How would you describe a superhero?
Generally, people reduce the concept of “superhero” to the Marvel and DC Cinematic Universes. Yet, another exciting portrayal of heroes can be found in the anime world: Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia (known as Boku No Hero Academia) which is a Japanese manga and anime that builds superheroes from nothing to train them alongside their peers. Interestingly, some anime fans claim that My Hero Academia has the weirdest fanbase, and the reasons behind this will be explored further in the article below.
Despite these opinions, it’s undeniable that several shounen series have left a footmark on anime viewers; My Hero Academia is capable of standing by and even exceeding those that you believed were the most promising since it persists to be clearly distinguishable from the conventional through its exceptional variations and pulls ideas from popular stereotypes without turning them excessively monotonous for the viewers.
Why Watch My Hero Academia?
Everyone has had at least one childhood fantasy of being a superhero, even if they now recognize it as a hopeless ideal. Yet, watching real-world events take shape in animation brings us back to those days of pure wonder.
Izuku Midoriya, better known by his nickname “Deku,” is the lead of My Hero Academia. He was small and weak, but he had a big dream: to grow into a hero who protects the world. Deku was ‘quirkless,’ but it never stopped him from studying the superheroes’ eccentricities to develop his own. Moreover, the anime depicts the unfairness and inequality of reality. People like Deku have it tough since society favors those who exhibit unique traits.
My Hero Academia is undoubtedly among those series that are effortless to become attached to, even from mere words. This features a large cast of compelling individuals and an engaging plot with numerous nuances. While the series’ superficial appeal makes it perfect for casual viewers, fans will also have a great time delving into the show’s underlying features, such as individual goals and settings. Nevertheless, there is always a negative aspect to any fandom. Specific viewers may have different reasons for not liking My Hero Academia.
Read more: My Hero Academia Proves Class 1A’s Strong Bond Through Shoto and Iida
My Hero Academia Fandom: Falling
Shipping has always been popular in media like anime, K-pop, and Hollywood.
Oh no! You don’t think shipping just refers to moving something around, do you? That is a possible interpretation, but it does not fit here.
In this context, “shipping” implies a yearning among fans for a passionate or platonic relationship between multiple characters or public figures.
In what way is this relevant?
Specifically, people sometimes cite the shipping and fan conflicts characterizing the My Hero Academia fanbase as evidence that it is the strangest of all fandoms. Fans are bound to take sides in various pairings, with many characters to root for. Meanwhile, some fans actively express their opinions about which pairings they believe should be canon, often leading to lively debates within the fanbase.
Viewers may find community conflict frustrating, but it is feasible to watch the show and avoid it. In the most recent episode of the sixth season of the anime, for example, Bakugo Katsuki, who had resisted acknowledging his shame and misdeeds for years, decided to apologize to his childhood friend Deku, whom he sometimes addresses Izuku now. Despite widespread approval—so much so that the hashtag #bkdkapology trended on Twitter—some fans who like to see the protagonist with another character have been enraged and are telling each other to death because they do not support their ship. In the MHA fandom, shipping is very contentious. People even exchanged death threats, and the conflict continues to this day.
What’s more, fans have uploaded several headcanons on various social media sites, implying that this outcome is inevitable. Many fans start cringe-inducing headcanons or think they understand the lore more than the writers. Though most fans don’t feel that way, the more vocal community members usually manage to make their voices heard.
In addition, there are plenty of strange cosplayers to observe. Many viral videos show My Hero Academia cosplayers acting strangely and leaving an unfavorable impression. Although a portion of it is naturally occurring teenage behavior. Currently, there are 3 million views for the category “my hero academia weird cosplayers” on TikTok if you search for the appropriate keywords.
Despite the high quality of the manga and anime adaptations, the community is hostile. Take it from countless YouTube content about My Hero Academia fandom and also in a video interview from a Toronto anime convention where attendees were asked “What is the worst anime fandom”
Anime Fandom Dynamics: The Double-Edged Sword of Passionate Fans
Fans are usually the driving force behind a popular manga’s rise to the top. Still, in the case of My Hero Academia, the community has deteriorated due to infighting both inside and across fandoms, so most fans have stopped participating, and only some outsiders have bothered to engage.
These scenarios are like those tragic tales dividing the fan community. But we should all remember that anime is anime. We are all here to have fun and enjoy ourselves without throwing shade or threatening others for the characters we hope to love and be loved by.
Remember that no outstanding manga is ever just there. Still, a notable manga can become entrenched, establishing an excellent community because fans genuinely adore it.
Read more: Is All Might’s Iron Man Moment Foreshadowing a Tragic Fate in My Hero Academia?
