Why Deku Will Not Surpass All Might as a Hero by the End of My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia recently concluded its manga, sparking extensive analysis on various story elements. A prominent topic of discussion revolves around whether Izuku “Deku”Midoriya managed to surpass his mentor, All Might. Ultimately, it appears he did not achieve this goal, which is a significant concern for many fans who recall the series’ opening line about him aspiring to be the greatest hero. Author Kohei Horikoshi did not satisfactorily deliver on this front.

All Might is one of the most beloved characters in the My Hero Academia universe, and his heroic legacy resonates deeply within the fandom—much more so than Deku’s characterization. Although Izuku’s monumental achievement in defeating All For One marked an end to his reign of terror, becoming the greatest hero encompasses more than just a singular impressive feat, highlighting one of the key issues at play.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series.

Why Deku Did Not Surpass All Might in My Hero Academia

All Might and Deku as seen in the anime (Image via Bones).

To become the greatest hero within the context of this series means to exceed All Might, but there is minimal justification for claiming that Deku has reached this pinnacle. While some may argue that Deku’s victory over All For One is a valid reason for ranking him above his mentor, this viewpoint is superficial; true heroism extends far beyond a single victory.

All Might dedicated decades of his life to fighting against evil and crime, often emerging as the last line of defense, all while inspiring multiple generations of heroes. Young heroes such as Katsuki Bakugo, Shoto Todoroki, and even Izuku Midoriya himself drew inspiration from All Might—a distinction that Deku cannot claim, particularly considering his relatively short tenure as a hero in the narrative.

Although some argue that Deku was more open to collaboration during his battle against All For One, All Might also embraced teamwork throughout his heroic career. Furthermore, All Might held the title of Number One Pro Hero for many years, which reflects his extensive history of saving lives and making a significant impact.

Additional Reasons Deku Didn’t Surpass All Might

All Might and Deku as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha).

Another important aspect to consider is that Horikoshi did not illustrate Deku making any impactful changes in society following his confrontations with Tomura Shigaraki and All For One. After losing One For All, he chose to retire to become a teacher, which enables him to guide the next generation; however, this decision signifies a decline in his prominence, especially noted after the eight-year time skip.

Furthermore, Deku expressed early in the series his ambition to be the greatest hero—a statement reflecting his humility and deep respect for All Might rather than arrogance. Yet, the narrative ultimately fails to depict him achieving such heights, leaving readers questioning whether Horikoshi pivoted away from this idea during the series’ development.

Conclusion

In summary, Deku did not become the greatest hero in My Hero Academia because he was unable to surpass All Might. He lacked All Might’s enduring legacy and ability to inspire a generation, with his most significant achievement being the defeat of All For One.

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