5 Reasons Why Fans Are Saying 'Deku, This Cannot Be': The Shocking Truth Behind Izuku Midoriya's Final War Denials

The phrase 'Deku, this cannot be' has become a viral shorthand within the *My Hero Academia* fandom, perfectly capturing the overwhelming sense of shock, denial, and despair faced by Izuku Midoriya during the series' climactic Final War Arc. As of December 2025, with the manga's conclusion still fresh and the anime's final season airing, this expression encapsulates not a single line of dialogue, but a series of devastating, high-stakes moments that challenged the core of Deku's heroic ideology.

This article dives deep into the context of the *My Hero Academia* endgame, exploring the five most traumatic events—from the revelation of a tragic villain's past to the ultimate cost of his power—that would cause the world’s greatest hero to utter a phrase of absolute disbelief. The emotional weight of these recent chapters and episodes is what fuels the community's intense reaction and the lasting power of this fan-coined quote.

Izuku Midoriya: The Ultimate Hero’s Profile

Izuku Midoriya, known by his hero name Deku, is the central protagonist of the *My Hero Academia* series. His journey from a Quirkless boy to the ninth user of the legendary Quirk One For All (OFA) is the foundation of the entire narrative. The emotional turmoil that leads to the 'this cannot be' sentiment is a direct result of his unwavering, yet ultimately crushing, determination to save everyone, even his enemies.

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• Full Name: Izuku Midoriya
• Hero Name: Deku
• Quirk: One For All (OFA) - A transferable Quirk that stockpiles immense power and grants access to the Quirks of its previous users (Blackwhip, Float, Danger Sense, Smokescreen, Fa Jin, Gear Shift).
• Birthday: July 15
• Height: 166 cm (5' 5¼")
• Affiliation: U.A. High School (Class 1-A)
• Mentor: All Might (Toshinori Yagi)
• Key Relationships: Katsuki Bakugo (Childhood friend/Rival), Ochako Uraraka (Classmate/Love interest), Tomura Shigaraki (Primary Antagonist).
• Current Status (Post-Final War): The greatest hero, having fulfilled his destiny as the savior of the world, though at immense personal cost.

The Five Devastating Moments That Defined 'This Cannot Be'

The Final War Arc forced Izuku Midoriya to confront the darkest aspects of hero society and villainy, pushing him past his physical limits and shattering his emotional resolve. The phrase 'Deku, this cannot be' is a perfect summary of his reaction to these five pivotal, heartbreaking revelations and events, all of which are central to the latest manga and anime content.

1. The Tragic Revelation of Tenko Shimura's Past

One of the earliest and most profound shocks for Deku was the full, unvarnished truth about Tomura Shigaraki. Deku's unique connection to One For All allowed him to briefly enter Shigaraki's inner world, where he saw the shattered remnants of the boy named Tenko Shimura. This was the moment Deku realized his ultimate enemy was not a monster by choice, but a victim of society and the deliberate manipulation of All For One.

Deku's heroic creed is saving people, but seeing the extent of Tenko's suffering—a child who was failed by everyone—forced him into a moral dilemma: how can he kill a villain when he sees a child who needs saving? This realization—that the ultimate evil was born from the ultimate tragedy—is a prime candidate for the 'this cannot be' sentiment.

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2. Himiko Toga’s Heartbreaking Final Confession and Sacrifice

The conflict with Himiko Toga was deeply personal and emotionally charged. Toga’s entire arc revolved around a twisted desire to "become" the people she loved, rooted in a society that rejected her Quirk and her true self. In her final confrontation, Toga's desperate need for acceptance and love, specifically from Deku and Ochako Uraraka, led to a catastrophic event.

When Toga's full power was unleashed, it was a horrifying display of pain and longing. Her ultimate sacrifice, or the realization that his attempts to "save" her in a traditional sense were impossible, would be a moment of crushing denial for Deku. His belief in saving everyone was tested and, in Toga's case, tragically failed, solidifying the emotional weight of 'this cannot be.'

3. The Destruction of His Arms and the Final Cost of One For All

Throughout the latter half of the war, Deku pushed his body, and by extension, the limits of One For All, to catastrophic extremes. The use of multiple Quirks simultaneously, combined with the sheer force required to fight Shigaraki/AFO, resulted in severe, potentially permanent damage to his arms.

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The physical toll on his body, the pain, and the stark reality that he might not be able to use his arms again—the very tools of his heroism—is a moment of profound physical and psychological denial. The thought of being rendered physically incapable at the moment of the world's greatest crisis is a powerful interpretation of the phrase.

4. The Loss of One For All's Power (Manga Chapter 421)

The single most recent and definitive event that would trigger a 'this cannot be' reaction is the final resolution of the One For All Quirk. In the manga's concluding chapters, the power of OFA is ultimately extinguished or transferred in a way that leaves Deku without the immense power he had stockpiled. This is the culmination of his entire journey: the Quirk that defined him is gone, fulfilling the destiny of the Quirk's existence.

For a hero whose identity was so intertwined with this power, the final, permanent loss of One For All—even if it meant victory—is a moment of staggering, world-changing finality. It’s a moment where he must face an uncertain future as a hero without the ultimate power, a truly 'unbelievable' twist of fate.

5. The Realization of All For One's True Immortality Plan

Beyond the physical fight, Deku and the heroes had to contend with the chilling, near-immortal nature of All For One. The villain's plan to transcend death and live on through Shigaraki, and the sheer tenacity with which he clung to existence, represented an evil so profound it seemed impossible to truly defeat. Every time Deku thought he had won, All For One found a way to persist.

The constant, almost cosmic threat posed by AFO, and the realization that his influence could never be fully erased, led to a psychological breaking point. This is the moment where Deku realizes the battle is not just physical, but a spiritual war for the soul of the world, a truth so heavy that it could only be met with a phrase of desperate denial: 'This cannot be.'

The Topical Authority and Future of Izuku Midoriya

The enduring popularity of the phrase 'Deku, this cannot be' highlights the success of the *My Hero Academia* Final War Arc in delivering high-stakes, emotional drama. The arc is rich with topical authority because it directly addresses the core themes of the series: the nature of heroism, the possibility of saving villains, and the ultimate sacrifice required for peace.

Key entities that drive this narrative include the internal conflicts of Yoichi Shigaraki (the first OFA user) and Kudo (the second OFA user), whose powers like Gear Shift Deku used to its limit. The final battle was a culmination of centuries of conflict, placing an impossible burden on the young hero.

Looking ahead, the anime's final seasons will bring these shocking moments to life, likely solidifying the meme's place in popular culture. The phrase serves as a powerful reminder that even the strongest hero, Izuku Midoriya, is still human, capable of profound shock and denial when faced with the devastating realities of his world.