A Quirk (個性 Kosei?, lit. "Individuality"), formerly known as a Meta Ability (異能 Inō?) is a superhuman ability that a person can possess.
Along with being unique to each user, Quirks are sorted into multiple categories. Quirk users are also limited to one ability and are thus unable to achieve any other.
Contents
History
The first Quirk.
The first Meta Ability was manifested by a newborn baby in Qing Qing City, China with the ability to radiate light from its body.
After this phenomenon, many people around the world began to manifest different kinds of superpowers, which became known as Meta Abilities. While the cause of this phenomenon is unknown, it has been theorized that it was caused by the spread of a previously unknown virus carried by mice, although this theory had no hard evidence.[1]
The dawn of this extraordinary era was marred by a breakdown of society caused by the sudden onslaught of criminals empowered by their newfound "superpowers" and ordinary people being prejudiced against the new minority.
The era of Vigilantes.
As chaos and unrest ensued due to the outbreak of Meta Abilities, ordinary civilians decided to take matters into their own hands to bring order to society and thus the first "Heroes" appeared in the form of Vigilantes and thus beginning the Vigilantes Era.[2]
During this time period, All For One became a symbol of unity in society. He used his own Meta Ability to remove Meta Abilities from those who did not want them and give them to those that did. His actions under the guise of returning society to its prior state of humanity, when in reality, he was gathering followers who were loyal to him, allowing him to act out his ulterior motives.[3]
At some point, a woman gave birth to a son named Chikara Yotsubashi. As Chikara grew up, he faced a lot of discrimination for having a Meta Ability. His mother supported him, coining the term "Quirk" to refer to Meta Abilities, which became the most common term for such abilities, and for this she became known as the Mother of Quirks.
As society adapted to the new status quo, the Police Force moved to prioritize leadership and to maintain the status quo, and as such, decided not to use Quirks as weapons. To fill that void, the profession of crime-fighting Quirk users, Pro Heroes, began to exist, starting in Rhode Island, USA, which caused the Vigilantes to slowly disappear. Authorizing the use of powers that could so easily kill, however, was a greatly criticized decision at first, but eventually became accepted as a legitimate occupation. This became known as the "Advent of the Extraordinary".[4]
A group of Quirk users known as the Meta Liberation Army, led by Chikara under the alias, Destro, had tried to stop the passing of regulations that would restrict Quirk usage. They rebelled against the governments of a number of nations for several years before ultimately suffering defeat.[5]
Currently, roughly 80% of the people who make up the global population possess a Quirk and that percentage continues to increase.[6][7]
Information
Quirks are said to be the next stage of evolution in the human race. It is possible, though rudimentary, to diagnose a person as possessing or lacking a Quirk by analyzing the presence or absence of an extra joint in their pinky toe. People with only one joint tend to develop a Quirk while having two joints usually indicates that the person is Quirkless.[8]
A person's Quirk will normally manifest anytime before the age of four, sometimes even straight after birth, such was the case with Present Mic[9] and the Luminescent Baby.[6]
Shoto's overuse of his Quirk gives him frostbite.
Quirks are extensions of a person's bodily functions. As such, they can be trained and worn out. When a person works out their muscles, the muscle fibers are destroyed and new, stronger ones grow back; this same rule applies to Quirks. However, should a Quirk be overused, the user could suffer any of a variety of drawbacks, depending on the nature of the Quirk. These drawbacks are usually simple ailments, such as dry skin or nausea; however, in some cases, the drawback can be much more severe.
The body of a Quirk user has natural adaptations to protect itself from any damage the Quirk might do to them without these natural defenses. For example, someone who can breathe fire does not burn their mouth when using their ability. However, there are instances where a Quirk doesn't suit the user's body and the body can't handle it. Some people, such as Yuga Aoyama, suffer from birth defects that cause them to have difficulties controlling their Quirk. Such conditions can be bypassed through the use of support equipment, such as Yuga's belt. Some people simply have a body that is not properly suited for their Quirk, Dabi for example inherited his mothers tolerance for freezing cold, rather than his fathers tolerance for high heat, causing him to easily get burned by his own flames. Some people, such as Nine, have a Quirk that is simply too powerful for the human body to handle, causing them to suffer a massive strain on their body, resulting in chronic pain, cellular degeneration, and even a significantly shortened lifespan.
Quirk levels can be measured, though only Toshinori Yagi's have ever been shown, being at 15,000 AP at his peak and reaching a low point of 2,500 AP in the present.[10]
Although very rare, it is also possible for animals to possess Quirks, such as Nezu having a Quirk that gives him above-human intelligence[11] and the Monster Cat's Quirk that allowed it to envelop and control objects while amplified by Trigger.[12]
Every Quirk contains an echo of the consciousness of its wielder; if a person's Quirk is transferred to someone else, the consciousness of the previous wielder will appear in the new user's mind, either as voices in dreams or manifestations in a mental mindscape. This phenomenon is compared to cases of people whose personalities and tastes changed after an organ transplant. If further transferred to yet another new user, then that new user will experience the consciousnesses of all of the previous users. Though, these consciousnesses will disappear if the new user loses the transferred Quirk.[13]
Plus Alpha
The term Plus Alpha, also known as "Quirk Factors" (個性因子 Kosei Inshi?),[14] refers to the collective physical and genetic traits that compose a person's Quirk. This includes the primary Quirk power, as well as all the biological mechanisms that allow said primary power to function properly. The term Quirk Factor can also be used to refer to the part of ones body that utilizes the Quirk. For example, Katsuki Bakugo can sweat nitroglycerin from his palms and ignite it on command, so his Quirk Factor is in the palms of his hands.
Under special circumstances, a second Quirk can be added to a person's genetics. However, gaining multiple Quirks often puts immense strain on the inheritor, rendering them as mindless living dolls incapable of speaking. It was initially believed a person can tolerate two Quirks at most, should they be physically fit, as was the case with the One For All users, but it turns out they too suffered from the backlash of carrying two Quirk Factors, which resulted in a significantly decreased lifespan.[15] Presently, there are only three known people who have been able to wield multiple Quirks without suffering from this Quirk overload, and two who have been able to achieve this feat through heavy modification on the body and mind. It is potentially possible that a Quirk that can heal the body or provide more energy to the user can supersede the negative effects of the multiple Quirk Factors, as seen through Gigantomachia's Endurance, Tomura's Super Regeneration, and Nine's attempt to claim Cell Activation. There is also a rare chance that the initial Quirk and the bestowed Quirk may merge together, becoming a new singular Quirk, as was the case with One For All.[16]
The expression of Quirk Factors interrupted.
Certain Quirks, such as Erasure, are capable of temporarily halting the expression of the Quirk Factor, rendering the Quirk unusable for a short period, but not affecting the Quirk Factor otherwise. There are other Quirks, however, that are able to directly damage the Quirk Factor of a target, preventing the Quirk from being activated until the user manages to naturally recover. It's also possible that a Quirk Factor can be damaged beyond recovery, causing the Quirk to be permanently suppressed.
The first instance was when Eraser Head was severely injured by the U.S.J. Nomu. Eraser Head’s body sustained a large amount of damage, especially his face and head, and this caused his Erasure Quirk to have a much shorter time limit, as he has to blink more often because of the damage he took. There is also the Quirk-Destroying Drug, which can temporarily or permanently (depending on the variant) sever the users' connection from their Quirk Factor, losing their ability to utilize said Quirks.
Heredity
An example of Quirk heritage of two families.
Quirks are inherited genetically through what appears to be Mendelian inheritance. A child will either inherit the father's Quirk, the mother's Quirk, or a completely new Quirk formed by a fusion of the two. Depending on the parents, this new Quirk may sometimes give the appearance of the person having two separate Quirks, such as Shoto Todoroki's Half-Cold Half-Hot.
Naturally, since Quirks are inherited genetically, siblings tend to have Quirks that are similar to each other's. An example of this is the Ida brothers; the older brother, Tensei has engines in his arms, while the younger brother, Tenya has engines in his legs.
Much more rarely, a child may manifest a Quirk that is completely different from anything in their genetic lineage, akin to a mutation. Such as the cases of Eri's Rewind and Tomura Shigaraki's Decay.
Physical abnormalities caused by Quirks can be passed on to the next generation, even if the Quirk that causes the abnormality is not passed on; Fumikage Tokoyami has a bird-like head that has nothing to do with his Dark Shadow Quirk, Koji Koda has a jagged, rock-like head that has nothing to do with his Anivoice Quirk, and Mina Ashido has a pair of horns and eyes with black sclera that have nothing to do with her Acid Quirk.
There is also a possibility that two people with Quirks will have a Quirkless child, such was the case with Izuku Midoriya.
Quirk Marriage
Since Quirks are passed on from parent to child, some people had taken to marrying a partner based on their Quirk. This is what's known as a Quirk Marriage.
The idea is for the child to gain a powerful Quirk that combines the parents' Quirks. A popular example of this is Shoto Todoroki and his Quirk, Half-Cold Half-Hot which is a combination of his father's fire Quirk; Hellflame, and his mother, Rei Todoroki's unnamed ice Quirk. Powerful combinations, while possible, are not fully guaranteed however even from strong parents, seeing as Shoto was the only one of four siblings to have a powerful combination of the parental Quirks without experiencing downsides.
Due to the concept of creating children solely for the sake of experimenting with powers, Quirk Marriages were quickly deemed as unethical by society.[17]
Quirk Frequency
Some Quirks are very common, in that many people possess Quirks that fall in that particular classification. Known classifications of common Quirks include:
- Gigantification: Quirks that allow the user to increase the size of ones self.
Other Quirks are very rare, in that not many people possess Quirks of that nature. Known classifications of "Rare Quirks" include:
- Warping: Quirks that allow the user to teleport themselves, other people, and/or objects to a different location.
- Regeneration: Quirks that allow the user to heal from severe damage quickly.
Awakening
After initial Quirk manifestation, it is possible for the user to undergo an "Awakening". The right catalyst can cause Quirks to evolve on the spot.[18] This results in ones Quirk gaining a new level of strength and/or new aspects to its nature that were previously not possible.
Himiko discovers she can use another persons Quirk.
An example of this phenomenon is demonstrated when Himiko Toga's Quirk evolved, giving her the ability to use the Quirks of the people she transforms into, shown when she used Zero Gravity while she had taken the form of Ochaco Uraraka.[19] It is also said that Geten's Quirk evolved when Re-Destro burned himself, from solely the manipulation of ice to being also able to change its temperature.[20]
However, awakening Quirks is a very rare phenomenon, as the catalyst for it to occur requires the individual to experience intense feelings of stress, like that of a life-or-death situation.
Quirk Singularity
The next generation possessing stronger Quirks.
The theory of "Quirk Singularity" is a popular line of thinking that suggests that Quirks will continue to mix together and deepen, growing in both strength and complexity with every new generation. Eventually, Quirks will develop to a point where no one will be able to control them anymore.[21]
This idea was first theorized by Kyudai Garaki, who started to see early signs of this phenomenon among the fourth generation of Quirk users. However, with the exception of All For One, no one believed his theory, and he was ostracized from society as a result.[22]
This theory is first mentioned by Seiji Shishikura when Present Mic notes how the Masegaki Primary School students have very powerful Quirks and have much better control over them than he did at that age.
As mentioned by Present Mic, in the current era, this theory is viewed as fringe thinking, and is followed by some cultists.[23]
Quirk Restriction Laws
In an effort to preserve order in the superhuman society, there are several laws and procedures in place to ensure the conscientious use of Quirks. Public display of Quirks is against the law,[24] except in cases of self-defense, such as when one is under attack or preventing someone else from being attacked.[25]
During elementary school, children receive Quirk counseling in order to learn how to use their powers responsibly.[26]
Aspiring Pro Heroes undergo special education during their high school careers and receive licenses that give them the authority to use their Quirks freely.
Quirk Types
Quirks come in a very wide variety, as the name Quirk implies, they are unique to each individual. However, Quirks can be divided into categories based on what they do and how they function, known as Quirk Types. Some Quirks cause a permanent physical abnormality to the users body, known as Mutant-type. Some cause the users body undergo a temporary physical abnormality when the power is used, known as Transformation-type. Finally, some Quirks don't cause any abnormalities to the users physical body at all, known as Emitter-type.
Aside from the three Quirk Types, Quirks can also be categorized into sub-types. A Quirks can fall into a given sub-type regardless of what type it is. In other words, a given sub-type can be designated to Quirks of all three types, so long as the Quirks possess an aspect that fulfills the requirement to be considered as part of that sub-type.
Known Quirk Types
Emitter
Emitter (発動 Hatsudō?)-type (also called Operative)[27] Quirks are abilities that allow the user to generate and possibly control certain things, or alter existing things around them in certain ways. The emissions of Emitter-type Quirks can have a wide variety of properties and abilities.
Denki Kaminari emitting electricity.
Emitter-type Quirks, such as Brainwashing, Explosion, and Half-Cold Half-Hot usually require a conscious effort to activate, and some, such as Erasure, even require large amounts of concentration in order for them to remain active.
Emitter-type Quirks can also have various ranges. While some users require physical contact to use them, while others can have much longer ranges with no distance restrictions.
While most Emitter-type Quirk users generally have a handle on their own "emissions", it's also possible for users to hurt themselves from coming into too much contact with their Quirk. In the case of generating substances, making too much too fast or for too long can harm the user as they are using reserves from their own body, or gradually lose their natural resistance to their own harmful Quirk.
While some things produced by Emitter-type Quirks, such as the loud sound produced by Voice, have common properties, some are unique to the user, and thus have special properties, such as the ectoplasm produced by Clones. Those who alter the properties of things around them can also widely vary in effects, from molecular alteration to molecular destruction.
Some Emitter-type Quirks cause the user's body to take on a temporary alternation. While such Quirks would normally fall into the Transformation class, the difference is that these powers require the user to take in an outside resource in order for the Quirk to activate. Such Quirks are Sugar Rush, which requires the user to ingest sugar, and IQ, which requires the user to drink tea.
Emitter-type Quirks are, by a wide margin, the most common type of Quirk.
Transformation
Transformation (変形 Henkei?)-type (also called Composite)[27] Quirks are abilities that cause the user to take on a temporary alteration of some kind. Transformation-type Quirks allow the user to temporarily "transform" their body in a variety of manners, sometimes enhancing existing features, removing features, or adding new features to the body altogether.
Setsuna Tokage transforming her body into pieces.
Transformation-type Quirks usually require a conscious effort by the user to "activate", though most users can be trained to initiate them reflexively, depending on the conditions required for activation, and practice to initiate their Quirks with greater intent and precision, such as with Edgeshot and his Quirk; he's mastered it to a point where he can change in an instant.
Transformation-type Quirks usually require a close-range proximity in order to fully utilize them in combat due to them only affecting the user's body. While Transformation-type Quirks are often quite powerful, their biggest weakness is that their effects are often temporary, and over-exertion usually leads to negative repercussions on the user's behalf. Transformation Quirks can also be limited based on the user, how resilient their body is, and the resources they have available to them (Ex. Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu describes that his Steel Quirk softens if he doesn't consume enough Iron, and suffers from Iron Fatigue if he maintains it for too long). Some users condition their body in certain ways so that their Quirks can operate more effectively.
Transformation-type Quirks are the only known type of Quirk that can bestow the user attributes they do not normally exhibit by default. Because this type of Quirk combines the activation time and mutant-shape aspects of the other Quirk types, it is also often known as Hybrid or Composite.
Transformation-type Quirks generally affect the user exclusively, the only known exception being Seiji Shishikura's Meatball.
Transformation seems to be the least common type of Quirk.
Mutant
Mutant (異形 Igyō?)-type (also called Heteromorphic)[28] Quirks are abilities that cause the user a permanent "abnormality" directly related to their power. Mutant-type Quirks create bodily structures that grant the user more complex abilities that Emitter and Transformation Quirks cannot safely provide. Often times they will bestow prehensile appendages that the user can control or add structures to pre-existing limbs to enhance pre-existing abilities. Mutant-type Quirks even have the ability to channel certain aspects of their user through them in a similar manner to Emitter-type Quirks.
Mezo Shoji's mutation gives him extra arms that he can transform into other body parts.
Mutant-type Quirks are also the only known type of Quirk which can be passed down through generations without necessarily bestowing the corresponding ability, such as with Fumikage Tokoyami and his bird-like head that has nothing to do with his Dark Shadow, or Koji Koda's rock-like head which speaks nothing of his Anivoice Quirk. As a result of this, while it's uncertain how common mutant Quirks are, it can be safely assumed they are the most commonly inherited.
While not necessarily a weakness, Mutant-type Quirks cannot be turned off, and sometimes cause the user inconvenience due to their malformations. Such is the case with Mashirao Ojiro and his Tail Quirk, which makes it difficult for him to sit or lay down, as well as Mezo Shoji, whose Dupli-Arms Quirk makes it impossible for him to wear clothing with sleeves. Though because these Quirks are passively-active, they are partially immune to Quirk-disabling effects such as that of Shota Aizawa's Erasure Quirk. Since Mutant Quirks are passively active they are the most identifiable at a glance.
Known Quirk Sub-Types
Accumulation
Accumulation-type Quirk's are powers that, in order to function properly, require the user accumulate something ahead of time, such as power, energy, mass, or a particular resource. Some such Quirks are One For All, Stress, Rewind, and Fat Absorption.[29]
List of Quirks
List of Unnamed Quirks
| Quirk | Usage | User(s) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absorption and Release | 
|
Four-Eyed Nomu | Emitter |
| Air Wall | 
|
Unknown Former Hero |
Emitter |
| Attraction of Small Objects | 
|
Inko Midoriya | Emitter |
| Bullet Laser | 
|
Unknown Former Hero |
Emitter |
| Control Horn | 
|
Cow Cowboy | Mutant |
| Cremation | 
|
Dabi | Emitter |
| Fire Breath | 
|
Hisashi Midoriya | Emitter |
| Glass Manipulation | 
|
Starservant | Emitter |
| Hydra | 
|
Unknown Former Hero |
Emitter |
| Ice Manipulation | 
|
Geten | Emitter |
| Kinetic Booster | 
|
Unknown former user |
Emitter |
| Object Gigantification | 
|
Unknown Seijin student | Emitter |
| Paralysis | 
|
Habuko Mongoose | Emitter |
| Power Stockpiling | 
|
Unknown former user All For One (Formerly) |
Emitter |
| Quirk Transference |
|
Yoichi Shigaraki (Formerly) | Emitter |
| Sandstorm | 
|
Snatch | Transformation |
| Scanning | 
|
Unknown Former Hero |
Emitter |
| Sludge Form | 
|
Sludge Villain | Mutant |
| Smoke | 
|
Robber Villain | Emitter |
| Storage | 
|
Hood | Emitter |
| Strength Enhancer |
|
Unknown former user |
Emitter |
| Tongue Web | 
|
Four-Eyed Nomu | Transformation |
| Tool Arms | 
|
Chainsaw Nomu | Transformation |
List of Non-Canon Quirks
| Quirk | Usage | User(s) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Bear | 
|
Bearhead | Mutant |
| Chart | 
|
Kashiko Sekigai | Emitter |
| Cleaning |
|
Zookeeper | Emitter |
| Dust | 
|
Dusty Ash | Emitter |
| Eruption | 
|
Volcano | Emitter |
| Fan | 
|
Gust Boy | Mutant |
| Flash Bang Sweat | 
|
Dadan Tadan | Emitter |
| Whale | 
|
Curator | Transformation |
| Zombie Virus | 
|
Romero Fujimi | Emitter |
References
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 158.
- ↑ My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Manga: Chapter 12.
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 193.
- ↑ My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Manga: Chapter 12.
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 218 (p. 11).
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 1 (p. 4).
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 304 (p. 15), The previous users of One For All note that Izuku probably won't be able to find another Quirkless successor because the Quirkless population is decreasing.
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 1 (p. 19).
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 66 (p. 12).
- ↑ My Hero Academia: Two Heroes.
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Vol. 3, Omake
- ↑ My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Manga: Chapter 17.
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 287.
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 135.
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 304.
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 59 (p. 11).
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 301 (p. 7).
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 234 (p. 8).
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 227.
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 230.
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 166 (p. 6).
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 246.
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 270.
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 70 (p. 7).
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Vol. 9, Omake
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 22 (p. 4).
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 72.
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 14.
- ↑ My Hero Academia Manga: Chapter 217.
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