My Hero Academia chapter 421: Class 1-A and Pro heroes come together to bring Deku back into the fight against AFO

My Hero Academia chapter 421 was officially released earlier this weekend, bringing with it the much-anticipated continuation of the alleged final arc of author and illustrator Kohei Horikoshi’s original manga series. While fans were unsure of what to expect next, they looked forward to a grand fight beginning and the arrival of additional Class 1-A students.

Fans were right on both points, with My Hero Academia chapter 421 seeing Deku receive additional backup in the form of his classmates and other adult Pro Heroes. The issue also ends in an exciting fashion, seemingly teasing what will be Deku’s final act as a Pro Hero and “user” of the One For All Quirk.

My Hero Academia chapter 421 sees Deku pull an All-Might-in-Kamino with the final embers of One For All

My Hero Academia chapter 421: Class 1-A, assemble

Class 1-A comes to Deku's rescue in My Hero Academia chapter 421 (Image via BONES)

My Hero Academia chapter 421 began with the Class 1-A students all discussing their reasons for coming. This included Eiijiro Kirishima, Mezo Shoji, Koji Koda, Mina Ashido, Momo Yaoyorozu, Denki Kaminari, Tsuyu Asui, Kyouka Jiro, and Minoru Mineta. Yuga Aoyama was also present but didn’t say anything, instead staring down All For One.

They all then say “we are here” in a double spread very reminiscent of the “Avengers, assemble” scene from the Endgame film. All For One stared at them briefly before calling them “soon-to-be corpses,” adding that when he heard Yoichi and One For All being shattered to pieces, his world lost its colors.

My Hero Academia chapter 421 then sees him say he understands now that tragedies are what make people stronger, asking him if he agrees. As he says this, his arms mutate into massive, spear-like appendages which utilize various Quirks. Hanta Sero then speaks up, stating that he disagrees because what motivates his relatively stable life in the face of tragedy is not to fall behind in terms of skills.

Endeavor continues to fulfill his duties as No. 1 hero in My Hero Academia chapter 421 (Image via BONES)

Sero then remembers someone he saw once who was going through a hard time, saying he’d prefer if sad things just ceased to exist altogether as he begins using his Quirk. As this happens, Endeavor and Shoto Todoroki appear on either side of All For One, launching simultaneous Flashfire Fists on him. A brief flashback sees the two being encouraged by their family to fight, explaining why they’re here now.

My Hero Academia chapter 421 then sees Sero pull Endeavor and Shoto out of the way, while Present Mic appears with several other Pro Heroes. He then shouts out that this is their final big mission, prompting everyone to rush at All For One as he comments on how sad it is that he feels nothing in front of so many wounded heroes.

He adds that without All Might, they’re nothing but scraps to him. As he says this, Thirteen appears behind him and uses her Black Hole Quirk, while Gang Orca attacks him from the other side. However, an unconcerned All For One uses a move called clean sweep, swiping all of the Pro Heroes in his immediate vicinity aside.

My Hero Academia chapter 421: Embers to a flame

Expand Tweet

My Hero Academia chapter 421 sees the Pro Heroes say that they need to stay together and fight as one to block All For One’s attacks, as Deku tries standing and rejoining the fight. However, he immediately falls back down, prompting Aizawa to remind him that since Rewind only brought him back to right before he lost his arms, he still has all the damage he accumulated.

Aizawa asks him how long he’s been at it now, but Deku ignores this, saying he threw away One For All. He then elaborates that like with what happened to All Might, One For All ingrained itself in him and has left him some embers which haven’t gone out. Aizawa then gives Deku some medicine and bandages, as well as an All Might shirt which Deku hilariously recognizes and begins nerding out about.

My Hero Academia chapter 421 then sees Aoyama appear beside Deku, telling him to run with him and saying that he needs their power as much as they need his. Deku remembers offering his own hand to Aoyama and clearly gets emotional at this. Focus then shifts to the shelter, where citizens including Eri and Kota are cheering for Deku and the others.

Gran Torino is even seen calling Midoriya “Deku” from his hospital bed as he watches the fight. The issue then ends with Deku standing and running as everyone tells him to do his best, setting up what’s likely his final attack with One For All ever.

My Hero Academia chapter 421: In summation

Expand Tweet

Despite feeling short, My Hero Academia chapter 421 is in reality a fairly dense chapter which does a good job of setting up the final moments of the long fight against All For One. While it’s possible that the fight could be extended beyond the immediate future, this seems unlikely considering Deku is already using the embers of One For All which remain within him.

Unfortunately, fans will be waiting quite some time to see exactly what happens next, with Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine going on break for Golden Week following its latest release. This means fans will see Deku and co return in chapter 422, set to officially release on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 12AM Japanese Standard Time.