Unveiling the Enigmatic World of Heteromorphs in My Hero Academia

Highlights

Mutant-type Quirks in My Hero Academia are unique due to their appearance-changing qualities and the permanent mutations they create on the wielder's body.

Individuals with Heteromorphic Quirks encounter various obstacles in their daily lives. These include struggles in locating appropriate clothing that fits their unique bodies and a sense of unease caused by their physical mutations. Moreover, Heteromorphs are subject to discrimination and bias solely based on their appearance, shedding light on the contradicting nature of hero-society and the difficulties they encounter in integrating into the broader community.

With a vast array of Quirks inhabiting the world of My Hero Academia, attempting to classify each ability into specific categories proves to be a challenging endeavor. Therefore, the series has categorized every individual Quirk into three distinct types: Emitter, Transformation, and Mutant. The Mutant-type Quirks, out of these three, stand out as some of the most exceptional and unique abilities in My Hero Academia, primarily due to their ability to alter one's appearance.

Referred to as Heteromorphs, individuals with Mutant-type Quirks are easily recognizable, although this characteristic often works against them. While Heteromorphs possess immense versatility and power through their abilities, they also face significant discrimination within the Quirk community. This ostracization exposes the darker side of Quirk society, illustrating the prejudiced treatment based solely on one's appearance.

The Heteromorphic Quick Type

Heteromorphic Quirks, also known as mutant-type powers, involve creating a permanent and visible mutation on the user's body. In contrast, transformation-type Quirks allow for temporary mutations that can be reversed at any time. This distinction gives Heteromorphs a unique identity, establishing them as a distinct Quirk category.

The main ability of Heteromorphic Quirks is to grant users additional appendages that can be controlled at their discretion. These appendages can either be added to existing limbs or replace them with more powerful alternatives. Some mutations simply result in an extra appendage, while others may transform further or possess additional powers. For example, Ojiro's "Tail" Quirk gives him a robust tail that enhances his combat abilities, while Mezo possesses extra arms that can further transform into various body parts as needed.

The Inconvenience of Heteromorphic Quirks

One fascinating aspect of Heteromorphs is that their physical mutations can be inherited independently of their corresponding abilities. Fumikage serves as a perfect illustration of this occurrence, as his bird-like head is not linked to his Quirk and holds no function other than being a mutation passed down from his parents. Fumikage's true Quirk is Dark Shadow, a completely unrelated power that bears no connection to his avian-like appearance.

Due to the permanence and non-retractable nature of mutant-type Quirks, individuals possessing these abilities face significant challenges and disruptions in their daily routines. As most societal structures and facilities are tailored to cater to the needs of "normal" individuals, those with Heteromorphic Quirks must constantly adjust and modify their way of life.

The primary challenge faced by Heteromorphs is the struggle to find clothing that fits their unique bodies. Mezo, with his Quirk Dupli-Arms, cannot wear long-sleeve shirts, while Ojiro requires custom-made garments to accommodate his bulky tail. These physical mutations also bring discomfort, requiring Hetermorphs to make certain adjustments in their daily lives. Ojiro serves as a prime example, as his tail makes it difficult for him to lie on his back or even sit down comfortably.

Discrimination Against Heteromorphs

In addition to the challenges posed by their own physical abnormalities, Heterotrophs also face the additional burden of discrimination based on their appearance. This rejection further exposes the hypocrisy within hero-society, as even those with Quirks participate in excluding Heteromorphs. While Heteromorphs have managed to integrate smoothly into urban areas, rural communities and small towns still harbor significant bias against these individuals.

Hostility and Radicalism

Mezo Shoji's tragic backstory centers around the discrimination he faced from a young age in his hometown. Due to his unique appearance, with extra limbs and a mutated face, Mezo endured countless beatings that left permanent scars. To conceal his disfigurement, he now wears a mask. Unfortunately, other individuals with unconventional features, known as Heteromorphs, also encountered similar prejudice, which sadly pushed some of them towards a path of villainy. Examples of this include Chimera and Spinner.

The suffering of Heteromorphs has lessened as succeeding generations have become more accepting of different Quirk types. Nevertheless, there was a period when sects and extremist factions rose to prominence, advocating for the complete eradication of all Heteromorphs in order to prevent the further inheritance of these Quirks. The Creature Rejection Clan stands out as a significant cult that preached this ideology, causing numerous Heteromorphs to live in constant fear.

The CRC's influence has diminished as public support waned due to their use of violence. However, various branches such as the Animal Rejection Clan and the Face Rejection Clan have emerged, targeting beast-like abnormalities and abnormal face mutations respectively.

The discrimination of Heteromorphs in My Hero Academia mirrors real-world prejudice and bigotry, whether based on ethnic differences or physical abnormalities. Initially, the series effectively portrays the challenges faced by Heteromorphic characters, but it later becomes less relevant. The opportunity to explore this theme further is missed, particularly with Mezo Shoji's motivation as a Pro Hero being rooted in this hostility. Sadly, the show leaves this potential storyline unexplored.

My Hero Academia is available to stream on Crunchyroll.