A slight warning : I have not read the manga or started season 4 at the time of writing.
I am waiting until all episodes of S4 are out before I start it as I can't stand waiting a week between each episode.
Okay, Im thinking in getting into this series but can someone try to explain something to me first? (Unless it goes into heavy spoilers territory).
Im a guy thats used with cynical and dark animes (with varying qualities, I will admit) and usually people with powers are usually feared from hell and back (sometimes with good reason), kept in facilities where they usually escape having deep hatred for humanity (Elfen Lied for example). I guess what I am trying to say is that I always found MHA setting to be...how do I put it, too positive and bright? There is no way so many people having powers wouldnt lead to an apocalyptic or borderline apocalyptic scenario. Dont get me started on how the goverments of the world wouldnt be work 24/7 on stopping the spread of this X Hero-Gene by containing any babies that show powers. Maybe its because I watched far too much cynical entertaiment (X-men being mostly about how people with powers would NOT simply just get accepted). And even if the "heroes" outnumber the normals, dont tell me it wouldnt lead to some sort of Magneto styled nightmare where normals would be seen as a genetical dead ends to be abused and enslaved. Also assuming everything goes correctly, who's to say the heroes dont cause more damage than they solve? (its a classic question Im not sure if it brings up).
Anyway, can someone give me some insight, please? Its one of those "just go along with the setting" like One Piece ?
It's been 2 years since I watched season 1 and 2 but it's atleast hinted at that the world was set into some anarchy after the quirks came about and after that the age of heroes arrived, people with quirks selflessly setting out to restore order. In other words, while people woke up one day with the invention of machine guns and tanks, such a time has passed that machine gun and tanks are the totally normal and society has mostly adopted to that realization. When the story is taking place, theres been a few generations with quirks so humanity is not shocked or surprised by quirks anymore. You can not surprise governments with quirks just like you'll struggle to take over countries these days with tanks and bombs, would've worked great if they were still brand new but these days it's expected, and every country has some variation of them, although not all tanks are created equal.
All might turned himself into the symbol of peace, a person heroes want to be like, and villains are ashamed they aren't like. (excluding villains like stain who sees the idealism all might professes and realizes other heroes, who are also looking up to all might, but are willing to take money and fame for their heroic acts) are inherently corrupt and are unlike all might and should also be ashamed for not being like him. (He thinks they're false heroes)
I might be looking into things that aren't there, but all might himself is so important to the society because the less people turn to villainy the less likely some guy with a powerful quirk will turn to villainy. And the more heroes are there to resist said villain. Even if you have a powerful quirk it's not guaranteed you could win against 5 heroes all teaming up against you. It's just a classic good guys out number the bad guys society.
For instance (I think it was in the movie) I think they said that the crime rate in most other countries is about 20%, whereas in japan where all might is, it's 6%.
So other countries have a 1 in 5 chance that some guy will be born with a powerful quirk and turn to villainy, whereas Japan has 6% chance of the same.
In both situations, the heroes are more numerous than the villains, but japan, thanks to all might have a far more overwhelming advantage.
In season 2, a villain called stain inspired villains everywhere to seek out the same organization to team up, which is scary because villains was in general scattered and disorganized until that point, which had helped the heroes keep order.
Also in season 2 it's revealed that the number 2 hero, the guy right after all might, is a gigantic piece of fucking human garbage, yet he is still a hero. Why? Because society glorifies heroes and even people like him, would rather be well liked and powerful than be tyrannical and trying to go up against most heroes in society just to be evil, it's not worth the risk and he can still get respected and rich just by being a hero. it's more rewarding in said society for bad guys to be good, than bad guys to be bad. It seems to be the culture around heroes that causes this.
Want to be rich? Become a hero.
Want to be famous and well liked? Become a hero.
Want to be a celebrity? Become a hero.
Want to use the power you already have? Become a hero.
The only real reason to become a villain in that society is if you want to take on greater odds and risk dying to heroes that vastly outnumber you or if you really really really don't like the status quo.
At the end of season 2 or 3 one of the villains was angry that people in a mall was just happy walking around shopping not being scared that some villain could just appear out of nowhere killing them all, just believing that a hero would be nearby to stop it. He HATED that civilians didn't spend every waking hour in fear just because a couple of heroes were nearby.
So based on me only watching the anime, there are bits and pieces here and there about how it's society functions.
who's to say the heroes dont cause more damage than they solve? (its a classic question Im not sure if it brings up).
There is a hero that causes more damage than they solve, and she has to take odd jobs and stuff to pay back the damage she causes, the money she gets from catching a villain doesn't always cover the damage she causes, however she still really wants to be a hero. Because heroes are glorified in society (they obviously have to be, or else the anarchy will return)