My Hero Academia Volume 1

Synopsis

Izuku Midoriya (Deku) dreams of becoming a superhero, a goal that's not uncommon in a world where eighty percent of the population has superpowers. These superpowers, also known as Quirks, manifest in most people, but unfortunately, Midoriya belongs to the twenty percent that doesn't exhibit any special abilities. A chance meeting with his favorite idol, All Might, may change his Quirkless life and grant him the most special ability to live out his dream of superherodom. 

Review and Recommendation

My Hero Academia is a difficult series to review as it’s very popular, and most manga and anime enthusiasts are familiar with it. So, I will keep my review brief and mainly focus on highlighting my favorite story elements from volume one. Volume one of My Hero Academia, is an excellent start to the series with detailed world-building and compelling characters. When I first started reading MHA (My Hero Academia), I assumed the story would be about a world of superheroes and villains leading ordinary lives while fighting crime. However, introducing Midoriya’s favorite hero, All Might, shifts the narrative and creates a mystery surrounding Quirks and their function in MHA. Not all Quirks are created equal, and not every hero is helpful in every situation. The relationship between Midoriya and All Might drives the plot as the roles of these characters change, with All Might becoming a mentor and Midoriya developing into the hero he always dreamed he’d become. MHA volume one is a unique spin on the superhero genre and a great starting point for anyone interested in starting manga. 

Cautions

*Spoiler Alert* (A spoiler alert is being issued because there are mentions of specific plot points that relate to the rating of this review.) 

My Hero Academia (MHA) volume one is rated Teen specifically due to the prominent fantasy violence throughout the series. Volume one of MHA also contains some female characters in tight-fitting costumes and mild language. There is also a panel between Midoriya and his rival/frenemy, Katsuki Bakugo (Kacchan). Kacchan tells Midoriya to save time and jump off a building to become a superhero in his next life. I agree with the manga’s initial recommended rating for readers aged 13 and up.