Feels like people just wanted All Might to protect them forever.
Summary:
Heroes in MHA are often expected to be infallible public heroes who can’t show weakness, despite being as human as everyone else.
This treatment from the general public is actually common in superhero media.
In fact, this also adds to My Hero Academia, creating some conflicts in the series.
My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia) actually has a very unique society for anime standards. Think about it: most people in the world have Quirks, allowing them to perform superhuman feats. The world would be plunged into chaos if it wasn’t for professional heroes — who function as peacekeepers.
The strange part is: the police force exists as well in the world of MHA, and they apprehend the defended villains. Most of the fighting, however, is still done by heroes. Their treatment by the public, though, is weird at best, with many fans feeling it is completely inadequate.
Only seen as public figures, not as humans
Heroes are seen as public figures, celebrities and symbols. All Might himself is seen as a symbol of peace, which is reinforced many times throughout the series. Despite that, it seems like the public doesn’t really see Pro Heroes as human beings.
There was a public outcry when All Might retired — and on the one hand, it’s understandable. He used to be the strongest hero and the symbol of peace, and to many, his very existence meant that they were in safe hands and protected. His retirement was plunging Japan into a sense of uncertainty.
However, no one actually considered him an actual, living person: he was a hero, and he was expected to act as a hero. Nobody cared that he was reaching his limits — the general population just wanted him to remain there forever, it seems.
This is why some fans feel like the best moment in the series is when his true form is finally revealed — and people keep cheering for him.
This is the norm for superhero media
While superhero media isn’t very common in Japan, it is actually a common trope. The civilian population doesn’t usually treat heroes with respect; they just expect them to do their job and criticize them when they don’t arrive on time — or disappear. This may seem frustrating, but it adds an extra layer of conflict to the anime.
The civilian population being too demanding and too disrespectful towards heroes isn’t anything new. Even in the real world, famous people are often held to different standards — and in superhero fiction, the problem is even more topical. Despite that, heroes are just as human as everyone else.
This actually makes the series better, not worse
This type of behavior from civilians might be frustrating, but it makes sense — and it also adds to the themes of My Hero Academia.
Due to this treatment, heroes often go out of way to get more fame, making the title of a hero less valuable. That’s something that Shigaraki was talking about — and he did have a point.
Feels like people just wanted All Might to protect them forever.
Summary:
Heroes in MHA are often expected to be infallible public heroes who can’t show weakness, despite being as human as everyone else.
This treatment from the general public is actually common in superhero media.
In fact, this also adds to My Hero Academia, creating some conflicts in the series.
My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia) actually has a very unique society for anime standards. Think about it: most people in the world have Quirks, allowing them to perform superhuman feats. The world would be plunged into chaos if it wasn’t for professional heroes — who function as peacekeepers.
The strange part is: the police force exists as well in the world of MHA, and they apprehend the defended villains. Most of the fighting, however, is still done by heroes. Their treatment by the public, though, is weird at best, with many fans feeling it is completely inadequate.
Only seen as public figures, not as humans
Heroes are seen as public figures, celebrities and symbols. All Might himself is seen as a symbol of peace, which is reinforced many times throughout the series. Despite that, it seems like the public doesn’t really see Pro Heroes as human beings.
There was a public outcry when All Might retired — and on the one hand, it’s understandable. He used to be the strongest hero and the symbol of peace, and to many, his very existence meant that they were in safe hands and protected. His retirement was plunging Japan into a sense of uncertainty.
However, no one actually considered him an actual, living person: he was a hero, and he was expected to act as a hero. Nobody cared that he was reaching his limits — the general population just wanted him to remain there forever, it seems.
This is why some fans feel like the best moment in the series is when his true form is finally revealed — and people keep cheering for him.
This is the norm for superhero media
While superhero media isn’t very common in Japan, it is actually a common trope. The civilian population doesn’t usually treat heroes with respect; they just expect them to do their job and criticize them when they don’t arrive on time — or disappear. This may seem frustrating, but it adds an extra layer of conflict to the anime.
The civilian population being too demanding and too disrespectful towards heroes isn’t anything new. Even in the real world, famous people are often held to different standards — and in superhero fiction, the problem is even more topical. Despite that, heroes are just as human as everyone else.
This actually makes the series better, not worse
This type of behavior from civilians might be frustrating, but it makes sense — and it also adds to the themes of My Hero Academia.
Due to this treatment, heroes often go out of way to get more fame, making the title of a hero less valuable. That’s something that Shigaraki was talking about — and he did have a point.
