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My Hero Academia‘s 306th chapter indicated that the story of Izuku Midoriya and Class 1A could be coming to an end. As the manga enters its final arc after a 300+ chapter-long story, fans have been pretty vocal regarding the possibility of the series’ ending. Of course, rumors came to a cusp when the author and creator, Kōhei Horikoshi, commented on the series possibly heading towards its conclusion during an interview in Jump Festa 2021. It looks like a recent statement may hint at a future beyond the final arc. The release of the manga’s 30th volume in Japan included an afterword by the author. He addresses his original plans for the series and what is in store for the future. Check out the original Japanese afterword below, posted by Twitter user @kylescouter.

 

One of our Knowhere Discord members, Randy, was kind enough to translate the original afterword to the best of his ability and this is what his translation stated:

THE AFTERWORD:

And so we come to issue 30. Before I had felt like just writing, and initially I was planning on writing 30 issues and ending the series, yet as I have written and drawn these last few issues I have surprised even myself. For the first volume/issue for the time I have worked on this, I have been enjoying fighting the good fight and the main story will continue! I wish you continued peace and blessings and thank you for this opportunity.”

Translations can be a fickle thing. They can easily get misinterpreted, or parts of the text end up lost in translation. As such, I also contacted a friend who works as a translator. They were able to transcribe the afterword to offer an additional comparison point. This way, we have another translation to make sure.

 

 

A portion of the translation varies a bit, but much of the context remains the same. Horikoshi first addresses the statements he made in 2018 about his original plans for the My Hero Academia story to end around the 30th manga volume. He talks about how he’s surprised that the manga has gone on for this long. Now the 4th line is where the two translations start to get a little bit mixed up, as they both talk about a battle or a fight. I am going to lean heavily on the second translation, as it does refer to a specific line in the afterword of the previous volume where Horikoshi thanked those who have “read the manga and hope they can enjoy its end.” The final line reads that the main story will continue, and he thanks everyone for supporting the series.

 

 

This afterword can get interpreted in multiple ways. I believe that the manga has entered into the final arc of its story, but it could easily take more than a year until it ends. We’ve learned that lesson from Shie Hassaikai Arc and the Paranormal Liberation War Arc. Also, this doesn’t mean that Izuku Midoriya’s story will end right there and then. Writers are often vague with what they say, and more often than not, plans tend to change when one writes. The My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising film is a perfect example. Director Kenji Nagasaki talked about how the film used the original ending written by Horikoshi.

Not only that, but there are far too many plot threads left hanging from the main story that is worth exploring, and most might not get the attention they deserve in this final arc. If you want to read up on how I think the series may end, check out the Theory Thursday article we posted earlier today regarding Izuku’s Vigilante Arc. So we can assume that My Hero Academia is still set to continue for the time being. However, whether Izuku Midoriya continues his story under the My Hero Academia brand or through a new title, that’s up to Kōhei Horikoshi.

Source: Twitter, Comic Book, Twitter (Kenji Nagasaki)

“The Final Arc Begins” was the title for chapter #306 of My Hero Academia. As the manga appears to be reaching its end, fans from all over the world have shared mixed feelings about the worldwide phenomenon concluding so soon. Some believe it’s far too early for Izuku Midoriya’s story to end. After the last arc’s ending, there is a lot of excitement about how the story will conclude. Right now, we are only two chapters in without much information on where it is heading. As the new chapter set to arrive on Sunday on the next edition of Shonen Jump, I wanted to take my shot at predicting how this final arc could play out and ultimately how the story could end. If you only actively watch the anime and have not yet read the manga, consider this your SPOILER WARNING.

 

 

Why did I name the final arc the Vigilante Arc? As of chapter #306, faith in heroes has waivered. Most of the pro heroes are either out of commission, still recovering, or retired at this point. The events of the Paranormal Liberation War Arc have left a deep scar in the hero community. Many believe that heroes are now unable to handle the attacks of the villains. As a temporary solution, the next generation of heroes is being called upon to rise to the challenge where pro heroes cannot. Since then, Izuku Midoriya left UA High School. Shortly before he did, he left a note to all of his classmates informing them about his decision to protect the people he loves, as well as explaining his quirk “One for All.” He even reveals his connections to All Might, All for One, and Tomura Shigaraki.

 

Deku VS the World

 

If we base ourselves on what has transpired in the last two chapters, we can deduce that “Deku” has been taking on villains on his own since he left UA in March. This decision would make Izuku a vigilante by the Hero Commission’s standards. Since the commission does not discriminate between a villain and a vigilante, both individuals violate Hero Law and must get prosecuted as the same.
It’s April in the manga, which means this is the month where Class 1A will finish their first year. The next couple of chapters will most likely showcase Izuku’s rematch with Jailbreaker, but these events will certainly not go unnoticed in the hero world. Such a high-profile villain is a high priority for heroes to detain. There is no doubt in my mind that his classmates will intervene in the attack as a sort of final exam for the class. This action would bring about the reunion of Izuku and Class 1A since his departure from UA. And what exactly might occur after everything that’s happened?

 

 

Deku VS Class 1-A

 

Izuku is depressed right now. He believes that everything that has transpired is because of him. So, he will want to seek atonement by going rogue and fix everything as a lone wolf. His class will not agree with him and will try to convince Izuku to return to UA to complete his training. This clash of ideals could lead to a bittersweet encounter and force Class 1A to take on Izuku. In a way, he has connected with his classmates and inspired them to become better heroes. Now, it’s time for Class 1A to repay the debt. This showdown could also lead to a final encounter between Deku and Bakugo, where his rival could have a heart-to-heart with Izuku. Even with their history, they’ve gone through enough together since they joined UA. He might even convince him to stay, thus bringing about his character development full circle.

I believe that by the end of the manga, Izuku Midoriya will be convinced to return to UA to finish his training, thus bringing an end to the story of the First Year. Does this mean it’s the end of My Hero Academia? I believe it will. Will it end Izuku Midoriya’s story? I doubt it, as it’s only just the beginning. We still have quite a few plot threads that need answers and could be expanded into new stories down the line. Not only that, but we still need to find out how he becomes “the greatest hero,” as his future self teased when the series started. So more likely than not, there is a possibility that Izuku and the rest of 1A’s story could get continued as part of a sequel manga story, similar to how Naruto had a sequel titled Naruto: Shippuden. I guess only time will tell if, even as some hints may be pointing towards the future.

There aren’t many manga series that have achieved the international acclaim and success that My Hero Academia has. It’s become one of the most popular manga franchises, and with the fifth season finally airing this week, we’re going to recap the events of the first four seasons to get you guys ready to continue Midoriya’s story in the U.A.

 

Season 1

The first season kicks off with the introduction of our protagonist, Izuku Midoriya. In a world where individuals are born with special abilities known as “quirks,” he was born without one. This revelation, however, did not stop him from trying to achieve his dream of becoming a hero like his inspiration, All Might. When fate has them cross paths, his icon acknowledges Izuku’s dream and takes him on as his successor. He’s eventually accepted into his dream school, U.A., and enters Class 1A. Izuku’s classmates are pictured below:

 

 

The class starts hero training with their professor and hero, Shota Aizawa. The season ends with Class 1A facing off against the newly founded League of Villains. They can delay the villain’s plans until All Might comes in to save the day.

 

Season 2

 

The second season kicks off with the first-year students showcasing their quirks to the world in a massive scale tournament. When it’s all said and done, Katsuki Bakugo ends up winning. Shortly after, pro heroes offer the students at 1A temporary internships. Izuku undergoes tutelage under Gran Torino, All Might’s former master. With his help, he learns how to control his quirk. In the meantime, a city gets attacked by the League of Villains. Izuku, Todoroki, and Tenya team up to take down a villain named Stain.

Following Stain’s defeat, more villains were motivated to rise against the heroes. The final arc of the season has class 1A taking on their teachers for their final exam. The season ends with Izuku and Shigaraki coming face-to-face once again. It ends setting up Shigaraki as one of the big villains of the My Hero story.

 

Season 3

The third season starts with the two hero classes traveling to a Summer Camp, where they learn to master their quirks. That all changed when the League of Villains attacked the campsite. Their goal was to distract the pro heroes so they could abduct Bakugo.

Following those events, the heroes immediately go out in search of Bakugo and the villain’s hideout. Meanwhile, Izuku, Kirishima, Shoto, Momo, and Tenya decide to take matters into their own hands to rescue Bakugo. They succeed in doing so. Meanwhile, All Might takes on the League’s founder, All for One, in a massive battle. All Might ultimately win the battle but retires after the match.

The final arc subjects class 1A to a rigorous exam to receive their Provisional Hero Licenses. Nearly all the students passed except for Bakugo and Todoroki. The season ends with Bakugo and Deku going head to head in a match. All Might intervene to explain everything to Bakugo regarding One for All.

 

Season 4

The most recent season picks up right where the third season ended. The students participate in different work studies under the tutelage of pro heroes. Izuku gets to work for All Might’s former sidekick, Sir Nighteye. He is investigating a Yakuza group led by the villainous Chisaki. He has been creating a drug that can steal quirks. It is based on the blood of a poor girl named Eri. These events lead to the Shie Hassaikai raid, where the heroes attempt to rescue Eri and stop the madman. They succeed, but at a cost. The young hero, Mirio, loses his powers, and Sir Nighteye dies in battle. Luckily, he gets a chance to reconcile with All Might.

Following these events, U.A. held its annual school festival, which almost got disrupted by two villains. It ends up getting foiled by Izuku. After the School Festival, Endeavor officially becomes the world’s no. 1 hero. We also get introduced to the brand new No. 2, Hawks. They both travel to Fukuoka, where a genetically-altered person, also known as a Nomu, appears and fights the two heroes. The season ends with Izuku having a mysterious dream. In it, he sees all of the former users of the One For All quirk. He witnesses the exchange between All For One and the original One For All. He ends up waking up before he gets to see the rest of that story.

 

And now you’re all caught up for Season 5 of My Hero Academia.