Deku, whose real name is Izuku Midoriya, is the main character of the anime and manga My Hero Academia. Throughout the series, his age changes as he progresses from middle school to U.A. High School. Deku’s birthday is July 15, which helps identify his age at each major point in the story.
Deku is 14 years old at the start of the series, and he turns 15 shortly after entering U.A. As the story continues, he becomes 16 years old, which is his most commonly referenced age during major arcs.
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Izuku Midoriya |
| Known As | Deku |
| Date of Birth | July 15 |
| Age at Start of Series | 14 years old |
| Age During U.A. (Most of the Story) | 15–16 years old |
| Status | Student at U.A. High School |

How Deku’s Age Develops Throughout the Story
| Stage | Deku’s Age | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Entrance Exam | 14 | Quirkless but determined to become a hero |
| U.A. Entrance + Early Training | 15 | Gains One For All and begins pro-hero training |
| Internship / Hero Work-Studies | 16 | Fights stronger villains and improves abilities |
| Later Arcs | 16+ | Reaches new power levels within One For All |
Deku Age Timeline (From Childhood to Hero Training)
| Age Range | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 0–5 | Born July 15; diagnosed as quirkless |
| 6–10 | Develops admiration for All Might |
| 11–14 | Bullied for being quirkless but continues hero studies |
| 14 | Meets All Might and begins path to becoming a hero |
| 15 | Enters U.A. High School; inherits One For All |
| 16 | Major training arcs, battles, internships, and skill growth |
| 16+ | Continues becoming stronger as the successor of One For All |
FAQs
How old is Deku at the beginning of My Hero Academia?
Deku is 14 years old at the very start of the series.
How old is Deku when he joins U.A. High School?
He is 15 years old when he enters U.A.
What is Deku’s age in the most recent arcs?
Deku is 16 years old in the later story arcs.
When is Deku’s birthday?
His birthday is July 15.
Is Deku older than Bakugo?
No, Bakugo is slightly older than Deku.
Deku’s age progresses naturally throughout My Hero Academia. He begins the story at 14, enters U.A. at 15, and continues major hero training at 16. Understanding his age timeline helps fans follow his development from a quirkless boy into a powerful hero-in-training chosen to inherit One For All.