5 Times Deku Said "This Cannot Be": Unpacking Izuku Midoriya's Deepest Moments Of Despair In MHA's Final Arc

The phrase "Deku, this cannot be" has become a legendary, albeit fan-coined, shorthand for one of the most intense and emotionally devastating moments in the My Hero Academia (MHA) series. As of the current date, December 15, 2025, with the manga's final arcs concluding and the anime's final season on the horizon, this single expression encapsulates the recurring nightmare of Izuku Midoriya's journey: the moment the world, or his mission, seems utterly impossible and fundamentally broken. It is the verbal manifestation of a crushing reality—the absolute antithesis of his "Plus Ultra" spirit.

The true power of "This cannot be" (often translated from the Japanese "Shinjirarenai" or "Masaka") lies in its ability to strip away Deku's heroic resolve, forcing him to confront a despair so profound it threatens to revert him to the Quirkless, crying boy who was told his dreams were impossible. This article analyzes the five most pivotal moments in Izuku Midoriya's life that perfectly embody this desperate realization, showing how each instance of despair forged the Number One Hero he was destined to become.

Izuku Midoriya: The Profile of a Hero Forged in Despair

Before diving into the moments that broke him, it is essential to understand the hero at the center of the storm. Izuku Midoriya, or Deku, is a character defined by his initial powerlessness and his unwavering drive to save everyone, a drive that often puts him on the brink of emotional collapse.

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• Full Name: Izuku Midoriya (緑谷 出久)
• Hero Name: Deku (デク)
• Quirk: Originally Quirkless. Inherited Quirk: One For All (OFA).
• Birthday: July 15
• Age: 16 (Current Arc)
• Height: 166 cm (5'5")
• Affiliation: U.A. High School (Class 1-A)
• Fighting Style: Shoot Style (combining OFA with leg-focused attacks), utilizing multiple Quirks from OFA's previous users (Blackwhip, Float, Danger Sense, Smokescreen, Fa Jin, and Gearshift).
• Key Mentors: All Might (Toshinori Yagi), Sir Nighteye, Gran Torino.

The Five Moments That Made Deku Utter "This Cannot Be"

The phrase "Deku, this cannot be" is a recurring motif representing a challenge that seems to violate the fundamental rules of his heroic worldview. It’s the moment his optimism and belief in justice are violently shattered. Here are the five most significant instances that capture this profound sense of disbelief and despair.

1. The Quirkless Diagnosis (The Origin of Despair)

The first, and arguably most foundational, instance of this crushing realization occurs in Izuku’s childhood. The moment the doctor delivered the verdict—"You should probably just give it up"—marks the birth of his lifelong despair.

For a boy whose entire identity was built on the dream of becoming a hero like All Might, the scientific confirmation of his Quirklessness was the first, most literal "this cannot be" moment. It was the crushing of a dream, the impossibility of his goal, and the moment his childhood nickname, "Deku," took on its cruel, intended meaning: "useless" or "someone who cannot achieve anything."

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This scene sets the stage for every subsequent challenge. His entire heroic journey is a constant battle against the initial, devastating truth that his dream was impossible. Every time he faces an overwhelming enemy, the echo of that doctor's words is what he must overcome.

2. Witnessing Sir Nighteye’s Prophesied End (The Weight of Fate)

During the Shie Hassaikai Arc, Deku's clash with the villain Overhaul was not just a physical fight; it was a battle against fate itself. Sir Nighteye, All Might's former sidekick, had used his Foresight Quirk to predict a gruesome future: his own death, and a devastating loss for the heroes.

When Deku finally defeats Overhaul, he rushes to Nighteye, who confirms that the future he foresaw—a grim one—was indeed what was supposed to happen. The actual "this cannot be" moment for Deku is the realization that despite his best efforts, despite saving Eri, he couldn't completely defy the prophecy. He couldn't save Nighteye from his fate. This moment introduced Deku to the chilling reality that some sacrifices cannot be avoided, and that even the greatest hero's power has limits against destiny.

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3. The True Horror of Tomura Shigaraki (The Impossible Enemy)

The phrase takes on a terrifying new dimension during the Paranormal Liberation War Arc and the subsequent Final War. Deku's confrontation with Tomura Shigaraki, now fully merged with All For One, is a moment of pure, existential horror. Shigaraki's sheer power, coupled with the grotesque physical and psychological transformation, makes him an enemy who seems truly unbeatable.

The "This cannot be" here is a reaction to the *scale* of the threat. It’s not just a powerful villain; it’s the embodiment of pure destruction, a force of nature that erases everything it touches. Deku's Danger Sense Quirk screams at him, the vestiges of One For All tremble, and the hero is forced to acknowledge that the power he holds might not be enough to stop the impending apocalypse. This is the ultimate test of his optimism: can he truly save a world facing an impossible threat?

4. The Sacrifice of a Rival (The Cost of Victory)

In the climactic battles of the Final War Arc, there is a moment of profound shock and trauma that many fans immediately associate with the "this cannot be" feeling: the apparent or near-death of Katsuki Bakugo.

While the exact details are tied to the manga’s most recent developments, the scene where Bakugo puts his life on the line to protect Deku—a final, selfless act that mirrors All Might's sacrifice—is a devastating blow. For Deku, seeing his lifelong rival, the person who both tormented and motivated him, fall in battle is a psychological rupture. The despair is rooted in the guilt and the realization that his pursuit of heroism, and the power he carries, has led to the ultimate sacrifice of those closest to him. It's the moment the cost of being the world's savior becomes too real to bear.

5. The Final Stand and the World's Rejection (The Burden of Solitude)

Following the first major war, Deku briefly leaves U.A. High, choosing to become a lone vigilante to protect his friends and classmates from being targeted by All For One. This period of the "Dark Deku" arc embodies a sustained, profound "this cannot be" state.

His despair comes from the realization that he cannot be a hero in the traditional sense; he must carry the burden of One For All alone. He pushes away his friends, sacrifices his own well-being, and becomes a grim, barely recognizable version of himself. The phrase here isn't a reaction to a single event, but a continuous, internal monologue of disbelief that his heroic journey has led him to a place of utter isolation. The moment Class 1-A finally tracks him down and forces him to accept their help—a moment of emotional intervention—is the turning point that pulls him back from this deep, solitary despair.

The True Meaning: Why "This Cannot Be" is Deku's Most Heroic Line

The phrase "Deku, this cannot be" is more than just an expression of shock; it is the core mechanism of Izuku Midoriya's character development. Unlike other shonen protagonists who often meet impossible challenges with simple, unwavering confidence, Deku's power is rooted in his vulnerability and his capacity for despair.

The original meaning of his name, "Deku," is intrinsically linked to the feeling of being unable to do anything. Every time he is faced with a scenario that *should* be impossible, that *should* make him give up, he is staring down the barrel of his own past. The emotional turmoil represented by "This cannot be" is the internal battle he must win before the physical fight even begins.

His heroism is not the absence of despair, but the choice to act *in spite of it*. When Deku confronts a "this cannot be" moment, he is acknowledging the impossible odds, processing the trauma, and then, through sheer willpower and the support of his friends, forcing his reality to change. He doesn't just win; he shatters the prophecy of his own powerlessness, transforming the insult "Deku" into the ultimate symbol of victory: "You can do it!"