Izuku Midoriya, also called Deku, is the treasured character at the center of Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia. Ever since the story was introduced to fans, Izuku captured the hearts of fans with his determination and drive to become the number one hero of the world.
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As the hero of a shounen anime, he drives the story with a lot of pressure to be great, and he’s placed in different situations that highlight different aspects of his personality and his thought process. As someone who started from an unremarkable place, his internal monologues, musings, and pearls of wisdom are often very relatable and inspiring. Here are some of Izuku’s quotes that come across as very powerful.
10 "If I Match My pace With Everyone Else, Then I'll Never Be Number One.”
Because he was born without a quirk, Izuku is no stranger to the feeling of being different or out of place in his world. Now, even with his quirk and an opportunity to become more than the unspectacular individual he was, Izuku still knows he is different.
He needs the time to get accustomed to his new powers, and this will ordinarily set him behind the crowd. To catch up and then exceed others, he can’t perform as everyone else does, and must always go the extra mile.
9 “People Are Not Created Equal.”
In Musutafu, Japan, where the events of the story take place, people are either born with quirks or denied that particular gift or responsibility. Izuku, being one of the latter, understood easily that some people were made to be greater than others.
Izuku’s focus was on the presence or absence of powers in different people, but it is a statement that holds true in several facets of life, including the opportunities accessible to different individuals. However, Izuku understands that this truth cannot define him, and he has the power to overcome his limitations.
8 "I Have To Work Harder Than Anyone Else To Make It! I'll Never Catch Up Otherwise”
Izuku understands that his aim is high enough to be far-fetched if he doesn’t step up to the task. With this incredible weight on his shoulders, it’s important to him that he doesn’t fail and that he lives up to the expectations All Might had of him.
Izuku isn’t all talk, he works tirelessly to increase his strength and abilities to master his acquired quirk, One For All. He doesn’t let his less fortunate circ*mstances weigh him down to the point of paralysis and stagnation.
7 "You're The Best. That’s Why I Want To Defeat You!”
Izuku owes his nickname, Deku, to Katsuki Bakugo, who always highlighted his lack of powers while they were growing up. Although their relationship was a strained one, Izuku recognized Katsuki as significantly better than him and gave him a level of respect.
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When Izuku acquired One For All, it led to tensions rising between them both. But Izuku simply wanted to fight Katsuki so that he could get a chance to grow. He understood that growth means facing the most challenging opponents and not remaining in one’s comfort zone.
6 "I Know I'm Hurt, But If I Can Still Move At All, I Can't Stay still. I Have To Do Something.”
Izuku can be said to possess a truly heroic heart. He knows that being a hero requires him to always be ready to push himself past the rules if it means making someone’s life better. When the League of Villains tried to bring Katsuki over to their side by kidnapping him, Izuku’s heroic heart was truly revealed.
Although he could do little to save Katsuki due to the circ*mstances, he didn’t feel comfortable sitting back and doing nothing. He wanted to be proactive, and this is what makes a true hero.
5 “If You Ever Feel Hopeless, Make Sure You Let Us Know.”
After the villain, Stain ruined his brother’s career as a hero by crippling him, Tenya Ida went into a dark place mentally. Izuku showed concern and wanted to help in any way. He understood that the life of a hero can get heavy, and he wanted to offer his help.
Izuku showed a side of himself apart from the relentless go-getter. While the war is often won on the battlefield with powers and weapons, it would be wrong to ignore the repercussions that come with being a hero and leaving them unattended.
4 "If I Can't Save One Little Girl Right In Front Of Me... Then How Can I Ever Hope To Be A Hero Who Saves Everyone?!”
When Overhaul takes Eri, the user of the quirk called Rewind, to use her powers for his own purposes, Izuku experiences a kind of awakening. He realizes that despite the limitations facing him at that moment, he can not afford to disappoint Eri.
He once again learns the meaning of heroism, that every moment is a test of his power and commitment to his purpose. He must fight despite the odds, even when it seems hopeless, because a hero must never abandon his duty to defend others.
3 “I'm The Deku Who Always Does His Best!”
When Izuku says this, he sheds the shame he feels around his nickname Deku. He refuses to be pigeonholed into an identity he no longer wishes for himself. He stops being the Izuku who feels sorry for himself and fully takes on the mantle.
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He accepts and also redefines what Deku means to him. He basically says that, although he started as the opposite of what he is now, he acknowledges that but won’t let that fact keep him from reaching his goal and is ready to do whatever it takes.
2 “If My Actions Can Save Any Of Them... Then I've Gotta Do Something.”
After facing the villain Muscular and realizing the strength of the opponents he might have to face, Izuku’s confidence runs low, and he questions his abilities and the safety of his mates. But in true hero fashion, he circles back to the fact that underlines his new existence.
As a hero, he must always try even if the probability of failure is high. Although he’s still figuring out his life as a hero, one thing about Izuku is clear: he never lets circ*mstances keep him from performing his duty.
1 “I Want To Be Strong Enough That No One Will Worry About Me. To Always Win…To Always Save Everyone. I Want To Be… The Greatest Hero.”
Here, Izuku states his ultimate goal. Given his background, it is understandable why people worry about him. He faces several challenges as a hero with no guarantee that he will always come out unscathed.
Izuku desires more strength so that he will no longer be a cause for concern. He wishes to be so powerful that his abilities are never questioned, and his presence ignites constant reassurance to those around him. This is something any hero would wish for because it means being able to perform their duties to the absolute best.
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