The conclusion of the popular anime and manga series, My Hero Academia, in 2024, sparked divided opinions among its fanbase. While some embraced the final narrative and the evolution of the protagonist, Deku, within the hero society, others expressed disappointment over the diminished focus on key characters. In response to this backlash, an epilogue chapter was later released, addressing many fans’ concerns.
In a recent interview for the My Hero Academia exhibition in 2025, creator Kohei Horikoshi unveiled his original vision for the series’ conclusion, which would have deviated significantly from the published ending. He recounted, “I originally planned for it to end with Deku becoming a teacher and saying, ‘You can be a hero!’ Having used up his powers but looking fully confident… like that.” Horikoshi elaborated that his change stemmed from a broader exploration of what it means to be the greatest hero, ultimately reshaping his final message to focus on community and support rather than individual glory.
One notable aspect of Horikoshi’s initial plan was the adherence to Deku’s iconic declaration from Chapter #1: “This is the story of how I became the greatest hero.” In this original vision, Deku would have indeed become the world’s foremost hero, taking on a teaching role to pass on that legacy to the next generation, much like All Might did for him.
The decision to revise this ending proved to be beneficial. As the narrative of My Hero Academia evolved, it expanded beyond Deku’s individual journey, transitioning to a collective story about building a community of heroes. This shift was evident in the change made in Chapter #324 to the line, “This is the story of how we all became the greatest heroes.” Such a transformation allowed for deeper character development, particularly for figures like Bakugo and Endeavor, whose arcs would have been significantly weakened had Horikoshi adhered to his original conclusion.
Despite the mixed feelings surrounding the series’ canon ending, the newly released anime epilogue aims to provide a sense of closure for its characters. Fans who were concerned about unresolved storylines can look forward to this addition, which seeks to enhance the overall narrative experience.
Ultimately, even if the epilogue had not been produced, the core message that My Hero Academia promotes—about reaching out to others—remains a powerful testament to the growth of both the characters and the series itself. The journey toward understanding heroism has always been about more than individual accomplishments; it is also a narrative about support, camaraderie, and shared aspirations.
