The 'My Hero Academia Ending Controversy' memes emerged following the final chapter of Kohei Horikoshi’s manga, which revealed that protagonist Izuku Midoriya loses his powers and becomes a teacher for eight years while his friends enjoy fame as pro heroes. The internet responded with a tidal wave of 'Wage Slave Deku' jokes, often portraying him as a fast-food worker or someone forgotten by his peers until All Might gifts him a mechanical suit. These memes highlight the fandom's divided reaction to the bittersweet conclusion, blending genuine disappointment with dark humor regarding Deku's transition from the world's greatest hero to a mundane civilian.