My Hero Academia chapter 429: Uraraka and Deku share their pain as Toga's fate is revealed

My Hero Academia chapter 429 was expected to finally bring an end to the ambiguity surrounding Himiko Toga’s ultimate fate, as well as why Ochako Uraraka was so bothered by it. Officially released earlier this weekend, the installment did thankfully address these issues, but in a way that was unfortunately underwhelming and somewhat contradictory.

My Hero Academia chapter 429 also offered some clarity on exactly who the new “mystery character” introduced at the start of the manga’s epilogue is. While the most popular fan theory of it being a reborn Tenko Shimura is unfortunately not true, the character does play a somewhat significant role in the issue’s events and message.

My Hero Academia chapter 429 confirms Toga’s death in a relatively unsatisfactory way

My Hero Academia chapter 429: Toga’s fate

My Hero Academia chapter 429 finally confirms Himiko Toga's fate (Image via BONES)

My Hero Academia chapter 429 begins with a focus on the aforementioned mystery character from the start of the epilogue. The character discusses how after his Quirk was discovered as a new mutation, i.e. not being present in the family before him, his family members stopped being nice to him. They then tied him up and locked him in the basement, eventually sewing his mouth shut because he was crying and screaming too much.

The character discusses how he doesn’t know how many years passed after, but they eventually started saying the country was doomed. After giving him all the water and sweets they could carry, they left, and he never saw them again.

Sometime later, an impact from something opened up a way for him to escape. The character explains that wondering why he couldn’t leave and the sunlight hurting him from being locked up so long saddened him greatly.

My Hero Academia chapter 429 sees the character come upon the reconstruction efforts, wondering why others are smiling while he felt scared and sad all this time. The focus then shifted to Ochako Uraraka, who explained that she’s always loved seeing people happy and wanted to become a hero for that reason. She thinks of Toga’s final words to her as she says this, saying she’s only alive at the expense of Toga’s life and feels guilty about it.

My Hero Academia chapter 429 makes it clear Uraraka feels responsible for Toga's death (Image via BONES)

Izuku “Deku” Midoriya arrives at this moment, saying he had a feeling that she’d be here since this is where they had their talk. He says it’d have been fine if she was home, but he had a feeling she’d be here. Uraraka counters that she doesn't want to be seen, but Deku counters that he wants to show her that when it comes to others, she’s always seen prioritizing others over herself.

My Hero Academia chapter 429 sees him say that he’s always getting saved by her and that she’s his hero. He adds that it’s also why he doesn’t want to depend on her strength forever since holding someone’s hand can put one’s heart at ease. He grabs her hand while saying this, prompting her to burst out crying and say Toga died because of her and the fact that she got stabbed.

Uraraka begins lamenting all the factors that went into Toga’s death, even questioning what she could’ve done if she had met her when they were kids. Deku, who is also now crying, says he’s been having the same thoughts about Tenko Shimura/Tomura Shigaraki. He adds that things won’t just go back to how they were and that while All For One was right about this path being a thorny one, he’s sure that reaching out hands to others will push them down it.

My Hero Academia chapter 429: A step forward

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At this moment, My Hero Academia chapter 429 sees the rest of Class 2-A appear, rushing towards Uraraka and comforting her. Deku stares at his hand as this happens, while an image of the embers of One For All appears.

He closes his fist and smiles, while Katsuki Bakugo asks if they’re doing okay. The others hear this, asking why he didn’t tell them. Deku’s answer wasn’t heard, but he narrates that One For All was completed by the bravery of many.

He then muses on everyone creating something of their own together, as Aoyama’s farewell party is seen taking place. The focus then shifts to All Might and Hawks discussing expanding the top hero chart, wanting to include “Heroic Figures” in addition to Pro Heroes. All Might wants to abolish the popularity aspect of it, to which Hawks questions this but adds he does want to update the system without foregoing the positives it has.

My Hero Academia chapter 429 sees him follow this up by saying that the “greatest” hero can’t be everywhere all at once and that the current model isn’t conducive to saving as many people as possible.

The focus then returns to the mystery character, whose Quirk is activating as he walks out of the crowd, distraught over everyone else’s happiness. However, the grandma who once did nothing for Tenko calls out to him and grabs his hand, thinking of Tenko as she does.

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She says she’s still kept up at night wondering if Tenko was saved by a hero after she left and that Deku showed them something on the day of the final war. She says that they all felt the need to do something instead of just rooting for him, explaining that this feeling will only get stronger and it’s why everyone is working together.

My Hero Academia chapter 429 sees her say it’s fine now because she’s here, causing the boy to begin crying and abandon his resentment. It’s then revealed that Deku and Uraraka, at a later time than when they appeared earlier in the issue, are watching this happen. The issue ends with the pair smiling at each other while Hawks’ quote about a society where heroes have too much free time appears.

My Hero Academia chapter 429: In summation

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While My Hero Academia chapter 429 does offer clarity to Toga’s status, the execution is incredibly flawed, considering fans get nothing extra from the drawn-out approach to this info. Essentially, series author and illustrator Kohei Horikoshi could’ve confirmed Toga dead on the battlefield after fans last saw her, and it’d have been no different from waiting until now to confirm it.

In any case, My Hero Academia chapter 429 has the manga’s conclusion in mind, with the last line of dialogue seemingly setting up what fans will see in the 430th and final release. With truly anything possible for the manga’s conclusion, fans are anxious to see if Horikoshi can stick the landing after what’s likely the epilogue’s most suspect entry yet.