My Hero Academia chapter 423 all but confirms Deku will end the series Quirkless

On Thursday, May 16, 2024, fans of My Hero Academia were treated to an early look at the upcoming issue as spoilers and raw scans for chapter 423 were leaked. With the original manga series by author and illustrator Kohei Horikoshi nearing its end, readers were uncertain of what to anticipate in this latest installment.

Similarly, viewers were taken aback by protagonist Izuku “Deku” Midoriya’s victory over All For One in chapter 423 of My Hero Academia, not only because of the outcome but also due to the method Deku used to defeat him. Ultimately, All For One’s demise results in Tomura Shigaraki’s body disintegrating, seemingly leading to Shigaraki’s death, despite Deku’s desire to save him.

Despite fans’ hopes, the latest chapter of My Hero Academia strongly suggests that the death of Shigaraki, his soul, and his physical body, as well as All For One, means the end of One For All. It appears that Horikoshi’s manga series will ultimately conclude as it began, with the protagonist being completely Quirkless.

My Hero Academia Chapter 423: Horikoshi’s Dilemma with Deku’s Conclusion

The importance of Deku potentially ending the series without a Quirk, as hinted at in My Hero Academia chapter 423, aligns with his core beliefs as a Pro Hero. Deku has always prioritized preserving life rather than taking it, and his desire to use his Quirk to save Tenko Shimura, also known as Shigaraki, reflects this belief.

Despite knowing the potential consequences, he willingly gave up his most prized possession, One For All, in the hopes of fulfilling his dream of becoming a Pro Hero and saving someone in need. However, with Shigaraki’s ultimate defeat both physically and spiritually, Deku’s sacrifice may seem in vain in regards to his personal goals. Nevertheless, his selfless act ultimately saved Japan, its citizens, and potentially the entire world.

Despite being a major sacrifice in the context of Deku’s character development, chapter 423 of My Hero Academia lessens the impact of this sacrifice by not offering any form of compensation to Deku. An ending where Deku remains Quirkless but still fulfills his dream of saving Tomura Shigaraki would be satisfactory. Similarly, an ending where Tenko cannot be saved but Deku retains his One For All Quirk and continues to save others in Tenko’s place would also be acceptable.

This is the exact reason why fans are so concerned about the potential of Deku ending the series without a Quirk, given the information currently available. It would essentially combine the negative aspects of both paths, resulting in an ending where Deku fails to uphold his own ideals (with Tenko’s death) and is also penalized for pursuing them (with the loss of his Quirk).

Despite the current circumstances, there remains a glimmer of hope for Deku to regain his Quirk. In the concluding pages of the issue, Deku and Tomura’s spirits communicate with each other, likely at the moment of Deku’s fatal punch. If physical contact was made during this exchange, it is plausible that Shigaraki secretly transferred One For All back to Deku without his knowledge.

Despite the current state of things, it can be strongly inferred from My Hero Academia chapter 423 that Deku will ultimately end the series without a Quirk. Although this is merely speculation at the time of writing, it is challenging to comprehend why Horikoshi would deceive fans with a fakeout regarding Deku’s Quirkless state, especially considering the general consensus among fans.