So here's something wild that just came out: Kohei Horikoshi, the guy behind My Hero Academia, almost ended the entire series with Deku losing One For All for good. Yeah, I know. After everything.
When this news dropped on social media, it felt like the fandom collectively lost its mind. People were arguing, theorizing, and honestly? I get why. This changes everything about how we look at the story.
A Little Background on Horikoshi
Before MHA blew up globally, Horikoshi was just another manga artist trying to make it work. He had some earlier projects that didn't really take off, but when My Hero Academia hit in 2014, something clicked. The way he writes characters and emotional beats just resonated with people everywhere.
What's cool is watching how the series evolved from "superhero high school story" into this really layered exploration of what it means to be a hero, how society works, and what we're willing to sacrifice for others.
The Ending That Never Happened
Apparently, one of Horikoshi's early ideas was to have Deku lose One For All permanently by the end. Just think about that for a second. This kid spent the entire series earning that power, growing into it, and becoming the symbol of hope only to end up right back where he started. Powerless.
It's a pretty bold move, honestly. The whole point would've been showing that real heroism isn't about having powers. It's about who you are as a person. Your values, your choices, your heart.
There's something poetic about it, right? Deku coming full circle. But man, it would've hurt to watch.
Why Things Changed
Look, manga editors exist for a reason. They help creators think about their audience and the bigger picture. With a series as massive as MHA, ending it with Deku powerless might've been too much for a lot of fans to handle. Some would've loved it, sure, but others would've felt betrayed after investing years in his journey.
Plus, there's the whole business side of things. The franchise is huge movies, merchandise, spin-offs. An ending like that could've complicated future projects.
What One For All Really Means
Here's the thing: One For All isn't just a superpower in this story. It's basically the physical embodiment of hope, legacy, and connection. All Might passed it to Deku, who was supposed to pass it on someday. Taking that away would completely reframe what the entire series was building toward.
And let's be real Deku's whole identity got wrapped up in having this quirk from day one. Losing it would bring him back to square one, which could've been either beautifully meaningful or just depressing, depending on how you look at it.
The Fandom Exploded (Obviously)
When this news came out, fans split pretty hard. Some people thought a powerless ending would've been more realistic and emotionally powerful. Like, imagine Deku sacrificing his power to save everyone and then becoming a teacher or mentor like All Might did.
But then you had fans who thought that would've been unnecessarily cruel. After watching him struggle and grow for hundreds of chapters, taking away his power felt like punishment instead of resolution.
The core question everyone's debating: Does a hero need powers to be a hero?
What Actually Happened
In the real ending, Deku keeps One For All and continues being a hero. The story wraps up pretty cleanly, hitting all the major themes unity, never giving up, carrying on the legacy. It gave fans closure, even if it wasn't perfect.
Personally, I think it works. But knowing what could've been makes you wonder, you know?
The "What If" Game
Ever since this revelation, fans have been going crazy with theories about what a powerless Deku timeline would look like. Some imagine him becoming the next principal of UA. Others see him revolutionizing support gear or becoming the world's greatest hero analyst.
There's something kind of beautiful about all these alternate versions floating around in fan fiction and art. It keeps the story alive in new ways.
Why This Matters
I think what's really cool here is that Horikoshi was willing to share this. Most creators keep their discarded ideas buried forever, but being transparent about the creative process gives us insight into how stories come together. It's messy and complicated and full of tough choices.
And honestly? These "what could've been" moments make fandoms richer. They give us more to talk about, more to imagine, more ways to engage with the story we love.
Final Thoughts
Whether you think Deku should've lost his powers or not, you can't deny that Horikoshi's revelation got people talking and thinking differently about the whole series. It makes you question what heroism really means and how much our powers or lack of them define who we are.
At the end of the day, Deku's story impacted millions of people. That's not changing, no matter which ending we got.
Quick Q&A:
Did he really almost do this?
Yep. He's confirmed it was one of his original plans.
So why didn't it happen?
Probably a mix of editorial guidance and wanting to give fans something that felt more satisfying.
Could Deku still be a hero without powers?
I mean, yeah. The dude's got the heart and brains for it. Powers are just tools.
How mad were fans?
Mixed reactions, honestly. Some loved the idea, some absolutely hated it.
Will we ever see this alternate version?
Who knows? Maybe in a spin-off or side story someday, but nothing's confirmed.
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