My Hero Academia Sets Up Deku’s Path to Number 1

My Hero Academia creator Kohei Horikoshi has positioned protagonist Izuku Midoriya for a potential ascent to Japan's top hero ranking through recent story developments. The character, who lost his legendary One For All Quirk during the series' climactic conflict, has been given a new path to heroic prominence through an advanced suit of armor that restores his capabilities as a professional hero.

The setup unfolds across the franchise's expanded universe. A special episode released on August 2, 2026, titled "I Am a Hero Too," established Midoriya's current standing at fourth place in Japan's hero rankings. This ranking represents a significant achievement for a character who, just years earlier, had been stripped of his powers and seemed destined to abandon his hero career entirely. The episode drew from an extra chapter created by Horikoshi himself, cementing its canonical importance to the overall narrative.

Midoriya's journey to this point has been marked by extraordinary sacrifice and determination. The protagonist began his story as a quirkless individual in a world where nearly everyone possessed superhuman abilities. Through sheer willpower and training, he earned the trust of All Might, Japan's legendary Number One Hero, and inherited the One For All Quirk—a power that had been passed down through generations. However, during the final war arc, Midoriya voluntarily surrendered this power in an attempt to save the villain Shigaraki, a selfless act that left him quirkless once again.

An eight-year time skip followed before Midoriya received his breakthrough. The advanced Hero Armor, an enhanced version of equipment used during the final conflict, granted him the ability to return to professional heroics. According to Horikoshi's statements, this new suit replicates the capabilities of One For All and its associated powers, even enabling the combination of multiple abilities simultaneously. With this tool, Midoriya rapidly climbed the hero rankings, surpassing established heroes including Bakugo, Kamui Woods, and Nejire Hado.

Three heroes currently rank above Midoriya. Mt. Lady holds the third position with her Gigantification Quirk, followed by Shoto Todoroki at second place with his Half-Cold Half-Hot abilities. Mirio Togata occupies the top spot with his Permeation Quirk—a position many fans initially expected Midoriya to claim by the series' conclusion. Observers note that Midoriya demonstrated superior strength to both Todoroki and Mirio during the final arc, suggesting his current armor-enhanced state could enable him to surpass them relatively quickly. Mt. Lady, while formidable, appears the most vulnerable to being overtaken given the armor's demonstrated power level.

The broader narrative context underscores why Midoriya's ascension to Number One holds significance for the story. The series opened with Midoriya explicitly stating that viewers would witness his rise to become Japan's greatest hero. While he achieved this status in terms of legacy and heroic accomplishment, the loss of his Quirk prevented him from claiming the official ranking. His selfless attempt to save Shigaraki, despite its failure, demonstrated the moral character expected of the nation's top hero. Combined with his documented strength during the final conflict, Midoriya possesses both the capability and the character to justify the Number One position.

Future developments may reveal when Midoriya reaches this goal. Jump Festa 2027, scheduled for December 19, 2026, is set to feature major announcements regarding the My Hero Academia franchise during its Super Stage Red presentation. Speculation among fans suggests a new canon film written or co-written by Horikoshi could be announced, potentially depicting adult hero Midoriya facing challenges that culminate in his achievement of the Number One ranking. Whether through film, manga continuation, or another medium, the creator has clearly established the narrative groundwork for Midoriya's final ascent to the position that has eluded him throughout the series.