The following contains spoilers for My Hero Academia Season 6, Episode 20 “Friend,” now streaming on Crunchyroll, Funimation and Hulu.
Midoriya Izuku’s dream of becoming a hero who can save everyone with a smile — which he has held since My Hero Academia’s beginning — has never wavered. While he’s made tremendous progress in his journey toward becoming the greatest hero, Deku still struggles with maintaining a smile in the line of duty.
In fact, his whole dark vigilante arc in Season 6 proves that the young hero still misunderstands All Might’s most fundamental lesson. It’s a principle both Gran Torino and Sir Nighteye have noted he struggles with, but it now seems Deku has abandoned it altogether.
Why All Might’s Smile Was Important to the Symbol of Peace
Toshinori Yagi had a clear idea of the hero he wished to become even before he received One For All. He believed the crime rate in Japan continued to increase because the citizens had no pillar to rely on that could assure their safety. To become that pillar, he needed to brand himself appropriately. His catchphrase “It’s all right now. I am here!” evoked the exact feeling All Might wished to spread. Once civilians heard him announce his arrival, they automatically knew all danger had gone. Even the name “All Might” was a strategic choice. Every time someone referred to him by his hero name, they reinforced the idea of his omnipotence, contributing to the reign of peace All Might’s peak was characterized as.
The Symbol of Peace may have terrified villains into inaction, but its most important role was always to be a beacon of hope. His ever-present smile in the face of danger reassured the public of their safety and inspired a whole new generation of heroes. All Might’s smile became such a part of his identity that he caused a stir when he appeared without it to confront the villains who invaded USJ in Season 1 of My Hero Academia. Even the students he had arrived to save were unsettled at how angry he appeared.
It’s no coincidence that Hawks referenced All For One’s use of the same principle very recently in Season 6, Episode 20. Unlike the League of Villains’ members, All For One has never shown contempt for any hero in particular. As Hawks pointed out, no matter how dire his situation seemed to be, AFO remained smiling. This made it difficult for them to figure out his next move in the heat of battle, or to predict the strategy he may use to steal One For All. Just as All Might’s perpetual smile unnerved villains, All For One’s smile was making them uneasy.
“Vigilante” Deku Looks Like a Villain In My Hero Academia Season 6
Deku’s current haggard state in My Hero Academia is more likely to frighten the average citizen than assure them of their safety. After weeks of fighting escaped prisoners without rest, his formerly clean-cut hero costume is showing a lot of wear and tear. He no longer looks like a remotely friendly figure, let alone a hero capable of restoring the Hero Society to its former state. Since Deku is refusing to stop even for a food break, he is growing increasingly weaker. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before he is defeated in battle, as Dictator almost did. He is far from being the Symbol of Peace as All Might envisioned it.
Ironically, Deku’s vigilante actions are actively contributing to the general fear and uncertainty in Japan that he is trying to curb. Although he’s working as a hero, his villainous appearance and ability to use multiple Quirks are too much for terrified citizens to look past. Rumors abound of Deku possibly being a Nomu or having some secret affiliation to All For One despite the good he is continuing to do. Deku is fervently trying to follow in All Might’s footsteps, but his vigilante era has shown he needs to go back to the drawing board and rethink how he wants to present himself as a hero.