Category: Manga

He’s a complex person, sure. But, not good.

Ran across a YouTube video praising Endeavor, the current number one hero, for reaching out to Toshinori on how to become the new symbol of peace. While I do agree Endeavor even approaching him is admirable, I can’t agree with the video’s other points, mainly trying to excuse Endeavor’s previous bad behavior.

Endeavor, physically and emotionally, abused his wife to the point she threw boiling water on her child. That is horrible. Of course, both parents are responsible, but the wife’s actions is a direct response to the harsh treatment done to her by her husband. I get people love redemption characters, but trying to downplay Endeavor’s treatment of his wife and child just because you’re starting the like the character is wrong. If you must judge someone, do it based on their life as a whole, don’t cherry pick or hand wave the bad parts because a character reached an epiphany he may not be the greatest person in the universe.

I personally love where Endeavor’s character is going. I hope he becomes worthy of the number one hero title, but the guy has a LONG way to go on the path of redemption. A heart-to-heart with Toshinori only puts him at the starting line. But, if anyone can give Endeavor the kick in the butt he needs to become truly great it’s Toshinori.

Also, it’ll have more impact when he’s killed. Oh! Did I say that out loud? From my lips to Hirokoshi’s pencil.

Camie, are you Toga?
So, Camie are you Toga?
Are you Toga, Camie?
You’ve been stabbed by
You’ve been stabbed by
A smooth criminal

Two big questions about chapter 163: Is that the real Camie? And where is Tokoyami? Let’s start with Camie.

I think that’s Toga in disguise. Why? Because her reintroduction is too normal. Up until this chapter most readers would put money on Camie being dead and here she casually reappears ready to retake the Hero Provisional Exam. Sorry, I mean TAKE the exam. Toga impersonated her last time. I don’t think a hero candidate worth their sea salt would think someone else completing half an exam under your identity is fair. Also, if she escaped or was saved from Toga, the school would most likely know and ask her to retake the full exam. So, unless the real Camie is a scummy, that is Toga.

But, why is Toga still impersonating Camie, redgeek? I don’t know. Maybe she was asked to go to a hero school by Shigaraki. Sure, it could be her idea, but I don’t think so now. Back when she first messed with Deku I did, assuming crazy Toga was just being crazy. Now, I think the villains are planning something. We still don’t know how much time she has left in Deku’s form. Maybe…the villains are after All Might. Or, maybe it’s something bigger than that. These days I’m not underestimating Shigaraki. This dude got something planned.

But, what about the heroes? Deku figured out the link between Toga and Camie during the Overhaul arc. I know a lot happened, but no way our tactical, always thinking Deku somehow forgot about that. Yet, it wasn’t touched on at all after the fact. I think there’s some off-panel shenanigans going on. Deku told the authorities and they set a trap for Toga. Endeavor IS on assignment. The new number one is hunting for League members and is hoping Toga will lead him to the biggest fish, Shigaraki!

Well, Deku saved Eri and defeated Overhaul but Sir Nighteye’s predicted death came true. Nighteye theorized Deku was the focal point of the hope/will to succeed from everyone, allowing him to reject his awful future.

I don’t agree.
Well, I don’t WANT to agree. It’s a bit cheezy. The whole friendship=energy (power) trope is standard in shounen, but I want a more realistic answer. So, I’ll say yes, it was the power of friendship, BUT it wasn’t some best friend spirit bomb, it was Eri. Eri was the trigger, she saved the day. The moment Eri decided to fight for her freedom (thanks to Mirio’s encouragement) changed HER future. If that’s true, Deku was only a tool Eri used to change that future. Luckily, Deku benefited from her actions as a result.

What does this all mean?

Deku doesn’t have the power to change the future on his own.
For Toshinori to survive, it will take more than his protege. But, who is powerful enough to help Deku? No clue. Either Deku will have to become powerful enough to change fate or his allies will all have to band together to save the former number one hero. And we’re talking Eri’s uber quirk levels of power, yikes! All hands on board to survive that storm.

So, we have the ticking time clock of Toshinori’s approaching death, and a possible way to avoid it. How does it play out? If changing the future boils down to choices, could All Might choose to die? If his last feat of heroism is sacrificing his life, no one can stop it. And from a meta perspective, there isn’t much left for Toshinori to do. Telling Deku how he inherited One For All and his relationship with Nana Shimura, including her connection with Shigaraki, via flashback is pretty much all that’s left. And even most of that can be explained by Gran Torino.

Deku is getting a personal tragedy eventually. Toshinori, Inko Midoriya, Gran Torino, someone close to him will die. In my opinion, it’s gonna be Toshinori, but I won’t count Gran Torino out either. Hirokoshi loves Star Wars and if old man Gran T. is the Yoda of the series, Toshinori is the Obi-Wan Kenobi. Hmm… All I can say is a mentor surviving a shounen series to the end is rare. Two surviving? Not happening. Plus, we can’t forget Toshinori, the symbol of good, has to die for the Villain Alliance to truly change the world.

My money is on Toshinori willingly dying to protect Deku and/or the world. Shigarki will do the deed or be indirectly responsible, cementing Deku VS Shigariki’s rivalry equaling that of All Might VS All For One. Toshinori’s clock is indeed ticking down folks. And just like losing his powers, he’s going out like a hero.