What is a Quirk in My Hero Academia?

One of the numerous factors contributing to the success of My Hero Academia as a shonen animanga series is its strong world-building. This includes the incorporation of various concepts and rules that govern the story’s world. A major challenge for any writer is to craft elements that are not only original, but also logically consistent.

Despite being far from original, Kohei Horikoshi’s use of superpowers sets him apart as a mangaka. The concept of “Quirk”is a central and defining element in the series.

Nevertheless, for those who are unfamiliar with the series, their main inquiry is often centered around the concept of a Quirk in My Hero Academia. To put it simply, a Quirk can be seen as the show’s version of a superpower. By closely examining the anime episodes, viewers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of this idea and how it is utilized.

Please be aware that this article includes major spoilers from the manga detailing the origin story of All For One.

What is a Quirk in My Hero Academia?

Bakugo's explosion Quiek as seen in the anime series (Image via Bones) — Bakugo’s explosion Quiek as seen in the anime series (Image via Bones)

At first, the term used for superpowers in the series was Meta Ability, but it was later changed to Quirk. However, these are synonymous terms that describe the special abilities possessed by every character. Each person either has a distinct Quirk or shares the same one as their ancestors. Typically, Quirks are hereditary and can be inherited from parents, sometimes resulting in a completely new Quirk that is a blend of their parents’ abilities.

How Quirks came about, explained

An early example of Meta Abilities featuring a baby that emitted light (Image via Studio Bones)

The initial recorded instance of a Quirk was in a sex worker who gave birth to twins. Her Quirk presented itself as spiked bones that would frequently appear on her arms. Despite this Meta Ability, she was unable to utilize it and tragically passed away during childbirth.

The two children were revealed to be All For One and Yoichi Shigaraki. All For One’s birth had tragically resulted in the death of their mother, as he had drawn out all of her life energy. This also left his twin brother with a fragile constitution. These bony protrusions were the very first manifestation of a Quirk.

As time went on, individuals from all over the globe began displaying peculiar characteristics, including the emission of light from their bodies. These abilities began to appear during puberty, leading to the term “Meta Abilities.”The exact origin of this phenomenon remains a mystery, with scientists offering two main theories: either it is the result of novel diseases transmitted by mice, or it is a manifestation of human evolution.

Understanding Quirk Factors

Nomu is the result of multiple Quirks being fit into one person (Image via Studio Bones)

Quirk Factors, also referred to as Plus Alpha Elements, are a combination of genetic and physical elements that comprise a Quirk. These Factors can be analyzed, replicated, and amplified with the proper tools and knowledge of human anatomy. The manipulation of Quirk Factors enables the acquisition of a Quirk, but it also places immense strain on the user.

All For One possesses the Quirk Factors that enable him to take Quirks from individuals and incorporate them into his own abilities. In contrast, One For All possesses the Quirk Factors that allow him to bestow Quirks onto selected individuals. This is the reason why Midoriya has a diverse range of Quirks and their corresponding remnants in the manga series.

Exploring the Quirk Singularity Theory in My Hero Academia

Kyudai Garaki as seen in the My Hero Academia anime series (Image via Studio Bones)

Dr. Kyudai Garaki proposed a thought-provoking theory discussing the impact of Quirks, their evolution, and their influence on humans.

As each generation passed, Quirks continued to increase in strength at an exponential pace. Although the immediate impacts were impressive, the theory suggests that this trend would eventually lead to the extinction of humanity. The growing strength of Quirks places a heavy burden on their users.

The pace of Quirk evolution far surpasses that of human physical evolution. As a result, there will eventually come a point where Quirks become too powerful for humans to control, ultimately resulting in the extinction of the human race.

Keep an eye out for additional updates on anime and manga throughout the year 2024.