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For an impressive ten years, My Hero Academia has captivated audiences worldwide, reigning supreme as the leading superhero anime. With over 100 million manga copies sold, its influence is undeniable. Although the series wrapped up its final season in December 2025, the protagonist Deku remains a symbol of dedication and resilience. While his story does not continue in the MHA: Vigilantes spin-off, the essence of his character will inspire a new hero arriving this spring.
Anticipation is building for Studio Bug Films’ adaptation of the critically acclaimed manga, Witch Hat Atelier, which is slated to debut in April. Introducing the young witch Coco, the series is poised to capture the hearts of anime enthusiasts. Much like Deku, Coco starts from modest beginnings and ventures into a realm that initially seems beyond her grasp. Her journey, fueled by the same passion, perseverance, and compassion that characterized Deku, aims to resonate with a new generation of viewers.
Deku’s legacy is defined by his rise to become one of the world’s foremost heroes, despite being born without a Quirk in a society where these abilities were the norm. His dream of achieving hero status was often dismissed as unattainable and absurd by those who saw his lack of a Quirk as a significant limitation. Yet, it is precisely this underdog story that has endeared him to fans, making his journey both remarkable and inspiring.
Coco’s Journey in Witch Hat Atelier Started Exactly Like Deku’s in MHA
Deku is known for becoming one of the world’s most important heroes despite having been born Quirkless in a world where having a Quirk was the norm. Being quirkless made his dream of becoming a top-ranking hero both impossible and ridiculous in the eyes of those who mocked him for his shortcoming.
Coco is similar. As a child, she fell in love with magic and wanted to be one of the witches who wielded it. However, she was born an ordinary girl with no gift for the supernatural, forcing her to resign her wish as pure fantasy.
For both Deku and Coco, what they wanted most in the world was far from their reach until they discovered a heavily guarded secret from their would-be mentor figures. Deku learns the truth about One For All, the Quirk of All Might. With the power passed down to him, he was able to start his path toward heroism. Coco discovered the truth about magic from the witch Qifrey, enabling her to begin learning the craft as his apprentice.
Both Coco & Deku Inspire Their Peers to Push Themselves
One of the most endearing qualities that Deku had in MHA was his deep fascination with Quirks and how well he was able to study their properties and break them down. Deku’s passion and idealized view of heroism are a big part of what drives the hype of the anime’s story forward.
Deku has helped a number of his peers improve themselves by inspiring them to embrace and hone their unique gifts. He makes Shoto Todoroki shake off the shame of his fire quirk and use every ounce of his talent to carve his own path during the U.A. Sports Festival Arc. Deku then eventually moves on to become the very heart of Class 1-A. Every one of his peers strive to grow into the type of determined hero he is, which comes to help him later when Deku himself begins to lose sight of who he is in the later seasons.
Coco’s love for magic affects Witch Hat Atelier’s story the same way Deku’s passion drives MHA forward. All her life, she was a simple spectator of the supernatural feats of witches. After she becomes Qifrey’s apprentice, it’s very easy to see her keen observational skills and how easily she can pick up on certain practices. Despite being inexperienced, Coco applies the fundamentals of magic in ways that are already beyond her level.
Like Deku, Coco’s genuine love for magic and her determination are an inspiration for her more educated peers. Coco sees her mistakes as stepping stones to keep learning, and everything she discovers outside the basics of magic doesn’t just aid in her own improvement but also helps in showing her friends the way in which they can improve themselves. This can especially be seen in the character of Agott, who is essentially what Bakugo is to Deku, sans the anger and competition.
Coco is a Natural Genius, but her True Gift is her Kind Heart & Perseverance
Coco may not be a prodigy in comparison to the other talented witches in Witch Hat Atelier, but she has an incredible mind for innovation for someone of her age and skill level. Only after a day of being an apprentice was she able to overcome one of her first challenges as a witch. By using only very basic knowledge, a few simple tools, and thinking outside the box, she accomplished a task in a manner that no one before her had.
It’s a wonder what feats Coco will be able to achieve once her resources extend beyond the knowledge of elementary-level magic. The only thing that holds her back is her insecurity and inexperience, but neither is any reason for her to stop moving forward.
The fantasy world in Witch Hat Atelier is far from the superhero-centric society of My Hero Academia, but they share the same type of protagonist whose earnest nature and noble worldviews shape the story around them and inspire the other characters. With Deku’s story now over and Coco’s just beginning, she can serve as the new icon for growth and perseverance once her anime debuts on Crunchyroll.