My Hero Academia: Unpacking All Might's Decline & Its Anime Roots
All Might’s fall from top hero to weakened mentor in My Hero Academia mirrors a common anime trope that shifts focus to the next generation of characters
Image Via Bones
When My Hero Academia first began, All Might was the main hero. The symbol of peace, the hero that inspired a whole country, and especially Deku. Everyone wanted to be like him. But soon after, he stopped being that important. They didn’t even show it clearly on screen—just said he got badly hurt fighting All For One. After that, things kept getting worse.
A Great Hero Taken Down Quietly
The anime showed All Might already past his best days. His powers kept running out. He coughed up blood a lot. But still, he kept fighting. Then came Deku, and All Might picked him as his successor. That’s when it became clear: the story wasn’t his anymore. Yeah, maybe that’s just the way it happens. But it doesn’t mean fans felt okay watching him fade out like that.
He trained Deku and gave him hope. But also, it felt like we missed the real All Might. We never truly got to see him in his prime, not in action at least. Just some flashbacks here and there. The anime needed Deku to rise, so All Might had to fall. But still, it hurts a little.
All Might’s Fall Was More Than Just Losing Power, It Was Losing a Legend
With All Might, it wasn’t just a power shift. It was emotional too. He was more than a fighter—he was a symbol. So, watching him become weak while the villains got stronger added a kind of pressure. Deku had to grow fast. There was no backup. But even so, seeing All Might reduced to a side character who mostly gives advice wasn’t easy for fans who loved him.
The worst part? We’ll never truly see how strong he was at his best. That version of him lives only in memories.
Also Read : My Hero Academia Season 8 Confirms Fall 2025 Release with New Trailer Drop
So yes, My Hero Academia followed the trend of nerfing the old legend. It helped the story move forward. But for people who loved All Might, it was a quiet goodbye that lasted too long. He didn’t just lose his strength—he lost the spotlight. And no matter how normal that is for anime, it still doesn’t sit right for a lot of fans.
If you want to relive the highs and lows, the series is still up for streaming on Crunchyroll.
Written By “Sujoy Bhowmik - India Today Gaming”
