My Hero Academia is without a doubt one of the most popular anime franchises to be released in the past few years. Written by Kohei Horikoshi, the original manga has reached 30 volumes and has consistently hit the New York Times Graphic Books Bestseller List, beating out other popular titles such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer.

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The anime has been a favorite for worldwide fans, so much so that in 2020, an Observer report listed it as more popular than Game of Thrones. It has spawned countless debates and has one of the most active fandoms on the planet. The anime has many things in common with previous shonen titles like Naruto, but its popularity stems from all the new things it brings to the table.

10 Quirks Are A Unique Fresh Take On An Old Favorite, Superpowers

Wash MHA

Upon first glance, quirks are like any other superpower encountered in a shonen anime or comic book series. In fact, supernatural abilities like super-strength, shape-shifting, vampirism, telekinesis, magic, or mind control are a theme most anime fans are familiar with. However, by the time the series starts, quirks have mutated so much that they appear in unique and unexpected forms, all because of the genetic background of the parents. After all, fans might have already seen a character who can cause explosions, but explosive sweat is a little more unusual. Most people would see a washing machine as an appliance, not a potential superheroic figure. Despite this, My Hero Academia's hero Wash would likely disagree. It's a fresh take on an old favorite, and fans have embraced the novelty.

9 The World-Building Includes Many Varied Locations & Elements

My Hero Academia I Island

My Hero Academia takes place in a world of superpowers and quirks. In Japan alone, there are hundreds of heroes and villains listed. The main story is set in the imaginary city of Musutafu, centering around U.A. High School. But the author didn't stop there, introducing other locations such as I-Island. All Might himself has a background of studying in the United States. This gives the world of My Hero Academia the same vibe as already established comic book universes such as Marvel and DC. The spin-off, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes adds another layer to the story. While not written by the same author, it is undoubtedly a valuable contribution to the franchise.

8 The Job Title Of "Hero" Makes Hero Motivations More Complex

Deku and others get costume modifications MHA

Usually, the reasons a character becomes a hero are straightforward enough with justice and protecting the innocent. And there's plenty of that going on in My Hero Academia, as this is the main motivation of the hero Deku. But interestingly enough, the storyline trivializes the concept of "hero," as it becomes an actual career. Heroes are no longer distant figures to idolize. They are basically civil servants, who follow bureaucracy like everyone else, have salaries, and look to promote themselves. Because of this, hero students often have very different ambitions ranging from Tenya Iida, who merely wants to follow the same career path as his family, to Uraraka Ochako, who is dedicated to becoming a hero for financial gain.

7 The Secondary Characters Offer An Exciting Addition

My Hero Academia Todoroki Shoto and Bakugou Katsuki

The popularity of most shonen anime series stems primarily from the fans' dedication to the protagonist's journey. Ironically, in My Hero Academia, the opposite seems to be the case. The author has included dozens of fascinating secondary characters, and some of them have become even more popular than Izuku Midoriya himself. Fan favorites include Katsuki Bakugo, Deku's number one rival, and Todoroki Shoto, one of Deku's best friends.

RELATED: My Hero Academia, Every Main Character Ranked By Power Level

Naturally, Deku's class gets the most attention, but U.A. has many other classes, and Class 1-B has been recently gaining more and more notoriety. With students like Shihai Kuroiro, Itsuka Kendo, or Setsuna Tokage around, fans have every reason to be excited about the future. The teachers and other heroes are just as interesting, with Eraserhead and pro hero Hawks having increasingly more fans with every anime episode and chapter release.

6 The Familial Relationships Provide A Strong Emotional Connection

izuku and inko

It's not unusual for characters in superhero-themed stories to have tragic backgrounds or to come from broken families. In My Hero Academia, the familial element is very strong. Izuku Midoriya is very close to his mother Inko, despite her initial inability to accept his dream to be a hero. The relationship between him and All Might is also incredibly strong. Gradually, Class 1-A bonds and evolves through hardship, and they practically become one big family.

5 Each Character Shows Immense Growth, Not Just The Protagonist

tokoyami dark shadow

One of the strongest pillars of any shonen anime is the character growth of the protagonist. But in My Hero Academia, fans watch the growth and development of not just one, but dozens of characters. The students at U.A. gradually grow into their own, acquiring new moves, slowly developing as people, and understanding their own motivations more and more.

RELATED: 5 My Hero Academia Students Who Changed The Most (And 5 Who Changed The Least)

Watching Yaoyorozu Momo surpass her insecurities or seeing Tokoyami Fumikage fly with Dark Shadow can be just as powerful as seeing Deku succeed in battle or gain a new ability.

4 The Deep Societal Issues Allow Fans To Empathize With The Characters

My Hero Academia's Shinsou Hitoshi.

The world of My Hero Academia is one focusing on heroes, but it's not perfect. In the first part of the series, Deku struggles with prejudice and bullying because of his quirklessness, and the issue never really disappears, even after he becomes a hero. Similarly, Hitoshi Shinso's quirk is seen as villainous, and he faces a great deal of backlash because of it. Mutation-type quirks are looked down upon, affecting the popularity of heroes like Gang Orca. Villain Magne struggles due to being transgender. Meanwhile, Endeavor has a history of abusing his family, and yet, he becomes the number one hero. It's an imperfect, popularity-based system that echoes the issues in modern society. It's very easy for viewers or readers to empathize with the characters.

3 The Villains Are Intriguing & Relatable With Exciting Backgrounds

All For One and Twice-My Hero Academia

A hero is only ever as great as their villain is. After all, every Batman needs his Joker, and every Iron Man needs his Mandarin. The villains of My Hero Academia are as varied as the heroes, with their quirks, motivations, and backgrounds adding spice to an already powerful story. The rivalry between All Might and his sinister nemesis All for One shapes and changes the lives of everyone around them, including their respective protegees Deku and Shigaraki. Twice's history, on the other hand, is heavily influenced by his mental health condition. With these villains, the story is never quite black and white.

2 The Lead Has Real Potential To Become A Powerful, Dangerous Villain

MHA Deku broken fingers

My Hero Academia is a story where, at every turn, characters make life-altering decisions. This is never more obvious than in the case of Izuku. His upbringing as a bullied, quirkless child could have easily turned him into a villain. Deku is also noted as being very intelligent, and his infamous "Hero Analysis for the Future" notebooks are a subject of much speculation. This has led many fans to look deeper into the psychology of the character and construct alternate realities, ones where he becomes the antagonist, not the protagonist.

1 All Might's Human, Flawed Nature Makes Him Special As A Hero

My Hero Academia All Might United States of Smash

The Symbol of Peace is undoubtedly the iconic figure of My Hero Academia. What makes him special is his depth as a character. His persona as All Might is created specifically out of his desire to protect people, but his true self, Toshinori Yagi, acknowledges harsh realities that All Might could not accept with a smile. His determination to go Plus Ultra no matter what is both inspiring and destructive. He curses in English and is clumsy as a teacher. He might seem godlike, but he's very human, in a way other incredibly powerful heroes are often not.

NEXT: 13 All Might Quotes That Inspire All of Us