My Hero Academia by Kohei Horikoshi is an inspiring tale centered around Izuku Midoriya, who, despite being quirkless, courageously pursues his dream. Deku’s unwavering belief in his aspirations grants him a second chance, setting the stage for an inspiring journey. This premise is very inspiring, and it is no surprise that Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia has inspired other narratives.

The popular ongoing anime of this spring, Kaiju No. 8, adapted from Naoya Matsumoto’s manga series, mirrors the essence of what makes My Hero Academia exceptional. Its protagonist, Kafka Hibino, bears striking similarities to Deku from My Hero Academia, further enriching the narrative landscape.

Midoriya and Kafka share a profound journey of nearly abandoning their dreams, only to be reignited by their unwavering belief, inspiring fans worldwide to pursue their aspirations. The striking parallels between Kafka and Deku suggest that Naoya Matsumoto may have drawn inspiration from My Hero Academia while crafting Kaiju No. 8, making an amazing connection between the two beloved series.

Kafka and Deku Share More Similarities Than Just Following Their Dreams

The desire to protect people from uncanny threats is the greatest trope of Izuku Midoriya and Kafka.

Deku and Kafka’s dreams resonate profoundly because they stem from a selfless desire to protect their loved ones and innocent people from danger, rendering them exceptionally inspirational figures. Despite realizing the obstacles to achieving their dreams, both Deku and Kafka refuse to surrender, instead dedicating themselves to aiding society in any way possible whenever the opportunity arises, further solidifying their status as inspirational heroes. This has been showcased in their respective series as well.

In My Hero Academia season 1, episode #2, “What It Takes To Be A Hero”, Izuku’s courageous act of rushing to save Bakugo from the Sludge Villain, despite the risk of his own life, exemplifies the inspiring notion that dreams propel the dreamer into action. Similarly, in Episode 1 of Kaiju No. 8, “The Man Who Became A Kaiju”, Kafka’s heroic act of protecting Reno Ichikawa from a Kaiju, thereby drawing Kaiju’s attention to himself, showcases the selfless traits of a hero. These parallel moments highlight the universal theme of sacrifice and bravery in pursuit of protecting others, weaving a compelling tale of heroism.

Kaiju No. 8 Has A Chance To Do One Thing Better Than My Hero Academia

Kafka’s aspiration to join the defense corps without relying on additional powers could indeed have added an intriguing dimension to the narrative.

The initial setup of My Hero Academia hinted at a journey for its protagonist to become the world’s greatest hero without relying on powers, but All Might passing his powers to Izuku Midoriya shifted the narrative towards a classic shōnen tale. Similarly, Naoya Matsumoto had an opportunity to take Kaiju No. 8‘s protagonist down a different path, yet it also adhered to the classic shōnen style.

Introducing a protagonist without any powers into a world brimming with them is a concept that has yet to be explored in any shōnen series. Though Kaiju No. 8 had this opportunity, its narrative maintains a sense of realism through Kafka’s long-awaited journey of joining the defense corps, offering a unique perspective within the genre.