Disclaimer: there are spoilers for Season 1-3 of BNHA / MHA and some manga spoilers as well so if you have not caught up to either, please do not continue reading. You have been warned. 

Also, I do not own ANY of the images used in this post. All materials used have or should have a link to the original source accompanying it.

Last time in Part 1 of this post, I discussed how one of the reasons fans love Boku No Hero Academia (BNHA) / My Hero Academia (MHA) is because it is a Shounen Trope Killer. This week I will give you another reason!

2. Inspirational Moments

We all love stories that speak to us, tales that tell us something that changes how we think or experience the world. A story is even more enjoyable if it tells us something that is able to move us to the point of tears or that just makes us feel good about ourselves. Good stories aim for a connection between a character and an audience, trying to make us feel what essentially makes us human.

In BNHA / MHA, there is never a shortage of inspirational statements.

And here are just some of them to encourage you and lift up your spirits during any moments of personal darkness:

Note: the quotes shown are from the English dubbed anime.

Humble Beginnings:

Image from IMDb

Of course, we have to start with one of the greatest moments of the series which occurred at the very beginning.

In a world where 80% of the population has a supernatural power, Izuku Midoriya, our main character and boy without a power (also known as a quirk in his story’s universe) understandably wants one of his own. However, when such powers never manifested itself for him in his childhood — a time when most people experience their newfound abilities, he was left broken-hearted. Feeling almost like a disabled child who couldn’t play with his classmates in the schoolyard during recess, he became nearly hopeless.

Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of the manga, did a magnificent job building Midoriya’s backstory at the beginning, creating a connection between the audience and the protagonist in preparation for his story’s inciting incident. We watched as Midoriya, an insatiable fanboy of All Might, the world’s Number One Hero, repeatedly consumed the famous video of All Might saving dozens of people, in eager wait for the day he would discover his own superpower. He wanted to be an amazing hero just like his role model. Thus, when it came time for him to sit down with the doctor, both he and the audience are shocked to hear the news that he will never have superpowers. This poor little boy, who had been earnest and impatient for the announcement of his new quirk, would never have the chance to even be a hero like the man he religiously followed and adored at every waking moment of his childhood.

Image from Angry Anime Bitches

After the visit to the doctor, the facial expression that Midoriya has as he turns away from the computer screen, the altar of his worshipping of All Might, to ask his mother if he can be a hero too is heart-wrenching. In that moment, the audience feels his pain and wonders the same question, seeing the tears filling and overflowing out of his eyes.

Image from My Hero Academia Wiki

Despite such a sad scene, the unwelcomed bad news is crucial to the buildup and meaning of this following scene, the one where All Might, Midoriya’s idol, in his weakest form, says to Midoriya:

Young man, you too can become a hero.

Image from YouTube

Image from YouTube

The setting sun and the breeze blowing the cherry blossom petals past the two characters, create a gorgeously magical and emotional scene. It feels almost as if All Might is also talking to the audience too. Although, it is obvious we do not have supernatural powers, we too, in our own way, can become heroes just like Midoriya, a quirk-less boy, will be.

Passing the Torch

Image from YouTube

In Episode 5, All Might and Deku run along the newly cleaned beach, a testament of Midoriya’s hard work and growth. During this sequence, All Might says that by passing his quirk (All For One) to Midoriya, it is similar to him passing on a torch.

The torch I passed onto you is but a small flame right now. In time it will be kindled until you wield a raging inferno. The more powerful you become, the more you’ll outshine me. Eventually I’ll retire, my job complete.

Usually in stories such as these, where there is a student-mentor relationship, the mentor most often dies. One torch eventually extinguishes after its flames has been already passed onto another torch, a student’s, whose passions and commitment to their teacher, continue to keep the torch in their hands aflame.

Being the Underdog

Midoriya understands the honor and gravity of wielding a power that belongs to society’s Number One Hero and his own personal idol. He also knows that his fragile body cannot handle it due to its incredible might. Additionally, because he just obtained it unnaturally and wasn’t born with the quirk or had the time to develop with it as a child, he knows he has to work much harder than everyone else in his class to be worthy of this inherited power.

Image from Anime Motivation

From Best Friends to Enemies to Established Rivals

Midoriya’s relationship with the secondary protagonist (deuteragonist) of the story, Katsuki Bakugou, is a multi-layered and complex one. When they are battling each other in their second fight of the series (Deku vs Kacchan 2), it is revealed just how deep their friendship is. Both boys are deeply fond of All Might, unwrapping figurines of the Number One Hero together and always hanging out as children. Then, Bakugou changed once his quirk manifested, resulting in a break of their friendship. Bakugou enjoyed a newfound spotlight while Midoriya was forced to watch from the sidelines, admiring his former friend in the shadows. 

As the anime flashes memories shared between the two characters during the fight, you can’t help but feel moved once you hear Midoriya say to Bakugou as they pummel each other:

Think about it Kacchan. If I looked down on you, I wouldn’t want anything to do with you anymore. But I’m still here. I noticed things you couldn’t all these years because I had nothing at first. There were things I hated about you, sure. But I can clearly see how amazing you were. You had so much going for you that I didn’t have. All Might was my hero but you were the one actually in my life!

…and this one only seconds later:

I thought you were incredible, Kacchan. I wanted to see what you’d become! That’s the reason I kept chasing after you!

These words were so moving, so emotional, so perfect, timed rightly when Bakugou was pouring out his tears, heart, and soul, while displaying his weaknesses and guilt.

Excuse me while I go cry in a corner.

Ex-Bully to Child Bully

Image from ButWhyTho Podcast

Bakugou turned even more hot-headed, rude, and aggressive once he saw that Midoriya had also captured a spot into UA’s prestigious enrollment. He became Midoriya’s bully the day he had discovered that creating explosions from his hands was going to be his quirk. However, after barely defeating Midoriya in their second fight at Ground Beta, the site of their Battle Trials, something in Bakugou changed. And that transformation was seen when Horikoshi had Bakugou meet a child bully during his Provisional Hero License Course (Remedial Course Arc). 

Tasked to calm down the troublesome group of children heroes with Shoto Todoroki, Inasa Yoarashi, and Cammie Utsishimi, Bakugou rightfully concludes that the misbehaving kids are following the directions of an alpha leader. Knowing how a bully thinks and displaying how far he has come, Bakugou tells that newly identified ring leader that:

If you keep looking down on others, you won’t recognize your own flaws.

Image from My Anime List

“It’s Yours“

Image from Fan Pop

Shoto Todoroki is a boy with unique powers. He has the quirk of being half cold and half hot, meaning he can produce fire on one side of his body (left) and ice with the other (right). These abilities were genetically inherited from his parents, fire from his father and ice from his mother. However, he originally did not use his fire side at the beginning of the series. This refusal is due to his complicated and bitter relationship with his father, a man he despises for the torment he caused to Todoroki’s mother and Todoroki himself, as a child. The man is also the reason for the strained relationship he has with his mother. He hasn’t been on speaking terms with her in years ever since the incident where she had poured boiling water onto his face. Therefore, in an attempt to reject his father literally and symbolically from his life, Todoroki decided to never use his father’s power, the fire half of his quirk.

Similarly to how All Might had seen potential in Midoriya, Midoriya passed this kindness onto Todoroki. He tells Todoroki that his left side is his–it doesn’t have to be Todoroki’s father or a reminder of him. Todoroki could be his own person, regardless of the source of the inherited power. And to be a great hero one day, a dream Midoriya knows Todoroki aspires for, Todoroki should not limit himself to just half of his strength.

Image from IGN India

The way Midoriya yells at Todoroki those few words:

It’s yours! Your quirk, not his!

just had me feeling that my heart had twisted. The facial expression Todoroki dons as he realizes that Midoriya is right, deciding to harness both elements of his quirk, accepting himself completely, and challenging himself to be a better hero, was so cathartic.

Image from Quora

Uraraka and Her Parents

Image from My Hero Academia Wiki

I immediately connected to Ochaco Uraraka when her backstory appeared during her fight against Bakugou in the Battle Tournament of the Sports Festival. As an Asian American, I understand what it feels like to always strive to do your best to make your parents proud. Many in my community are on a journey to achieve a career that would benefit them financially and ease the burden of the very people who raised us. The little girl in me sniffed as I watched a tiny and adorable Uraraka look up to her father and declare that she would one day become a hero and make enough money for her poor family to be able to finally afford some much deserved vacations.

Her father’s response had me near tears. Rather than be the typical parent who says “yeah, you better make us proud,” he instead says that she should focus on doing what makes her happy. Her happiness is what would make him and his wife most proud. The fact that he actually told her to follow her dreams and that that would be enough was unexpected and beautifully touching.

When I grow up all big and strong, I’ll help you and mommy out any way that I can!

Hmph, I really appreciate the thought, Ochaco. But as your dad, I’d be even happier if you achieved your own dream. That’s the way to make us happy. And if you do make money, you can take us to Hawaii or something.

Video from YouTube

Todoroki to Iida

Image from Pinterest

One of the elements I love the most about BNHA / MHA is that the main character is not preachy. He isn’t the only enlightened one passing the knowledge and life lessons onto other characters. In other words, Midoriya isn’t a Naruto, lecturing every character whose philosophies clashed with his. Rather, characters who were influenced by Midoriya before had their opportunity to apply what they had learned by sharing it to others. This fundamentally shows that life lessons are far reaching and universal, that they aren’t only centered and do not only affect just the main character.

An example of this is when Todoroki, after Midoriya had asked him during the Battle Tournament what kind of hero he wants to be, poses the same question to Tenya Iida during the Vs. Hero Killer Arc. Stein is a villain nicknamed the Hero Killer and he had nearly ended Ingenium’s (also known as Tensei, Iida’s older brother) life. In a blind rage uncharacteristic of his normally calm and controlled personality, Iida used his internship location to hunt down the dangerous villain in an attempt to avenge his brother. Evidently, he was no match for Stein’s skill level; thus, Midoriya and Todoroki had to step in to save Iida, who was paralyzed by Stein’s quirk. 

Image from Boku No Hero Academia Fandom

As Iida struggles to climb back to his feet, Todoroki, who understands how hatred can narrow your view of the world because he used to feel the same way, asks him:

You want to make your brother proud? Then, stand up and be Ingenium. Become the hero he wanted you to be!

Iida finds himself standing again and now carrying those very words to help channel him to become a better hero.

All Might’s Secret

Season 3 Episode 23

Bakugou being the genius that he is, successfully concludes that Midoriya is carrying One for All, the quirk that All Might used to possess. He asks Midoriya if this information is true. Before the boys clash in their heated battle, Bakugou asks the question that has been bothering him since he figured this all out: he and Midoriya had grown up together, both fervent fans of all things All Might, so how come Midoriya, a quirkless “loser,” got to have that power while Bakugou, who had lots of talent and potential, was not even considered? Was his admiration for the Number One Hero unmatched to Midoriya’s, ultimately, making him less worthy for the quirk?

When you and I were kids, we both wanted to be like All Might. But I had the potential. Then somehow a little nobody like you was singled out by the person I admired most and I didn’t even realize it… I want to know what made All Might give his power to a loser like you. Let me see for myself. Is it because you looked up to him more than I did? And if that’s the case, does that mean everything I’ve done to be like him is wrong?

Why did I end up having to chase after someone has always been so far behind me? Why did a damn small fry like you get stronger and become the Number One Hero’s sidekick? His favorite? You got so much better and I destroyed All Might! I admired him so much but it’s because of me that he ended up losing his power!

All Might flawlessly answers that question. He tells Bakugou after Bakugou and Midoriya’s fight ends that he saw a potential for Midoriya to become a hero. A boy who had no power had stepped up to the plate to save Bakugou that day he was captured by the Sludge Monster when no other professional hero had known what to do or had given up. Midoriya had even inspired All Might that day when the Top Hero had turned hopeless, deciding that his power was drained and all was over for Bakugou. He admits that Bakugou is talented and impressive with the quirk he now possesses. Regardless, seeing that Midoriya had the heart of a hero but had no abilities to carry out a calling, All Might explained that he wanted to give the poor boy a chance to achieve his dream by allowing him “to stand into the ring” with a new quirk. He then reaches out to Bakugou to hug and comfort the confused child.

Image from Inverse

Bakugou to All Might:

Why did you pick Deku? It started when the Sludge Villain came, didn’t it? So why him?

All Might to Bakugou:

He was powerless. But still more heroic than anyone else. I knew you were strong, that much was obvious. You were someone who could already fight. So I decided that he should have a chance to stand in the ring.

Bakugou to All Might:

But now you know I’m weak too. I always wanted to be like you which meant being as strong as possible. But look what I did to you because I’m not good enough.

Wow, a bully admitted this!

All Might to Bakugou:

This is not your fault, young Bakugou. I was always going to lose my power. You couldn’t do anything to change that. You are strong. But I focused too much on your physical strength and overlooked what was important. This isn’t your burden. I apologize, sometimes I forget that you’re children.

One Coin, Two Sides

Image from ButWhyTho Podcast

All Might is an exceptionally perceptive teacher who knows his students well. He understand the confusing dynamic and relationship that Midoriya and Bakugou have. This is evident when he eloquently explains it by comparing their friendship and individual aspirations to a coin. Both boys have the potential to become great heroes and are more similar to each other than they themselves realize. They both also have strengths and talents that complement each other, and weaknesses that wouldn’t be such if they could work together more.

One boy wants to win all the time and is incredibly talented on the battlefield, qualities that are needed in a successful hero to save the day and defeat the villain. However, he is brash, impulsive, rude, and prideful. When rescuing victims of a horrific event, such characteristics wouldn’t be comforting to those he saves. Therefore, Midoriya’s kindness, his desire to always help others in need, and his ability to adapt to the needs of those under his care complements Bakugou’s vulgarity. Despite those positive attributes, Midoriya is still struggling with controlling his power and has self-doubt. Only when both boys can figure out how to fix their flaws or at least be able to work better with their other half, can they become an unstoppable force. Any villain pitted against them will have a difficult obstacle, if not an impossible team to overcome.

After being a hero for so many years you learn a few things: striving to be the best like you, young Bakugou. And caring deeply about people, about rescuing those in trouble like you, young Midoriya. Both of those feelings are necessary in a hero. Otherwise, they’ll [heroes] never truly be able to represent justice. That’s why you admire his strength so much, young Midoriya. And I know that’s why you’ve always feared his heart and spirit, young Bakugou. Now that you’ve laid your feelings out on the table, maybe you can understand each other. If you have mutual respect and focus on making one another stronger, I have no doubt you’ll become the ultimate heroes, winning and saving people at the same time.

Two Beacons of Light

Season 3 Provisional Hero License Exam

Similar to All Might, Shota Aizawa is also a very perceptive teacher (and a fantastic homeroom instructor, if I may add). He pays close attention to his students and actually cares for them deeply despite his cold attitude and rugged demeanor. He knows each of his students so well, to the point that he can summarize his confidence in his class as he tells Emi Fukukado, also professionally known as Miss Joke (the Smile Hero), that in his class, all of the students are influenced by Bakugou’s and Midoriya’s personalities and spirit. She had asked if he was worried for the well-being during the Provisional Hero License Exam.

There’s something I’ve realized after watching my students, in school and in the field. They might not have realized it themselves, but in class 1A, there are two people whose spirits have a big impact. They’re not leaders or the most popular, and the two of them don’t get along at all. Sometimes they seem like polar opposites.

However, before I knew it, their passion had spread to the rest of their peers. It’s strange, but every time there’s some kind of major event, one of them is at the center of it. I’m not worried, Joke. It’s the opposite, actually. I can’t wait to see what they’ll do. Even if those two aren’t physically with the others, their presence raises the standard for the entire class. I’m honored to have them as students, my class 1A.

Katsuki Bakugou: Warrior on the Battlefield

Image from the Boku No Hero Academia Fandom

Continuing with my praise on just how awesome Aizawa and All Might are as teachers, only a few weeks into the semester, they both concisely summarizes their student, Bakugou’s talent and personality. At UA, the school where our fledgling heroes are studying to become professional heroes one day, there is an event known as the Sports Festival. This festival is comprised of three phases or “sports” that the students participate in to present their talents, skills, and quirks to the world and essentially to any potential future employers. Professional heroes can scout for prospective UA students who can participate in internships at their agencies. This offers the students a chance to become sidekicks for these heroes when they graduate from UA. One important moment I want to highlight is the Calvary Battle when the students have to team up in groups of four and steal headbands with point values on them from each other. 

Failed Calculations

Image from YouTube

As I said in my Bakugou post, while Neito Monoma was very calculative in his strategy to one-up Class 1A and lectured Bakugou for his arrogance, he had failed to consider one extremely minor, but critical factor. He had not factored into his plan what differentiated Bakugou from Class 1B’s students and anyone for the matter.

Aizawa says it best:

Now look at this, Class 1B’s strategy was a reasonable one. But there’s one thing they forgot to consider. Class 1B didn’t take into account Bakugou’s overwhelming tenacity.

and All Might’s thoughts:

Young Bakugou, you understand something crucial, a truth no one had to teach you, that there’s a difference between those who aim for the top and those who will settle. And that difference matters.

Image from Anime Evo

Although his characters are verbally saying or thinking this in their head, it also feels as if the mangaka Kohei Horikoshi is speaking directly to the audience. How do you want to live your own life? Do you just want to settle with being average or basic? Or do you want to be like Bakugou and do whatever it takes to be at the top? Bakugou showed that desire, that determination to be the best by yelling at his teammate’s satisfaction. After Bakugou had grabbed most of their team’s headbands back, Eijirou Kirishima had said that they were back in the competition, still qualified for the next round by being in third place, Bakugou knocked him on the head. He screams that third place isn’t enough, that they had to be at the top and be the “indisputable champions.” That is one incredible drive.

Image from PicsArt

Aizawa also realizes Bakugou’s talent by saying:

On the battlefield is where Bakugou shines the brightest

, showing the very best of his intelligence and skill.

Best Homeroom Teacher

Image from YouTube

One of my favorite scenes was in Season 3 during the Provisional Hero License Exam. Miss Joke is sitting with Aizawa in the stadium to watch their respective students battle each other during the first phase of the Exam. She says that as per tradition, the students from the other schools target UA students first because UA is the only school that broadcasts their Sports Festival nationally; thus, letting the whole world see their students’ quirks, styles, and weaknesses. This essentially puts UA students at a disadvantage, despite their prestige, since students from other schools will be able to study and prepare a strategy to first weed out the UA students from the Exam. In addition, Aizawa’s students have another setback: they are first years being pitted against the second year students who normally take this Exam. Furthermore, she wonders that since he did not even bother to disclose this crucial information to them if he even likes his students.

Aizawa then proceeds to answer her by saying that this information would not have been worth telling them because in the real world, heroes will always be against villains who may or may not know their powers. The real world is always unpredictable and the odds will usually never be in a hero’s favor, so they must face these difficult, real-life situations and practice that now for an exam, rather than deal with it for the first time as pros when it could potentially be too late.

So you think we’ll be taken out? I don’t really see a reason why I should have warned them. I doubt anything would have changed if I had. They’re still going to have to overcome this either way. Real heroes could turn this situation around. Besides, if they become pros, they’ll face villains who already know their quirks. Perhaps at UA, we look a little further ahead than other schools.

Side note: I love his faith in his students, but also his strictness because as the first phase of the Exam is wrapping up, the proctor is announcing how the final spots left for the second phase of the Exam were all UA students. “The pressure’s on now. In the final minutes, UA came together and pulled off some absolutely insane combos.”

Aizawa then says:

“There were that many of you left on the field? They just had to keep me on the edge of my seat, huh? We’re training so hard when we get back.”

Miss Joke:

“Oh come on, you’re happy, aren’t you?”

Aizawa:

“Furious.”

Miss Joke:

“Then what’s that sparkle in your eye?”

Aizawa:

“Annoyance.”

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Well, I’ll wrap this post up for now before it becomes too long. Part 3 is now out. I know it seems that each post covers one reason, but the next part will have more than one reason. I just really enjoy writing about BNHA / MHA, wholeheartedly love the story line and characters, and like giving a holistic and deep analysis to every single point. Love Boku No Hero Academia / My Hero Academia too and want to keep talking/reading about it? Check out Part 1 of this post and my favorite and baby post about Katsuki Bakugou by clicking on those respective links! Otherwise, keep clicking around and explore this blog for any other post that might interest you. 

As always, talk to you guys more next week and please subscribe to this blog so you never miss a post. And follow me on social media to keep up to date with the status of all my future posts! Thank you for reading!