My Hero Academia by The manga recently ended, as of August 5, 2024, after a decade of success. However, the mangaka, Kohei Horikoshi, reflected in an interview on The My Hero Academia moment he wants fans to believe is the final ending. The manga continued for years after this pivotal scene, but that doesn't negate its huge impact on the story.
The first battle between All For One and All Might was terrifyingemotional, and one of the saddest moments in My Hero Academia at the time. It marked a turning point in the series: the moment when Deku had to pick up the torch and continue what All Might had started, because the Symbol of Peace had finally lost his powers forever. Horikoshi described in an interview, translated by aitaikimochi on Tumblr, how important this scene was, how difficult it was to write, and how he wanted to “trick” fans into believing that this was the end of the series.
The First Battle Between All For One and All Might in My Hero Academia Was Designed to Fool Fans
This scene ends the Era of All Might, but Horikoshi wants fans to believe the series is over.
The All Might vs. All For One battle in season three was an intense and pivotal moment that changed everything not only for the UA students but for the entire world. When Bakugo Katsuki, a UA student, was captured by the League of Villains, All Might had no choice but to track down the villains and save the boy from danger.
In the upcoming battle, the series' final villain All For One joins in, revealing his identity and appearance for the first time in the series. In the arc's climax, All For One and All Might finally face off again in a high-stakes scene. The fight goes on for quite some time, with All Might growing weaker as he is forced to rely on the remnants of a Quirk he no longer possesses, having passed it on to Deku.
The odds seemed to be against All Might, but at the last second, the hero delivered a devastating blow that gave him the victory. After hitting All For One with the powerful United States of Smash, All Might emerged as the champion of the battle. The onlookers cheered, but Deku sobbed, realizing that All Might's era had come to an end.
My Hero Academia's Most Important Moment Sets the Tone for the Series Going Forward
Deku's determination to become the new symbol of peace is strengthened by All Might's complete loss of power.
All Might sent a message to the crowd after the battle, declaring, “You are next.” Deku and Bakugo were the only two individuals who understood the deeper meaning of these words. The phrase served as All Might officially hands over the title of Symbol of Peace to Dekunot as stern a warning to other scheming villains as witnesses might think.
From this point on, Deku becomes much more serious and motivated, realizing that he has no choice but to continue the work that All Might left behind, as his idol no longer has the strength to fight.
Horikoshi explained that he put his heart and soul into this battle, hoping that viewers would “look back on Boku No Hero Academia and say that the best episode of the entire series was this battle scene.” His wish was granted, as the scene remains one of the most famous and meaningful in the series. The battle marked a change in tone. as the entire Hideout Raid arc is much darker than previous arcs. Before this part of the story began, Horikoshi noted that he hoped to “write a slightly more sorrowful story,” alluding to the upcoming gloomy arc.
The Hideout Raid and All for One Fight Arcs Take My Hero Academia Into Darker Grounds
Horikoshi proves he can write both happy and dark arcs
The Hideout Raid Arc and the subsequent Shie Hassaikai Arc were the darkest parts of My Hero Academia, demonstrating Horikoshi's versatility as a writer. He showed readers that he could write both bright, upbeat stories and darker, more somber ones, combining these elements to create one of the most well-rounded and engaging shonen series of modern times.
The battle between All Might and All For One increased the appeal of My Hero Academia more than ever, putting immense pressure on Deku to reach the potential All Might sees in him and take on the role of Symbol of Peace as soon as possible.
Source: aitaikimochi on Tumblr, interview with Kohei Horikoshi
