A ten-year journey has come to its end. Another juggernaut shonen series has reached its epilogue, and our hearts ache knowing this may be the last time we see these beloved characters and their stories unfold. Kohei Horikoshi graced the pages of Shonen Jump in 2014, taking up the mantle just as Naruto was concluding that very year.
So much has gone into this series over the past decade, and today, I’d like to discuss its conclusion and share final thoughts on the series as a whole. **SPOILERS AHEAD FOR MY HERO ACADEMIA CHAPTER 430**
The beginning and the end
The chapter starts with a familiar narration from Deku as he reflects on the events that happened years ago. It is revealed that as time passed after the war, as the students and society slowly began to settle and the terror that Shigaraki and All for One faded so did the embers of All for One. The power passed down from wielder to wielder had finally fulfilled its purpose and in a sense was no longer needed.
We then cut to 8 years later with a class of underclassmen discussing their career goals as they prepare to begin high school. It’s clear how much has changed since years prior as more and more students are choosing to pursue careers outside of becoming pro heroes.
After the events of the war, the number of villains and occurrences of violent crimes had dwindled to the point that the need for heroes had waned as well. Reducing the need for heroes and making the path to becoming a pro hero stricter.
In this class of budding young people a familiar character is seen. Dai, the young boy from chapter 258, who was entering as a first year is now getting ready for high school. He is mocked and ridiculed, similar to the reaction Deku got when it’s revealed that he wishes to pursue the pro hero route.
From there we get to see more of the fates of the students of 1-A, notably the community efforts sparked by Tentacole for the heteromorphs. Also Uravity an
d her initiative to increase available quirk counseling, no doubt to avoid cases like Toga that could have been avoided if given more support.
Deku, now quirkless once again, has become a teacher at UA, sharing his vast knowledge and experience with the next generation.
Izawa enters to share the recent hero polls as unsurprisingly Bakugo has been dropping in popularity due to his temper. Shoto, on the other hand, has really come into his own and is even poised to hit top rank in no time – finally escaping the shadow of Endeavor. Aizawa can see Deku is happy for his friends but wonders if he misses being in the action.
As Deku is making his way to campus he encounters young Dai at the spot where the bronze statue of All Might stands. Dai, struggling with self-doubt, is amazed to see the hero who saved the world. This scene mirrors the events of Chapter 1 where Deku asks All Might if he could ever be a hero.
In true Deku fashion, he begins to analyze Dai’s quirk muttering to himself aloud freaking out the people around him as usual. Bluntly telling Dai that you are on the right track and as long as you are always willing to lend a helping hand you too can be a hero. Words of encouragement just like what he received all those years ago.
Deku narrates that although he can’t experience a life of heroism and adventure with his friends this story is still ending with all of them attaining their goal of becoming real heroes.
All Might cuts in abruptly stopping Deku in his tracks to present him with a gift. Spearhead by Bakugo and all of his classmates was a suit specially made for him – All Might exclaiming that “you’ve earned this power fair and square”
Cutting to a truly powerful panel of Bakugo holding out his hand to Deku. Showing how much their relationship has developed throughout this series.
We finally get to see a full panel spread of class 1-A all grown up and jumping into the fray once again together.
This closing scene was definitely a tear-jerker. After all, Deku has gone through to grow and develop into a great hero having him receive a suit that would allow him to to continue being a hero felt right to me. It didn’t trounce on the poetic full circle moment of Deku ending up quirkless, just as he started.
What’s next
The movie My Hero Academia “You’re Next” has hit Japan and is scheduled to release worldwide in October, which seems to be dropping on the heels of the ending of season 7. Fans of the series are eating while they mourn the end of the series.
There has been speculation of a spin-off series or maybe even an anime adaptation of one of the many, already serialized, series. But we wait with bated breath to see what Horikoshi will do next.
Final thoughts from the fans
“With the end of this series, we have some staff and Mangaka alike within Saturday AM wanting to share their final goodbyes to the series:
I stayed with My Hero Academia until the end. Ever since the “beginning of the end” scene, I thought that the series would ramp up into a better major problem, but I would say that the last 20 or so chapters were a sped up slope to the end.
As a fellow artist trying to make a manga myself, I understand forming a story is difficult, and endings seem to ask for major attention. I seemed like Class 1A as a whole was treated as one character at the end, and individuality was very brief. I had expected more chapters showing many more scenes of the class at battle with All for One the quirk before Deku hits Shigaraki.”
– Frank Simmonds
“I’ve been following the series since 2014. It’s a unique feeling to watch a series I’ve followed from the beginning come to an end. I hope that Horikoshi-sensei gets plenty of rest after working on the series weekly for 10 years, because he deserves it.”
– Erick Pedrucci
“(Honestly, I wish I could fully celebrate the ending of MHA along with everybody else, but I’m kinda gutted for what happend to Whyt rn. I’m just hoping he doesn’t lose all his work 😓) Congrats to Hirokoshi though. Hats off to the man and to his assistants who created an amazing series. Will always be a favorite of mine.”
– Jackie Star
“MHA is one of the few series that I followed from beginning to end. Happy to see how this series turned out and I’m happy Horikoshi can get some rest.”
– Goeffrey Jean-Louis
Closing words
With a ten year adventure coming to a close and fans feeling that familiar empty void for when a beloved series leaves its final mark. We can sit and appreciate this series for what it was, flaws in all. And we thank you Horikoshi for sharing this incredible story and these quirky characters that you’ve drawn that have really taken a life of their own. You’re OUR HERO Kohei Horikoshi and we can’t wait to see what you do next.
With the final conclusion of the series realized, what did you all think? Or what was your favorite moment from the series? Let us know in the comments below!
