How an Overhaul Could Have Addressed My Hero Academia’s Issues, Yet Wasn’t Done Justice by Horikoshi

The captivating world of My Hero Academia features a quirk-based power system that stands out for its thoughtfulness and intricacy, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of these extraordinary abilities. A significant portion of the series illustrates the diverse forms of quirks, their effects, and the challenges they can pose—showcased through characters such as Spinner and Himiko Toga.

While the infamous All For One (AFO) possessed the distinctive ability to either grant or take away quirks, Chisaki, commonly referred to as Overhaul, represented a character who could have contributed positively to society in a similar manner. Given the complexities surrounding quirks, Overhaul had the potential to halt the very processes that govern them without resorting to AFO’s notorious tactics.

Warning: This article contains major spoilers from the My Hero Academia series.

My Hero Academia: Overhaul’s Potential to Address Quirk-Related Issues

Shoji from the anime (Image via Studio Bones)

In the universe of My Hero Academia, quirks are a relatively new phenomenon, first recorded less than a century ago. The initial occurrence was marked by the birth of a glowing infant in China, leading to the subsequent discovery of quirks across the globe.

At first, speculations suggested that these abilities were the result of an animal-borne virus. However, the prevailing theory now portrays quirks as an evolutionary advancement, directly linked to specific genes. While these powers can bestow incredible skills, they have also been responsible for social turmoil, psychological shifts, and significant deviations from typical human anatomy—as exemplified by characters like Himiko Toga and Spinner.

Spinner from the anime (Image via Bones)

Quirks are essentially the manifestation of a “quirk gene,”which can either enhance the human body with additional characteristics or modify its physical form. This is illustrated by characters like Ojiro, whose quirk augments his body, and Shoji, whose physique is fundamentally altered by his ability.

The Quirk Singularity Theory posits that quirks may evolve uncontrollably over time, leading to devastating effects. Coupled with societal bias against specific quirks, this has become a central conflict within the series.

Understanding that quirks and their operational mechanisms, referred to as the quirk factor, are distinct, it’s conceivable that a person with the ability to manipulate molecules could genetically alter quirks while preserving their intrinsic quirk factor.

Equipped with the power to rearrange matter at a molecular scale, Chisaki’s Overhaul quirk could have theoretically enabled him to prevent the manifestation of quirks or modify them to nullify detrimental traits.

Overhaul from the anime (Image via Studio Bones)

Although Overhaul may have been incapable of completely removing quirks that had physical manifestations—such as Ojiro’s tail or Shoji’s additional arms—he could have potentially suppress the quirky traits by obstructing the biological processes essential for their activation.

Theoretically, Overhaul could provide a resolution to the Quirk Singularity dilemma by genetically “disabling”certain quirks. This action would mitigate the psychological and physical repercussions associated with quirks, thereby addressing two significant sources of conflict and societal unrest in the My Hero Academia world. Regrettably, these possibilities were overlooked within the narrative, rendering Overhaul as one of the series’ most underutilized characters.

Concluding Thoughts

The conclusion of My Hero Academia saw the establishment of a new Public Safety Commission aimed at combating issues related to quirk-based discrimination and providing support for individuals with unconventional quirks. The manga encompasses 430 chapters, currently accessible through Shueisha’s MANGA Plus platform.

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