My Hero Academia Epilogue and Its Potential Impact on the Series’ Uniqueness

My Hero Academia Epilogue and Its Potential Impact on the Series’ Uniqueness

The My Hero Academia finale marks the end of Mangaka Kohei Horikoshi’s highly praised series. Despite having only one chapter left, it appears to be concluding in a hasty manner. The plotlines seem somewhat hastily resolved, creating a sense of a hurried rush towards a happy, almost fairy-tale-like ending.

Despite receiving praise for its thorough examination of the impact of war on those involved and those caught in the crossfire, the series’ conclusion in the epilogue leaves much to be desired. It appears that the mangaka may have rushed the ending, as the complex storylines and character arcs that were a defining feature of the series are resolved abruptly.

The apparent haste to wrap up the story with unexplained and unresolved elements may not entirely do justice to its established themes, possibly diminishing the distinct essence that set My Hero Academia apart.

Exploring the Potential Factors Behind the Undermining of the Unique Charm of the Epilogue in My Hero Academia

Despite initially receiving praise for its nuanced portrayal of war and its consequences, mangaka Kohei Horikoshi’s choices in the My Hero Academia epilogue may ultimately jeopardize the foundations upon which the story was built. The series now seems to hastily wrap up previously carefully crafted plotlines and character arcs, potentially detracting from its earlier strengths.

The narrative, although briefly mentioning the war’s effects on hero society and the resulting positive developments, appears to delve less deeply and cohesively into these themes than previously. While the epilogue does touch on the consequences of the final war and the resulting changes in society, these elements feel disconnected and not fully explored compared to the storytelling in earlier parts of the series.

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

Despite the inspiring actions of Deku during the final war, the epilogue of My Hero Academia falls short in addressing the root causes of the change in public perception. By only showcasing Deku’s heroism and not presenting the perspectives of the villains, the epilogue fails to challenge the biased attitudes toward them, leaving them unchanged.

Despite the narrative portraying instances of people reaching out and aiding one another, it implies that this same level of understanding and support may not be extended to villains, in contrast to Deku’s compassion towards Shigaraki or Ochako’s empathy towards Toga. As a result, while the epilogue successfully resolves one major concern within hero society, it fails to adequately address another crucial aspect.

Assessing the Impact of the Epilogue on the Uniqueness of My Hero Academia

Despite the potential for the My Hero Academia series to maintain its distinctive charm, Mangaka Kohei Horikoshi’s direction in the epilogue suggests that the conclusion may not live up to its previous standard.

Despite the handling of Himiko Toga’s death and her unacknowledged act of heroism in saving Ochako, as well as the unchanged views of the general public towards villains, the narrative aims to portray a shift in society by preventing the rise of a new villain, as seen in the most recent chapter, 429.

The mangaka introduces a new character who has endured years of abuse from his family and neglect from society. However, after the war, he is finally able to break free. Despite his feelings of anguish and confusion while wandering the city, he is comforted by an elderly woman who takes his hand and offers solace.

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

The epilogue of My Hero Academia reveals that the elderly woman who helped Tenko Shimura (Shigaraki) when he was lost and in need of assistance before being taken in by AFO is the same woman. It is revealed that she was profoundly impacted by her previous inaction and, motivated by Deku’s bravery during the war that brought about societal change, she now offers aid to this new character.

The My Hero Academia epilogue showcases a shift in societal behavior, with individuals taking the initiative to assist others instead of solely relying on heroes. This act, along with other instances, serves as a symbol for the post-war hero society’s movement towards greater empathy and understanding. However, the themes are not fully explored or integrated, which lessens the impact of the series’ conclusion.

The epilogue of My Hero Academia fails to fully address a crucial issue regarding the villains. Although the mangaka hints at society’s progress in taking a more proactive approach towards aiding others and preventing the rise of new villains, it neglects to acknowledge or comprehend the reasons behind individuals turning to villainy.

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

Despite its persistence, this bias is clearly present in chapter 427, as the public continues to harbor prejudice against the villains and dismiss their personal histories and reasons for their actions. This is exemplified by the woman from Tenko’s memories who comments,

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

The author chooses to use “they”instead of “we”when referring to the heroes, emphasizing society’s collective responsibility rather than individual introspection. This further highlights society’s failure to take accountability for its role in creating these villains. Additionally, the mangaka deliberately hides the positive aspects of the villains from society, as evidenced by the off-screen resolution of Toga and Ochako’s conflict.

Despite the series’ strong track record of resolving plotlines and tackling complex themes, the epilogue disappointingly rushes through the story without delving into its deeper issues.

To wrap it up

Conclusion

Summary

Kohei Horikoshi, the mangaka, is well-known for his adept handling of plot development and resolution of intricate storylines, a talent he has showcased throughout the manga’s publication. His meticulous planning for arcs such as the UA Traitor and the intricate connections between AFO, Dabi, and Shigaraki’s pasts are clear examples of his expertise.

Despite this rushed ending in the show’s epilogue, there are concerns that it could possibly undermine the series’ distinguishing qualities and the very elements that made My Hero Academia exceptional.

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