Did Horikoshi's fear ruin My Hero Academia?

Summary

In this video, the speaker critiques the storytelling choices in *My Hero Academia*, focusing on the lack of real stakes due to the protection of popular characters. Using examples like Bakugo's and Deku's miraculous recoveries, the speaker argues that the constant reliance on plot conveniences undermines emotional tension. The video explores how the author's awareness of fan expectations may influence character fates, ultimately questioning whether these decisions weaken the story. While the speaker admits enjoying the series, they express concern over the absence of lasting consequences and the influence of fan reactions on the narrative direction.

Takeaways

• 😀 The narrator critiques *My Hero Academia* (MHA) for its lack of emotional stakes due to frequent use of plot devices like Deus Ex Machina.
• 😀 Popular characters like Bakugo and All Might face life-threatening situations but are quickly saved by convenient plot twists, diminishing the tension of their deaths.
• 😀 The death of Bakugo in Chapter 362 is reversed within two chapters by Edshot's power, which undermines the emotional weight of his death.
• 😀 All Might's near-death experience in Chapter 404 is resolved by Bakugo's revival, which is portrayed as too convenient and quick to make sense logically.
• 😀 In Chapter 419, Deku is shown with both arms severed but has them restored shortly afterward by AR's power, again reducing the narrative tension.
• 😀 The narrator points out that while the series builds stakes with powerful villains, the consequences for major characters are often avoided or quickly undone.
• 😀 The use of plot contrivances to bring characters back from the brink of death suggests a lack of true stakes in the story, which may be influenced by audience expectations.
• 😀 The author, Horikoshi, seems aware of fan reactions, which could influence his decisions to keep fan-favorite characters alive or resolve their problems too quickly.
• 😀 The idea that 'the world and the reader's heart are in sync' is mentioned as evidence that Horikoshi may be making story decisions based on what readers want.
• 😀 Despite these criticisms, the narrator acknowledges the difficulty of creating a balanced story and does not fully fault Horikoshi for responding to fan feedback.
• 😀 The video ends with the narrator inviting viewers to share their thoughts and opinions in the comments, offering a reflective and open-ended conclusion.

Q & A

Why does the speaker criticize the lack of stakes in *My Hero Academia*?

The speaker criticizes the lack of stakes because major characters often face dangerous situations, only to be quickly revived or saved by convenient plot devices, which diminishes the emotional weight of these moments.

What examples from the script demonstrate the issue of convenient plot resolutions?

Examples include Bakugo's death being quickly reversed by Edshot's ability to repair his heart, and Deku's arms being restored by AR's powers shortly after being severed.

How does the speaker feel about Horikoshi's treatment of character deaths?

The speaker suggests that Horikoshi seems too afraid to kill off popular characters, as their deaths are often undone quickly, leading to a sense that these characters never truly face the consequences of their actions.

What is the significance of the speaker mentioning 'Deus Ex Machina'?

The speaker uses the term 'Deus Ex Machina' to refer to the sudden and improbable plot solutions that resolve character dangers or deaths, highlighting how these moments feel contrived and reduce the stakes in the story.

How does the speaker view Horikoshi’s relationship with fan reactions?

The speaker speculates that Horikoshi may be influenced by fan expectations, suggesting that the author writes certain events or resolutions in response to what the audience desires, which may affect the overall story direction.

What role do fan expectations play in Horikoshi's storytelling, according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, fan expectations may lead Horikoshi to avoid killing off popular characters and to reverse major character injuries, creating a narrative where the audience's desires influence the outcomes of pivotal moments.

Why does the speaker believe Horikoshi avoids killing off major characters?

The speaker believes Horikoshi avoids killing major characters because he recognizes that neither the readers nor the characters themselves want these characters to die, which leads to predictable and convenient plot resolutions.

What critique does the speaker have about the consequences of villains in the series?

The speaker critiques that, while the story introduces powerful villains and world-ending threats, the prominent characters rarely face real consequences, making the stakes feel less impactful.

How does the speaker express their frustration with the narrative of *My Hero Academia*?

The speaker expresses frustration by pointing out that despite high-stakes situations, characters often emerge unscathed or quickly recover, which lessens the emotional depth of these storylines.

What conclusion does the speaker reach about Horikoshi’s approach to storylines and fan feedback?

The speaker concludes that while they have criticisms about Horikoshi’s handling of certain storylines, they ultimately acknowledge that the author's decisions may be influenced by fan feedback, though they aren’t sure if this is always the best approach.