All Might's Demise: How My Hero Academia Misses the Mark with Deku's Journey

The My Hero Academia anime community was recently astonished by the apparent death of All Might in chapter 402 of the manga. The notion of the Number #1 hero meeting his demise had always been a possibility, but witnessing it unfold as he sacrificed himself to defeat his lifelong nemesis, All for One, was a truly poignant moment. However, one aspect deserves further analysis.

The dynamic between Deku and All Might, as student and mentor, has consistently been one of the greatest strengths of My Hero Academia. Chapter 402 could have potentially deprived fans of a highly emotive moment between these two characters.

However, some argue that the events that unfolded resulted in the most optimal outcome for the death of All Might and aligned perfectly with the growth and development of both All Might and Deku throughout the series.

Note: This article contains spoilers for the My Hero Academia series.

Understanding All Might's death in My Hero Academia

There has been ongoing debate among My Hero Academia fans regarding All Might's death and whether it was a fitting conclusion to his journey. Supporters of his continued existence as a mentor argue that it would defy common shonen tropes, while others believe he deserved a heroic end rather than a slow decline. Both viewpoints have valid arguments, but author Kohei Horikoshi ultimately chose the latter approach. In a final showdown, All Might used a specially designed mechanical suit incorporating his students' Quirks to face a revitalized All for One. He went to extreme lengths, even sacrificing himself by detonating to defeat the villain once and for all.

The outcome of All Might's apparent death has generally been met with great satisfaction from fans. However, there is a valid argument suggesting that Deku should have been present to witness the passing of his mentor.

Although Deku is currently engaged in a battle against Tomura Shigaraki in the manga, it would have undoubtedly added an intense emotional aspect to see both characters share a final moment together. Nevertheless, the delivered narrative defies certain genre tropes by granting the mentor the agency to determine his own fate.

Deku and All Might's bond and the conclusion of their journeys

Deku's bond with All Might is a central theme in My Hero Academia, as All Might played a pivotal role in starting Deku's journey.

All Might serves as both the idol and the person who bestowed the Quirk, One for All, upon Izuku Midoriya. With this unique ability, Deku has been able to fulfill his dream of becoming a hero and providing assistance to those in need. As a result, Deku holds immense gratitude towards All Might for his unwavering support and guidance.

The remarkable thing is that Deku's influence on All Might was acknowledged even by All for One during the Kamino arc. It can be argued that Toshinori's courageous final battle against his archenemy, without the aid of a Quirk, serves as a testament to how much Izuku inspired him to take action despite his lack of powers. This traces back to their initial encounter.

Their relationship displays parallels, with Deku advancing in the ranks of heroes while All Might gradually transitions into a full-time mentor. This dynamic illustrates their mutual dependency and deep significance to each other. All Might discovers purpose as a teacher, while Deku gains self-worth and confidence through mastering his Quirk and rescuing others.

Although the absence of a final moment shared between these characters would have been a remarkable scene in My Hero Academia, their entire bond serves as a poignant reminder of their significance to one another. It is a situation where both sides of the argument can be validated. While it is regrettable that they never had the opportunity to bid farewell, it aligns with All Might's heroic nature to sacrifice himself and strive to save everyone.

Final thoughts

All Might's death in My Hero Academia is a highly anticipated moment, as it has been foreshadowed since the early days of the series. Some may argue that both All Might and Deku deserved a final moment together before his demise. However, the send-off given to All Might is a fitting tribute to arguably the most beloved character in the entire manga.