All Might is an easily and instantly recognizable character form the world of My Hero Academia, from his iconic smile to his muscular physique, All Might is loved by fans of the series from all over the world, but what inspired Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of My Hero Academia to create a superhero like him?
When All Might was initially created and drawn, many members of Horikoshi's editorial team and friends didn't like the look, and did not foresee this particular character as someone viewers could look up to. Despite the criticized feedback, Horikoshi believed in the vision of making All Might an iconic character in the series. Fast-forward to today and All Might has proven to be one of the most inspirational and iconic characters in My Hero Academia.
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Inspiration
Horikoshi drew inspiration from many places to create All Might to piece together the perfect superhero. One of the inspirations being from the classic American comic book superheroes like Superman, known for his unwavering commitment to justice and saving lives, Superman was the perfect character to base this powerful hero on. Horikoshi wanted to ensure that the superhero he created embodied the spirit of heroism and peace. Another inspiration is also from the classic Dragon Ball character Goku, who is also seen to be an extremely powerful hero who is able to save the day. The unique combination of classic superhero influences along with the idea of peace gave life to the perfect character who carried the status as the "symbol of peace" in a meaningful way.
Although All Might is known as the "symbol of peace" he is a hero who has experienced loss and tragedy. This happened when his master sacrificed herself to save him, after going through all that, All Might still chose to continue to help others and protect the innocent from evil. This is something that resonates with the fans of the series, and is one of the reasons why All Might is such a beloved character. The students at U.A. High School also look up to him as a well-respected teacher.
A Symbol Of Peace
All Might was seen to be a unique hero from the get go, his sheer will and determination to save others made him the greatest hero ever. His quirk is called "One for All", this quirk could be passed down to those worthy of it and All Might eventually passed this quirk down to Deku. The quirk is meant to represent the power of friendship and humility and the idea that heroes can come together in times of need which is why it can be shared with those worthy enough to wield it. All Might is the representation of what it means to be a hero, his quirk is a reminder that no one can be strong on their own. His personality and character makes him an inspiring hero to the viewers, his values and motives to fight for what is right is an incredible trait that makes him the best example of selflessness and courage.
Horikoshi wanted to ensure that the All Might was the perfect symbol of peace and justice that could inspire people to be better and strive for good. He wanted the character to be immensely strong but also to have an even stronger moral compass and desire to help people. While the character has taken a back seat in the anime while the story is now focusing on Deku's growth as hero, All Might has captured the hearts of My Hero Academia fans from all around the world and has definitely proven to be the ultimate symbol of peace and justice.
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