To its credit, My Hero Academia does more than make superheroes the norm. What’s even better about all of this is that the anime’s main character is someone who doesn’t have superpowers (or “quirks,” as they’re called in this universe). Izuku “Deku” Midoriya is a hopeless superhero fanboy, so the fact that he’s quirkless is especially crushing for the enthusiastic underdog. Apparently all men are not created equal. Furthermore, how much more relatable can you make your protagonist? Who amongst us hasn’t read superhero comics or watched them in film and momentarily wished for that?

As the episode’s title indicates, “Izuku Midoriya: Origin” is very much about Midoriya’s struggles to become a superhero, even if that means he does it with absolutely no powers. The idea of a normal main character who wishes they were special has certainly been done before (She-Hulk, Ms. Marvel, most of the characters in Kick-Ass).

Even this show’s premise where the bulk of the world has quirks has been previously tackled (Alan Moore’s Top 10 or Ordinary), but this feels fresh and different. There’s an energy present here that sometimes can only be achieved in shonen-style anime (Dragon Ball, One Piece, Naruto, and the recent, regrettable Black Clover) that are designed to be serialized and cater to suspenseful adventure.

My Hero Academia begins with Izuku Midoriya lost his thoughts. He’s a third-year junior high student with a lot on his mind. Midoriya pines for a future where he’ll be a student at the world renowned U.A. High School, which is essentially a training ground that breeds the best super heroes that the nation has to offer.

If you don’t go there, then forget about making “superhero” your day job. Midoriya’s chances of getting into U.A. High are pretty non-existent due to his quirkless status, but when other students like the arrogant Katsuki Bakugo constantly bully Midoriya on the topic, he’s even more determined to prove that he’ll be the best.