Kohei Horikoshi's popular shounen manga My Hero Academia is coming to an end, as evidenced by the climactic battle between the main protagonists and the main antagonists in My Hero Academia chapter 423 coming to a close.
After over 80 chapters, the final arc of the My Hero Academia manga is finally about to complete its mission. Deku has done his best as the next wielder of One For All, by defeating All For One once and for all, ending his century-long reign of terror in chapter 423.
The climax of the battle raises many questions, the biggest of which is the fate of All For One and Shigaraki. So what really happened to All For One and Shigaraki?
In chapter 423, Deku used the last remaining One For All embers within himself to strike All For One. Its resonance awakened the remaining fragments of previous One For All users and Shikaraki within All For One, destroying the villain from within.
The combined power of the attacks from Deku, Shigaraki, and the previous One For All users seemingly finished off All For One as his body vanished, leaving only Shigaraki behind. After a brief conversation with Deku where they settled their philosophical differences, Shigaraki turned to dust and disappeared into thin air.
Although it is not explicitly stated, the villains' disappearance simply means that they are no longer alive. All For One has lived for centuries and during the last war, his body has undergone many changes and has taken countless attacks, both internal and external. Shigaraki has also suffered many injuries.
Before he died, All For One found the remaining fragment of Yoichi within himself, and for the first time, he confessed that he loved his brother and wanted him back more than anything else. This moment of truth finally completed All For One's character arc.
Shigaraki's story also comes to a close as he finally escapes All For One. In his final moments, he confesses that perhaps Deku was right all along and he was just a lonely kid looking for understanding.
In chapter 424, Deku confirms that Shigaraki is dead, and that All For One is dead as well. This finally puts an end to the villains' massacre and stops the cycle of hatred.