Despite the conclusion of its decade-long journey, the plot points in My Hero Academia continue to be a topic of dispute and debate among fans. Kohei Horikoshi crafted a story filled with themes of heroism, sacrifice, and personal growth, but not all storylines were given a sense of resolution.
In this final chapter of the industry-leading manga My Hero Academia, numerous unsettling plot points were left unresolved, causing confusion and concern among fans who were expecting closure.
To this day, certain aspects of the story continue to haunt the community, whether it be the enigmatic intentions of certain villains, the perplexing idiosyncrasies of vital characters, or the moral quandaries that were disregarded.
The following are the top twenty unsettling plot points in My Hero Academia that Horikoshi did not properly address.
Unresolved Plot Points in My Hero Academia: Midnight’s Death, All Might’s Health, and More
Eri’s Trauma
Despite being freed by the heroes, Eri remains deeply traumatized by the severe abuse she endured at the hands of Overhaul. He ruthlessly exploited her quirk to create quirk-erasing bullets and repeatedly disassembled and reassembled her body, leaving lasting psychological scars.
Despite Horikoshi introducing Eri’s trauma, he does not thoroughly explore her long-term recovery or emotional healing. While the story briefly touches on Eri’s struggles, the minimal emphasis on her mental health is unsettling and leaves one of the most impactful plot points in My Hero Academia unresolved.
Flawed Hero System in Society
The society of heroism in My Hero Academia is deeply troubling, as it is driven by a flawed system. The Pro Hero Ranking system prioritizes profit over the altruistic nature of heroism. Despite Hawks’ rise to oversee the Public Safety Commission and All Might’s influence, the system remains unchanged, perpetuating the cycle of power and success.
The ranking system allows heroes to maintain their status and progress in their careers, often at the cost of genuine kindness. This focus on commercial success strips heroism of its true essence and reduces it to just another profession, making it one of the troubling elements of the My Hero Academia storyline.
Bakugo’s Near-Death Experience
Despite the presence of Pro Heroes, Bakugo’s near-death experience during the Paranormal Liberation War remains one of the most unsettling plot points in My Hero Academia. It serves as a stark reminder of the harsh truth of sending unprepared children into war. Despite the efforts of the Pro Heroes, these students were thrust onto the front line, resulting in Bakugo’s almost fatal injury and several others being severely wounded.
This occurrence highlights the failure of the ‘hero society’ to safeguard its younger generation, placing the burden of war on children. The response from society is particularly troubling, as instead of holding the Pro Heroes accountable, the focus shifts to the students, disregarding the ethical implications of involving children in such dangerous conflicts.
The Death of Midnight
Despite the anticipation, the Paranormal Liberation War brought one of the most unexpected moments as Midnight’s death left fans reeling. Her character’s story felt incomplete and unresolved.
Despite her role as a kind mentor to Class 1-A, she is brutally killed off-screen and her lifeless body is left amidst the chaos. This is even more shocking considering the disturbingly unbothered way in which her death is dealt with.
Despite the lack of closure and emotional resolution for her students, there remains a chilling emptiness where a once heroic figure stood. This is why the failure to properly say goodbye and come to terms with her loss remains one of the most significant and troubling unresolved plot points in My Hero Academia.
Dabi’s Background Reveal
The revelation of Dabi’s true identity as Toya Todoroki is a disturbing plot point in My Hero Academia. It sheds light on his tragic past and the unresolved emotional trauma that ultimately led him down the path of becoming a vengeful villain. This glimpse into his tormented childhood highlights the depth of his character and the journey that shaped him into the formidable antagonist he is now.
Despite being known as Endeavor, Enji Todoroki was more focused on training his child, formerly known as Toya Todoroki, from a young age in order to create a hero who could surpass All Might, resulting in a tumultuous upbringing filled with neglect, mistreatment, and manipulation.
Despite Toya’s mismatched quirk and inability to withstand the intense training, he was pushed to the brink and ultimately suffered serious physical and emotional trauma. The lack of acknowledgement of Dabi’s agency in his own decisions and actions is a concerning plot point in My Hero Academia.
6) Aoyama’s Betrayal
Aoyama’s betrayal, one of the most unsettling plot points in My Hero Academia, reflects a profound breach of trust. It is revealed that he had been secretly sharing information with the villains, causing a significant disruption within Class 1-A. While his betrayal was motivated by his fear for his family, it also raises moral complexities that are only briefly explored.
Despite Horikoshi’s attempts, the internal struggle of Aoyama and the long-term impact on his classmates are not adequately resolved. The narrative does not delve deeply enough into Aoyama’s life under AFO’s control, thus missing the chance to portray the disturbing reality of a child being manipulated into becoming a spy.
All Might’s Declining Health
Despite All Might’s constant coughing up of blood and clear signs of declining health, society remains indifferent towards the well-being of heroes. This disturbing plot point in My Hero Academia highlights the lack of concern and recognition for All Might’s struggles, even from his biggest fan Deku.
Despite his deteriorating condition, All Might is still seen by many as the unwavering Symbol of Peace, with his humanity overlooked. This subtle perspective sheds light on the societal belief that heroes must be perfect icons, rather than acknowledged as fallible individuals.
The Quirk Singularity Theory
According to the Quirk Singularity Theory, if Quirks continue to evolve at their current rate, they will eventually become uncontrollable, resulting in a catastrophic event that could endanger society. In essence, the theory serves as a warning about the dangers of unbridled Quirk power and the potential consequences of its widespread use.
Despite its unsettling nature, Horikoshi only briefly touches upon the implications of this theory and does not elaborate on how it could be stopped. As a result, it remains a looming and undeveloped concept throughout My Hero Academia, adding to the unease of the plot. The lack of resolution surrounding this ominous concept only adds to its unsettling impact.
9) Shigaraki’s Abusive Behavior
The root of Shigaraki Tomura’s character is deeply influenced by the severe mistreatment he endured from his family, ultimately leading to his transformation into a villain. The combination of physical and psychological neglect had a significant impact on shaping his warped perspective.
Subsequently, he is captured by AFO and it is exposed that his entire existence was orchestrated by AFO. The lack of control over his own life resulted in him being groomed for his own demise, although this fact is only briefly mentioned. Although the consequences of this manipulation are apparent, there is a need for further exploration of the specific atrocities inflicted upon a vulnerable younger Tenko by AFO. Even after the conclusion, this remains one of the most unsettling plot developments in My Hero Academia.
Lack of Emphasis on Vigilante Actions
Vigilantes are individuals who perform courageous deeds without the approval of the government due to the strict regulations placed on Heroes and laws governing the use of Quirks. This leads to a problematic gray area where well-meaning actions could potentially be considered illegal for characters who may have saved lives.
The foundation of the hero system can be traced back to vigilantism. However, ultimately, this system perpetuates a world where unapproved heroes are cast aside and deemed illegal. Horikoshi presents this complex dilemma, but fails to fully explore its implications, making it one of the most unsettling plot points in My Hero Academia.
The League of Villains’ Path to Redemption
Despite Horikashi’s suggestions of potential redemption, none of the League of Villains’ members, including the prominent trio of Dabi, Toga, and Shigaraki, have managed to survive and demonstrate the possibility of a redemptive journey. Similarly to Dabi and Toga, these characters’ complex backgrounds alluded to the possibility of their redemption, but ultimately led to tragic fates.
This refusal to acknowledge their capacity for redemption, as their demise solidifies their roles as antagonists, undermines the moral intricacies established earlier in the narrative. Only Spinner emerges as a survivor to recount the events, yet Horikoshi neglects to demonstrate a comprehension of their motives. This disregard for their potential for redemption remains one of the most unsettling aspects of My Hero Academia’s plot.
The Story of My Life
12) The Journey to Redemption
The Memoirs of My Life
Despite being symbolic of Endeavor’s transformation from an abusive father to a responsible hero, his redemption is highly problematic. Society seems to excuse his heinous actions, such as abusing his wife Rei and their children, in his past.
Furthermore, in the concluding chapter of the manga series, Rei is depicted as caring for her disabled husband following the Final War. Although Endeavor declares his intention to make amends for his wrongdoings, his actions suggest otherwise. His supposed redemption is superficial, failing to truly address the extent of the harm he inflicted. This makes it one of the most unsettling plot points in My Hero Academia.
13) The Humanity of Villains
Horikoshi attempts to humanize villains such as Shigaraki, Twice, and Toga by delving into their tragic backstories. However, this approach can be seen as superficial and problematic, as it often portrays their heinous actions as justified or inevitable due to their past traumas. This can create a sense of sympathy for these characters without fully addressing their moral responsibility.
For example, even though Ochaco may be aware of Toga’s past, it remains a secret to everyone else, leaving her true identity as a person unknown. This highlights the potential for these characters to become alienated or have their wrongdoings reduced when their condemnation is juxtaposed with an understanding of the underlying trauma that drives their actions, making it a troubling aspect of the My Hero Academia storyline.
14) Quirk-destroying bullets
The Quirk-Destroying Bullets, created by Overhaul, have the ability to permanently strip a person of their quirk and pose a significant threat to hero society. In the world of My Hero Academia, quirks are not just ordinary superpowers, but rather an integral part of one’s personal identity, providing a sense of self and purpose.
The Quirk-Destroying Bullets have the ability to completely remove a person’s quirk, similar to severing a crucial aspect of their being. For a lot of individuals, their quirk defines their civilian identity, their aspirations, and their place in society.
Therefore, having one’s ability taken away is comparable to losing a piece of their soul. Not only does it result in physical limitations, but it also has a devastating emotional and psychological impact. This is why the unresolved use of Quirk-Destroying Bullets is one of the most unsettling plot points in My Hero Academia.
15) The Impact of Post-War on the Younger Generation
Despite enduring a brutal and intense battle during the Paranormal Liberation War, students such as Deku and Bakugo are left with deep psychological wounds that have yet to be addressed. The series fails to delve into the impact of their traumatic experiences on their mental well-being and future perspectives.
Despite the evident numbers of deaths and violence, the emotional and psychological impact is not addressed thoroughly in the plot.
The insufficient coverage of their recovery and growth after the war is unsettling, and their trauma is not properly recognized, making it one of the unsettling plot points in My Hero Academia that was not given enough attention.
16) All For One’s fixation on Yoichi Shigaraki
All For One’s fixation on his sibling, Yoichi Shigaraki, was one of the unsettling elements in My Hero Academia. In his eyes, Yoichi’s possession of One For All was seen as a threat and a challenge to his own power. This led to Yoichi being isolated and All For One’s unyielding quest for control.
Despite being a troubling aspect of his personality, this dark obsession sheds light on Horikoshi’s envy and desire for control. However, Horikoshi’s neglect of the psychological and emotional effects highlights his lack of awareness, resulting in a loss of understanding for the profound impact on both characters.
Stain’s Legacy
Stain, also known as the Hero Killer, has a significant impact on society by exposing the imperfections of the hero system, including its superficiality and corruption. His belief in true heroism, prioritizing morals over fame and profit, resonated deeply and inspired some individuals to resort to extreme and violent measures in emulation.
Despite the significant impact of Stain’s actions and ideology on both heroes and villains, the long-term consequences of his extreme views on society remain unexamined.
Horikoshi’s failure to properly address how his ideology changed the hero landscape and altered public perception is one of the most unsettling plot points in My Hero Academia.
Public Safety Division: Weaponizing Children
The use of children as weapons by the Public Safety Division is deeply troubling. Hawks, who was rescued from an abusive father and turned into a weapon, has committed murder without fully considering the ethical consequences. Similarly, Nagant, once a hero, was forced to become a villain due to the intense mental strain of her job.
Despite hinting at dark undertones, the series falls short in its examination of the psychological and ethical implications of the practice.
The inadequate discussion of the diverse well-being of these characters and the lasting consequences of their exploitation creates a gap in the ethical boundaries of the story, contributing to the disturbing nature of certain plot points in My Hero Academia.
The Dark Side of Quirk Marriages
The Todoroki family’s marriages are an example of the troubling trend of parents exploiting their children. Endeavor’s obsession with creating a hero with the strongest quirks places a heavy emotional and physical strain on his children, particularly Shoto.
The societal and parental pressures faced by the characters are briefly mentioned in the story. However, the emotional and moral impact of being treated as mere assets is not thoroughly explored, making it one of the most unsettling plot points in My Hero Academia that Horikoshi failed to address adequately.
20) The Creation of Nomu
Nomu’s creation involves a cruel process in which human subjects are used for experiments to boost their Quirks, resulting in the creation of unique and powerful monsters.
Kyudai Garaki and Shigaraki’s actions involve the gross violation of human rights, inflicting brutal modification and brainwashing on victims in a dark and unacceptable practice.
Although the series touches on this unsettling method, it fails to fully address the ethical implications or emotional trauma inflicted upon the victims. As a result, Nomu’s creation remains one of the most disturbing plot points in My Hero Academia that the mangaka has yet to fully explore.
Final thoughts
Despite the manga’s decade-long journey coming to an end, there are still unresolved and concerning plot points in My Hero Academia. Eri’s ongoing trauma, the flaws in the hero system, and Bakugo’s near-death experience all hint at deeper issues within the resolution of this story.
Despite Horikoshi’s finalization, important plot points in My Hero Academia such as Midnight’s sudden death, Dabi’s tragic past, and Aoyama’s betrayal remain unresolved. The creation of Nomus and the moral implications of quirk marriages are barely touched upon, leaving the dark themes in the series underdeveloped.
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