In a defining moment for the series, My Hero Academia‘s final season delivers its most powerful lesson yet through the actions of its main character. In a recent episode, Izuku Midoriya makes the monumental decision to give up the incredible power of One For All, the very ability that set him on his path to becoming a hero. This choice strikes at the core of the series’ message, demonstrating that true heroism is measured not by superhuman abilities but by the strength of one’s character and compassion.
The Weight of the Choice
During a brutal confrontation with Tomura Shigaraki, Deku chooses a path of salvation over domination. Instead of seeking to destroy his enemy, he decides to sacrifice his Quirk to save the world and the scarred child trapped within the villain. This was not an easy decision; One For All was a sacred gift from his idol, All Might, and letting it go meant he would return to being Quirkless. The power represented a torch passed down through generations of heroes, each adding their strength to defeat evil.
This moment reinforces a theme that has been building since the series’ beginning: compassion over destruction, empathy over dominance, and the will to save rather than to simply win. Deku’s refusal to let power define his worth embodies what My Hero Academia has always tried to say—a true hero isn’t made by their Quirk, but by their heart.
A Cycle Completed
The significance of Deku’s sacrifice echoes back to the very origin of One For All. The power was born from the conflict between two brothers: All For One, who used his ability to steal and gift Quirks for personal gain, and his younger brother Yoichi, who possessed only a transfer ability. When All For One forcibly gave Yoichi a stockpiling Quirk, it fused with his transfer power, creating One For All.
Deku’s selflessness completes the heroic cycle that began with Yoichi. Just as Yoichi’s compassion transformed his brother’s curse into a blessing, Deku’s compassion transforms One For All’s legacy from a weapon into a symbol of peace. By letting go, Deku doesn’t lose his power; he transcends it, becoming something greater than any Quirk could ever make him.
“His decision embodies what My Hero Academia has been trying to say since its first season: a true hero isn’t made by their Quirk, but by their heart.”
Compassion as Strength
Some viewers might question why the story would have Deku give up his hard-earned power. However, this narrative direction serves a crucial purpose—it reminds audiences that superpowers alone don’t make someone heroic. Deku’s compassion, often viewed as a weakness by more aggressive characters, is ultimately revealed as his greatest strength.
Where All For One uses Quirks to dominate others, Deku uses them to uplift, heal, and protect. His journey from a Quirkless boy to the wielder of immense power and finally to someone willing to relinquish that power for the greater good shows a consistent character defined by his desire to help others. The borrowed nature of his power—never truly his to begin with—makes his willingness to return it all the more meaningful, potentially breaking a cycle of conflict that has spanned generations.
The Future of a Hero
Following the Final War, the story reveals that Izuku eventually loses the embers of One For All and becomes Quirkless once more. Despite this, he continues his heroic journey, becoming a teacher at U.A. High School where he teaches History. Years later, advancements in technology eventually allow him to return to active hero duty alongside his classmates from Class 1-A, and he later becomes the No. 4 Pro Hero.
This outcome solidifies the series’ central thesis—that heroism stems from one’s actions and spirit, not from innate superhuman abilities. Deku’s legacy isn’t the power he wielded temporarily, but the indomitable will and compassion he consistently demonstrated, qualities he possessed even before meeting All Might.
The final season of My Hero Academia continues to air, bringing the epic conclusion of Deku’s story to audiences worldwide.
Also Read: My Hero Academia Season 8 Episode 5 Release Info and Everything You Need to Know
