Hvem Er en Helt? Otherness, Heroisk Anerkendelse, og Repræsentation i My Hero Academia og X-Men
Translated title
Who Gets to Be a Hero? Otherness, Heroic Recognition, and Representation in My Hero Academia and X-Men
Author
Christensen, Kasper Valentin
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2026
Submitted on
2026-06-01
Pages
6422
Abstract
This thesis examines how superhero stories define who is seen as normal and who is treated as other (otherness). It compares two works: X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills and My Hero Academia. In X-Men, mutation acts as a marker that leads to exclusion, fear, and discrimination. In My Hero Academia, superpowers are widespread and accepted, yet they are still organized through systems of recognition and hierarchy, including institutions, media representation, and rules about who is considered a legitimate hero. Drawing on Edward Said’s ideas about Orientalism, otherness, and binary oppositions, and on Stuart Hall’s theory of representation and stereotyping, the project analyzes how otherness is created and sustained in both works. It also uses Peter Coogan’s model of the superhero (mission, power, identity) and Umberto Eco’s account of recurring genre conventions. The comparative analysis shows that neither story eliminates otherness or either/or pairings; instead, each uses them in different ways. X-Men builds otherness through exclusion, fear, and ideological conflict. My Hero Academia normalizes people with superpowers but regulates them through institutions, media, and definitions of legitimate heroism. The thesis argues that superhero narratives do more than reflect social ideas about difference; they also actively construct and negotiate them.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan superheltefortællinger definerer, hvem der opfattes som normal, og hvem der gøres til den Anden (andenhed). Det sammenligner to værker: X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills og My Hero Academia. I X-Men fungerer mutationer som et kendetegn, der fører til udelukkelse, frygt og diskrimination. I My Hero Academia er superkræfter udbredte og accepterede, men de er stadig ordnet gennem systemer for anerkendelse og hierarki, herunder institutioner, medierepræsentation og regler for, hvem der anses som en legitim helt. Med afsæt i Edward Saids idéer om orientalisme, andenhed og binære modsætningspar samt Stuart Halls teori om repræsentation og stereotyper analyserer projektet, hvordan andenhed skabes og opretholdes i begge værker. Det anvender også Peter Coogans model af superhelten (mission, kraft og identitet) og Umberto Ecos beskrivelse af tilbagevendende genrekonventioner. Den komparative analyse viser, at ingen af fortællingerne afskaffer andenhed eller enten/eller-par; de bruger dem hver på forskellige måder. X-Men bygger andenhed gennem udelukkelse, frygt og ideologisk konflikt. My Hero Academia normaliserer personer med superkræfter, men regulerer dem via institutioner, medier og definitioner af legitim heltestatus. Specialet argumenterer derfor, at superheltefortællinger ikke blot afspejler samfundets syn på forskellighed, men også aktivt er med til at skabe og forhandle det.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]