The sacrificial hero has always been a common trope in storytelling, to the point where some might argue that it’s overused. In many accounts, this is seen as the ultimate act of bravery and selflessness, as well as a simple way to elicit an emotional response from the audience. Many franchises, including the MCU, have repeatedly relied on this trope.
For years, fans of My Hero Academia I thought the series would lead to a similar outcome, but in its final chapters the series took a different approach. In doing so, the story effectively avoided the same mistake other franchises made by relying too much on the deaths of mentors for emotional impact or using sacrifice as a plot device to move the story forward.
The self-sacrificing mentor is one of the oldest and most used archetypes in storytelling, usually depicted as an older, wiser figure who gives his life so that the hero can then rise. This is often done to symbolize the passing of the torch, a strong theme in My Hero Academiaand the idea that growth requires losses.
When done well, this trope can be powerful and even poetic, showing how letting go can give strength. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this has been seen with the Ancient One, Yondu Udonta, Tony Stark, and many others. Perhaps the most shocking of these is Iron Man’s sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame.
However, despite the cinematic and resonant nature of the scene, the years following Stark’s death, along with the deaths of several other key characters, marked the end of an era and the MCU has struggled to regain its footing ever since. Although successors have been introduced, none have the same clout and influence as Tony Stark.
This is the danger of the mentor who sacrifices himself in the narration. When it is treated carelessly or with the sole aim of creating a sense of shock, it can empty the story of its meaning. When mentors have to die in a story, it is usually done to force the protagonist to grow up and take on the role of hero; however, in recent years this has seemed exaggerated.
Many fans thought Might’s journey would end with his death
For years it seemed inevitable that My Hero Academia would follow this pattern, culminating in All Might’s sacrifice. The story had long revolved around his decline and departure from heroism, paving the way for a new generation. As the Symbol of Peace gradually lost its power, many believed it was headed for tragedy.
Many fans believed that the signs pointed to an ending where All Might’s legacy would be ensured by his death. As Izuku Midoriya grew stronger, he inherited the collective will and knowledge of past users, including an incomplete vestige of All Might himself, leading many to believe that by the end of the series he would be part of this collective.
Along with Nighteye’s explicit warning that All Might was headed for a gruesome death, the storyline felt like it was preparing the audience for doom. This was reinforced by the fact that All Might’s power and fighting ability were no longer what they once were, suggesting that another confrontation could be his last.
So when he returned to the battlefield as Armored All Might to stop All For One, fans had no choice but to prepare for what was to come. The setup itself seemed like the perfect final act of his character arc. It was both symbolic and inevitable, the last battle before the curtain fell on the hero’s legacy.
My Hero Academia made the right choice by saving all its power
Rather than Nighteye’s prophecy coming true, the final battle saw a change with Bakugo’s return. Without prior planning or verbal communication, Deku immediately knew to throw Bakugo towards All For One, the two trusting each other to intercept what would have been All Might’s final moments.
The moment was not presented as divine intervention or destiny; it was simply the result of growth, teamwork, and trust paying off between two young heroes at a time when it mattered most. Rather than creating another story in which the mentor dies to motivate the student, My Hero Academia broke the pattern by allowing the students to save the mentor.
By keeping All Might alive, My Hero Academia avoided the hollow finality that has weakened other stories and franchises.
The significance of this act is that it mirrors previous seasons, creating a parallel in which the characters save the person who saved them. If All Might had died at that time, the series would have missed an opportunity to demonstrate growth, redemption, and the idea that heroism is about protecting others rather than carrying the burden alone.
By keeping All Might alive, My Hero Academia avoided the hollow finality that has weakened other stories and franchises. The series chose not to close the book on one of its most important characters, reinforcing the idea that sacrifice is not the only way to advance the hero of the story and that the mentor can evolve and represent something new.
All Might represents the persistence of hope and peace
All Might has always been more than a hero in My Hero Academia; it is a symbol that persists even in retirement. At the height of his career, he embodied unwavering will, strength, optimism and the ideal of peace. Citizens saw him as a character capable of preventing disasters simply by existing.
Even as his power began to fade, the symbol he created continued to inspire those around him and those who believed in his legacy. When he moved away from pro-hero work, he became a representation of resilience and bravery. His continued presence in history is defined not by strength but by ideals, hope and perseverance.
Although he is no longer invincible, he remains an steadfast guide to the new generation of heroes and remains true to his own ideals. This caused him to take a final stand against All For One in support of his students, even though he knew the potential outcome. When he was finally saved, it was as if history rewarded his contribution to heroism.
By choosing to keep All Might alive, the series rejected the overused trope of the sacrificial mentor, proving that heroes can grow and endure without martyrdom. For a series that explores growth, confidence, and the lasting impact of direction, losing All Might would have felt like a betrayal of My Hero Academia fundamental values.
- Release date
-
April 2, 2016
- 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)
