7 Issues With Hero Society That Were Never Properly Addressed

The ending of My Hero Academia marked not only the end of an era for shonen fans but also for the industry as a whole. This series dominated culture for more than a decade, effortlessly enchanting new fans thanks to its amazing cast, complex power system, and the thrilling and vast lore that encompassed the world Deku and his friends inhabited.

Still, despite its finale being an extremely well-executed entry that left much of the fandom satisfied, it didn’t address every one of the series’ missing plot lines. Several issues, many of which concern the flaws of Hero Society that the villains were objectively right about, were left without proper resolutions.

7

Quirkless Discrimination Was Seemingly Forgotten After Episode 1

One of the first things fans learn about the My Hero Academia universe is that those unfortunate enough to be born without a Quirk are seen as lesser. After learning that he would never develop a special ability, not only were Deku’s dreams crushed, but he also became the target of his classmates’ bullying. In one of the most horrifying moments in the entire show, Bakugo tells Izuku to jump from a roof and pray to be born with a Quirk in his next life.

Unlike other types of prejudice present in the series, such as discrimination against Heteromorph-Type Quirks or powers considered villainous, the horrible treatment of Quirkless individuals is never again addressed. After Izuku enrolls at U.A. High, individuals without any special abilities are simply assumed to be weaker and less useful in society than their counterparts, with even Izuku forgetting the nightmare he went through before meeting All Might.

6

The Hero Public Safety Commission Never Answered For Its Crimes

As Deku’s journey progressed, both the protagonist and the audience began to learn about the deep-rooted corruption that plagued Hero Society, with the Hero Public Safety Commission being its biggest source. The higher-ups of this shady organization controlled every aspect of Japan’s government, from which laws would be passed to where resources would be allocated. They would kidnap and train children to become efficient assassins to eliminate opposition or threaten anyone who could shake the status quo.

By the time the end of the series came around, the HPSC was hinted at having turned over a new leaf, with Hawks being the new president of the organization. While unlikely that Keigo would continue the same practices, this did not address the decades of crimes committed. None of the previous directives were seen being punished for their crimes, nor being removed from their positions.

5

Deku Was Abandoned by the Japanese Government After the War Ended

The battle between Deku and All For One is by far one of the best in the entire My Hero Academia franchise. This intense match for the fate of Japan forced the protagonist to push past his limits, as his defeat would mean the destruction of everything and everyone he held dear. Deku went through hell during the battle, breaking bones, losing his arms, and using the last embers of One For All just to keep his loved ones and country safe.

This is why the fandom was left baffled upon the release of the manga’s final chapter, as Izuku was depicted as having been mostly forgotten by the world. Most people in Japan were not even aware of his existence, believing him to be a myth created by the government. He was also forced to abandon his dreams of being a hero, receiving no support or appreciation in return for everything he sacrificed. If not for All Might and his friends, the main character would have spent the rest of his life lamenting his broken dreams.

4

Why Does the Hero Ranking Still Exist?

Hero Rankings, as introduced in the early stages of the My Hero Academia series, were ceremonies in which society recognized the efforts of its most prolific saviors. Although the idea of congratulating those who keep Japan safe is a pleasant concept, the story itself points to the many flaws behind this ceremony. The Hero Rankings were the epitome of hero worship, which directly resulted in a large majority of those who pursued this career doing so simply because of their desire to become famous and rich.

Pitting heroes against each other to see who would become the most famous and beloved fostered a toxic and oftentimes dangerous environment. Many of the most prolific pros would outright refuse to work together in fear of losing their spot. The fact that this ceremony is still taking place even after Deku demonstrated how important cooperation is to the concept of true heroism proves society still has a long way to go.

3

Powerful Quirks Are Still Seen as Inherently Superior

Bakugo is, without a doubt, one of the most complex characters in the entire franchise. He is not only a mighty and fearless warrior but also has one of the best and most emotive character arcs. He began the series as a cruel and arrogant boy who believed himself far superior to any of his classmates. While not blameless for his actions, the series heavily implies that this personality was the result of the many years adults spent praising his powerful Quirk.

Throughout most of the series, people with strong special abilities had a much easier time in life, as those around them saw them as future successful heroes. Fans believed that after the battle against All For One, this would change, as people would see that everyone could be a hero with hard work. Lamentably, the final chapters prove this wrong, as children still mock others and their aspirations to chase a heroic path by judging the power of their Quirks.

2

Why Did Deku Need Power Armor to Be a Hero?

Among the many criticisms fans have raised about the finale of the My Hero Academia series, Deku being forced to abandon his path to become a hero until he is gifted an armor is among the most debated. While the gesture itself is an amazing reminder of the people who love and support Izuku, it does come with some unintentional implications, some of which go directly against the series’ main message.

This implies that the world still sees Quirks as the only way in which someone can be valuable as a hero, even when there have been many examples of this not being the case. Knuckleduster, one of the main characters from the spin-off series Vigilantes, is capable of fighting hand-to-hand against incredibly strong villains even without a special power of his own. Deku could have been shown as a modest yet brave Quirkless savior, but the series decided to instead reaffirm the idea that only those with true powers can pursue this path.

1

Only a Handful of Heroes Are Looking For True Change

Across the final chapter and epilogue of the My Hero Academia series, audiences are shown small glimpses of the future of the members of Class 1-A and their friends. Some of them, like Uraraka and Shoji, decided to use the hardships and pain they went through during the Final War to fuel their desire for change. Uravity became one of the first heroes to try and help those with ‘villainous’ Quirks by offering counseling across the country.

Shoji became a leader in the fight for Heteromorph rights, hoping to prevent others from suffering what he and Spinner went through. Yet, besides these few heroes and the ones supporting their ideals, no other member of the cast seems to be looking for a better tomorrow. Most simply went back to their daily lives, never addressing the issues that caused the rise of Shigaraki and the League of Villains in the first place.