The climax of My Hero Academia’s Final arc has been reached in chapter 423. The ultimate Smash has been executed and the remnants of All for One are finally disappearing. However, this development has brought about mixed reactions from fans, as some are dissatisfied with the lack of redemption for Tomura Shigaraki.
Despite the hopes of many fans that Tomura would be redeemed or saved in some way, his ultimate fate left some feeling angry or disappointed. Many had been anticipating Shigaraki breaking free from All for One’s control and choosing his own destiny, citing numerous instances in My Hero Academia where other characters had done the same.
While it is certainly possible to conduct a thorough analysis of the final arc and chapter 423 of My Hero Academia from that perspective, it is important to note that by the end, Tomura was reduced to mere embers. This chapter serves as the culmination of Shigaraki’s journey throughout My Hero Academia thus far. A more extensive and profound examination is necessary to understand why this conclusion is a more genuine ending for Shigaraki’s character rather than a simple redemption.
Please note: This article includes spoilers for the current manga chapter of My Hero Academia. All opinions expressed in this piece are those of the author.
Exploring the Final Arc of My Hero Academia: Tomura Shigaraki’s Redemption and Fate
My Hero Academia: Chapter 423 Summary
Despite the buildup in the final arc of My Hero Academia, All for One’s final gamble in chapter 423 ultimately proved unsuccessful. Due to the severe damage to Tomura Shigaraki’s body from the high-powered quirks left by All for One, he was unable to function normally and was deteriorating. However, determined to survive, the villain made an attempt to acquire a new body and continue his fight.
After Bakugo disrupted Korogiri’s plan to teleport All for One’s body away, Izuku’s last punch landed on All for One’s body. As Deku and his brother Toichi scolded All For One, he was labeled as a pitiful and solitary individual. As a result, the remaining remnants of the villain were destroyed by all the past Quirk users he had stolen from, including Tomura.
After Midoriya reassured him that All for One had been destroyed and the world he despised was no more, the last trace of Tomura Shigaraki vanished. The ending depicted All for One’s ultimate form disintegrating into dust, leaving behind only remnants and echoes of the Symbol of Evil.
Tomura’s Tragic Past
Despite being a story about heroes, My Hero Academia features numerous characters with tragic backgrounds, including both heroes and villains. In the final arc of the series, the humanization of these villains is not intended to pave the way for their redemption, but rather to illustrate how vulnerable one can be to falling into a life of evil. This vulnerability is shown through the unfortunate circumstances faced by characters such as Twice, who is plagued by bad luck and a cruel employer, Toga, who has experienced neglect and abandonment from society, Spinner and Magne, who face discrimination, Aoyama, who is manipulated and desperate, and Dabi, who has suffered from parental abuse.
In chapter 418 of My Hero Academia, it was revealed that Tenko Shimura’s tragic past was the result of a master plan orchestrated by All for One. This revelation gave a glimmer of hope for redemption, especially since Deku was able to communicate with Tenko. From the very beginning, everything seemed to be working against Tomura. Not only did All for One steal his original quirk, but Tenko’s father harbored a deep hatred for heroes that was never explained, and Tomura’s Decay quirk was gifted to him by All for One.
Despite the abuse from his father and the tragic loss of his family, Tomura became consumed with bitterness and hatred. All for One had intentionally groomed him as a potential successor, but ultimately never planned for Tomura to actually take over. The lies and manipulation only fueled Tomura’s animosity, as All for One’s true intention was to become the sole ruler over whatever was left.
No real agency and being possessed
After a specific point in the story of My Hero Academia, Tomura lost his autonomy as a villain. All actions taken after the Overhaul incident were manipulated by All for One. Although Tomura took charge in executing these plans, he was constantly under the influence and guidance of All for One.
Despite being under the command of All for One or his successor, it took four months to gain control over Gigantomachia. The Meta Liberation Front’s battle was a colossal one that almost depleted Tomura’s quirk and took a toll on his body. Even with assistance from the Doctor and being unleashed during the Paranormal Liberation War arc, it was only All for One’s possession of him that prevented his capture or death.
All for One’s modifications to Tomura’s abilities involved implanting a fragment of his own consciousness within Tomura, with the intention of eventually erasing Tomura’s own psyche. This plan was not fully realized until the Final War arc, when All for One took control of Tomura’s body. Chapter 419 of My Hero Academia’s final arc further solidified this revelation: All for One had been orchestrating every aspect of Tomura’s life since his birth.
Taking back control
Despite having to face All for One in order to confront Star and Stripe on his own terms, Tomura’s psyche and body were further damaged when the New Order erupted within him. Despite All for One’s attempts to downplay the situation, something inside Tomura snapped and Tenko Shimura began to resurface.
Despite the extensive destruction caused by Stars and Stripe, Tenko Shimura was still able to contact Izuku Midoriya for assistance. Throughout the Final arc of My Hero Academia, Tenko continued to appear, especially when Mirio ridiculed Tomura for lacking friends. In response, Tomura mentioned his sister and dog, whom he had believed to be lost and forgotten.
Tomura disclosed that he had buried a crucial part of himself, Tenko, deep within, and due to the heroes’ interference with All for One and Midnight’s attack on Tomura’s arms, he was able to regain control. His objectives of annihilating society and everything linked to his despised father’s legacy remained unchanged, but the event did aid in his personal reclamation.
Hatred all-consuming clouds redemption chances
My Hero Academia has consistently emphasized the importance of having a strong support system and has highlighted the flaws in the current Hero Society’s system, which can lead individuals to turn to villainy. The story stresses the necessity for acts of redemption or atonement, whether that involves being given a second chance or making sacrifices.
Both individuals and the system must undergo a shift in attitudes. Many antagonists struggle with their pasts, which often consume and shape their identities, unlike the protagonists. In My Hero Academia, the story does not assign blame for one’s circumstances, but rather on their villainous deeds.
Despite the immense suffering Tomura has endured, his deep-seated hatred for the hero society and the countless lives he has taken makes it hard to comprehend why some fans believed he would experience redemption in the conventional sense. Throughout the entire story, Tomura was consumed by his animosity, to the point of even declaring in chapter 418 of My Hero Academia’s final arc that villains require a hero.
Tomura’s Death and Redemption: Literal and Figurative
Despite regaining control of his mind, Tomura’s desire to destroy everything persisted. In fact, it only intensified as he battled against Izuku in My Hero Academia’s final arc. Even after inheriting One for All, witnessing Tomura’s memories, and communicating with Tenko in chapters 415 to 418, he remained determined to continue his destructive path.
After Tomura’s birth in chapter 419, All for One confessed to orchestrating everything, ultimately leading to Shigaraki’s downfall. As the antagonist’s body disintegrates and he nears death, he receives assistance from the Vestiges and Nana Shimura. In a surprising turn of events, Tomura and Deku work together and have a final conversation. Tomura entrusts Deku with the message to inform Spinner that he never gave up on his mission to destroy.
Deku’s words to Tomura carry a profound meaning – that the very thing he struggled to destroy had already been destroyed. By this, he refers to the chains of animosity that All for One had placed on him. Despite living a life of a villain, Tomura’s soul is finally liberated and reborn by aiding in the defeat of the Symbol of Evil. Although he may have always been a harbinger of destruction, he ultimately finds solace and tranquility.
Tomura’s Fate: True to Other Villains
Despite fans’ desire for him to have a redemption arc, Tomura Shigaraki’s story remains a tragic one. From the beginning, he was manipulated and trained to be a weapon, ultimately leading to a lack of genuine redemption. This aligns with the theme of redemption in My Hero Academia’s final arc, which focuses on the complexities of redeeming villains.
Despite not being redeemed, Dabi continued to curse Endeavor and his family as he was apprehended. Toga and Stain, on the other hand, made selfless sacrifices for the ones they cared for and the principles they believed in. Toga even gave Ochaco her blood to ensure her survival, while Stain bravely fought against All for One to protect All Might’s life.
By aiding in the defeat of the Symbol of Evil, which was revived by Nana Shimura, Shigaraki’s soul is redeemed. This marks the closure of his story, as a complete redemption was not possible due to his deep-rooted hatred and never-ending desire for destruction.
Fan expectations and authenticity
Despite all the twists and turns in My Hero Academia’s Final arc and the involvement of various characters, fans were left disappointed with Tomura’s fate. It would require a significant revision to truly alter the outcome of the finale for him and the others.
The redemption of villains by the hero was a trope that fans of the Shonen battle genre were growing tired of, particularly after Naruto’s frequent use of it to talk down his enemies. While some may argue that Aoyama, Gentle, La Brava, and Midnight were exceptions to this trend, it should be acknowledged that they were given opportunities for redemption and took them, ultimately aiding in the rescue of others.
The reality is that concluding My Hero Academia’s final arc with Tomura turning into a good person would have seemed forced, considering how the series has portrayed villains in the past. It is more genuine and true to its storytelling and genre for the villain, despite being given numerous opportunities to change, to ultimately die with a sense of pride for his unwavering determination to destroy.
Final Thoughts
In My Hero Academia’s final arc, Tomura’s story ultimately concludes with a brief conversation between him and Deku as he gradually disappears. This is because All For One had overused his powerful Quirks, causing his body to disintegrate and his mind to be erased. While it may not be the preferred outcome for some, it stays true to the overall tone of the series and is more genuine than redeeming Tomura as a hero.
Despite the potential for debate among fans regarding this ending for a long-standing villain, it is not the most disappointing conclusion a villain has ever received. Examples include the sudden betrayal and replacement of Naruto’s Madara Uchiha by Kaguya Otsutsuki and the defeat of Dragon Ball Super’s Gas by Frieza in a new form, among many other worse endings for villains or entire anime series.
Despite some fans expressing dissatisfaction with the resolution of certain villains, the lasting effects on the overall story and characters cannot be underestimated. While Tomura Shigaraki may not have undergone a traditional redemption, it is important for fans to consider how it aligns with the passage of time.
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