Deku did save Shigaraki in the end, and My Hero Academia fans just don't realize it

Modified May 28, 2024 07:30 GMT

Deku did save Shigaraki in the end, and My Hero Academia fans just don't realize it (Image via Bones)

My Hero Academia chapter 423 was released on May 20, 2024, and the chapter saw the demise of All for One and Tomura Shigaraki after the latter helped the protagonist defeat the former for good.

The chapter also indicated that the end of the manga series is around the corner considering how two of the central antagonists bite the dust in this episode. But the chapter also left a bad taste in the mouth of some fans who wanted Shigaraki to live after getting redemption, which led to these fans stating that Deku wasn't able to save the Shigaraki

However, the reality could differ as saving Shigaraki wasn't possible and the only way to 'save' him was to free him from being a puppet of All for One. As Shigaraki died, his ideals remained the same, but he died as Shigaraki, and not as a puppet to an absolute evil, which was due to Deku's help when he transferred the last embers of One for All to Shigaraki.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from the My Hero Academia manga series and has the author's opinion.

Exploring how Deku saved Shigaraki in My Hero Academia chapter 423

All for One as seen in the anime (Image via Bones)

My Hero Academia chapter 423 commenced with the despair of All for One as he admitted that the united Class 1-A was capable enough to overpower him. As he said this, Midoriya reached the villain with a punch and landed it, causing TomurAFO's body to start crumbling.

But the villain didn't give up and resorted to another plan, which was to transfer all quirks to Midoirya and be reborn inside the protagonist. As he tried reaching Midoriya, Kurogiri interrupted and demanded Shigaraki's body back as his friends were waiting for him.

On the other hand, Deku didn't stop as Bakugo arrived out of nowhere and pushed him. As Deku reached TomurAFO, he transferred the remaining embers of One for All to the villain. After hearing Yoichi's voice, All for One got desperate, but the former was about to disappear, and as he was about to vanish, he declared that All for One was about to be punished for his sins.

Shigaraki as seen in the anime (Image via Bones)

Just as he said this, the One for All vestiges, and Shigaraki emerged from the shadows and punched All for One, thus marking the end of the villain. Deku also touched Shigaraki and after a brief exchange of dialogues, the latter's body crumbled away.

A few chapters before, when All for One returned as a vestige inside Shigaraki's consciousness, it was revealed how the central antagonist manipulated Shigaraki's life even before he was born. Moreover, this continued to All for One controlling Shigaraki's body and manifesting his consciousness inside him, thus creating TomurAFO.

Deku (left) and Shigaraki (right) (Image via Shueisha)

At one point, Shigaraki started to hate All for One as he kept manipulating him to things he didn't even want to. But the suffering of Shigaraki ended a few moments before he died.

After Deku released the remaining embers of One for All, it freed Shigaraki from the control of All for One. This prompted Shigaraki to help Deku end All for One. If Shigaraki had lived after the demise of All for One, it would been unfair to the countless heroes he murdered. But Deku did save Shigaraki from the clutches of All for One which helped Shigaraki retain his identity before his body crumbled.

Final thoughts

Shigaraki's words to Nana Shimura (Image via Shueisha)

Not only Deku, Nana Shimura also played a main role in saving Shigaraki after he was devoured by the All for One's vestige. She didn't let him get lost in the darkness and Shigaraki, for the very first time, referred to Nana Shimura as grandma.

The next few chapters would make or break the series as Kohei Horikoshi has to make a decision that would resonate with every fan's feelings. The next chapter could likely see Deku mourning over how he wasn't able to save Shigaraki before he died, which is a 'Deku' thing to do, but nothing can be said about the climax of My Hero Academia.

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Edited by Tiasha