My Hero Academia by Kohei Horikoshi is one of the most influential manga series in the shonen genre. First appearing in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump in 2014, it has maintained a successful run for a decade, concluding with chapter 430.
Although the final chapter was officially published on August 4, we have already known the ending of the manga through various leaks. Despite the extended conclusion over six chapters, My Hero Academia still leaves many questions unanswered, including whether Deku will become the number one hero or not. That is the issue that the entire narrative revolves around. Fortunately, the conclusion has satisfactorily resolved this dilemma.
Analysis of the Ending of My Hero Academia
The final arc of My Hero Academia takes place after an eight-year time skip, revealing that Deku has lost the One For All Quirk permanently. He is now a teacher at UA High School. However, he eventually becomes a professional hero equipped with high-tech gear and support equipment.
Chapter 430 starts with Deku recalling his inner thoughts, as seen at the beginning of the series: “Anyone can become a hero.” The significance of this statement is highlighted when we learn that he no longer possesses his Quirk, as the power of One For All has been extinguished for some time.
Moreover, other students from Class 1-A have all become professional heroes. Due to conflicting schedules, they rarely meet each other. However, Deku remains close to All Might and Aizawa.
Aside from Deku’s future, chapter 430 also introduces another character: Dai, who also aspires to become a hero despite not being highly regarded due to his Quirk (which allows him to shoot out hair strands). Dai recalls that when he was younger, everyone wanted to become a hero like All Might, Endeavor, Deku, and Dynamight.
The final chapter illustrates the contrasting paths of Dai and Deku. This time, instead of All Might, the main character Deku realizes that Dai has the potential to become a hero, even without a strong Quirk, because he truly desires to serve others.
Deku then meets All Might, who has bestowed upon him various high-tech support items. Thanks to these innovations, Deku eventually becomes a Pro Hero, even without One For All.
Additionally, we also see Kota and Eri in the final chapter. Kota is now a student at UA, while Eri is attending a regular school and participating in a music club.
Is Deku not the number one hero in My Hero Academia?
While Deku cannot fulfill his dream of becoming the number one hero, there is another opportunity for him to achieve this in the final chapter. Utilizing various support items, he finally manages to become a professional hero.
In chapter 430, All Might reveals that the support items were created by Mei Hatsume and her friend (who is known as Melissa Shield from the first My Hero Academia movie). Furthermore, these innovations were supported by the students of Class 1-A, with Bakugo being the most involved.
While Deku is shocked, the Symbol of Peace says: “Remember this, kid. This is also the power you have achieved, justice and truth!”
All Might’s final words have deeply inspired Deku. In the closing frames of the chapter, we see Bakugo reaching out towards Deku, urging him to join the other heroes of Class 1-A as they embark on a new mission together.
What will happen next for Class 1-A?
The remaining students of Class 1-A all become professional heroes. Each member of the class, except for Deku, manages to achieve their dream of becoming heroes. Ochako, Iida, Tsuyu, and Momo have formed a hero team. In the final chapter of My Hero Academia, they travel to various locations across the country.
We also see that due to the lower crime rates, the heroes have expanded their roles in society. Instead of just fighting villains and fulfilling missions, they focus on other aspects. For example, Ochako’s ‘Rescue Mission’ Quirk.
Shoji is also taking on a very important role. In chapter 430, he is awarded for his efforts in reducing evil influences associated with his Quirk. We see Koda cheerfully giving him a thumbs up.
As for Shoto and Bakugo, they remain among the top heroes. However, Bakugo’s attitude remains as explosive as ever, often yelling at anyone who dares to capture his image. This tendency has led to his popularity declining.
In contrast, Shoto is developing strongly. He always works hard and is well-liked by others. Despite his aloof nature, he gets along very well with his peers and is greatly appreciated. Deku mentions that he will surpass Mt. Lady and Kamui Woods, competing with Mirio, who is currently the number one hero.
Beyond Class 1-A, Shinso, Honenuki, and Monoma are also professional heroes. Aoyama has also been working hard to become a hero just like his classmates.
What comes next for My Hero Academia?
As of now, we still do not know what will happen next with My Hero Academia. The manga has announced a special event on August 5, 2024, one day after chapter 430 was officially published. Fans hope this will be an announcement regarding the anime adaptation of My Hero Academia: Vigilante, a spin-off manga.
Others speculate that this could be confirmation for the next installment of the anime series. But at this point, nothing is certain.
