My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 21: Comparing Anime and Manga Adaptations

My Hero Academia’s season 7, episode 21 premiered on October 12, 2024, concluding the season on a high note. The production crew poured their full effort into this episode, which left fans buzzing with excitement. While the episode did not need any enhancements, the inclusion of flashbacks offered a fresh perspective compared to the original material.

A standout moment featured the poignant final scenes of Himiko Toga, which echoed the emotional depth of the source. Additionally, Armoured All Might’s battle showcased the Pro Hero’s seamless transformation, providing an exhilarating clash.

Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

A Comparative Analysis of My Hero Academia Season 7, Episode 21 and Its Manga Chapters

My Hero Academia Season 7, Episode 21: The Departure of Toga Himiko

The concluding moment of Uraraka and Toga (Image via Bones)

Entitled “Battle Without a Quirk,”My Hero Academia season 7, episode 21 adapts chapters 395-398. The episode kicks off with a recap of the previous episode’s intense climax, where Toga finally reaches a moment of calmness. Following this, Uraraka grapples with the effects of severe blood loss sustained during her confrontation with Toga, as the villain empathizes with her suffering.

In a surprising turn, Toga utilizes a small sample of Uraraka’s blood to transform into an approximation of the Pro Hero to match her blood type, initiating a blood transfusion. Despite Uraraka’s protests, Toga persists, and after the transfusion, both characters ultimately succumbed to unconsciousness.

While Toga’s fate remained ambiguous, it strongly suggested potential death due to the significant blood loss. The scene where Toga lies beside Uraraka was an essential moment from the manga, illustrating the innocence of two young girls amidst the chaos of battle. Although it didn’t quite match the impact of the source material, it still respected the original manga panel.

My Hero Academia Season 7, Episode 21: Armoured All Might’s Showdown

All Might vs. All for One in My Hero Academia Season 7, Episode 21 (Image via Bones)

This episode also features the epic clash between All Might and All for One. All Might debuts a newly developed suit, utilizing quirks from Class 1-A students, thanks to David’s assistance.

Initially, there was skepticism about All Might facing All for One without his quirk. Yet, to everyone’s astonishment, the former Symbol of Peace held his ground against the villain, proving that his legacy as the world’s strongest hero remained unscathed.

All Might's despair, notably absent in My Hero Academia Season 7, Episode 21 (Image via Shueisha) — All Might’s despair, notably absent in My Hero Academia Season 7, Episode 21 (Image via Shueisha)

Sadly, All for One’s fusion of quirks overpowered the various quirks of Class 1-A employed by All Might. Nevertheless, the determined hero refused to concede, focusing on buying time for Izuku to confront Tomura AFO. This led to All Might provoking the villain in a strategic maneuver.

One notable deviation was a scene where All Might bursts into hysterical laughter, which in the manga reflected his glorious past. This anime adaptation overlooked a portrayal of his internal despair, opting instead to show only the hero’s laughter which somewhat undermined the emotional gravity of the original situation.

Concluding Thoughts

The potential return of Bakugo? (Image via Bones)

Season 7, episode 21 culminated with a glimpse into the state of Class 1-A, revealing the students’ exhaustion, leaving Izuku alone in his battle against Tomura Shigaraki. An intriguing teaser during the end credits displayed the card Bakugo dropped before his possible exit, hinting at a future return in the concluding season.

So, does My Hero Academia season 7 elevate itself above its manga counterpart? Undoubtedly not. While there were moments where the anime shone, it failed to surpass Horikoshi’s masterful portrayal of conflict and character depth. However, the unfolding story holds promise, so fans eagerly anticipate the arrival of the final chapter.

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