My Hero Academia's Epilogue Did Deku Dirty, and a New Anime Will Prove It

The My Hero Academia manga series is by far one of the most beloved of recent years. The release of chapter #430 was a monumental event that is still being celebrated by millions of followers around the world. Nonetheless, not all the decisions included in the epilogue were universally accepted among fans, with Deku’s fate being one of the most divisive.

Making the protagonist give up on his dream and become a teacher, while meaningful for many, was seen by a large portion of the fandom as a major mistake. Although some fans have defended this choice, there is a character in the upcoming anime adaptation of the Vigilantes spin-off who proves that Deku deserved much better.

Knuckleduster Is an Amazing Quirkless Hero

Not Having a Special Power Never Stopped Him

Iwao Oguro, better known as the vigilante Knuckleduster, is one of the main characters of My Hero Academia’s most popular spin-off manga. In the past, he was a rising hero known as O’clock, who had a Quirk that allowed his mind to move at impressive speeds. He was one of the first modern public servants to discover All for One, the main and most powerful villain in the franchise, was behind Japan’s underworld. Woefully, this revelation cost him his career, as the Symbol of Evil stole his Quirk, forcing him to retire.

After his daughter disappeared, Iwao decided to once again put on his costume and patrol the streets, adopting his iconic code name. Knuckleduster, despite not having a Quirk, is anything but a liability to his allies. He is a determined and fierce opponent, able to fight head-to-head with imposing adversaries like Aizawa or the spin-off’s main villain, Number 6. While the manga does make it clear that he sometimes struggles to keep up with individuals who possess a Quirk, Iwao never once gave up on his ideals, fighting even during near-death situations.

He is an example of the power regular humans have in the My Hero Academia world, proving that not having a Quirk does not make one less valuable. Still, there were clear disadvantages to not having a special power, as the Hero Public Safety Commission did not allow him to remain a hero once he lost his abilities. Knuckleduster went through many hardships as the story of the Vigilantes spin-off progressed, but he stayed determined and continued his path to make the world a better place for everyone.

Knuckleduster's Story Proves Powers Do Not Make the Hero

The Franchise Seemingly Did Not Learn From Knuckleduster

My Hero Academia Vigilantes: Knuckleduster goes up against Number Six

One of the main reasons why Deku did not continue pursuing his path as a hero was because the final battle against All For One stripped him of all the powers contained inside One For All. Knucleduster’s story proves that this reason does not hold validity inside the universe of the series, as there was already a perfect example of a Quirkless warrior. Iwao, while not at the level of powerful heroes like All Might or Endeavor, was the living embodiment of everything Deku wanted to be at the beginning of the series.

...He's Quirkless, just a tough old man.
- Shota Aizawa

Despite not having a special ability to rely on, he still risked his life to protect the innocent. The Vigilantes manga leaves no doubt that, even if he had been recognized as a true hero, Knuckleduster would never have risen too much in the rankings. Yet, that is what makes Iwao a much more respectable character, as he was not fighting crime in hopes of becoming famous. Knuckleduster is a perfect example of what a true hero should be, even when he was not given a chance to be one after becoming Quirkless.

Deku Should Have Been Given a Similar Chance

Izuku Had a Major Advantage Over Iwao

When asked about why chapter #430 of the My Hero Academia manga upset them, most fans stated that it was due to Deku being forced to give up on his dreams. Despite everything he did for the world, Izuku ended up leaving his only goal in life behind because he did not have a Quirk. If not for Bakugo and the rest of Class 1-A joining forces to get him his power armor, Midoriya might never have been able to be a hero again. Moreover, Knuckleduster’s existence proves that Deku could have been given a better ending.

As a student of U.A. High, Izuku had access to the most advanced training equipment possible, as well as some of the best teachers in the world to support his dream. The series could have transformed the protagonist into a different kind of hero, relying on his fighting abilities and support gear to defeat the villains. To make matters worse, chapter #431 of the manga, the true epilogue which greatly helped in fixing the finale by giving Deku a chance to be a hero, proves that Quirkless individuals were no longer prohibited from fighting crime.

If that were the case, Midoriya would not have been permitted to join his friend on the battlefield despite wearing his armor. The manga had no realistic reason not to give the protagonist a chance to pursue his dream, even with no Quirk. Deku had already proven himself as the greatest hero in history, risking his life and everything he worked for to save the world from All For One. Becoming a legal version of Knuckleduster would have made for a much more satisfying ending to his story.

Deku Being a Teacher Would Not Have Been an Issue

Chapter #431 Proves He Can Do Both

Deku thinking about his job, confessing that he decided to become a teacher after losing his Quirk.

Despite how divisive Deku’s epilogue was, a large percentage of the fandom agrees that Izuku becoming a teacher was not an issue. It was a moving homage to the amazing mentors he had through the manga and reinforced the message that even the smallest of actions, like helping kids achieve their dreams, could turn a person into a hero. Chapter #431 even proved that Midoriya could have continued teaching at U.A. while being a hero, as that is exactly what he does during the epilogue. The decision not to give him a chance is what truly infuriated fans.

My Hero Academia will continue to be a topic of discussion among followers of this beloved franchise for decades to come, as its impact on the community is outstanding. The release of the Vigilantes anime adaptation will help fans expand their horizons, giving them a whole new perspective on the story and the main manga series.