Unveiling the Pro Hero Who Preceded All Might in My Hero Academia

All Might from My Hero Academia is undoubtedly the most iconic character in the series, surpassing even fan favorites like Izuku "Deku" Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo, which speaks volumes.

As the legendary Number One Pro Hero, All Might possessed exceptional strength, unwavering determination, and an unparalleled sense of justice that truly set him apart as a hero. This remarkable quality also explains why many crucial plot points in the series revolve around him, including All For One's schemes, Tomura Shigaraki's motivations, and even Endeavor's envy.

Explaining who the Number One Pro Hero was before All Might in My Hero Academia

The My Hero Academia series never explicitly addresses the identity of the Number One Pro Hero before All Might. Author Kohei Horikoshi has not clarified whether a hero-ranking system existed during Toshinori's early days, leaving this aspect of the series unexplained. This lack of explanation is due to the fact that the story does not focus on the hero-ranking system, instead centering on characters such as Endeavor and his family, whose narrative is more closely tied to All Might than the ranking system itself.

Additionally, there is limited evidence of heroes being significant before Toshinori's arrival, as evidenced by the lack of recognition for figures like Gran Torino and Nana Shimura within the general population.

This further underscores the importance of All Might in the My Hero Academia universe, as he ushered in a new era of heroes and ultimately defeated All For One's evil reign for many decades. Toshinori's mastery of the One For All Quirk allowed him to achieve heights unmatched by any hero before or since, a point that the series emphasizes through his pivotal role in various plot developments.

The appeal and legacy of All Might

All Might after defeating All For One in the Kamino arc (Image via Bones).

All Might is undeniably the most iconic character in the My Hero Academia series, embodying the greatest traits of heroism in a relatable way. He draws inspiration from DC Comics' Superman, sharing their heroic, humble, and humanity-driven qualities. Additionally, his character arc is unique in fiction, as he grapples with declining powers, mentors his successor, and ultimately faces the reality of no longer being a hero.

Final thoughts

Before All Might in the My Hero Academia series, there is no confirmation of who was the Number One Pro Hero.

Horikoshi never addresses that topic, and it probably serves to highlight the impact Toshinori had on this world, cementing himself as the series' most iconic hero and the most influential by far.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan of My Hero Academia, I find the exploration of the enigmatic predecessor to All Might intriguing. The series has done an excellent job of building up the mystique surrounding this figure, and I can't help but wonder who they were and what their impact on the world was. I appreciate that Horikoshi has left this aspect of the story open-ended, as it allows fans to speculate and come up with their own theories.

I also find it interesting that All Might is such a pivotal character in the series, even though he is not the main protagonist. His presence is felt throughout the story, and his actions have a profound impact on the lives of the other characters. I think this speaks to the power of well-written supporting characters, and I'm glad that Horikoshi has given All Might such a prominent role in the series.