It’s actually a very cool detail if you give it a little bit of thought.
Spoilers ahead!
Summary:
To some fans, Deku wearing Gran Torino’s cape in the key visual of S7 felt out of place.
However, that’s actually in character for Deku — and plays perfectly into the themes of the series.
In MHA, heroes have to care about their public image, so style is very important.
The latest key visual for My Hero Academia S7 is probably one of the most epic ones we got in the series so far. There is, however, one thing that stands out in particular: Deku’s cape, given to him by Gran Torino. Ragged and dirty, it feels like it has more place in some kind of post-apocalyptic survival series — however, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Deku wearing the cape — however impractical it might be — directly ties into the themes of the anime. Not to mention, it just makes the key visual cooler.
Thematic importance
Deku wearing the cape perfectly embodies him as a character. Gran Torino, whom he received it from, was All Might’s teacher — and Deku is All Might’s successor. The cape, in a sense, represents how the generations follow each other. “Following the footsteps of your predecessors” has always been a really important theme — and major plot element for multiple characters — in My Hero Academia, and Deku is perhaps the best example of that.
As stated in the very prologue of the anime, the series is about him becoming the best hero ever, and he would not be able to do it without learning from those who came before him. With Gran Torino deeply involved in training both All Might and Deku, his status as an iconic hero figure is unquestionable.
Another theme of My Hero Academia is “following your dreams” — and that’s another theme Deku’s cape plays into. In a sense, it makes him look more like his role models — and for him, that makes him look cooler. Yes, that might sound a bit childish, but we shouldn’t be ashamed of our dreams. It’s perfectly in character for Deku — and he’s not the only character whose understanding of “cool” is… a bit different from others. Bakugo’s hero name is Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight, as fans might remember — that’s way cornier than wearing a cape that is given to you by someone important.
In MHA, style is actually important
In the end, Deku’s cape might not be the most practical thing ever, but it’s a part of his style. And in the world where heroes’ public images are extremely important, inspiring people and helping to support the lawful order of the world, style is actually important. Not to mention, it gives a certain charm to the key visual, making it look like the characters are standing there after just finishing an intense fight. MHA can be criticized for some things — but lack of attention to its key visuals isn’t one of them.
It’s actually a very cool detail if you give it a little bit of thought.
Spoilers ahead!
Summary:
To some fans, Deku wearing Gran Torino’s cape in the key visual of S7 felt out of place.
However, that’s actually in character for Deku — and plays perfectly into the themes of the series.
In MHA, heroes have to care about their public image, so style is very important.
The latest key visual for My Hero Academia S7 is probably one of the most epic ones we got in the series so far. There is, however, one thing that stands out in particular: Deku’s cape, given to him by Gran Torino. Ragged and dirty, it feels like it has more place in some kind of post-apocalyptic survival series — however, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Deku wearing the cape — however impractical it might be — directly ties into the themes of the anime. Not to mention, it just makes the key visual cooler.
Thematic importance
Deku wearing the cape perfectly embodies him as a character. Gran Torino, whom he received it from, was All Might’s teacher — and Deku is All Might’s successor. The cape, in a sense, represents how the generations follow each other. “Following the footsteps of your predecessors” has always been a really important theme — and major plot element for multiple characters — in My Hero Academia, and Deku is perhaps the best example of that.
As stated in the very prologue of the anime, the series is about him becoming the best hero ever, and he would not be able to do it without learning from those who came before him. With Gran Torino deeply involved in training both All Might and Deku, his status as an iconic hero figure is unquestionable.
Another theme of My Hero Academia is “following your dreams” — and that’s another theme Deku’s cape plays into. In a sense, it makes him look more like his role models — and for him, that makes him look cooler. Yes, that might sound a bit childish, but we shouldn’t be ashamed of our dreams. It’s perfectly in character for Deku — and he’s not the only character whose understanding of “cool” is… a bit different from others. Bakugo’s hero name is Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight, as fans might remember — that’s way cornier than wearing a cape that is given to you by someone important.
In MHA, style is actually important
In the end, Deku’s cape might not be the most practical thing ever, but it’s a part of his style. And in the world where heroes’ public images are extremely important, inspiring people and helping to support the lawful order of the world, style is actually important. Not to mention, it gives a certain charm to the key visual, making it look like the characters are standing there after just finishing an intense fight. MHA can be criticized for some things — but lack of attention to its key visuals isn’t one of them.
