My Hero Academia chapter 428: Uraraka's pain comes to light as Toga's fate starts to be revealed

My Hero Academia chapter 428 was highly anticipated by a large portion of the series’ fanbase for its expected focus on the conclusion to Ochako Uraraka and Himiko Toga’s storyline. Officially released earlier this weekend, the latest installment by author and illustrator Kohei Horikoshi did indeed touch on the pair’s ultimate fates.

However, My Hero Academia chapter 428 left many fans disappointed with the level of focus it gave to Toga and Uraraka. While it seems that the subsequent issue will give fans everything they need on the pair, it’s still very frustrating to many as how slow Horikoshi is moving in this regard. Fans are also frustrated with a specific choice Horikoshi makes regarding the recap of their ultimate fates at the issue’s end.

My Hero Academia chapter 428 doesn’t quite move as fast as fans hoped in the face of the series’ end

My Hero Academia chapter 428: School life troubles

Class 2-A's representative saves the day by stopping the first years in My Hero Academia chapter 428 (Image via BONES)

My Hero Academia chapter 428 opened up with the various first year U.A. students apologizing to Shoto Todoroki and Katsuki Bakugo for crowding them. Tenya Iida was middle-manning the conversation, explaining that Shoto can’t handle interaction with large groups, which he hilariously confirmed. Bakugo then tried to point out that the first-years were running down the halls in order to get Iida to “punish” them.

Iida then shared that the pair hadn’t even fully recovered yet, which left the first year girls horrified at their actions. Hitoshi Shinso, Hanta Sero, Denki Kaminari, Minoru Mineta, and Izuku “Deku” Midoriya were seen discussing Bakugo’s preference for the center of attention, as did some of their jealousy. One of the first year boys then calls out to Deku, saying that watching him fight All For One gave him courage and inspired him to become a hero like him.

My Hero Academia chapter 428 sees an image of Spinner flash in Deku’s head in response, while he comments on feeling some pain. As Deku struggled to respond, the other boys argued about how the war was too big, and Shoto, Bakugo, and Deku were just at the center of it. Focus shifts to Ochako Uraraka watching the group discuss this before shifting focus again to the staff room.

2-A's teacher Shota Aizawa also establishes himself as a protective wall in My Hero Academia chapter 428 (Image via BONES)

Shota Aizawa is seen shooting down another interview request for his class, prompting Ectoplasm to point out that some students would love it. Aizawa countered that others aren’t ready yet and that he’ll prioritize their feelings. Deku and co. then went to work at a reconstruction area with Fat Gum and Best Jeanist, with Bakugo being put on light work due to his injuries. This led to him reuniting with a still tiny Edgeshot, who told him not to worry about him.

My Hero Academia chapter 428 sees Bakugo ask if Edgeshot will return to normal, which he seemingly confirms as the focus shifts to Uraraka and other students helping. A farmer then served Deku and the others lunch, explaining that his land was destroyed during the fight. Deku apologizes, but the farmer makes it clear that he’s not blaming anyone and is instead saying they want to help the Heroes rather than leave it all to them and mope in the meantime.

As everyone ate, another school bus arrived, revealing Cementoss as a first year teacher and explaining that his students wanted to apologize. The boy who called out to Deku said they wanted to help their upperclassmen, just like how they fought to protect society. They added that they’d do anything they could, which ended up being light work to not get in the way.

My Hero Academia chapter 428: A still unknown fate

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My Hero Academia chapter 428 saw the farmer say that this makes it feel like doing your best inspires others to do the same, as Deku and Tsuyu Asui speak to Uraraka. She comments on how everyone is slowly getting more optimistic, seemingly worrying Deku and Tsuyu before she darts off to get more food, clearly trying to be overly cheerful.

She continues smiling as she eats, but again, it feels incredibly forced, which is also Deku’s thought based on his reactions to her behavior. Later that night, it’s revealed that Uraraka has decided to go home for a while since living in the dorms is no longer mandatory. A teary-eyed and clearly worried Tsuyu said that Uraraka had been ignoring her messages.

My Hero Academia chapter 428 then flashes back to the newscast team covering Uraraka and Himiko Toga’s fight, revealing the camera “ran out of battery” before showing their conclusion. Uraraka confirms this as the focus shifts to her on the hill she and Deku met on before the final war began. She thinks about how the city is back to normal while also remembering her words from earlier in the day about everyone getting more optimistic.

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As various shots of the final war flash, she remembers her words before the war about the state of society and how depressing it was. She then acknowledges that it’s really and truly over now, which she calls a good thing. She then asserts that now is the time to be optimistic and bring back everything she needs, adding that she loves seeing everyone smile and doesn’t want to ruin the mood.

My Hero Academia chapter 428 sees tears begin welling up in her eyes as she says this, adding that she doesn’t want to ruin the mood. She then remembers Toga’s smiling and crying face as she says that’s the reason why she’s been suppressing the wound on her stomach and its pain, clearly meaning the physical and emotional toll. The issue ends with her beginning to sob as Deku arrives and calls out to her, sparks of One For All seemingly flying around him.

My Hero Academia chapter 428: In summation

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While Horikoshi’s in-universe excuse for the ambiguity surrounding Toga’s ultimate fate and how Uraraka handled it is frustrating, fans at least seem to be finally getting at the truth of the matter. Deku’s conversation with Uraraka will likely reveal the full details, especially since he can likely relate to her no matter what Toga’s fate is given his experience with Tenko Shimura/Tomura Shigaraki.

My Hero Academia chapter 428 is also seemingly setting up the further legitimization and canonization of the pair’s romantic relationship, possibly even seeing it fully bloom here. While including such a choice may be controversial in context, it would be a great narrative inclusion in and of itself, considering the series is ending after the next two releases.