Who Was Deku’s Father in MHA?

If you are a fan of My Hero Academia (MHA), you know that Kohei Horikoshi has built an incredible world filled with heroes, villains, and complex family dynamics. We know everything about the Todoroki family drama. We have seen the struggles of the Iida family. We have even met the parents of Bakugo and Uraraka.

Izuku Midoriya, also known as Deku, is the protagonist of the series. We see his mother, Inko Midoriya, constantly. She is a pillar of support, worrying over him and cheering him on. But his father, Hisashi Midoriya, is nowhere to be found. He is a ghost in the story. For a series that focuses so heavily on legacy and the next generation, his absence is glaring.

In this article, we will dive deep into everything we know about Hisashi, the theories surrounding him, and why he has remained hidden for so long.

What Is Known About Deku’s Father From the Manga and Anime?

The most surprising thing about Hisashi Midoriya is how little information actually exists. In a series spanning hundreds of chapters and episodes, Deku’s father is mentioned almost exclusively in the very first chapter (and the first episode of the anime).

Here are the hard facts we have from the canon story:

• His Name: His name is Hisashi Midoriya.⁵ Interestingly, the name “Hisashi” can translate to “a long time ago” in Japanese. This feels like a deliberate pun by the author, referencing his long absence.
• Employment: Inko Midoriya mentions early on that Hisashi took a post abroad for work. He is essentially a “salaryman” working overseas to support the family.
• Location: While it is not explicitly pinpointed on a map in every scene, it is widely implied he is working in America. This mirrors the classic trope of the Japanese father working overseas to send money home.
• Marital Status: There is no indication that Inko and Hisashi are divorced. They seem to still be married, and Inko refers to him casually, implying there is no bad blood. He isn’t a villain who ran away; he is just… at work.

Despite this, he never calls. We never see Deku holding a phone talking to him. We never see a letter or an email. During Izuku’s frequent hospitalizations, sports festivals, or life-threatening battles, Hisashi never makes an appearance. This silence is what makes fans so suspicious.

What Quirks Does Deku’s Father Possess?

In the world of My Hero Academia, quirks (superpowers) are genetic. A child usually inherits one of their parents’ quirks, or a combination of both. This genetic rule is actually how we learned about Hisashi’s power in the first place.

When a young Izuku and his mother visit the doctor to find out why his quirk hasn’t manifested yet, the doctor asks Inko about the parents’ abilities. Inko explains her own power (attracting small objects) and then describes Hisashi’s quirk.

Hisashi Midoriya has a Fire Breath quirk.

Inko states, “My husband breathes fire.” This is a specific, elemental quirk. It isn’t described as “controlling flames” like Endeavor, but specifically breathing it. This suggests it might be a simple emitter type quirk.

This detail is important for a few reasons:

1. Genetics: Izuku being born quirkless was a statistical anomaly because both parents had quirks.
2. Fan Speculation: Because Dabi (Toya Todoroki) and Endeavor both use fire, early fans wondered if there was a connection. However, fire quirks are seemingly common in this universe, so “breathing fire” doesn’t automatically link Hisashi to the Todoroki bloodline.
3. Visuals: Fans have often drawn fan art of Hisashi looking like a normal businessman who just happens to exhale smoke or small flames when he sighs.

Why Has Deku’s Father Been Absent From the Story?

There are two ways to look at this question: the “in-universe” reason and the “narrative” reason.

The In-Universe Reason:

As mentioned, he is working abroad. In Japanese culture, the “absent father working hard for the family” is a somewhat common trope, though usually, they act more involved than Hisashi. It is possible that travel restrictions in a world full of super-villain terrorism make it hard to travel back and forth between America and Japan. Perhaps his job is incredibly demanding.

The Narrative (Writing) Reason:

This is the more likely explanation for his ghost-like status. Kohei Horikoshi wrote My Hero Academia as a story about mentorship. Izuku Midoriya already found a father figure: All Might.

If Hisashi were present, it would dilute the bond between Deku and All Might. All Might is not just a teacher; he guides Izuku, worries about him, scolds him, and protects him. He fills the emotional void of a father. If Deku had a loving, supportive father waiting at home, the emotional weight of All Might’s guidance might not hit as hard. By removing the biological father from the board, Horikoshi allowed All Might to step into that role completely.

What Has Horikoshi Revealed About Hisashi Midoriya?

This is where things get frustrating for long-time fans. Over the years, series creator Kohei Horikoshi has dropped hints that led us to believe a reveal was coming.

In an interview at San Diego Comic-Con back in 2018, Horikoshi was asked about Deku’s father. He reportedly stated that “Deku’s father will be revealed in the future.”

This quote fueled years of speculation. Fans waited for a dramatic entrance. Would he show up during a villain attack? Would he come home to find out his son is a vigilante? The author’s confirmation that the character would “be revealed” implied that Hisashi would have a face, a voice, and a role to play.

However, as the manga entered its final arcs and eventually concluded in 2024, the definition of “revealed” came into question. Did Horikoshi change his mind? Did the story simply outgrow the need for Hisashi? Writing a long-running manga is a fluid process, and sometimes plot points planned in year one are abandoned by year ten. It appears that Hisashi Midoriya became a victim of the story’s pacing and focus on the war against All For One.

Fan Theories About Deku’s Father and His Potential Role

Because canon information is so scarce, the MHA community has created wild and fascinating theories. Some are plausible, while others are dark. Here are the top three theories that dominated the fandom for years.

1. The “Dad For One” Theory

This is the most famous MHA theory of all time. It suggests that All For One (AFO) is actually Hisashi Midoriya.

• The Logic: All For One has lived for a long time and has collected many quirks. He could easily have a “fire breathing” quirk to show the doctor.
• The Motive: Why would he marry Inko? Maybe to breed a vessel? Or maybe he truly loved her in a twisted way.
• The Irony: It would make the battle between Deku and AFO a “Star Wars” style father-son conflict. It would add maximum tragedy if Deku had to defeat his own father.
• The Suit: AFO wears a suit and his face was hidden for a long time, much like the “faceless” nature of Hisashi.

2. He is a Pro Hero in America

Since the story takes place mostly in Japan, we don’t see much of the rest of the world. Some fans speculated that Hisashi is actually a top-tier hero working in the United States. Perhaps he is undercover, or perhaps he is just very busy keeping the peace overseas. This would explain why Deku has such a strong innate drive to be a hero—it’s in his blood, even if he didn’t know it.

3. The “Deadbeat” Theory

This is the saddest theory. It suggests that Hisashi simply left. Maybe he couldn’t handle raising a quirkless child, or maybe he just fell out of love. The “working abroad” story might just be a lie Inko tells Izuku to protect his feelings. While this is realistic, it doesn’t fit the generally optimistic tone of the Midoriya family dynamic, but it remains a possibility.

Could Deku’s Father Appear Later in the Series?

Note: This section contains context regarding the conclusion of the manga.

For anime-only watchers, the hope still exists. However, looking at the trajectory of the story, the window for Hisashi to make a meaningful impact has closed.

The main conflict of My Hero Academia focuses on the clash of ideologies: Shigaraki vs. Deku, and All For One vs. One For All. Introducing a brand-new character like a biological father in the eleventh hour is difficult. It would distract from the established relationships.

If Hisashi were to appear “later” (meaning in an epilogue, a sequel series, or a movie), it would likely be a quiet moment. It wouldn’t be an action scene. It would likely be a scene of a man returning home to realize his son has become the world’s greatest hero without him. It would be a moment of regret for him, not triumph.

The series has spent over a decade building the “found family” dynamic. Class 1-A, All Might, and Aizawa are Deku’s family now. The return of a biological father at this stage feels less like a plot twist and more like tying up a loose end that nobody is pulling on anymore.

How Hisashi Midoriya Might Impact Deku’s Journey if He Returns

Let’s indulge in a “What If” scenario. If Horikoshi decided to release a special chapter or a sequel where Hisashi returns, how would it impact Deku?

1. The disruption of peace:

Deku and Inko have a rhythm. They have survived wars and trauma together. Hisashi returning would be awkward. He is a stranger to the man Deku has become.

2. Clashing with All Might:

This would be the most interesting dynamic. Imagine Hisashi meeting Toshinori Yagi (All Might). Hisashi is the biological father, but Toshinori is the one who raised him into a hero. There would be a palpable tension. Hisashi might feel jealousy or gratitude, but he would essentially be meeting the man who took his place.

3. Financial realization:

On a lighter note, if Hisashi has been working abroad for 10+ years sending money home, he might be surprised to see the repair bills for the destruction caused during the hero wars!

Ultimately, his return wouldn’t change Deku as a hero. Deku is fully formed. He doesn’t need his father’s approval anymore. The impact would be purely emotional and domestic, dealing with the awkwardness of reconnection rather than saving the world.

What Deku’s Relationship With His Father Could Mean for the Story’s Future

The story of My Hero Academia is largely about what we pass on to the next generation. One For All is a power passed down. The “Will of Fire” (to borrow from Naruto) is passed down.

The absence of Hisashi serves as a distinct theme: Biology does not define you.

Deku was born quirkless (biologically “weak” in this society) and without a father figure present. Yet, he became the strongest hero and found his own father figure. If the story brings Hisashi back, or if a future sequel addresses him, it will likely be to reinforce this point.

Hisashi represents the past—the “Old Way” of normal society. Deku represents the future. Their relationship, or lack thereof, proves that you don’t need a perfect nuclear family or perfect genetics to be the greatest hero.

In conclusion, while the mystery of Hisashi Midoriya is a fun puzzle for fans to solve, his absence might be more important than his presence. He is the fire-breathing ghost of the series. Whether he was a secret villain or just a busy office worker, his distance allowed Izuku Midoriya to stand on his own two feet—and eventually, on the shoulders of All Might—to reach the sky.

FAQ Section

Q: Is All For One Deku’s father?

A: This is a popular fan theory, but it has never been confirmed in the canon manga or anime. The story treats them as separate entities with no biological relation revealed.

Q: Does Deku ever meet his dad in the manga?

A: As of the main storylines concluding, Deku has not had an on-screen meeting with his father, Hisashi.

Q: Is Deku’s father a villain?

A: There is no canon evidence to support this. According to his mother, he is simply working overseas.

Q: What episode is Deku’s dad in?

A: Hisashi Midoriya does not appear in any episode physically. He is only mentioned in Episode 1 by Inko Midoriya.