We Are Here…at the end.
It’s the end, Y’all. Or, at least, an end. Will we see a My Hero Academia sequel one day? A continuation of My Hero Vigilantes? More My Hero movies in the future? Maybe. But for now, we’ll focus on the end of this era. The end of My Hero Academia.
Let’s take the scenic route, shall we? I’d like to give my thoughts as I read through the chapter, touching upon anything and everything that comes to mind.
Nice color spread. The final time we’ll see all of Class 2-A drawn together in color, which explains why Aoyama is there along with a visible Hagakure.
Yep. There’s a time skip. Not much of a surprise. The only question was how far Kōhei Horikoshi would jump the story along. Another expected surprise is Kota becoming an U.A. student. But, look what we have here? The Mysterious Boy is also a student! I love it! This is the beginning of Horikoshi giving us a taste of what’s been going on without diving into details. He’s letting our imagination do the hard lifting, which is fine. Every single details doesn’t have to be explained. We can infer what happened or simply wait for those stories to be told one day. Welcome to the world of a time skip ending. You’ll get used to it, kid.
Izuku Midoriya’s a hero course teacher! I never really thought about Deku’s career path after losing One For All. Him becoming a teacher makes sense. It’s interesting that Deku is monologuing the lessons he learned at age seventeen. Didn’t he defeat All For One when he was sixteen? Hmm… An error, maybe?
Deku’s writing. Remember: The manga was always framed in a way where Deku’s talking about events like they had already happened. Looks like Horikoshi is bookending the series with us seeing Deku writing about the events he’s talked about since Chapter One.
Is that Melissa Shield from the first movie? It’s Deku’s class graduation! I really like this two-page spread of the events that happened between the last chapter up to graduation. Included there is the OFA ember going out. We don’t know when exactly it happens but it’s a safe bet to guess it was gone before Deku graduated. You can fit a couple movies easily in that time frame. Just sayin’, Horikoshi.
We get confirmation we’re eight years in the future. Hop on board for a trip down exposition memory lane. Mei Hatsume is a famous support item designer, nice to see. And lookie here. La Brava and Gentle are married with La Brava founding her own tech company! Very happy to see those three happily living their lives.
The Cyber War! Does Horikoshi have that story fully planned out in case he wants to tell it? Or, is it just a tongue-in-cheek reference to a huge past event like how Luke Skywalker mentioned the Clone Wars back in Star Wars: A New Hope?
Dai. From his kind demeanor to his huge anime eyes, he’s giving off major protagonist vibes. Could a future sequel be about him? We also get a mention the country is in a state of peace with crime down. Of course, the same was mostly true before Chapter One thanks to All Might practically stomping most crimes out.
We’ve seen Dai before?! I’d forgot about that scene. Was this planned from the start or did Horikoshi use the opportunity to use an established character instead of just creating a new one? Tentacole hasn’t skipped leg or protein shake day, I see. Are we supposed to know who Imamura is?
I absolutely love Uravity, Froppy, Creati, and Ingenium being a pro-hero team! And I also love Uraraka leading the charge for Quirk Counseling given her past with Himiko Toga. A fantastic direction to go with the character.
There’s no confirmation any Class A students hooked up. Good! Again, that story (if there is one) can be told at another time, but a reader is free leading toward whatever conclusion they want.
Hey! It’s Eri! And…she’s not wearing an U.A. uniform. She’s carrying an instrument. I guess she’s going to a music school or is at least in her school’s band. Good for her for following her dream.
I see Izawa’s showing his support for the LGBTQIA+ community by getting a lesbian haircut. More name drops. This time featuring characters like Bakugo, Shoto, Monoma, and Honenuki who are most likely ranked among the current top ten or twenty heroes on the Hero Billboard Chart with Togata implied as having the #1 spot. That’s fun info to know.
Deku and Eraser Head’s friendship as teachers is a fantastic evolution of their relationship. Still respectful but there’s a casual element thrown in signaling Eraser Head does indeed see Deku as his peer—albeit a more inexperienced one.
We’re starting to see more than just All Might’s statue at Kamino Ward. There’s one of Deku and his class. It’s safe to say every member of Deku’s class has found success in some way. Again, not surprising but great to see.
Dai meets Deku. Both are shown to be similar in personality. Dai also thinks he can’t be a hero like Deku once did. This is a good way of showing Deku being a teacher and mentor to those who came after him. It’s also a way to setup a possible sequel or miniseries starring Dai. Horikoshi even kept Dai’s quirk relatively vague. Sure, he uses the saucers from his hair but we never see it in action. And, like Deku said, there’s no limit what they can do with enough practice. That scene gave me Koichi Haimawari vibes from My Hero Vigilantes. His quirk was also weak at the start of the series but—given enough training and ingenuity—his Slide and Glide became one of the most amazing quirks in that series.
All Might’s statue has become one that features him as well as citizens. There really is an emphasis on everyone being a hero in some way, shape, or form. Simply being a kind person to someone in need can make you a hero. That’s a great message to give to your readers, Horikoshi.
Okay… Let’s talk about the first ending.
I really thought this was the end of the chapter and was fine with it. It was a little bittersweet because Deku does miss being a hero but that was fine since his sacrifice saved the world. It was also a bold choice closing the door on Deku ever becoming a hero again—especially since we’re living in a world where popular franchises refuse to die. Frankly, it was a bold choice to end the series like this and I applauded Horikoshi for doing so.
Well…it was all a fake out.
And guess what? I don’t hate this ending either.
It the technology aspect that saves it. My Hero Academia takes place in a future with advanced technology. With enough money and talented people backing them, there’s no reason a quirkless person can’t become a hero. The idea of only someone with a quirk being a hero always rubbed me the wrong way, so I’m fine with this sudden development. Plus, Mei Hatsume and Melissa Shield developed Deku’s hero tech suit so you know it’s gonna be pancake flippin’ good. And nice touch with Bakugo reaching his hand out to Deku.
The final two-page spread featuring everyone in Class A rushing to save the day. Love it! Something to note is Jiro’s left earphone jack didn’t grow back and we get confirmation Aoyama did indeed become a hero. So yeah, I loved this chapter. Sure, the bittersweet ending was great too, but I agree with All Might—Deku earned his happy ending and it’s very plausible given the high-tech world he lives in.
I’m grateful to Horikoshi for these last several chapters. We were allowed to get a slower, more engaging ending most series will never have. Now…whether or not Horikoshi ended it on his terms, I’m not entirely sure. Was the fake out ending his intention from the start or was the bittersweet ending his original plan but was persuaded by Shueisha to give the series a more open ending? Hmm… I guess only time will tell.
This was an excellent chapter to a great series! Yes, I don’t agree with the direction the manga went in its final arcs but that doesn’t dismiss my overall love for this series and its characters. If I don’t regret reading a series I call that a success and My Hero Academia is indeed a success. Thank you, Horikoshi-sensei for all of your hard work! And thank you fellow MHA fans for enjoying this wonderful series along with me!
And with that, let’s end it with one final PLUS ULTRA!!!
Fooled you!
This is the real review ending. And may I add that I’m annoyed Melissa gets a cameo but Skycrawler doesn’t. What the hell, Horikoshi?! But, that could mean we’re getting a My Hero Vigilantes sequel down the line. Yes! …What was that? You’re saying I’m delusional? Oh, please! You always say that! It’s called being hopeful. Look it up. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Horikoshi and I are gonna celebrate the end of My Hero Academia by eating pancakes for dinner. Gluten-free, of course. Bye!
Did you think that was the real ending? Mahahaha!
Erm…actually it was. Sorry. You don’t have to scroll down anymore. That’s it.
The secret word is CHEESE. Don't tell anyone.
Mammoth Base Opera Castle 
2 replies on “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes [My Hero Academia 430] [Finale]”
It’s crazy to think that Horikoshi once turned in Fanart for One Piece that was featured in like Volume 17, and here his manga is all these years later- ending BEFORE that same series. One Piece is closer to its ending than ever before, but that’s still just so crazy to think about.
This series has been…………….. a ride. For everything that I like about it- I can think of something in like the back half of the series that I DON’T. It has this…………. INSANE story potential- this vast amount of directions it could have gone in, complimented by all the paths it has to continue. That, plus the fact that that Team Up Missions side manga isn’t over yet, AND like you said there’s still space for 1 more movie(haven’t seen the 3rd movie- not really eager to. Might check out the 4th, though). It’s like……………. this series can be just about ANYTHING, and yet I half doubt that it’ll ever touch on those paths. At least- not with this cast, anyway.
I’m GENUINELY surprised he didn’t confirm ships in the end. I guess he didn’t want to run the risk of p!ssing off the fandom that thought every single character was gay. Seriously: This series will live on forever in its Yaoi/Yuri fanart. Confirming things like Jiro x Kaminari would p!ss off Jiro X Momo shippers, and vice versa. So……….. kind of glad he just decided not to touch that. Though not going through with Deku X Uraraka- after ALL THIS BUILD UP and people have problems with Deku’s role and speech in the Penultimate chapter- just sayin’- of all the ships- THAT ONE needed a conclusion.
I saw a thread about the problems with that seen: That Deku was making the situation more about himself and his relationship with her, rather than trying to talk about her problem. It boiled down to “I know you’re in pain ’cause someone died to save you, but you maybe wanna catch a movie Saturday night?” I don’t know if I’d go THAT FAR, but I’ll say that that scene might have been a little tone deaf. Deku DID just make the situation about himself and his feelings, ignoring Uraraka’s pain by just saying “You’re My Hero So It’s Fine.” Kind of COUNTER to what Izuku said in regards to comforting Ilda after the Stain fight. It’s that kind of thing that makes you wonder what happened to the writing of Deku; he feels less like a character and more like…………… just “The Main Character.” Like that’s all there is to him.
And I get it: This is a story about “How The World Changes The protagonist.” But does that mean stripping him of ANY characterization we got for him before hand and making him the mouthpiece of the story, spouting whatever his scenes are meant to convey?
The ending, though……………. Don’t know how I feel about it. On the one hand, I see all the positives you talked about. And- having sat on it for a minute- I don’t think I hate it. But it feels like something’s “missing;” like this was just “sequel bait” and not an ending to this story and its characters. We’re told about them in the 3rd person- not shown. I feel like we should have actually seen what they’re doing in person instead.
It was a ride getting here- ups and downs and all around the mulberry bush- but……………. I DO miss it. I DO still love this series; it will always hold a place in my life and my heart. Tomura Shigaraki is a Villain who’s name I will never forget for as long as I live. And I got to meet some pretty cool, people by talking about this series(yourself included). I’m gonna miss talking about this series regularly(even though my discussions of it became completely erratic at the end of it). Ah, but- the show will go on, with or without it. Farewell, Hero Academia. Rest Well, Horikoshi. And don’t be stupid, Deku.
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I’m fine with the non-shipping. I took it as Horikoshi could one day return to the series and wants to put potential couples on hold. Honestly, I don’t care about the shipping in this series at all. But I am annoyed at people making memes about Deku being a teacher like it’s a worthless job. Teaching at the best hero school in the country is bad? Get outta here with that!
As for the Deku and Uraraka scene: I don’t mind it. Or rather, I didn’t notice it (just the if-you’re-sad-talk-to-us-because-that’ll-fix-everything-talk). I just wish therapy existed in this world. Seriously, if you’re gonna go deep with mental issues, therapy should be a thing.
I’m not annoyed about the ending being partly (or mostly) sequel bait because I’d be more shocked if MHA doesn’t get another series. Heck, I WANT a sequel..to Vigilantes, so I can’t complain.
Thank you for the kind words. I always enjoyed reading your perspective on a chapter I’ve read. Keeps me humble that my opinion isn’t the only one, or even the best. And, yes the show will go on. [Thank goodness my blog isn’t called My Hero Opera Castle.]
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