The popular anime My Hero Academia depicts a world where superpowers known as “quirks” are commonplace, and follows the journey of Izuku Midoriya on his quest to become a professional superhero.
Initially bullied and belittled for being one of the few quirkless people, Midoriya’s life changes when he inherits the incredible power “One For All” from the legendary hero All Might.
However, this newfound strength proves difficult for Midoriya to control at first, often injuring himself and causing collateral damage whenever he taps into its full potential.
Though well-meaning, his lack of finesse leads to some unintended consequences as he learns to harness this overwhelming gift.
10 Times Deku’s Good Intentions Went Wrong
Over time, through hard work and clever strategies, Midoriya gains better control over One For All, finding ways to utilize its strength without compromising his or others’ safety.
His struggles resonate with viewers who root for him to master his abilities and achieve his dream of becoming a hero who saves lives and inspires hope.
1. Deku and Uraraka versus Bakugo and Ida during the battle trails
Early in My Hero Academia, the students of Class 1-A are pitted against each other in teams to evaluate their quirks and teamwork skills. Izuku Midoriya, endowed with All Might’s powerful One For All quirk, is paired against his childhood bully Bakugo.
As their clash intensifies, Midoriya decides to go all out, unleashing the full power of One For All in an unexpected attack that secures victory. However, the resulting backlash grievously injures his arm, nearly crippling him permanently.
Moreover, the training building is demolished by the sheer force of their fight, causing extensive collateral damage. While Midoriya’s reckless strategy paid off in the moment, it could have easily backfired and ruined his heroic aspirations.
This sequence demonstrates how Midoriya is still learning to handle One For All’s incredible might responsibly. His determination to succeed as a hero motivates him to push past his limits, sometimes without considering the consequences.
As he continues mastering One For All, finding the right balance of power and control remains an ongoing challenge.
2. Saving Uraraka during the entrance exams
When Izuku Midoriya first gains All Might’s power One For All, he enrolls at U.A. High School to become a pro hero but has yet to get control over his new quirk. During the high-stakes entrance exam, he sees fellow applicant Ochaco Uraraka trapped under debris with a giant robot looming over her.
Acting on instinct, Midoriya channels the full might of One For All through his limbs, obliterating the robot and saving Uraraka. However, the raw power shatters his right arm and both legs, injuring him grievously.
While his heroic act was admirable, tapping into the quirk’s full potential before mastering it wrecked the exam facility, which was only designed to withstand hits from the robots.
Midoriya acted valiantly but took an unnecessary risk by overexerting the untamed power of One For All so early on.
This moment demonstrates Midoriya’s spirit of self-sacrifice in order to help others, even though he had yet to grasp the extent and consequences of his borrowed quirk’s strength.
Learning moderation would be key as he embarked on his quest to become a worthy hero.
3. Deku and All Might Battle Wolfram
In the My Hero Academia film Two Heroes, Midoriya joins All Might at a futuristic research facility owned by All Might’s friend David Shield. However, a group of villains led by Wolfram invade and threaten Shield to steal his new “quirk amplification device.”
Midoriya and All Might confront the villains, with Midoriya wearing special gauntlets made by Shield to better regulate his powerful One For All quirk.
During an intense battle with Wolfram, Midoriya unleashes the full might of One For All, destroying the quirk device but also blowing apart the gauntlets.
While Midoriya and All Might are victorious, the facility sustains heavy damage from the fight. Moreover, the destroyed gauntlets represented a lost opportunity for Midoriya to gain finer control over One For All’s overwhelming power.
At this early stage, such support items could have prevented self-injury when tapping into the quirk’s maximum output.
This demonstrates Midoriya’s willingness to sacrifice his own well-being to stop villains, even if it means destroying useful tools meant to protect him.
As his journey continues, mastering One For All without relying on aids remains an ongoing process.
4. Deku faces off against Todoroki
A standout battle in My Hero Academia pits Izuku Midoriya against Shoto Todoroki during the U.A. Sports Festival tournament arc. Todoroki refuses to use his fire powers inherited from his father Endeavor, instead only wielding his ice half.
Seeing this hindrance, Midoriya goads Todoroki to unleash his full quirk. Spurred on, Todoroki erupts in an immense blast of fire and ice, while Midoriya counters by channeling One For All’s full power. Their resulting clash devastates the arena.
While Todoroki technically wins the match by ring-out, Midoriya’s injuries are severe, with fractures across his body. The arena itself is left in ruins from their unrestrained attacks.
Had Midoriya not provoked Todoroki, the match could have concluded without such extreme collateral damage. However, Midoriya’s tenacity convinces Todoroki to embrace both sides of his quirk, achieving personal growth for Todoroki despite the costs.
This fight demonstrates Midoriya’s willingness to put his body on the line to inspire change in others. Though risky, his self-sacrifice ultimately helped Todoroki overcome his inner turmoil and accept his full power.
5. Deku vs Muscular
During a training camp arc in season 3, Midoriya encounters a sinister villain named Muscular who is attacking a young boy named Kota. With his quirk allowing unlimited muscle growth, Muscular overpowers Midoriya to the brink of death.
As Muscular moves in for the finishing blow, Kota uses his own minor quirk to distract the villain. Seizing the opportunity, Midoriya channels One For All at 100% power, delivering a devastating million-percent smash that defeats Muscular while obliterating part of the mountainside.
Though Midoriya saves Kota, the immense power output fractures both his arms. This fight demonstrates how Midoriya is willing to sacrifice his body and push One For All beyond its safe limits in order to protect others.
While this wins the battle, the injuries Midoriya sustains continue hindering him afterward.
Midoriya’s sense of heroic duty compels him to give everything, even if it means causing self-harm. As he progresses on his journey, developing strategic thinking to use One For All safely and efficiently remains an ongoing process.
6. Deku and Bakugo vs. Nine
In the My Hero Academia film Heroes Rising, Class 1-A travels to Nabu Island where a villain named Nine plans to eradicate quirks he deems weak. Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki learn of his plot and confront Nine head-on.
To gain an advantage, Midoriya attempts to transfer his One For All power to Bakugo. This allows them to launch a dual attack that defeats Nine but also fractures Bakugo’s body from the quirk’s sheer force.
Moreover, Midoriya nearly loses One For All permanently through the transferal process before managing to retain it. While their desperate move prevailed, it was an enormous risk on Midoriya’s part to share his quirk and jeopardize his heroic future.
This demonstrates Midoriya’s willingness to make great sacrifices and push his abilities to their limit, even if it means endangering his quirk and friendships in the process.
His drive to defeat villains and save lives compels him to try bold strategies, even those with great inherent risk. Learning proper restraint remains an ongoing lesson.
7. Deku faces off against Overhaul in the Shie Hassaikai Raid
In season 4, the villain Overhaul kidnaps a young girl named Eri to produce quirk-destroying bullets, prompting Midoriya and pro heroes to launch a rescue mission. During an intense clash, Eri’s rewind quirk begins amplifying One For All beyond its limits.
With this power boost, Midoriya unleashes his rage against Overhaul, pummeling him into submission.
Though he succeeds in rescuing Eri from further torture, Midoriya loses control, causing massive destruction that levels Overhaul’s facility and much of the surrounding city.
While Midoriya’s determination to save Eri at all costs comes from a heroic place, his unrestrained power wreaks havoc on the urban landscape.
This fight demonstrates that the emotional stakes of a personal rescue mission can cloud Midoriya’s judgment when it comes to minimizing collateral damage.
As his journey continues, finding the clarity to use One For All strategically during crises, rather than reactively, remains an ongoing learning process. His heart is noble, but his power still needs focus.
8. Deku’s power awakening in Class A vs. Class B.
During a training exercise in season 5 pitting Class A against Class B, student Neito Monoma taunts Midoriya, triggering the awakening of a new power within One For All – Blackwhip.
Unable to control this new tendril-like ability, Midoriya goes berserk, lashing out indiscriminately.
As he rampages mindlessly, Uraraka bravely grabs hold of him while Shinso uses his quirk to make Midoriya pause.
This allows Midoriya to regain control before seriously harming any classmates.
While little damage occurred this time, Midoriya’s spontaneous manifestation of unfamiliar One For All powers poses a definite risk both to himself and others.
Only through his friends’ bold intervention was a dangerous situation averted.
This incident highlights Midoriya’s ongoing struggle to master the full capabilities of the multifaceted quirk residing within him.
Each new power brings enhanced heroism but also volatility if not harnessed properly. Midoriya’s journey to wield One For All safely and purposefully remains ongoing.
9. Deku versus Tomura
In the climactic war arc of season 6, the main villain Tomura Shigaraki taunts Midoriya about the heroes he’s killed, enraging Midoriya who charges recklessly with One For All’s full power.
However, Shigaraki escapes while a broken Midoriya is left immobilized from overexerting his quirk beyond its limits.
While Midoriya’s explosive rage came from a place of justice, it played right into the villain’s hands, injuring only himself while allowing the true threat to slip away unharmed.
His willingness to sacrifice his body could have cost him his life and the entire war effort.
This battle demonstrates how personal emotions can cloud Midoriya’s strategic judgment in critical moments. His drive to avenge the fallen can override reason when facing taunting villains, jeopardizing the greater good.
As the fight against evil continues, mastering his inner fire while maintaining level-headed heroism remains an ongoing and crucial lesson in Midoriya’s development.
10. Deku versus Class A
After his failure against Tomura Shigaraki, Midoriya decides to leave U.A. High and his friends, believing it will protect them from the villains’ quest to take his One For All quirk. However, Class 1-A tracks him down, intent on bringing him back.
Desperate to shake them, a physically and mentally drained Midoriya attempts to fight back. But having not eaten or rested properly for days, he quickly becomes overwhelmed. In the end, Class 1-A subdues Midoriya and saves him from himself, moved by their camaraderie.
While Midoriya’s intentions to shield others from harm come from a selfless place, his methods are misguided. Pushing his body to the brink while isolating himself makes him vulnerable, not strong.
This incident highlights Midoriya’s troubles with seeking help, preferring risky solo acts of heroism.
However, with the support of friends, he is steered back towards the light. Their bonds give him the strength to keep fighting evil the right way – together.
More About Deku
Even before gaining a quirk, Izuku Midoriya’s vast knowledge of heroes and courage in crisis situations showed his potential for greatness. Studying pros extensively gave him practical insights into strategy and tactics. When the Sludge Villain attacked, Midoriya bravely attempted a rescue, impressing All Might with his heroic spirit.
Once inheriting All Might’s powerstock quirk One For All, Midoriya gained immense strength – enough to obliterate foes with a single punch. However, his untrained body couldn’t fully handle One For All’s backlash, limiting his fighting ability early on.
Still, Midoriya’s sturdy build and determination powered him through the pain, slowly mastering his new abilities.
Midoriya’s journey demonstrates how knowledge, bravery, and perseverance can overcome limitations. By cleverly applying academic smarts and remaining steadfast through hardship, he molded himself into a worthy inheritor of One For All. His heart and mind, not just his quirk, are the true sources of Midoriya’s emerging heroic greatness.
Despite One For All’s intense recoil, Midoriya’s cleverness allows him to utilize it effectively in battle. He combines its sheer power with his extensive quirk analysis notes and basic combat skills to hold his own against Class 1-A’s strongest like Bakugo and Todoroki.
Under Gran Torino’s mentoring, Midoriya developed Full Cowl – spreading One For All throughout his body to enhance his mobility and strength while reducing bodily damage.
This improvement lets Midoriya competitively match his classmates physically and battle dangerous villains like Hero Killer Stain.
Whereas One For All’s unrestrained power originally hindered him, Full Cowl represents a major step in skillfully wielding his abilities. Midoriya’s intellect and training paid off, transforming his quirk’s liability into an advantage.
His continual innovation and drive to master One For All, combined with his heroic wits, steadily mold him into an ever more capable hero. Even amidst hardship, Midoriya’s mind and spirit persist in pushing his quirk to its utmost potential.
