My Hero Academia, also known as Boku no Hero Academia is a Japanese manga and anime series written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi. The series has won the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. The series is set in the future where the majority of people have superpowers known as Quirks that have become a common part of daily life.
My Hero Academia features hundreds of characters, both heroes and villains, who all have unique Quirks that help them in battle. The majority of the world’s population possesses Quirks, yet these superpowers come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Some Quirks are subtle and scarcely noticeable, while others actually wear their abilities on their sleeves. “Heteromorphs” are a type of My Hero Academia character whose Quirks give them different physical appearances, causing them to appear odd. It’s vital not to judge a book by its cover, and these genetically altered people have a lot to give in My Hero Academia. Let’s understand the existence of Heteromorphs in My Hero Academia.
My Hero Academia: What are Heteromorphs?
Every Quirk in My Hero Academia has been classified into three sorts: emitter types, transformation types, and mutant types. Mutant-type powers are some of the most distinctive Quirks in My Hero Academia, owing to their ability to change their appearance. Mutant-type Quirk users, known as Heteromorphs, are easily identified.
- While Heteromorphs have a lot to offer in terms of variety and power, they are also one of the most discriminated Quirk types.
- This ostracization displays the evil side of the Quirk population, demonstrating their prejudice based solely on appearances.
This broad concept encompasses a wide range of modifications. It could entail adopting animal-like characteristics, such as Tokoyami’s bird head or Tsuyu Asui’s frog tongue; getting new appendages, such as Ojiro’s tail or Shoji’s arms; or changing other aspects of their body, such as Toru Hagakure’s invisibility. Heteromorphic quirks are also distinct in that the physical alteration is inheritable in addition to being permanent.
What are the challenges faced by the Heteromorphs in My Hero Academia?
Heteromorph people, as they’re called, are discriminated against in society like they need to wear special clothes and have special accommodations for their bodies. That’s why they’re more likely to fall in love with people who share their Quirk, like Asui’s parents.
- Heteromorphic Quirks’ major ability is to provide users with additional appendages that can be manipulated at their discretion. These appendages can be added to existing limbs or replaced with stronger alternatives.
- Because mutant-type Quirks are permanent and cannot be retracted or turned off, users of these abilities face several hassles in their daily lives.
Heteromorphs are obliged to adapt and adjust their lifestyle because most infrastructure and amenities are meant to accommodate “normal” humans. The main problem for Heteromorphs is finding clothing that fits their body; for example, Mezo’s Quirk Dupli-Arms make it hard for him to wear long-sleeved shirts. These mutations also cause discomfort, requiring Hetermorphs to make a few lifestyle modifications.
How are the Heteromorphs in MHA subjected to discrimination?
The terms “heteromorph” and “mutant” are nearly identical, referring to a person whose Quirk modifies their genetic structure so drastically that their human features are practically unrecognizable. It is unclear what percentage of the population is born with heteromorphic traits, however, it is not a rare trait.
- Despite the fact that Quirks have been around for over a century, mutant discrimination still exists today, since some current Heroes have firsthand experience with this biased treatment.
- Tsuyu Asui and Habuko Mongoose, for example, were shunned by their peers and found it difficult to make friends at the beginning of their schooling years.
As if the inconvenience of their own abnormalities wasn’t enough, Heterotrophs also face intolerance and prejudice because of their appearance. This ostracization also highlights the hypocritical side of hero society, as Quirk-bearers likewise reject Heteromorphs. While Heteromorphs have easily integrated into metropolitan areas, rural and small communities still have significant prejudice against such people.
Does the discrimination of Heteromorphs complement the uniformity desired by the superstructure of the state?
One of MHA’s key themes from the start of the narrative has been prejudice towards heteromorphs. Though the broader effects of heteromorph prejudice haven’t been thoroughly discussed, characters like Spinner and Mezo Shoji have examined how these bad experiences affected their personal self-expression.
The discrimination of Heteromorphs references real-world prejudice and racism, whether based on ethnic distinctions or even physical deformities. My Hero Academia does an excellent job of depicting the hardship of Heteromorphic characters at first, but the narrative fades and becomes pretty meaningless later on.
The persistent prejudice towards heteromorphs may also be giving away subtle clues about Japanese culture, which generally discourages individualism. It’s not that Japan is a racist nation that actively suppresses diversity; rather, it’s more that its social institutions value harmony and homogeneity above individuality.
Conclusion
My Hero Academia begins with an outstanding portrayal of the predicament of Heteromorphic characters. With Mezo Shoji’s goal of becoming a Pro Hero centered around this animosity, the series has plenty of opportunity to address this topic. Despite their unique features, heteromorphs continue to face prejudice and discrimination, being viewed as the lower class and demonized by the public. For more regular anime updates, subscribe to our newsletter at Spiel Anime!