VIDEO FEATURE: MY HERO ACADEMIA - What is a Hero?

Superheroes have taken the world by storm. Watch their movies, their shows, read their books and even play their games. We are obsessed with heroes. But what actually is a hero? That’s a question I hope to answer by looking at the World’s Number One Hero, All Might.

In the world of My Hero Academia over 80% of the population has a power (or quirk). These abilities lead to “superhero” becoming a profession. People become heroes for fame, for money, or just to help the world become a better place. This leads us to a young man name Toshinori Yagi. He wants to help the world. He believes that the world needs someone to be a beacon of hope. He thinks they need a symbol… A symbol of peace.

Toshinori looks at the world much differently than the rest of the pro or soon-to-be pro heroes. You have characters like Endeavor, who wants to be the best and will do anything to get to the top. Even if it hurts the people close to him. Then you have Mount Lady, who only seems to want fame, Or even Ochaco Uraraka, she wants to be a hero for money. Now, her reasoning is completely justified, but still, she is simply because it pays well.

This leads us back to Toshinori. He wants to be a hero who inspires heroes. A generation of children looks up to him with his cheesy smile. Even though their tough times, they strive to be like All Might. Todoroki, Bakugo, and Midoriya look up to All Might as the symbol of peace. This is why villains fear him, why Stain admired him, why the world loves him. He didn’t become the number one hero simply because of his strength, but because of his heart.

All Might, Superman, and Captain America are all heroes that didn’t need a tragic backstory to be great. They all wanted to do good. Sometimes we forget that people can do things out of the kindness of their heart. All Might wanted to show the world that they can face their challenges head-on with a smile. To the very end, he held that ideal.

Our love of heroes comes from the strength that they show. That we can always be who we want to be. Even through weakness to show strength. All Might is passing the torch to a young man with the same drive. Can Izuku somehow live up to All Might’s legacy or can even go beyond? That’s something we’re going to have to wait and find out.