Warning: Contains SPOILERS for My Hero Academia Season 7

Summary

• Aoyama's shocking betrayal reveals how discrimination against Quirkless and Heteromorphs is a prevalent issue in Hero Society.
• The Hero Commission's negligence led to the creation of Villains, showing that maintaining the status quo had dire consequences for society.
• Characters like Deku and Shoji, who remained determined to become Heroes despite discrimination, may bring change and inspire others to do the same.

The reveal of Aoyama being the one working as a spy for All For One is perhaps one of the most shocking events in My Hero Academia. One of Izuku’s trusted friends ended up being the reason why Class 1-A was put in mortal peril several times throughout the series. It was even more devastating for Deku, who realized that Aoyama being born Quirkless was the reason why he chose to betray his friends.

Despite the many subtle hints of Yuga’s betrayal left by the creator of the series, Kohei Horikoshi, it is still one of the most moving and iconic moments in the series. Besides revealing the identity of the U.A. Traitor, this event also highlights one of the biggest issues afflicting the world of My Hero Academia; the rampant discrimination that has been normalized by Hero Society.

Aoyama’s Fortune Was Not Enough to Save Him from Being Ostracized

Discrimination Against Quirkless and Heteromorphs Is the True Villain of the Series

In chapter #337 of the My Hero Academia manga, readers learn about Aoyama’s childhood and the reason why his family decided to ally themselves with All For One. Like Izuku, Yuga was diagnosed as Quirkless when he was a child. While not outright stated in the chapter, his parents likely feared that he would get bullied and rejected by his peers due to his lack of powers. Although the Aoyama family is shown to be wealthy, it seems as if their privileged status would not be enough to shield Yuga from becoming a pariah.

They allied themselves with All For One to give their son a chance at living a normal life, without being ostracized by his classmates. When Aoyama learned about Izuku being Quirkless like him, he realized the error of his ways, as his friend never once thought about aiding a Villain to stop his torment. While Yuga and his parents committed a grave mistake by ing sides with the Symbol of Evil, their story is a reminder of how flawed Hero Society is. The world of My Hero Academia has become overtly reliant on powerful Quirks.

If a child is born without a strong power, or none at all, they immediately become the target of relentless bullying and mockery. This affects everyone, as proven by the fact that an individual as wealthy as Aoyama could have been subjected to the same treatment as Deku. What is more, those with Heteromorph Quirks are also discriminated against. If an individual does not look completely human, they are also considered lesser by their peers. This is one of the biggest flaws of Hero Society, as it has been the reason for the creation of almost all Villains in the series.

The Hero Commission Never Once Tried to Address the Issue

Their Desire to Maintain the Status Quo Was Their Ultimate Downfall

Despite not being in control of Japan, the Hero Public Safety Commission is one of the most important governmental organizations in the series. They were given virtually absolute control over Japan’s public servants. Due to their oversight, discrimination became so rampant in the world of My Hero Academia. In their desire to maintain Japan as a peaceful country, they ingrained the need for powerful Heroes in their citizens' minds. This mentality slowly turned into disgust and even hatred against those who were not seen as useful, for example, children born without a Quirk.

The discrimination suffered by people deemed unworthy by Hero Society catalyzed the creation of most of the world’s most infamous Villains. Dabi, formerly Toya Todoroki, was forced to train until his body became scarred due to his father’s desire to turn him into a powerful Hero. Toga Himiko was bullied and ostracized for her need to drink blood, leading her to a tragic end. Instead of addressing these issues, the Hero Commission worked tirelessly to uphold the system, justifying themselves by saying they worked for the greater good. They would go as far as to eliminate anyone who would threaten their plans.

Ultimately, their negligence created the perfect environment for the ideology of All For One to spread. Cases like Aoyama’s prove that the Hero Commission’s actions caused more harm than good, as people from all backgrounds were subjected to unfair policies. If not for his incredibly heroic nature, Deku could have become someone like Aoyama. He could have allied himself with the Symbol of Evil to put an end to the torment he suffered at the hands of his classmates. The Hero Commission should have made sure that Quirkless and Heteromorph discrimination was kept in check.

Deku and Shoji’s Stories Could Bring Change to the World

Discrimination May Become Less Prevalent After the War

While many turned to villainy to escape or cope with the discrimination they suffered, there are characters in My Hero Academia who never succumbed to this idea. Against all odds, Deku and Shoji, two of the individuals who suffered the most due to this issue, remained determined to become Heroes. They have become inspirations for people all around the world, as proven by the reactions depicted in chapter #422. Quirkless people are now aware that they are not useless, and individuals with Heteromorphic Quirks are likely to be respected more after the war.

While not ideal, the sacrifices of heroes like Izuku and his classmates will probably become the impulse for Hero Society to better itself. It will most definitely not be an easy path, as there are still many individuals who will refuse to change their beliefs. Nonetheless, it is almost impossible for the status quo to remain the same after the majority of Japan’s population suffered the consequences of the Hero Commission’s actions. Changes need to be made to prevent another villain like All For One from taking over the country.

As the My Hero Academia manga approaches its end, the ripple effects of the Final War are sure to be seen in the world of the series. Hero Society has an opportunity to become better and more fair for everyone. Deku and his friends fought for a world where no one is pushed to become a villain due to society’s mistreatment, as it happened to Aoyama.