My Hero Academia's ending left fans pondering a number of different plot points, but none were as divisive as Endeavor's redemption arc.
Even weeks after the manga ended, discussions surrounding the character Endeavor continued to cause heated debate.
This controversial storyline, revolving around the life and actions of Enji Todoroki, also known as Endeavor, is a key element of the series.
Kohei Horikoshi, the author of My Hero Academia, invested a lot of time in building this plot, especially in the ending.
However, despite the efforts to bring closure and redemption to Endeavor, many readers were left unsatisfied, leading to one of the most controversial plot twists in the series.
Endeavor's Redemption Arc Evolution
Endeavor's redemption arc is a multi-dimensional plot that is significantly revealed in the conclusion of My Hero Academia.
This ending is intended to provide a sense of closure for Endeavor's character by addressing his past wrongdoings and opening a path to redemption.
After the climactic events of the final war, Endeavor finds himself no longer able to continue his heroic work.
This period in his life marked a pivotal turning point as he decided to spend the remaining years of his life contacting Toya Todoroki, his estranged son, in an attempt to atone for his past mistakes.
This aspect of Endeavor's redemption is presented as a sincere gesture. After years of ignoring Toya, Endeavor's decision to reconnect with him is portrayed as a form of atonement.
On the surface, this move seems like a genuine attempt to right past wrongs. Endeavor's motives, while complex, stem from a desire to atone for previous failures.
This part of the redemption process fits into the larger theme of redemption and personal growth that is central to My Hero Academia.
However, the redemption storyline is not without controversy. The plot choices made to resolve Endeavor's backstory, particularly how his past actions are portrayed, have caused considerable debate among fans.
To understand why Endeavor's redemption became such a controversial issue, it is necessary to consider the darker aspects of his past and their impact on the characters around him.
Endeavor's abusive past and its effects
One of the most disturbing aspects of Endeavor's journey to redemption is the depiction of his abusive behavior towards his wife, Rei Todoroki.
The manga delves into Endeavor's history, revealing a disturbing pattern of abuse that occurred before Shoto, his youngest child, was born.
Endeavor's decision to marry Rei stems from his ambition to produce a child who would inherit both their powerful abilities of fire and ice.
This decision paved the way for a series of traumatic events to happen to Rei.
The description of Rei's suffering is both detailed and disturbing. Rei, already physically and mentally exhausted from giving birth to so many children, is also constantly abused by Endeavor.
This abuse stems from Endeavor's frustration at not being able to produce a child with both strange traits, leading him to force Rei to get pregnant multiple times.
The story doesn't shy away from highlighting the harsh realities of Rei's situation, emphasizing the emotional and physical toll Endeavor's actions have taken.
The culmination of this abuse is the birth of Shoto, the child that Endeavor hoped for. Shoto's birth, although fulfilling Endeavor's ambition, also comes at a great cost.
Rei's torment continues even after Shoto's arrival, as Endeavor's demands and abuse continue.
The manga depicts Rei as a victim trapped in a vicious cycle of suffering, illustrating the profound impact Endeavor's actions have on her happiness.
Rei's role in Endeavor's later life
The image of Rei caring for Endeavor in the epilogue adds complexity to the redemption journey.
After Endeavor is disabled, Rei takes on the role of caring for her abuser.
This narrative choice is particularly controversial because it raises questions about forgiveness, victimhood, and the limits of salvation.
For many readers, the depiction of Rei's continuing role in Endeavor's life left a sense of unease and moral ambiguity.
The character Rei is portrayed as suffering terribly due to Endeavor's actions.
Her decision to care for Endeavor, despite the abuse she suffered, is portrayed as a form of sacrifice and altruism.
However, this depiction has been criticized by fans as they feel it downplays the severity of Endeavor's past actions.
The story's attempt to reconcile Rei's roles as both victim and caregiver has left many readers grappling with the ethical implications of such a resolution.
Impact on Shoto Todoroki
Endeavor's abusive behavior has serious consequences, especially for Shoto Todoroki.
Shoto, who was subjected to his father's harsh and often brutal training, suffers the consequences of Endeavor's misguided ambitions.
The manga depicts Endeavor's training methods as being too harsh, resulting in physical and mental trauma for Shoto.
This aspect of Endeavor's character arc is important in understanding the broader impact of his actions.
One of the pivotal scenes in Endeavor's plot reveals Shoto's emotional and expressive nature before he was subjected to his father's harsh training.
The earlier version of Shoto is a complete contrast to his withdrawn and emotionally distant image as an adult.
The abuse and harsh training sessions inflicted by Endeavor deeply affected Shoto's personality, turning him into someone who struggled to express his emotions and cope with his trauma.
Shoto's transformation from an emotionally open child to a reserved and serious adult highlights the profound psychological impact of Endeavor's actions.
The manga explores how Shoto's experiences with his father have influenced his relationships and personal growth.
The depiction of Shoto's struggles serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting effects of abuse and the difficulties of overcoming such trauma.
Impact on Fuyumi and Natsuo Todoroki
Endeavor's impact is not limited to Shoto, but also affects his two younger siblings, Fuyumi and Natsuo Todoroki.
In particular, Fuyumi was forced to take on the role of surrogate mother to her siblings from a young age.
This responsibility places a considerable burden on her, as she must manage the household and care for her siblings while dealing with the fallout from Endeavor's actions.
Natsuo, on the other hand, resents his father greatly and decides to leave the family home.
His decision to live separately from his partner reflects his refusal to forgive Endeavor and his desire to distance himself from the toxic environment created by his father's behavior.
Natsuo's departure underscores the extent of the damage caused by Endeavor's past actions, highlighting the strain on family relationships and the lasting impact of abuse.
Fan reactions and controversy
The controversy surrounding Endeavor's redemption storyline reflects broader debates within the fan community about how to handle complex characters and themes.
While some readers appreciated the attempt to present a nuanced picture of redemption and personal growth, others found the resolution unsatisfactory given the severity of Endeavor's past actions.
this scene! pic.twitter.com/anEPvWuLLG https://t.co/gJ6yCq4koh
— Shreya⁷ (@chuuyabaki) August 13, 2024
The depiction of Rei's role in caring for Endeavor, along with the depiction of Shoto's trauma, has led to mixed opinions on the effectiveness of the redemption process.
For many fans, Endeavor's redemption felt incomplete and inadequate. Unresolved issues surrounding Rei's suffering and its lasting effects on Shoto and his siblings contributed to a sense of dissatisfaction.
The complexity of human behavior and the challenges of addressing such themes in a narrative context are evident in the mixed reactions to Endeavor's plot.
This debate highlights the difficulty of coming up with a solution that can resonate with all readers and addresses the moral and emotional implications of the character's past actions.
Broader implications for storytelling
The debate over Endeavor's redemption highlights the storytelling challenges of dealing with complex and morally ambiguous characters.
Redemption stories often revolve around the balance between acknowledging past mistakes and opening the path to redemption.
Endeavor's plot illustrates the difficulties of reconciling deeply flawed characters with their quest for redemption, while also highlighting the limitations of narrative resolution in addressing the full scope of a character's impact.
As My Hero Academia comes to an end, Endeavor's salvation remains the focus of discussion and debate.
The complexity of his personality and past actions continue to provoke thought and analysis among fans.
The controversy surrounding this plot reflects broader questions about forgiveness, salvation, and the nature of personal growth in storytelling.
Endeavor's redemption arc in My Hero Academia is a controversial aspect of the series.
The depiction of his abusive past, Rei's role as a caregiver, and the impact on his children all contributed to the controversy.
While the story aims to resolve Endeavor's character, the way the story is executed has left many readers questioning the effectiveness and morality of the redemption offered.
As discussions about this storyline continue, Endeavor's redemption is a testament to the challenges of tackling complex themes in storytelling and the lasting impact of character-centered stories.
