My Hero Academia’s anime officially ended on Saturday, December 13, 2025, marking nearly a decade of storytelling. Over the years, the series has explored powerful and moving themes of heroism and what it truly means to hold that title, an idea that has continuously evolved throughout the story.
For years, All Might served as the Symbol of Peace, with many anticipating who his successor would be. After inheriting One For All, Deku seemed poised to become the Symbol himself; however, another character embodied the ideal even more strongly than Deku ever could, making it clear to the audience that Deku was never meant to be the next Symbol.
Mirio Togata Was Perfect for the Role From the Moment He Was Introduced
When Mirio Togata was introduced as part of U.A.’s “Big Three” in My Hero Academia, it was clear that he was going to become an inspiration. Unlike many prodigies in the series, his reputation wasn’t exaggerated in the slightest, and he carries himself with natural humility and respect for others.
Even his hero name, Lemillion, reflects an aspirational scale born of a genuine desire to save and help others. His goal of saving a million people may be grand and ambitious, yet it’s not hollow or idealistic. Given his strength, dedication, and mindset, Mirio’s goal becomes one that prioritizes long-term impact and public reassurance.
Beyond heroism, Mirio’s personality radiates optimism, lighthearted humor, and approachability, allowing him to effortlessly uplift the morale of those around him. He never comes across as arrogant and genuinely wishes to see everyone around him become the best they can be, even going out of his way to offer guidance or aid in training.
His ideals, feats, and personality were all displayed in the battle against Overhaul. In the fourth season, Mirio demonstrated that he was willing to sacrifice everything to protect Eri, continuing to fight even after losing his quirk, and never surrendering to despair. While it was Deku who ultimately defeated Kai Chisaki, Mirio’s resolve, compassion, and presence were essential to Eri’s survival.
Lemillion Rightfully Earned His Place As The Number 1 Hero
By the Final War, Lemillion regains his power and is crucial to the heroes’ success, holding off Shigaraki and distracting him until Deku arrives on the scene. Years after the intense battle, in the series finale, it’s revealed that Mirio rose to become the Number One hero, a position he’s earned as a result of years of consistency and excellence.
While My Hero Academia’s epilogue hasn’t been animated, Chapter #431 offers fans a deeper understanding of how he operates as Japan’s Number One hero. He’s publicly known as the Comedy Hero: Lemillion, and has created a strong, recognizable image, defined by humor and smiles. He grows immensely popular, particularly with children, reinforcing the idea that heroism extends beyond combat.
Mirio serves as a symbol of hope, especially in a society that has had to rebuild and recover after the Final War.
Paired with the mastery of his quirk, Mirio has the ability to not only project and spread joy, but also to preserve and defend it. Through his presence alone, he defends against fear and negativity, standing as a trustworthy hero who knows how powerful a smile can be. Mirio embodies every essential quality a top-ranked hero should have.
Mirio serves as a symbol of hope, especially in a society that has had to rebuild and recover after the Final War. His creativity, playfulness, and strength are all traits that allow him to connect with others on a deeper level, evoking trust and hope from everyone around him, making him a truly one-of-a-kind character in My Hero Academia.
Deku Can’t Embody The Symbol of Peace Like Lemillion Can
As the Symbol of Peace, All Might represented more than just power. While his strength did matter and play a large role in his rise, it was also his brightness, constant smile, strong confidence, and emotional steadiness that reassured society. In this sense, Mirio Togata embodies what All Might became far more naturally than Deku ever could.
Mirio has the ability to effortlessly balance his power with positivity. His confidence is grounding, his optimism contagious, and most of all, his presence alone creates a sense of safety. He doesn’t need to convince others that everything will be okay because people simply believe it when he arrives on scene.
Deku, on the other hand, is best defined by empathy, self-sacrifice, and idealism. While these traits have helped him become one of the greatest heroes, he’s also known for his internal anxieties and awkwardness. These are far from “bad” traits, however, they do prevent him from projecting the same energy as All Might or Lemillion.
That distinction makes it clear that Lemillion is best suited to the role of the next Symbol of Peace rather than Deku. Rather than having anything to do with their individual power, Lemillion’s personality simply embodies the same energy as All Might’s, radiating positivity and hope to everyone he meets.
Deku Doesn’t Need To Be The Symbol of Peace
All that said, Deku was never meant to radiate the same presence as All Might of Lemillion, and the series frames that idea with intention. His energy is vastly different from theirs, and he embodies something much deeper and more profound by not mirroring his predecessor. Instead, Deku carves his own path and becomes the embodiment of true heroism.
This is reflected in his journey as he gradually learns that he doesn’t need to become the next All Might. Early on in the series, he attempts to mimic his predecessor’s image and fighting style, nearly breaking himself in the process. A major aspect of his growth comes when he realizes that he doesn’t need to become a duplicate.
Instead, Deku embodies an ideal of heroism rooted in connection and unity. Instead of a singular hero bearing the weight of the world, he proves that both saving others and being saved are equally essential and can be accomplished by anyone, not just those with the title of hero.
Deku is a hero who feels more grounded and relatable. While he doesn’t exhibit the same positivity and optimism that All Might and Lemillion naturally bring, he demonstrates himself in other ways that better align with who he is as a person. His story has never been about becoming the next Symbol of Peace; it’s about evolving beyond his predecessor’s title.
- Release Date
-
2016 – 2025-00-00
- Network
-
TBS, MBS, Nippon TV
- Directors
-
Shouji Ikeno, Tsuyoshi Tobita, Ikuro Sato, Takudai Kakuchi, Masashi Abe, Tetsuya Miyanishi, Kazuma Komatsu, Yoshifumi Sasahara, Masayuki Otsuki, Daisuke Tsukushi, Takayuki Yamamoto, Yohei Fukui, Takuro Tsukada, Masatoyo Takada, Naomi Nakayama, Sayaka Morikawa, Takanori Yano
-
Daiki Yamashita
Izuku Midoriya (voice)
-
Kaito Ishikawa
Manga Fukidashi (voice)
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
