My Hero Academia: Analyzing the Missed Opportunities of the Meta Liberation Army

Essential Insights

With a membership exceeding 100,000 and cutting-edge technology, the Meta Liberation Army is formidable.
They aim to reshape society by enlisting individuals from diverse fields to broaden their influence.
Rather than confronting adversaries directly, they might sway public sentiments similar to characters like Stain or Dabi.

In the universe of My Hero Academia, various criminal organizations exist, with some solely intent on causing mayhem, like the League of Villains, and others slowly escalating their threat, such as the Shie Hassaikai. Yet, the most powerful faction is undeniably the Meta Liberation Army.

The Meta Liberation Army eclipses all other criminal entities in the series in terms of both sheer numbers and resources. However, despite holding such advantageous positions, they have yet to maximize their capabilities. Let’s explore how the Meta Liberation Army has utilized its strengths and what alternative strategies could have bolstered their mission.

Strengths of the Meta Liberation Army

Before delving into the missed opportunities, it’s essential to understand the core attributes that define the Meta Liberation Army. From its foundational motives to its current capabilities, here are the significant strengths of this powerful organization.

Massive Membership

The leadership of the Meta Liberation Army asserts they command an impressive 116,516 members across Japan, poised for action at any time. This group has infiltrated diverse professions, including everything from everyday workers to influential politicians, extending even to active pro heroes.

Here are notable figures within the upper echelons of the Meta Liberation Army:

Tomoyasu “Skeptic” Chikazoku: Executive Board Member of the prominent IT firm, Feel Good Inc.
Koku “Trumpet” Hanabata: Chief of the Hearts and Mind Party.
Chitose “Curious” Kizuki: Executive Director of Shoowaysha Publishing Company.
Rikiya “Re-Destro” Yotsubashi: Founder and CEO of Detnerat, a Hero Support Company.

Innovative Technology

My Hero Academia Meta Liberation Army - Re-Destro and Skeptic

The Meta Liberation Army’s reach extends into almost every sector of Japanese society, centering around a leading tech firm, Detnerat. This company specializes in creating lifestyle-enhancing devices that allow individuals to navigate their daily lives without the limitations posed by their quirks.

Having established a foothold in this sector, Detnerat seeks to penetrate the Hero Support Item market. However, many remain unaware that the company also markets its products on the black market. Their business strategy cleverly involves selling untested prototypes to villains for field data, refining these products, and then offering them to heroes, effectively profiting from both sides.

The Foundational Creed

The strength of the Meta Liberation Army lies not solely in its vast member base or advanced technology, but significantly derives from the ideologies established decades ago by Destro, the original architect of the Meta Liberation Army.

Destro’s life unfolded during a time when quirks were new, and individuals possessing them faced societal backlash. Dissatisfied with widespread prejudice, he championed the cause for individuals to possess and utilize their quirks freely and proudly.

This very principle remains a driving force for today’s Meta Liberation Army. They are not merely agents of chaos; their movement is underpinned by a noble pursuit that propels them forward.

Operations of the Meta Liberation Army in the Series

Having established their might, it’s time to examine how Re-Destro and the Meta Liberation Army utilize their formidable arsenal during the Meta Liberation Army narrative arc.

Gaining Control of a City

In pursuit of one of their questionable strategies, the Meta Liberation Army brings the League of Villains to Deika City, situated in Aichi Prefecture. Unbeknownst to the League, every resident, from housewives to local heroes, is affiliated with the Meta Liberation Army.

The precise method by which this organization managed to transform an entire city into a stronghold for its members remains a mystery. However, this undeniably showcases the Meta Liberation Army’s significant influence over society.

“Destro must be the one to lead this revolution, and your name has become too prominent. Your downfall will signal the resurgence of the Liberation Army.”

— Re-Destro, Chapter 223

Confrontation with the League of Villains

In spite of their overwhelming member count and control over vital sectors, the Meta Liberation Army makes several dubious choices during their arc. A particularly puzzling decision was their challenge to the League of Villains to an open conflict.

Given their recall of the entire city’s quirk-wielding populace, defeating the League of Villains should have been straightforward. However, the outcome contradicted expectations, as the League managed to defeat many of the Liberation Army’s followers. Chaos escalated when Gigantomachia appeared, and Shigaraki awakened his decay power, ultimately leading to the merger of the two factions into the Paranormal Liberation Front.

Strategic Errors: Following Stain’s Path

My Hero Academia Hero Killer Stain Preparing to Attack

Given the overarching goal of the Meta Liberation Army to fundamentally transform society, engaging in trivial skirmishes with rival factions like the League of Villains is counterproductive. Instead, they should focus on cultivating public support. They could achieve this by emulating approaches taken by Stain and Dabi. Let’s analyze Stain’s method first.

Trumpet: Crafting a Dedicated Following

My Hero Academia Meta Liberation Army Trumpet

Name	Koku Hanabata
Alias	Trumpet
Quirk	Incite
First Appearance	Episode 108

Upon Stain’s defeat, the media highlighted his ideology: only those heroes who genuinely act for altruistic reasons are worthy of the title, declaring All Might as the epitome of true heroism. This resonated with the public, leading to a movement inspired by his principles. The Meta Liberation Army could capitalize on this sentiment.

Given that the original Meta Liberation Army was founded on the desire for unrestricted quirk use without societal judgment, they can rally support resonating with this creed. Positioned as a significant party leader, Trumpet possesses the potential to gradually amass followers. A dedicated cult-like following could provide a solid base for advancing the Meta Liberation Army’s agenda.

Re-Destro: Instigating Chaos with Hero Technology

My Hero Academia Meta Liberation Army Re-Destro

Name	Rikiya Yotsubashi
Alias	Re-Destro
Quirk	Stress
First Appearance	Episode 108

In tumultuous situations, individuals are more receptive to new ideologies, especially when feeling threatened. Re-Destro can exploit this chaos through his technology firm. By covertly selling untested hero support items to petty criminals on the black market, he can gather valuable field data while facilitating criminal acts.

Once distribution data accumulates, they’ll launch reformulated products for public sale. By fostering an atmosphere of fear due to rampant crimes, people will be more inclined to turn to the Meta Liberation Army’s ideology, eagerly falling under the influence of Trumpet’s party.

Strategic Error: Emulating Dabi

If the strategy of fostering a loyal following while sowing chaos via technology seems like a challenging path for an organization of this magnitude, the Meta Liberation Army could alternatively take inspiration from Dabi’s tactics.

Toward the end of the Paranormal Liberation War, Dabi released a revealing video detailing his traumatic past, which instantly tarnished Endeavor’s reputation and triggered widespread skepticism regarding heroes. Such extraordinary influence emanated from a single video. With their resources and expertise, the Meta Liberation Army could easily replicate this success.

Curious: Crafting Public Perception Through Journalism

My Hero Academia Meta Liberation Army Curious

Name	Chitose Kizuki
Alias	Curious
Quirk	Landmine
First Appearance	Episode 108

Much like Skeptic, Curious’s true power lies beyond her quirk; it’s her masterful expertise in journalism that poses a significant threat. She possesses the ability to meticulously investigate any story that catches her interest and craft narratives that sway public perception toward her intended conclusions.

With the right resources and influence, Curious could expose dark stories regarding renowned heroes, thus causing uproar and skepticism among the public. As the head of one of the largest publishing firms in the nation, she can exert considerable control over narratives, swaying public opinion as she pleases.

Skeptic: Distributing Inflammatory Information

My Hero Academia Meta Liberation Army Skeptic

Name	Tomoyasu Chikazoku
Alias	Skeptic
Quirk	Anthropomorph
First Appearance	Episode 108

Skeptic significantly aided Dabi in disseminating his revealing video throughout the nation. This seemingly unassuming character possesses profound technical acumen, making him adept at hacking, uncovering secrets, and even modifying controversial content.

His capabilities can empower Curious to expose vital information; whether it be revealing the hidden truths behind heroes or uncovering villains’ dark pasts, Skeptic can orchestrate extensive exposés that disrupt societal trust in familiar figures. With careful execution, the Meta Liberation Army can situate itself as the protector of the disillusioned public.

So which strategy should Re-Destro and his organization pursue? Both approaches present merit, and leveraging their combined skills could prove maximally effective. Had they chosen to implement these tactics, the Meta Liberation Army could have dominated the nation with ease. Instead, they opted for all-out war against the League of Villains, ultimately sacrificing key leaders in the process. Such squandered potential!

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