Izuku Midoriya, better known as Deku, is the ninth and current wielder of the legendary quirk One For All in My Hero Academia. His journey from being a quirkless boy who admired heroes to becoming the successor of the world’s greatest power is one of the most inspiring arcs in anime history. But how exactly did Deku inherit this ability, and what does it mean to be the ninth user of One For All?
To understand Deku’s journey, we must first explore the origins of the quirk, its previous users, and the trials Deku faced before finally mastering it.
The Origins of One For All
The story of One For All begins with Yoichi Shigaraki, the younger brother of All For One, one of the most powerful and feared villains in history. All For One forcibly gave his brother a quirk that allowed him to stockpile power. Combined with Yoichi’s innate ability to transfer quirks, this fusion created the unique ability now known as One For All.
Unlike most quirks, One For All can be passed from person to person, growing stronger with each new wielder as it carries both their will and their power. Over generations, this quirk became a beacon of hope, entrusted only to those deemed worthy to carry its immense responsibility.
The Lineage of One For All
Before Deku, there were eight users of One For All. Each brought something unique to its evolution:
- Yoichi Shigaraki – The first user, who unwillingly received the foundation of One For All.
- Second User – A resistance fighter who helped shape the quirk’s early purpose.
- Third User – Another warrior who carried One For All during times of chaos.
- Hikage Shinomori (Fourth User) – Known for his analytical mind, he studied the quirk’s dangers and discovered its limits.
- Daigoro Banjo (Fifth User) – A cheerful hero with the quirk Blackwhip.
- En (Sixth User) – Holder of Smokescreen.
- Nana Shimura (Seventh User) – All Might’s mentor, a strong and compassionate hero.
- Toshinori Yagi (Eighth User) – Better known as All Might, the Symbol of Peace, who perfected the quirk’s raw strength.
Finally, the quirk was passed to Izuku Midoriya, making him the ninth user of One For All.
Deku’s Life Before One For All
Deku’s journey is even more inspiring because he was born quirkless in a world where 80% of the population had quirks. Despite idolizing heroes like All Might, he was constantly bullied for being powerless, especially by his childhood friend-turned-rival, Katsuki Bakugo.
Still, Deku never gave up on his dream. He meticulously studied heroes, filling notebooks with their strengths, weaknesses, and battle strategies. Even without a quirk, he displayed an unshakable heroic spirit: the willingness to rush into danger to save others, no matter the cost.
This determination caught the attention of the very hero he admired the most.
The Defining Moment – Meeting All Might
Deku’s destiny changed when he encountered All Might, the greatest hero in the world. Initially, All Might doubted Deku’s potential because of his lack of a quirk. But during a villain attack where Bakugo’s life was in danger, Deku’s instincts kicked in. Without thinking, he rushed forward to save Bakugo, despite having no powers and no plan.
This fearless act of selflessness shocked All Might, who realized that Deku possessed the true qualities of a hero. It was not strength that made someone worthy of becoming a hero, but their heart and resolve.
All Might’s words during this moment became iconic:
“You too can become a hero.”
Inheriting One For All
After witnessing Deku’s bravery, All Might chose him as his successor. To prepare him for the responsibility of carrying such a powerful quirk, All Might put Deku through intense training—known as the “Aim to Pass: American Dream Plan.”
For ten months, Deku cleaned up Dagobah Beach, strengthening his body and developing the physical capacity to handle the immense power of One For All. Finally, when the time came, All Might passed the quirk on to Deku in a simple yet symbolic act: giving him a strand of his hair to ingest.
From that moment, Izuku Midoriya became the ninth user of One For All.
The Early Struggles
Although Deku had inherited the quirk, controlling it was a different story. Unlike All Might, whose body was naturally suited for its power, Deku’s body was fragile. Every time he used One For All at full strength, he severely injured himself—breaking arms, legs, and fingers.
Despite this, he never gave up. Instead, he gradually learned to channel the power in smaller percentages, allowing him to fight without destroying his body. With guidance from mentors like Gran Torino and his classmates’ support, Deku slowly began to master his abilities.
Awakening the Powers of Past Users
One of the biggest surprises in Deku’s journey is that One For All didn’t just carry strength—it also contained the quirks of its previous users. This unique evolution made Deku different from All Might and the earlier wielders.
As the ninth user, Deku awakened these hidden abilities one by one:
- Blackwhip (Daigoro Banjo’s quirk) – Energy tendrils for mobility and capturing enemies.
- Float (Nana Shimura’s quirk) – Grants flight-like ability.
- Danger Sense (Fourth User’s quirk) – Alerts him to nearby threats.
- Smokescreen (En’s quirk) – Creates a thick cloud to obscure vision.
- Fa Jin (Third User’s quirk) – Builds up kinetic energy for explosive bursts of speed and power.
- Gearshift (Second User’s quirk) – Alters the speed of movement, one of the most powerful abilities.
By combining these quirks with One For All’s stockpiled power, Deku became one of the most versatile and formidable heroes in history.
What Makes Deku a Worthy Ninth User?
Deku’s worthiness as the ninth user comes down to more than just strength. Each previous wielder passed the torch because they believed the next person carried the will to fight against All For One. Deku embodies this ideal in several ways:
- Selflessness – Even without a quirk, Deku was willing to risk his life to save others.
- Growth – His ability to learn, adapt, and strategize sets him apart.
- Inspiration – Like All Might before him, Deku inspires others—Todoroki, Kota, Eri, and even his classmates.
- Unyielding Will – No matter how injured or outmatched, he continues to stand up and fight.
These qualities prove that Deku isn’t just the ninth user—he may very well be the final and strongest wielder of One For All.
The Burden of Being the Last
Deku’s role as the ninth user comes with a heavy burden. The quirk has grown so powerful that it is nearing the limit of human compatibility. Hikage Shinomori (the Fourth User) discovered that users who weren’t strong enough would die prematurely from the strain of carrying it.
Because of this, it is believed that Deku might be the last possible wielder of One For All. This adds urgency to his mission: to defeat All For One and Shigaraki once and for all, ending the centuries-long battle.
Conclusion
Deku’s rise from a powerless boy to the ninth user of One For All is one of the most inspiring transformations in anime. Chosen by All Might for his heroic spirit, Deku has proven time and again that being a hero is not about having the strongest quirk, but about having the strongest heart.
As the ninth and possibly final user, Deku carries the legacy of all who came before him. With every battle, every awakened quirk, and every act of courage, he moves closer to fulfilling his destiny—to become the greatest hero the world has ever known.
So why wait? Head over to https://deku.org.uk today, explore everything about Deku, and dive into the world of My Hero Academia. Plus Ultra!