Deku leads the way in My Hero Academia not just with his star power but also through his unadulterated sense of heroism. Words like honor and nobility are often overused, or even misused, but they strongly apply to Deku as a young boy whose Quirklessness does little to prevent him from achieving greatness.
He may not have a past as painful as some of his friends, like Shoto, have experienced, but Deku has to cross several barriers before he gets the respect he deserves. Fortunately, empathy comes naturally to him, explaining why he often overlooks his own well-being in the course of his heroic labors. Deku's classmates certainly love him for his selflessness, though.
10 Deku Plows Through His Worst Injuries Without Complaint
It doesn't matter if the injury is limited to a single finger or half his body because Deku continues the battle until he wins or falls unconscious. While there are grave risks associated with reckless fighting, the presence of Recovery Girl at U.A. means that he can heal from the worst damage in short periods of time.
However, this doesn't diminish the fact that Deku is willing to undergo extreme agony in order to save innocent lives. This feature of his gains admiration from both his class and his fans.
9 He Throws Himself Into The Fray During The USJ Incident
Upon seeing All Might falter against the Nomu, Deku is spurred into action despite being heavily outclassed by all the villains present at the scene. He attacks Kurogiri recklessly but is rescued by Bakugo at the last minute.
Regardless, Deku doesn't linger around for All Might to finish the battle as he is painfully aware of his idol's weakening status. He leaps at Tomura and is almost killed by the latter's Decay Quirk. Foolhardiness aside, Deku's bravery earns him the esteem he deserves.
8 Deku Rescues Uraraka During The U.A. Entrance Exam
Having recently acquired his idol's Quirk, Deku rushes to the U.A. Entrance Exam to fulfill his dream of becoming a Pro Hero, just like All Might. He and the other applicants are thrown into a battle arena populated by attack robots, the largest of which has no point value attached because it's purpose is to show the futility of fighting when overwhelmed.
Despite knowing that he might fail the exam if he releases One For All, Deku does it anyway, saving Ochaco Uraraka and showing what a true hero he is.
7 He Singlehandedly Saves Izumi Kota From Muscular
Izumi Kota, a cranky child introduced in the Forest Training Camp arc, is revealed to be Mandalay's nephew and a staunch hero-hater. Deku refuses to give up on the kid and tries every tactic he can think of to mitigate the understandably negative preconceptions that Kota displays.
The perfect chance arrives when the League of Villains mount an assault on the camp, and Deku finds himself face to face with Muscular, the man who murdered Kota's parents. He ekes out a victory at the last second, converting Kota and endearing himself further to everyone else.
6 Deku Destroys Overhaul While Protecting Eri
This moment is probably one of the most intense in the entire series, because it involves Eri piggybacking on Deku while the both of them attempt to bring down Overhaul.
As Uraraka, Asui, and Aizawa watch, Deku smacks Overhaul with so much force that the villain's reconstructed body is obliterated. It's all the more impressive when an awestruck Sir Nighteye claims that Deku somehow bypasses his Foresight Quirk, something that has never happened before.
5 He Encourages Todoroki To Release His Full Potential
During the U.A. Sports Festival, Deku and Todoroki battle each other for a place in the final match. Todoroki solely relies on his ice, a tactic that he discovers is flawed against the sheer might of his opponent's Quirk.
In a bizarre turn of events, Deku encourages his friend to discharge the full gamut of the Half-Hot Half-Cold Quirk, asserting that Endeavor has no role to play in the path Todoroki wants to take. Deku ultimately loses the match but inspires his entire class in the process.
4 Deku Pulls Shindo To Safety Before He's Burned To A Crisp
During the Provisional Hero License Exam, students from various superhero schools from around the country work together to defeat a group of "villains" played by the Pro Hero Gang Orca and his associates. In the process of trapping their target, Yoarashi and Todoroki create a fire tornado that almost burns Yo Shindo who happens to be in the area.
Luckily, Deku pulls Shindo away from the danger and transports him to a safer location. The fact that Deku protects a student from another school is yet another reason why he's admired by his own class.
3 He Transfers One For All To Bakugo
In My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising, Class 1-A accidentally come across Nine, a villain on the lookout for a rare Quirk to help sustain his unstable body. Despite every student giving their all, the final match comes down to Bakugo and Deku.
The pair are no match for Nine even with their powers combined, so Deku takes the plunge and transfers his Quirk to his friend, just like All Might does earlier in the series. Doubling the One For All is more than enough to defeat Nine, but perhaps more importantly, this is when Bakugo begins to appreciate Deku.
2 Deku Saves His Friends From All For One
All For One emerges after several years underground, quickly dispatching the likes of Best Jeanist, Mt. Lady, and Tiger when they try to capture him. Deku, Kirishima, Ida, and Todoroki are paralyzed with fear until All Might joins the battle.
At this stage, Deku realizes that the only way to rescue Bakugo (and escape unscathed) from All For One would be to enact a complex strategy that relies on both perfect timing and a hopeful mindset. Deku's plan works without a hitch, of course.
1 He Insists On Having Eri At The U.A. School Festival
Deku becomes Eri's guardian the moment he figures out that there's something deeply wrong with her relationship with Overhaul, but he doesn't act on instinct in the beginning. After saving Eri, however, Deku remains upset because he still hasn't gotten to see her smile.
Therefore, he makes sure that she is invited to the U.A. School Festival, a cornucopia of fun events including plays, musical shows, haunted houses, and so on. Deku's wish is eventually granted, a moment that warms everyone's hearts.