My Hero Academia epilogue may have destroyed what made Horikoshi's series so unique

The My Hero Academia epilogue is bringing Mangaka Kohei Horikoshi's acclaimed series to a close. However, it seems to be wrapping up in a rushed manner, especially with only one more chapter remaining. The narrative threads feel somewhat loosely tied, giving the impression of a rush towards a positive, almost fairy-tale-like ending.

The series has been praised for its in-depth exploration of war and its effects on both the participants and the bystanders. However, in the epilogue, these connections seem insufficiently addressed, suggesting that the mangaka might be hastening the ending. The intricate plotlines and character developments that have been a hallmark of the series also appear hastily resolved.

This perceived rush to conclude the story with unexplained and unresolved elements may not fully honor its established themes, potentially diminishing the unique essence that made My Hero Academia stand out.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from My Hero Academia manga. Readers' discretion is advised.

Discussing why the My Hero Academia epilogue may have undermined the series' unique charm

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The turn that mangaka Kohei Horikoshi takes in the My Hero Academia epilogue risks undermining the foundations the story has built over time. Praised for its nuanced depiction of war and its consequences, the series now appears to rush through its once carefully developed plotlines and character arcs.

The narrative, while touching on the war's impact on hero society and the ensuing positive changes, seems to address these elements with less depth and coherence than before. Although the epilogue acknowledges the final war's repercussions and the subsequent societal shifts, these aspects feel disjointed and poorly explored compared to the series' earlier storytelling.

Toga's sacrifice remains unacknowledged in My Hero Academia epilogue (Image via Kohei Horikoshi/Shueisha))

The My Hero Academia epilogue fails to adequately address the underlying reasons behind the shift in public opinion. While Deku’s actions inspire the masses in the final war to contribute positively to society, the epilogue neglects to present the villains' perspectives, leaving public sentiment toward them unchanged and still biased.

Although the narrative shows people reaching out and helping others, it suggests they may not extend the same understanding or support to villains, unlike Deku's compassion for Shigaraki or Ochako's empathy for Toga. As a result, while the epilogue resolves one major issue in hero society, it leaves another critical aspect inadequately addressed.

Assessing how the My Hero Academia epilogue might have diluted the show's uniqueness

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Mangaka Kohei Horikoshi’s direction in the My Hero Academia epilogue gives the impression that the series' conclusion may not be living up to its previous standard, potentially diminishing its distinctive charm.

This is evident not only through the off-screen handling of Himiko Toga’s death and her unacknowledged heroic act of saving Ochako despite their enmity but also through the unchanged perceptions of the common people towards villains. The narrative attempts to depict a societal change by stopping the birth of a new villain, as showcased in the latest chapter 429.

The mangaka introduces a new character who, having suffered abuse from his family and societal neglect for years, is finally freed after the war. As this unnamed character wanders the city, confused by the happiness around him while he remains in anguish, an elderly woman takes his hand and offers comfort.

The old lady in Tenko's past (Image via Bones)

My Hero Academia epilogue reveals the old lady to be the same one who encountered Tenko Shimura (Shigaraki) when he was lost and needed help before being taken in by AFO. The narrative discloses that she was deeply affected by her previous inaction and, inspired by Deku's efforts during the war that initiated societal change, she now reaches out to assist this new character.

This shift in societal behavior, where people take the initiative to help others rather than relying solely on heroes, is highlighted through this act and other instances in the My Hero Academia epilogue. While this plotline aims to symbolize a move towards greater empathy and understanding in the post-war hero society, these themes appear insufficiently explored or integrated, diminishing the overall impact of the series' conclusion.

The My Hero Academia epilogue falls short of addressing a fundamental issue concerning the villains. While the mangaka suggests that society has evolved to be more proactive in helping others and preventing new villains from emerging, the same society still fails to acknowledge or understand the circumstances that led people to become villains.

Toga and Ochako's conclusion (Image via Kohei Horikoshi/Shueisha)

This ongoing bias is evident in chapter 427, where public opinion remains prejudiced against the villains, disregarding their backgrounds and motivations. Even the woman from Tenko’s flashbacks remarks,

"I can’t help but wonder if they couldn’t have stopped him sooner."

She uses "they" to refer to the heroes rather than "we" to imply collective societal responsibility. This reflects a continued lack of introspection and accountability from society for its role in shaping these villains. The mangaka also keeps the villains' positive aspects hidden from society, as seen in the off-screen handling of Toga and Ochako’s conclusion.

It seems the story is rushing toward a fairy-tale ending without delving into the deeper issues. While the series has previously excelled at resolving plotlines and addressing such complex themes, the epilogue falls short in this regard.

To conclude

Mangaka Kohei Horikoshi is renowned for his skillful plot direction and resolving complex storylines, as demonstrated throughout the manga’s run. This is evident in his meticulous planning for arcs like the UA Traitor and the connections between AFO and Dabi and Shigaraki’s pasts, among many others.

Nonetheless, this hurried conclusion in the show’s epilogue raises concerns about potentially undermining the series' unique qualities and what made My Hero Academia stand out.

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Edited by Dishani Dutta