The anime adaptation of My Hero Academia, which debuted in 2016, has set new standards in the superhero genre, following the powerful legacy of classics like Naruto and Bleach. With a remarkable run, MHA has been praised by both critics and fans alike, earning its title as one of the finest superhero anime in history. However, after nearly a decade, the series is gearing up for its conclusion this year with the eighth season. While the manga finale by Kohei Horikoshi concluded in August 2024, it drew mixed responses from the fanbase. Despite this, I firmly believe that the My Hero Academia anime will deliver a more satisfying conclusion for those who only follow the anime compared to those who read the manga. Let’s explore why I hold this conviction.
Spoilers Warning:
This article contains spoilers for the ending of My Hero Academia. Proceed with caution.
MHA’s Ending Disappointed Many Manga Readers
After the climactic defeat of All For One and Tomura Shigaraki, fans sensed the series was nearing its end. Earlier, Horikoshi announced that only five chapters remained, culminating in the release of the final chapter on August 5, 2024. With that, the anticipated day arrived as Horikoshi wrapped up his story. The narrative moved ahead to a time skip of eight years post-final war.
Though many were waiting eagerly for this moment, the resolution failed to resonate the way many had hoped. Readers felt that while Horikoshi had solid concepts, the execution faltered by cramming too much into the final 19 pages.
Without revealing too much, the transition of Deku from hero to teacher and back lacked the proper pacing, leaving fans wanting more closure regarding his complex relationship with Ochaco. Moreover, the brief appearance of supporting characters left certain aspects unsatisfactorily resolved for a significant portion of the fanbase.
Months later, an additional epilogue chapter appeared in the final volume, released on December 4, 2024. Titled ‘More,’ this chapter addressed some of the concerns fans had regarding the earlier finale. It provided a glimpse into the lives of beloved characters after the final battle.
This extended insight clarified Deku’s motivations for becoming a teacher amid the time skip and highlighted a Class 1-A reunion, along with updates on the hero billboard chart. Notably, it beautifully solidified the Deku and Ochaco ship, turning previous dissatisfaction into delight for many fans.
Ultimately, this extra content alleviated some of the disappointment stemming from the initial ending, leading us to consider how the anime adaptation could enhance the epilogue chapters, providing a fulfilling finish for the MHA audience.
My Hero Academia Anime’s Epilogue Episodes Will Elevate the Conclusion
The additional epilogue chapter significantly improved the outlook for many manga fans. As of now, the MHA anime has adeptly captured all the crucial battles, with only the epilogue chapters left to adapt. With three episodes remaining, the anime has the opportunity to enrich the final narrative with original scenes, heightening the emotional impact.
Speculation suggests that there might be a twelfth episode or a bonus OVA that adapts the most-anticipated epilogue chapter. If executed well, this adaptation could provide a more complete and satisfying conclusion for Deku’s journey than what the manga offered.
Bones Films has delivered consistently high-quality adaptations, and there’s no doubt they will continue to impress with these final episodes. The exceptional animation and outstanding voice performances will leave fans feeling fulfilled. Anime-only viewers are likely to enjoy a more rewarding experience compared to manga readers who faced the original finale.
Importantly, manga readers will also benefit from this adaptation, sharing in a satisfying conclusion. That’s why I believe that the anime’s ending will resonate more favorably with viewers. Do you also feel that the anime adaptation will surpass the manga in its conclusion? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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