My Hero Academia’s Last Hurrah: A Superhero Classic for the Ages

With the curtain falling on My Hero Academia, the much-loved anime has firmly staked its claim as a top-tier entry in both the shōnen and superhero genres. Watching Izuku “Deku” Midoriya’s transformation from an ordinary, powerless kid to a symbol of hope has left a mark on punters everywhere, much like the hero himself inspired those around him. Yet, the series nearly didn’t see the light of day. After the manga’s big finish in 2024, creator Kōhei Horikoshi told Comicbook.com,

“When my second serialization was cancelled, I thought, ‘I’ll never be able to draw manga again.’ I drew My Hero Academia thinking that if this didn’t work out, I would quit drawing manga.”

Lucky for us, things turned out all right. Horikoshi’s work has shifted over 100 million copies worldwide, and the anime adaptation has been a runaway success in its own right.

Legacy and Impact

Across 170 episodes and four feature films, My Hero Academia has been a mainstay in the anime scene for the past decade, with few rivals matching its reach. The story’s legacy looks set to continue, with a Vigilantes spinoff and a Hollywood live-action version in the works—Horikoshi himself is lending a hand with the latter. While superhero fatigue has hit some Western franchises, this series is more popular than ever, with its final season pulling in some of the highest fan ratings yet.

The show’s premise might sound familiar—think a school for gifted teens, not unlike the X-Men—but Horikoshi’s knack for fleshing out every member of Class 1-A means you end up barracking for the whole crew, not just the main bloke. Even the villains are more than just baddies; they’ve got their own stories and reasons for going off the rails. Tomura Shigaraki, for instance, uses his decay quirk to tear down society, driven by a rough childhood. Himiko Toga’s struggles with fitting in, and Stain’s twisted sense of justice, all add layers you don’t often see in the genre.

Quirks, Fights, and Real-World Themes

The quirks—superpowers unique to each character—are a wild mix. Sure, some can fly or punch through walls, but others sweat nitroglycerin or control road markings. The result? Some of the most unpredictable and entertaining fight scenes going around. But it’s not just about the action. The series digs into issues like discrimination, loneliness, and what it really means to be just. There aren’t always easy answers, and sometimes the good guys lose.

Heroes in this world aren’t untouchable. Injuries can take away their powers or even their lives. All Might, once the top dog, is a prime example—he’s not invincible, and the show doesn’t shy away from showing the cost of heroism. Still, My Hero Academia doesn’t go as dark as some of its peers, and that’s down to its cast of young heroes.

Heart, Friendship, and the Spirit of Heroism

These aren’t hardened veterans—they’re teens juggling school, friendships, and the odd world-ending threat. The drama between Bakugo and Deku, or Ochaco’s crush, gives the story a relatable, down-to-earth feel. It’s these moments that ground the show and make you care about every member of Class 1-A.

At the centre is Deku, the heart of the group. In the final showdown with All For One, his mates back him up, shouting encouragement even when things look grim. The stakes have never been higher, but the message is simple: doing the right thing matters most, no matter how tough things get. That’s the spirit that’s made the series a favourite for so many.

Inspiration and Influence

There’s a certain charm to the earnestness of My Hero Academia. In a world where everyone’s worried about appearances, Deku and his friends just get on with giving it their all—going “Plus Ultra!” as they say. The show’s become a gateway for new anime fans, much like Naruto or Dragon Ball before it. As Jujutsu Kaisen creator Gege Akutami put it when Horikoshi wrapped up the manga,

“Jujutsu would not exist without My Hero,”

and you could say the same for plenty of other modern hits.

It’s fitting, really, that a story which almost didn’t make it has gone on to inspire so many. Deku’s journey, and Horikoshi’s own, are a reminder that even when things look bleak, it’s worth having a crack and giving it your best shot. The biggest superhero tale of our time didn’t come from Marvel or DC—it’s this quirky, heartfelt saga that nails what being a hero is all about.