest Hero.

Fans of “My Hero Academia” have been grappling with the aftermath of the manga’s conclusion for nearly a year, but Horikoshi eased their pain slightly by publishing the final “My Hero Academia” companion book. However, it also marked the end of all MHA content, signifying that the story has officially come to an end. Nevertheless, fans are content with what they received in this fanbook.

Horikoshi shared an abundance of thrilling details about My Hero Academia in the fanbook, covering not only the main characters but also lesser-known ones. In essence, this marked a spectacular conclusion to a story that consumed a decade of his creative efforts. Overall, fans were captivated by the fanbook, however, there was one aspect they found somewhat disappointing: the confirmation that Deku didn’t keep a promise he made at the outset.

Deku’s Goal Is Widely Misunderstood

Deku Doesn’t Want to Be The Number One Hero
Deku Claims He Becomes The Greatest Hero

It’s fair to assume many fans anticipated Deku would become the top hero by the series finale. However, what these fans may not grasp is that Deku never explicitly declared his desire to be the Number One Hero. Instead, Deku aspired to be a hero, saving people with a smile on his face. His aim was to aid those around him and emulate All Might. Achieving the Number One position wasn’t Deku’s primary goal; thus, some of the criticism directed at author Horikoshi for not meeting this expectation might be unwarranted.

This is the story of how I became the greatest Hero! — Deku

However, it’s worth noting that at the outset of “My Hero Academia,” Deku expresses that this tale follows his journey to becoming the greatest hero. While “greatest” and “number one” might imply slightly different meanings, if we take Horikoshi’s words literally, Deku didn’t reach either status by the end of the story. Despite being renowned worldwide as a hero, he didn’t achieve the pinnacle of greatness or claim the title of number one.

Deku Doesn’t Become The Greatest Hero

All Might Is Confirmed To Be The Greatest Hero

At the start and midpoint of the story, Deku makes clear that it’s about his journey to become the most exceptional hero. Throughout the series, fans accepted that Deku might not be the top hero or lose his power, but as long as he was acknowledged as the greatest after the Final War, they were content. Despite excelling and gaining recognition among legendary heroes, Deku didn’t reach the pinnacle of greatness. In the final chapter of the manga, Mha creator Horikoshi surprises fans by revealing that all members of Class 1-A had collectively become the greatest heroes due to their contributions in the war.

All Might, the greatest Hero of all time! — MHA Ultra Age Fanbook

In summary, as attested in the official fanbook for “My Hero Academia,” penned by its creator Horikoshi, it is affirmed that All Might will always be known as the “Greatest Hero of All Time.” This recognition primarily stems from his impressive accomplishments throughout his career and the profound influence he exerted on those around him.

All Might Still Overshadows Deku

Although Deku initially expressed ambitions to be the greatest hero, ultimately, All Might remains unsurpassed in this role. It’s essential to understand that while Deku could have equaled or even outmatched All Might at his strongest point, the author still holds All Might as the ultimate hero. Despite Deku’s significant contributions, such as saving Japan and possibly the world from destruction, Horikoshi maintains All Might as the greatest hero of all time.

Where To Read And Watch My Hero Academia

In 2024, the mangaka Horikoshi concluded the My Hero Academia manga series, which spanned a total of 430 captivating chapters. These chapters are now available for reading on Manga Plus, as the story was previously serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump during its run.

For the anime enthusiasts, we’re yet to see the concluding chapter of this show; it’s slated for release towards the end of this year. You can catch up with the episodes on Crunchyroll.

2025-06-01 23:35