“And when everyone is super…no one will be” this quote from Syndrome from the Incredibles has been something that has always stuck with me. What would the world be if most of the population of the world had super powers instead of the other way around like in most comics? That question now has been answered by My Hero Academia, a manga (Japanese comic) that I have just recently read.
The story follows a young boy named Izuku Midoriya, his dream is to one day become a super hero like his idol All Might. However Izuku has one major problem he regrettably is not born with any superpowers or what they call in this world “Quirks.” But this doesn’t deter Izuku as he still tries to do his best to be like his idol and get into U.A. High School, a school specifically for future superheroes. One day after being bullied by the class jerk Katsuki Bakugō. Izuku comes face to face with a real supervillain who attacks him and low and behold who saves him but his idol All Might. After getting over the initial fan boy shock Izuku gathers up the courage to ask him if he can still be a hero even though he doesn’t have any quirks. When All Might tell him no, Izuku get discouraged and walks home depressed. As he is thinking about how to rethink his future, Izuku comes across the same villain from before but this time he is attacking Katsuki. None of the superheroes around can get to Katsuki because he is shooting off his powers wildly so no one can get close. Without thinking Izuku tries to rescue him from the villain but to no avail. All hope seems lost until All Might shows up again and defeats the villain once and for all. After being scolded by the other superheroes for putting himself in danger Izuku finally heads for home. He doesn’t get too far when All Might shows up again. This time All Might tells Izuku that he was wrong about him and then reveals his biggest secret. All Might can pass his power to another person and that person he has been looking for a very long time and he believes that it’s Izuku. But in order to gain this power Izuku will have to train his body and get ready for U. A. High School’s entrance exam. Does Izuku really have what it takes? Will he get into the school that he’s been dreaming about for years? You’ll have to read the manga to find out.
I really enjoyed this manga for several different reasons: There have been many comics, movies, even video games that have already told a tale about a superhero school. However, I feel this story is quite different than many of the others specifically in the fact that in this world super powered individuals are not the minority like in other stories but the majority. Most importantly for myself, I can relate with the main character, Izuku. Izuku is a kid who is very introverted, jumpy, and socially awkward but he has a lot of heart and determination. I feel a lot of people including myself can connect with that especially in this modern world we live in. I believe that stories are so much better when the audience members can associate with the characters. Being an Artist myself on of the first things I always notice is the art style. Manga and anime tend to sometimes blend with one another art style wise. However this manga is a great example of how not all Japanese Artist draw the same. The characters look unique compared to a lot of stuff out there. One of my favorite touches is that All Might is always drawn in a traditional western comic style which really makes him stand out from all the other characters. It gives him that larger than life look that fits his personality well.
To wrap it all up I highly suggest My Hero Academia not only for those out there who love manga but also to those out there who love traditional superhero comics. The manga is published by Viz Media and can be found online as well as in your favorite book store. For those who don’t read comics and enjoy cartoons there is also the anime which can be found streaming on Funimation’s website but as of the writing of this there is no American version on DVD yet. If you have already read or watched My Hero Academia and what to leave your comments and review please reply below or hit me up on Twitter @talesftgamegrid.
