Essential Insights
- Hawks recognized Tokoyami’s untapped potential, leading to his mentorship.
- Through Hawks’ guidance, Tokoyami was inspired to realize his capabilities.
- Unintentionally, Hawks became a significant role model for Tokoyami.
Hawks has often appeared to harbor hidden agendas. Despite his claims of disinterest in cultivating the next wave of heroes, his influence proved pivotal for Tokoyami’s advancement in My Hero Academia.
Sharing a bird-like affinity, Hawks saw Tokoyami’s unfulfilled potential. Throughout the series, Tokoyami has strived to demonstrate his abilities to Hawks. So, what impact did Hawks have on Tokoyami, and why did Tokoyami feel compelled to showcase his talents?
The Encounter Between Tokoyami and Hawks
Synergy in Mentorship: Hawks’ Dual Objectives
Tokoyami Fumikage is a student at UA High School, part of Class 1-A in the hero training program. His unique appearance resembles that of a raven or crow, categorizing him as a heteromorph endowed with a mutant Quirk known as Dark Shadow. Tokoyami possesses an unconventional personality, often gravitating towards darker themes.
His initial meeting with Hawks took place during the Hero Agency Internships. Prior to this, UA High School held a Sports Festival where students had the opportunity to showcase their skills to catch the eyes of prestigious Hero Agencies. This event also served as a rigorous test of their abilities amid various challenges.
During the Sports Festival, Tokoyami showcased his Quirk, Dark Shadow, impressively. He was fortunate enough to partner with Midoriya Izuku in the Cavalry Battle, significantly boosting his visibility to leading Hero Agencies. His strong performance led him to secure a third-place finish, resulting in an avalanche of internship offers from multiple Hero Agencies, from which he chose Hawks’ agency.
Like many aspiring heroes, Tokoyami was thrilled at the prospect of interning under Hawks. However, the reality of interning at Hawks’ Agency was a stark contrast to his initial expectations, serving as a reality check for his abilities.
Despite his admiration for Hawks, Tokoyami struggled during the week-long internship, feeling overwhelmed and unable to fully keep pace with the demands of patrols, often relegated to cleaning duties alongside other sidekicks. This led to feelings of inadequacy, prompting Tokoyami to question Hawks about his choice to invite him to intern.
Even though Hawks harbored ulterior motives, he spotted the dormant potential within Tokoyami. There were three key motivations for his invitation: their shared avian nature, his interest in gathering intel on the League of Villains, and notably, his recognition of Tokoyami’s inherent promise.
The Influence of Hawks on Tokoyami
Growing Respect: Tokoyami’s Transformation from “Carrier Pigeon”
Unbeknownst to Hawks, the Hero Agency Internship ignited a newfound determination within Tokoyami, enhancing his respect for Hawks after he achieved the status of Number 2 Hero. The influence that Hawks exerted on Tokoyami motivated him to break through his limits, shedding the notion of wasted potential. Although Hawks originally focused on collecting intel about the League of Villains, he inadvertently inspired Tokoyami to reach for greater heights.
While Tokoyami has always been somewhat reserved and amiable, he possesses a strong competitive streak; his challenges during the internship fueled his frustration. He often found himself working as if he were a mere errand boy for Hawks, devoting time to cleaning up after encounters with villains.
Feeling as though he had learned very little from the initial internship, Tokoyami vowed to prove himself to Hawks. This determination caught Hawks’ attention as Tokoyami diligently worked on addressing his weaknesses, yet there remained an element that Tokoyami needed to grasp.
Though both embody a bird-like essence, Hawks effortlessly soared through the skies, whereas Tokoyami struggled with limitations that made him seem like a grounded bird. Hawks urged Tokoyami to broaden his perspective beyond his perceived capabilities, ultimately guiding him to unleash the full potential of Dark Shadow.
During these internships, Tokoyami’s respect for Hawks deepened. The latter’s influence led Tokoyami to feel a responsibility to uphold the reputation of the Number 2 Hero, further motivating him to hone his skills.
Initially, Tokoyami harbored doubts about Hawks’ intentions in selecting him for the internship. However, after the second round of mentorship, his feelings shifted to genuine care for Hawks. Simultaneously, as the narrative unfolds, Hawks began to appreciate Tokoyami, even referring to him as a hero on occasion.
This mutual respect illustrated Hawks’ confidence in Tokoyami’s abilities. Following the Paranormal Liberation War arc, Hawks recognized Tokoyami’s worth after the latter saved him from Dabi’s deadly intent. Ultimately, despite Hawks’ claims of disinterest in nurturing new heroes and his primary objective of seeking information, his influence transformed Tokoyami into a vital ally during the climactic battle against All For One, where Tokoyami’s prowess with Dark Shadow proved invaluable. While Hawks did not intend to be a mentor, he inadvertently became the source of inspiration that empowered Tokoyami to unlock his true potential.
My Hero Academia is available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
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