Every anime begins somewhere, and sometimes, those first few words do more than introduce a story; they introduce a heart. In the case of My Hero Academia, the English dub doesn’t start with a bold proclamation or an epic statement of destiny. Instead, at the very beginning of Episode 1, the first words we hear is Izuku Midoriya’s small, trembling voice saying, “Why are you being so mean? You’re making him cry, Kacchan. If you keep on hurting him, uh, I’ll uh, I’ll stop you myself.” quietly lay the foundation for everything that follows.
[Post read time: 3–5 min]
It’s a stammering, nervous line delivered by a small boy confronting someone stronger, but it sets the foundation for everything that follows. My Hero Academia is a series built on the question of what makes a hero, exploring courage, sacrifice, and standing up for others even when the odds are against you. Izuku, a quirkless boy in a world of superpowers, embodies determination despite limitations. Beginning the entire series with this trembling act of moral courage reflects both his character and the narrative’s core themes. Even before quirks or costumes enter the story, we see the heart of a hero: someone who can’t stand by while others get hurt.
His instinct isn’t to flee or watch from the sidelines; it’s to defend someone weaker, even if it means standing up to someone stronger.
The way he speaks matters. The repeated “uh” and the nervous rhythm show hesitation, fear, and the instinct to back down, yet he doesn’t. Those tiny disfluencies make his courage believable. They tell us he’s frightened and uncertain, but still willing to act. Izuku isn’t fearless; he’s terrified. But fear doesn’t stop him from acting, and that’s what My Hero Academia defines as real heroism. That fragile courage, the choice to do what’s right despite fear, becomes the very definition of his heroism throughout the series.
And then there’s that nickname: Kacchan. It instantly tells us there’s history here, familiarity, maybe even affection, between Izuku and Bakugo. This isn’t a random bully; it’s someone Izuku knows deeply. That personal connection turns what could have been a simple playground confrontation into something layered and emotional, foreshadowing the complicated rivalry that will drive much of the show’s heart.
Then there’s the promise itself: “I’ll stop you myself.” Coming from a quirkless, small Izuku, it’s almost tragic in its futility. He’s making a commitment his body can’t possibly honour. But that’s precisely the point. My Hero Academia becomes the story of how Izuku learns to make good on that promise and transforms his moral conviction into physical capability. The entire series exists in the space between that childhood vow and its eventual fulfilment.
Studio Bones and mangaka Kohei Horikoshi didn’t need a grand speech to establish their protagonist. They just needed a scared boy standing up for what’s right, stumbling over his words but saying them anyway. That moment tells us everything: Izuku’s empathy is his reflex, his courage exists despite fear, and his heroism is rooted in protecting others, not in strength or glory.
Those few trembling words do more than start a story; they define it. They set the emotional tone for everything that follows. The opening lines remind us that heroism isn’t born in strength or glory, but in empathy, kindness, and the courage to act when no one else will.
- Anime: My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia)
- Episode: 1
- Timestamp: 03:20
- Character: Izuku Midoriya
- Dub line: “Why are you being so mean? You’re making him cry, Kacchan. If you keep on hurting him, uh, I’ll uh, I’ll stop you myself.”
It’s easy to overlook first lines, but they carry weight. They set the tone, establish the character, and plant thematic seeds that grow throughout a series. Next time you start a new anime, pay attention to what the very first character says. Sometimes, it’s the most uncertain words that echo the loudest.
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