Kohei Horikoshi, creator of popular anime and manga, My Hero Academia, had an interesting thought process when writing the series’ protagonist, Izuku Midoriya, aka Deku. Anime protagonists are often characterized as being strong and seemingly unstoppable. While Deku is undoubtedly powerful, he differs from the blueprint for a typical anime hero.
Horikoshi spoke candidly about his intentions for Deku’s character in a 2019 interview with Cinema Today Japan, which was then translated from Japanese to English by Tumblr user, Hanashimas. During the conversation, the talented creator revealed how Izuku’s journey has certainly deviated from the paths of many other anime heroes, and how that difference makes the character more relatable to fans.
He explains that he designed Deku to be “slightly reserved” and “likely to bottle things up,” because he prefers drawing those kinds of characters. He also reveals the theme that becomes Izuku’s greatest strength throughout the series: his unwavering persistence.
Kohei Horikoshi Unveils Deku’s True Power: His Persistence
Produced by Bones, based on the original manga by Kōhei Horikoshi
Throughout the My Hero Academia series, Deku grows a great deal, both in physical and mental strength. He has had to overcome numerous difficult obstacles over the years. Some of these include being born Quirkless, watching beloved fellow heroes die, learning how to properly wield One For All after inheriting the Quirk from All Might, facing terrifying villains, and dealing with negativity from Bakugo and other rivals who don’t initially accept him. At many times, he expresses feelings of hopelessness and fear, but he certainly never gives up, and this is his strongest and most persevering trait throughout My Hero Academia.
As Horikoshi asserts in the interview, he created Deku to be a protagonist who pushes past any disadvantage, no matter how challenging, and “crawls desperately”, never letting anything stand in his path. Izuku has certainly exemplified these values in the series, becoming more capable and powerful with each new manga chapter. Fans have watched Deku blossom from someone Quirkless, insecure, and fairly weak, to a confident and forceful hero. His true power does not lie merely in his physical abilities, but in the mental resilience that allows him to tackle any hurdle he comes across without losing faith or motivation.
Deku’s Journey Resonates Easily With Readers
The protagonist’s classic “zero to hero” story speaks to My Hero Academia’s core message
Another topic discussed in the interview is Deku’s relatability to fans. The interviewer mentions how he is “a character that readers can easily project themselves onto”. Many anime heroes are remarkable, but were born with these incredible powers and appear so perfect that they are difficult for the average person to see themselves in. Izuku is not like this; he was born Quirkless and average, but his determination to achieve his dream allowed him to achieve success. This is an important characteristic that many people value, and one of Deku’s strongest qualities that helps him truly succeed in My Hero Academia.
My Hero Academia is available on Crunchyroll.
Watch on Crunchyroll
My Hero Academia
In My Hero Academia, some humans have superpowers called quirks. Izuku Midoriya, nicknamed Deku, is not one of them. Deku has always idolized heroes like the number one hero, All Might, and since he was a child, he has always wanted to be a hero. However, his lack of a quirk has always held him back, but a chance encounter with All Might after discovering a classmate in danger sets Deku on the path to becoming a true hero. My Hero Academia centers around Deku and a class of heroes-in-training at UA. This school shapes young quirk users into future heroes through fake rescue missions, combat training, and other hero-tempering tasks. With young Deku inheriting the “One-For-All” quirk, he will learn what it means to be a true hero while facing off with dastardly supervillains.
