Is My Hero Academia’s final war over? Explained

Modified May 28, 2024 04:14 GMT

Is My Hero Academia’s final war over? Explained (Image via BONES)

As creator, author, and illustrator Kohei Horikoshi’s original manga series returns from break this week, the status of My Hero Academia’s final war is at the forefront of fans’ minds. While the battle has seemingly ended with the deaths of Tomura Shigaraki and All For One, it’s unclear whether or not the battle has ended all over Japan.

Moreover, protagonist Izuku “Deku” Midoriya’s currently Quirkless status and the questions surrounding his final conversation with Shigaraki are casting further doubt on the situation.

While My Hero Academia’s final war doesn’t necessarily need to end with Deku having a Quirk, it’s the ambiguity surrounding his and Shigaraki’s final interaction which has fans nervous.

More specifically, fans are nervous that My Hero Academia’s final war will be continued with one of the most universally disliked tropes in shonen anime and manga over the last few years. Although Horikoshi hasn’t quite set up this direction based on available information, it remains a possibility.

My Hero Academia’s final war is likely over pending a Demon Slayer-esque twist

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As of now, all available information suggests that My Hero Academia’s final war is indeed over.

Both All For One and Tomura Shigaraki were the last standing leaders in the villains’ side, meaning that even if there are some forces still fighting, they’re disorganized and of no major threat. Their deaths have also been seemingly confirmed by the latest issue, which saw Shigaraki give his goodbyes to Deku and, through the young boy, Spinner.

All For One also received something of a death resolution scene via a “reunion” with his brother Yoichi Shigaraki and the other vestiges of the One For All Quirk. Considering how conclusive each of these scenes seemed to be, fans can likely rest assured that the series’ final war is indeed over and done with.

Nevertheless, My Hero Academia’s final war could be furthered if Horikoshi chooses to make what could be a very controversial choice. One popular trope in anime and manga over recent years has been to see a series’ final villain “take over” the body of the protagonist or another character in a last-ditch effort to survive.

Horikoshi even teased this in the series’ latest release, which saw All For One attempt to do this with the body of Deku or anyone nearby.

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While the intervention of others prevented this, Deku and All For One/Shigaraki did make contact with each other in the process of the formermost’s final punch landing. That's how Shigaraki and Deku were able to have their conversation. However, this is also the necessary setup for the All For One Quirk to function, either by giving or taking a Quirk forcibly.

In other words, while fans may think Deku Quirkless currently, there is a chance that All For One was able to transfer his Quirk and consciousness into Deku’s body without the boy realizing. That would be due to him being too focused on his conversation with Shigaraki, which would make narrative sense since saving Shigaraki was a core goal of Deku’s.

In other words, on realizing that he failed to save him, it makes sense that Deku would be focused on this goodbye and not realize the Quirk transfer. Nevertheless, it simply doesn’t fit Horikoshi’s writing style, let alone the other “ending flags” the series has shown lately.

As a result, it seems all but certain that My Hero Academia’s final war is over, and the series itself is likewise rapidly approaching its end.