My Hero Academia started as a 10/10 that had everything going for it, brilliant world, amazing side characters, and the promise of watching an underdog become the greatest hero. But eight seasons later, Deku still feels like the same crybaby from episode one while characters like Todoroki and Bakugo actually grew into heroes. The early seasons are peak shonen, but the later arcs lost the magic. Still worth watching for the world and supporting cast, but temper your expectations for the protagonist.
Remember When This Was a 10/10?
Let me take you back to 2016. The opening hits, Deku's narration kicks in: "This is the story of how I became the greatest hero." Absolute chills. The early seasons of My Hero Academia were something special the kind of anime where you genuinely couldn't wait for the next episode, the next season, the next anything. It had that magic combination of an underdog story, incredible world-building, and a cast of characters you actually cared about.
U.A. High School felt alive. The Sports Festival arc? Chef's kiss. All Might versus All For One? One of the greatest anime moments of the decade. This series had everything it needed to be an all-timer.
So what happened?
The Protagonist Problem
Here's the thing nobody wants to say: Izuku Midoriya is one of the most frustrating protagonists in modern shonen. And I say this as someone who was completely invested in his journey at the start.
The whole "weak underdog crybaby" angle works for one season. Maybe two if you're pushing it. But eight seasons? Japan is literally falling apart, villains are tearing society to pieces, and our supposed future Symbol of Peace is still having emotional breakdowns every other episode. At some point, you need to step up.
Think about what made All Might legendary. When he arrived on scene, everyone felt safe. That's what a hero is. That presence, that confidence, that reassurance that everything's going to be okay. Would you feel safe with Midoriya showing up? Honestly? I wouldn't.
Everyone Else Got the Memo
What makes it worse is that the side characters absolutely understood the assignment. Todoroki went through genuine trauma and came out the other side composed and powerful. Lemillion (Mirio) lost his quirk and still carried himself like a true hero.
I wish he was the main character in these series.
Even Bakugo, the angry exploding gremlin matured into someone you'd actually trust to save you.
Bakugo solid side character
These characters grew. They evolved. They became heroes.
Deku just... cried more.
The Dark Ages of Season 6 and 7
I'll be honest I didn't watch seasons 6 and 7 when they aired. Had to force myself through them later, and it was a slog. You know it's bad when early Black Clover episodes (and we all remember how rough those were with Asta's screaming) felt more enjoyable to get through.
The series needed a time skip. Something - anything - to show Deku maturing into the hero he was supposed to become. Instead, we got more of the same, just with higher stakes and a protagonist who still wasn't ready for them.
What Could Have Been
The bones of this series are incredible. The quirk system is one of the best power systems in anime. The villains, especially Shigaraki's arc, are genuinely compelling. The animation from Studio Bones consistently delivers. The supporting cast is stacked with memorable characters.
He was a really good villain
But when your story is literally about becoming the greatest hero, and your main character never feels like he earns that title? It leaves a bitter taste.
Other shonen have figured this out.
Look at Naruto. He started as a loud, obnoxious kid desperate for attention annoying, immature, and constantly underestimated. But through genuine loss, pain, and that crucial time skip into Shippuden, he came back different. More composed. Stronger. By the time he became Hokage, you believed it. You watched him earn that title over years of growth.
Eren from Attack on Titan went from a crying, revenge-obsessed kid to... well, something else entirely. Controversial ending aside, nobody can say his character didn't evolve. He transformed so dramatically that fans debated whether he was even the same person.
Simon from Gurren Lagann starts as a timid, insecure digger who can barely look people in the eye. After losing his mentor Kamina, he doesn't just cry about it forever he rises. He becomes the confident leader the story needed him to be. That's how you write growth.
Deku needed that Shippuden moment. A time skip. A crucible that forged him into something harder. Instead, we got the same tearful speeches, the same self-doubt, the same "I have to save everyone" while barely being able to save himself.
That opening line: "This is the story of how I became the greatest hero" feels like a broken promise. We watched everyone around him become heroes. We're still waiting on Deku.
