It’s not uncommon for the popularity of certain shonen anime series to grow in significant ways with each new season, but My Hero Academia has routinely been at the top of its genre and a consistent performer throughout its five seasons. It’s satisfying to see how My Hero Academia’s story has changed and evolved since its beginning, with many characters now having significant powers that would make their season one selves tremble in fear.

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Izuku “Deku” Midoriya is repeatedly positioned as My Hero Academia’s central Hero. There’s no denying that Deku’s role is important and he’s become one of the strongest Heroes in the series, yet his future is somewhat murkier when it comes to his possible status as society’s Number One Hero.

10 Why He Will: He’s The One For All Bearer And All Might’s Protégé

one for all users my hero academia

There are a multitude of practical and powerful Quirks in My Hero Academia, but there’s consistently a lot of attention devoted to One For All. This Quirk is on the more powerful side when it comes to brute strength abilities, but it takes a lot to properly master, and it's practically synonymous with the former Number One Pro Hero, All Might. All Might’s decision to mold Deku in his image as well as entrust him with his Quirk speaks volumes for the trajectory that he envisions for Deku.

9 Why He Won’t: He Pushes Himself Too Far And Doesn’t Know His Limits

Anime Deku Breaks His Bones Cropped

Heroic qualities can often be a double-edged sword, and the traits that make Deku a natural Hero can also be exactly what put him in danger. Deku never wants to give up, and he’s one to disregard the signs that his body tells him in favor of helping those around him. Even in smaller doses, this has resulted in Deku seriously breaking his bones through intense use of One For All. Midoriya continues to face more dangerous threats and it’s not hard to imagine this heroic yet reckless behavior catching up with him and leaving him permanently injured.

8 Why He Will: He Comes From A Quirk-Less Background And Respects The Field

My Hero Academia, Inko and Izuku cry

My Hero Academia lovingly embraces tropes of anime’s shonen genre, but it’s also very much a superhero origin story. Both of these forms of storytelling love underdog narratives and how it’s possible for the most ordinary of individuals to achieve unbelievable feats.

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Plenty of Heroes and Villains in My Hero Academia have enviable Quirks, but they fell into these powers before they could learn to appreciate them. Deku can better value the role of Number One Hero since he starts his journey Quirkless and from a place where he idolizes the role that Heroes fulfill in society.

7 Why He Won’t: He’s The Target Of All For One, Shigaraki, And Other Top Villains

MHA Deku in One For All dream world

Power is a tricky thing in My Hero Academia. It’s important that there are strong symbols of peace in society to give the public hope, but this also makes these Heroes natural targets for Villains. Some Villains target society in general, but Deku has specifically become the focus of All For One and Shigaraki’s latest plan.

Midoriya’s strength and the useful Quirks that he wields make him All For One’s priority. These villains want to co-opt Deku, which could lead to his death or something even worse, which would eliminate him as an option for Number One Pro Hero.

6 Why He Will: He’s Been Instrumental In The Defeat Of Many Major Villains

Deku Fighting Stain - My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia doesn’t minimize how some Heroes can excel during their studies and training at U.A. High, but struggle when it comes to their heroic work out in the real world. Some highly dangerous Villains have caused serious trouble throughout the series, and it’s significant that Deku is usually involved in their defeat in some capacity.

Midoriya plays an important role against Stain, All For One, Overhaul, Gentle Criminal, and even villains that are reserved for cinematic features, like Nine. This comprehensive experience against society’s worst villains makes Deku a natural fit for Number One Pro Hero status.

5 Why He Won’t: He Won’t Feel That He’s Worthy Enough

Izuku "Deku" Midoriya frowning and looking at his right hand in My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia is full of strong individuals, but humility is a trait that’s in shorter supply. Some Heroes pine for the position of Number One Pro Hero specifically because of the status that it gives them.

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Deku views this role as a privilege and responsibility, not a reward. Deku’s humble nature makes it seem as if he’d consider himself not honorable enough to usurp All Might’s old title. Deku is also the type to elect a whole team to collectively be the Number One Pro Hero and feel that it’s too important to place on just one person.

4 Why He Will: He’s Received Training From Multiple Legends

Anime My Hero Academia Gran Torino Smashes Izuku

A powerful Quirk is a valuable way to make a difference in My Hero Academia, but there are individuals that squander their potential because they never properly cultivate it. My Hero Academia is primarily set at a school because it’s interested in the growth of these students into the next generation of Heroes.

Deku is extremely fortunate to receive training under All Might, Sir Nighteye, the prolific Gran Torino, and most recently the current Number One Pro Hero, Endeavor. All of these different styles and tactics properly represent what a Number One Hero has to offer.

3 Why He Won’t: Other Heroes Have Had To Overcome More

Shoto challenging Izuku

Deku is My Hero Academia’s main character, but the anime has a large roster of supporting players that have received an increasing amount of attention. Midoriya has overcome a lot and doesn’t take his progress for granted, but there are many other Heroes that have had to deal with even more.

Shoto Todoroki’s complicated family life, Mirio Togata’s eternal optimism and the loss of his Quirk, and even Bakugo and Iida’s personal losses and growth amount to more grueling backstories. They’ve all worked hard to improve in ways that are more consistent with the trajectory of the Number One Hero.

2 Why He Will: He Has Multiple Quirks At His Disposal

Deku's use of Black Whip, My Hero Academia

Deku is already off to a strong start in My Hero Academia after he inherits All Might’s One For All Quirk, but the most recent season explores Midoriya’s connection to the previous One For All bearers. The link that Midoriya shares with these past Heroes allows him to gradually gain access to their Quirks. This is still a work in progress for Deku, but it gives him the potential to wield multiple Quirks of intense severity. Multiple Quirks are a rarity, but another factor that gives Deku a significant edge as a Hero.

1 Why He Won’t: He May Pass On One For All To The Next Generation Of Heroes

Anime My Hero Academia Eri hugs Midoriya

It seems logical for Deku to fill the present role of Number One Pro Hero, but My Hero Academia often considers the bigger picture. Deku’s Hero work is far from over, but it’s easy to picture him with a peaceful life where he helps others out as a tutor. Precedent is set that Deku can pass on One For All, which feels like a fitting way for the series to end. Deku would pass on the torch and recognize the potential in someone else as he allows them to embrace the protector role that he no longer needs for himself.

NEXT: My Hero Academia: 10 Characters Who Are Better Protagonists Than Deku