Chapter 425 spoilers: Shigaraki’s unexpected return to My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia ended its last storyline with the downfall of All For One and began its epilogue in chapter 425. While chapter 423 saw the elimination of Shigaraki and AFO, the latest chapter unveiled a dark-haired individual with striking similarities to Shigaraki.

The frequent references to Deku’s inability to save Tenko Shimura, combined with the presence of this black-haired figure, has caused speculation among fans that it could possibly be Shigaraki himself. While this theory has not gained much support, some fans have begun to consider the possibility that this figure could be the result of Tenko Shimura’s vestige merging with Kurogiri’s body during their final moments.

Note: This article contains spoilers for the My Hero Academia series.

My Hero Academia Chapter 425: The Return of Shigaraki – Is This the Rebirth of Tenko Shimura?

Shigaraki Tomura, as shown in the anime (Image via Bones)

In chapter 425 of My Hero Academia, a succession of short panels unveil an enigmatic man with dark hair, dressed in attire similar to Kurogiri’s, roaming the ruins of the city. This captivating character sparks numerous inquiries about the future of Kurogiri and Tenko Shimura.

There is a strong likelihood that Kurogiri’s mist body was infused with remnants of Tenko Shimura, resulting in the retention of Shigaraki Tomura’s fundamental nature. Throughout the intense final battle of the series, the theme of Deku’s determination to rescue Tenko Shimura, even as he transformed into the villainous Shigaraki, remained a constant and impactful element.

The latter portion of the tale delves into the ways in which Tenko’s upbringing, marked by manipulation and neglect, ultimately resulted in his tragic transformation. This revelation comes several chapters earlier, when it is exposed that All for One had been present within Shigaraki’s mind since before his birth, controlling his life.

Despite the argument that Shigaraki’s survival may seem unfair to the many heroes and innocent people he killed, it is important to acknowledge that Shigaraki’s actions were a result of All for One’s manipulative tactics.

Deku’s courageous deed of freeing the vestige of Tenko from his confinement ultimately rescues both “Tenko Shimura”and “Shigaraki Tomura.”It is possible that the enigmatic weeping figure shown in chapter 425 is a reconstructed form of Kurogiri, now housing either the vestige or complete essence of Tenko Shimura’s identity.

Despite being struck down by Bakugou while intervening between Deku and All for One, Kurogiri may have managed to preserve remnants of Tenko’s essence during his brief interaction with All for One, despite his apparent demise.

It is possible that the man wandering through the ruins is Tenko Shimura, the core of Shigaraki Tomura in need of rescue. His aimless journey through the deteriorating streets could foreshadow Deku ultimately locating and rescuing him, thereby fulfilling Shigaraki’s character development.

Concluding Remarks

It is highly probable that the true identity of the man with black hair will be disclosed in the upcoming epilogue chapter. The release date for Chapter 425 of My Hero Academia is scheduled for June 9, 2024, and will be followed by a two-week hiatus.