This is great; before the topic of 'heroes' became recognized as an important part of Index discussion, the only thing people ever seriously talk about Touma were speculations on Imagine Breaker- few people actually analysed him and his actions.
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Originally Posted by NightGale
Try thinking about it like this: What is a hero? what is a main character? isn´t a main character the hero of his own story?
There are many types of heroes: everyday hero, anti-hero, useless hero, unexpected hero, dark hero, valiant hero, a not so heroic hero, true hero... Ultimately, a "Hero" is no more than someone who by his own will (even if moved by circumstances, in the end he is the one that chooses what to do and how to do so...), stands up and fights to protect and realize his convictions... but even that, is not something so over the top: a single mother that raises her children all the way to the university, a working man that everyday brings food to the table for his family, a doctor that helps a patient walk once more... all of those are "everyday´s heroes", it just happens that most of us are being deluded by the most common type of hero : "The Epic Hero", you know the one that slays dragons, saves damsels in distress, fights gods and conquers the world... ; hell, Kamachi is a hero that dispels writer´s blocks and bring us more and more of the amazing world of Toaru,xD.
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Interestingly, there's a topic on the AS-Forum's General Chat that discusses the concept of a hero.
In any case, Kamachi's view of a hero is one that is decisive and never be distracted from minor issues, He would never see himself as anything great, and he's the one that would finish the job.
But more importantly; as a hero, nobody really cares if you defeated the big bad boss or save the Planet from destruction or even if you brought about World peace. In Anime the most heroic deed any male character can do is to rescue the girl... Preferably from being sacrificed... Or a wedding... Either way works.
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Originally Posted by NightGale
Now in Touma´s case (I will refer to the Touma before of the memory wipe as "the first" and after memory wipe as "the second"), the first Touma, just like you said is reluctant to do so but in the end by his won will he accepts his role as the main character in stage to save Index, isn´t this someone who accepts his role as a hero? ...the second Touma on the other hand, time and time again denies others view of him as a hero, he even goes as far as saying that he "fights for himself" and deny the need of heroes, you don´t need special reasons to do what you yourself truly want to do ...In fact this is quite a "heroic mindset", but the main point is the difference in values: the first recognizes his role as a hero and though with reluctance, he embraces it; the second on the other hand, sees no need of heroes, he just does whatever he himself feels is the best to protect what is important to him (sounds similar but theres a definite difference).
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The thing about Touma is that he is a 'weak' hero; to be exact he doesn't have a strong power like many other shounen heroes. For powerful characters, there's nothing particularly impressive when they stand against a powerful foe because well, you expect them to be able to do it. There's nothing heroic because it's normal for such characters. But that's not the case for Touma and yet he never complaints or back out.
Of course now we know that there's something else in him, but that doesn't change anything imo because what the Author is getting at is that Touma's character is not defined by the power he wields. I don't know why it has taken me so long to realized this; if Touma was only able to do what he does because he had Imagine Breaker, then in situations where Imagine Breaker is useless, he wouldn't be able to do what he does- But that's not the case isn't it? Time and time again he proves that even if he can't use his power, he's still going to do what needs to be do. And that's something more heroic than a powerful character that can defeat armies.
Kamachi tried to instill the same values into Mikoto, as we have seen with Railgun, but he has never given her a chance to back up her words. She has never been in a dangerous situation where she is only a 'normal' girl... And succeed even without her powers.
But Touma isn't a perfect hero... Not yet at least... Because Kamachi has forgotten the basic rule and that is every Hero needs a perfect Villain; Someone who is his mirror opposite, the ideal foil, the one that matches him in every way and for god sake won't become his friend or rival
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