Chapter Boku no Hero Academia Chapter 423 Discussion

[escoxking]

Did you read the last chapter? He joined Deku to take down AFO. He also asked Deku to tell Spinner that Shigaraki was true to himself until the end, despite knowing he would die. He cared for others in his final moment and fought to not have himself lost to AFO, who ultimately cost him everything.

That's as close to a redemption as he could get and while there are many things I dislike about the manga and the way it panned out, I don't think Shigaraki could have gotten a much better ending.

He still died a victim

 

[Antonho]

Let's be honest, after Star, the manga became a bit stale. The Endeavor vs High end and Star fights were peak MHA and then we had Dabi's whole thing and AFO being a bit of an empty vilain after all.

This manga has been good overall but this ain't HxH or One Piece, we all knew that. It's a bit below Naruto to be honest but still enjoyable. I would think that AFO won't come back like Muzan possessing the MC (btw I put Demon Slayer below MHA).

It's been a fun ride and although satisfaction isn't met at the end, it was still nice to read. I figure we'll get something like 5 slice of life chapters and call it a day.

I believe that the story went stale after the my villain academia. Things always felt like they never really had any consequences because Horikoshi needed to move on with the story really really fast. We went from the kids being present in an operation to save bakugou being viewed as a very grave event to midnight dying and the whole country going to shit being minor things because the story needed to move on. I've been saying for more than a year that this was the most likely outcome. Now we'll get to see the Professional heroes and the overall society pretending that they care about the societal issues the author introduced way back then (regular people needing assist equipment to even live properly, prejudice against "mutants" and corruption on the hero organization) by "solving" each one of them in a few pages and saying that this is the first step for a better future. I wouldn't be surprised if the COP friend all might have is show arresting or investigating people from the hero association just for the author to show to the Readers that he didn't really forgot about that. Anyway, for the type of story bnha became, this is an ok ending.

 

[escoxking]

If you think Tomura punching AFO in the inner world was a redemption that's laughable. When AFO literally fucked his whole life up and used him as a puppet. He didn't sacrifice himself he was already dying. That's not redemption for his acts or things he caused to happen to others. And yes he cared about Spinner because Spinner was he only friend out of all those around him.

But other than Tomura went out sad. What would have been redemption for him Idk? But a little punch and telling Spinner he destroyed to the end isn't. Tomura wanted to be a hero as a child. Him separating from AFO and being an Anti Hero that fought against him would have been more redeemable. But this wasn't that. But like I said MHA stayed true to itself till the end.

 

[KOBA]

If you think Tomura punching AFO in the inner world was a redemption that's laughable. When AFO literally fucked his whole life up and used him as a puppet. He didn't sacrifice himself he was already dying. That's not redemption for his acts or things he caused to happen to others. And yes he cared about Spinner because Spinner was he only friend out of all those around him.

But other than Tomura went out sad. What would have been redemption for him Idk? But a little punch and telling Spinner he destroyed to the end isn't. Tomura wanted to be a hero as a child. Him separating from AFO and being an Anti Hero that fought against him would have been more redeemable. But this wasn't that. But like I said MHA stayed true to itself till the end.

I dont think its even supposed to be redemption, more like final F you to AFO.
Will see if new theory is right and Shigaraki did transfer something back to Deku with that fist bump.

 

[escoxking]

I dont think its even supposed to be redemption, more loki final F you to AFO.
Will see if new theory is right and Shigaraki did transfer something back to Deku with that fist bump.

I do think he might of transferred something to him at least AFO or what is left of OFA. I can see Deku giving back the quirks that were stolen.

 

[Temujin26S]

The series peaked at Hideout Raid arc, some would argue later but after this particularly the pacing and direction never quite was the same.

Though it was consistent being sub-par to average unlike other battle shounen that set bar extremely high only to decline in quality over time.

As for Shargaki his death was appropriate, but I understand people’s frustration. Horikoshi seemingly build to climax Deku deal with moral dilemma regarding whether to kill or spare Tomura what would possible implications and long term ramifications of either choice.

Instead all comes down to save a kid vestige of Shargaki, though regardless it was unquie and realistic actually not bad direction with his ending.

Ultimately despite being preyed, manipulated and groomed to become a villian Tomura recongizes doesn't really change much, as those negative experiences shaped who he is and is proud regardless. Gained genuine friends and allies on way who rallied behind his goal and relate to him. Despite wanting to be hero as a kid, those dreams changed when the reality of society and heroes rear its uglyhead. It doesn't change the inherent flaws with hero soceity despite AFO involvementwith him. To have a full redemption arc and turning over new leaf wouldn't appeal Tomura in anyway even if had that option.

The issue is Horikoshi execution was just sloppy, if subplot involving Tomura finding out the actual truth AFO orchestrating of his family downfall. Then making plans himself attempt to overthrow AFO possibly could've showcase not being a disposable pawn. Overall the ending is okay.

 

[Franz]

I do think he might of transferred something to him at least AFO or what is left of OFA. I can see Deku giving back the quirks that were stolen.

Deku cannot have the AFO, otherwise he would also have the vestige of the AFO inside him


To whom exactly then? The only one I can think of is Ragdoll, but the rest of the people AFO stole their quirks from will be dead years ago.

If you think Tomura punching AFO in the inner world was a redemption that's laughable. When AFO literally fucked his whole life up and used him as a puppet. He didn't sacrifice himself he was already dying. That's not redemption for his acts or things he caused to happen to others. And yes he cared about Spinner because Spinner was he only friend out of all those around him.

But other than Tomura went out sad. What would have been redemption for him Idk? But a little punch and telling Spinner he destroyed to the end isn't. Tomura wanted to be a hero as a child. Him separating from AFO and being an Anti Hero that fought against him would have been more redeemable. But this wasn't that. But like I said MHA stayed true to itself till the end.

In my opinion it makes sense.

Deku saved Tomura from AFO and allowed him to leave in peace, satisfied with having accomplished his revenge, but Tomura all in all remains faithful to his principles as a villain, regretting not having destroyed everything.

Izuku was ultimately able to save Tomura from AFO by preventing him from being his puppet forever, but he could do nothing to save Tomura from himself.

 

[RatibTM]

So Deku kept saying he wants to save Shikaragi but ended up killing him?

The one of the problems with this manga (after Shisaki's ark) is building the hype then killing it by rushing the end of the fight.
btw, why even Bakugo showed up at the end?

 

[Franz]

btw, why even Bakugo showed up at the end?

Did you seriously believe that Bakugo wouldn't have a role in the final battle when even the Todoroki had a page dedicated to them?

So Deku kept saying he wants to save Shikaragi but ended up killing him?

Shigaraki essentially killed himself.

 

[Griffithpt]

He still died a victim

He was, but that was Deku's ultimate test. He always tried to find some redeeming factor in his enemies, sometimes inspiring them to change themselves for the better but some people can't be saved, so what is Deku willing to do when that happens? Is he willing to defeat someone when he knows they are beyond saving and beyond redemption?

He was, but he sacrificed the thing he treasured the most for it.

And while I agree with you that he was a victim, he at least died as himself, not as fragment of himself hiding deep inside of his own body.

I don't agree with many decisions Horikoshi made in terms of the development, but I think having Shigaraki's destruction be Deku's ultimate challenge was a good call. For the first time since the story began, they saw each other eye to eye and both him and Shigaraki did the right thing. I always had the feeling the story would have a bittersweet ending, and I think Shigaraki's ending, as the last wielder of One for All was emblematic of the quirk itself. He sacrificed himself for everyone, just as Deku had throughout the time they knew each other.

Deku was not able to save Tenko, but Tenko was able to save everyone.

OFA's will was fulfilled.

Again, not everything Horikoshi did, or the pacing with which he did it were things I appreciated, but I think Shigaraki's death was well accomplished both for him and Deku.

 

[KOBA]

So Deku kept saying he wants to save Shikaragi but ended up killing him?

The one of the problems with this manga (after Shisaki's ark) is building the hype then killing it by rushing the end of the fight.
btw, why even Bakugo showed up at the end?

His body was already crumbling from OFA backlash, combined attack of Deku from outside and Shigaraki from inside finish him of.
I actually like that talk no jutsu didn't work and Shigaraki stayed a convicted villain. Thank god Orochimaru 2.0 didn't happen.

Last week I was joking that he gonna knock off Shigaraki with a steel chair. But Bakugo just pat Izuku in a back and told: "go get him champ". Class 1A without Bakugo is class 1A. I expect Uraraka will show up next chapter as well.

Also read official translation, it's much better this time.

 

[Neala897]

The whole talk of completing Ofa returns so I have my doubts of it simply ending like that.

 

[Franz]

The whole talk of completing Ofa returns so I have my doubts of it simply ending like that.

Yoichi meant that Izuku completed OFA by defeating the one it was created for.

 

[Neala897]

Yoichi meant that Izuku completed OFA by defeating the one it was created for.

Mmmmm no. Thats not it.

 

[Franz]

For the same reason why Bakugo shouldn't have appeared in this chapter right?

 

[nectar]

I'm more at peace with this chapter after reading it again. I'm fine with the idea of OFA taking down AFO from both inside and out (In a way, AFO got monkey's paw'd because he was so desperate to get OFA. Well, you got it alright.). Even liked the bit of raw emotion from AFO when talking to Yoichi. It really help prove Deku was right in calling him just a lonely guy. AFO was a sad excuse for a human being and got what he deserved.

I'm still a bit iffy about Shigaraki's end. I know he was manipulated by AFO, but he still mass murdered a bunch of people and helped almost destroy an entire country. Yeah, sad you got screwed, but I'm still glad you're gone, Shiggy.

Now to wait for that Koichi cameo...

 

[Antonho]

Man, it still feel weird reading the first few arcs when Shigaraki development went from being a spoiler brat to an actual dangerous villain with leadership qualities then he obtained a massive army with a huge amount of resources in one arc, had his body taken over on the next one and that that basically it for his character development until these last few chapters. It's getting way too difficult to avoid seeing how the poor popularity of the villains Early on set this series on a very sad path.

--- Double Post Merged, May 20, 2024, Original Post Date: May 19, 2024 ---

The series peaked at Hideout Raid arc, some would argue later but after this particularly the pacing and direction never quite was the same.

Though it was consistent being sub-par to average unlike other battle shounen that set bar extremely high only to decline in quality over time.

As for Shargaki his death was appropriate, but I understand people’s frustration. Horikoshi seemingly build to climax Deku deal with moral dilemma regarding whether to kill or spare Tomura what would possible implications and long term ramifications of either choice.

Instead all comes down to save a kid vestige of Shargaki, though regardless it was unquie and realistic actually not bad direction with his ending.

Ultimately despite being preyed, manipulated and groomed to become a villian Tomura recongizes doesn't really change much, as those negative experiences shaped who he is and is proud regardless. Gained genuine friends and allies on way who rallied behind his goal and relate to him. Despite wanting to be hero as a kid, those dreams changed when the reality of society and heroes rear its uglyhead. It doesn't change the inherent flaws with hero soceity despite AFO involvementwith him. To have a full redemption arc and turning over new leaf wouldn't appeal Tomura in anyway even if had that option.

The issue is Horikoshi execution was just sloppy, if subplot involving Tomura finding out the actual truth AFO orchestrating of his family downfall. Then making plans himself attempt to overthrow AFO possibly could've showcase not being a disposable pawn. Overall the ending is okay.

I get that the author want us to believe Shigaraki had a bond with the rest of the league of villains, but how are we supposed to feel this bond when we barely got to see it. For example, i believe Toga and twice had a very strong connection because we can see it when they interact and i actually got sad for both of them when Twice died. While shigaraki and the rest of the crew barely had any interaction for the entire second half of the story. It's wild. This whole final arc feels like we skipped several arcs that were supposed to build characters and plots and jumped straight to the conclusion of said plots. Seeing all might armor being basically the conclusion of his "teacher era" plot representing the bond between him and the students even if we barely got to see them interacting with each other was the type of thing i can understand but it doesn't make me feel anything.

 

[EddyBob15]

I can't help but think that you, and everyone that shares the opinion, or hope, that somehow Deku will get back OFA or some other quirk somehow has ENTIRELY missed the point of this story and Deku's character arc that was evident since the very first chapter.

Deku won the hearts of his colleagues, his greatest hero and most people he comes across by sacrificing himself and giving his all for others. He is the embodiment of One for All, giving all for one so much so that he was willing to sacrifice the thing he cherished and cared for the most in an attempt to save his worst enemy.

This was evident since the first chapter and if you think this story should end with Deku having OFA again and fighting criminals I don't know what to tell you.

Maybe Deku will end up with some All Might-esque mech suit and become a hero that way. Maybe he'll become a cop as All Might suggested when he first asked if he could be a hero but if this story ends with Deku not being quirkless then the entire story and all of Deku's development for hundreds of chapters will have been pointless.

Deku doesn't need a quirk to be a hero.

That's the whole point of the story.

Dude, face it, the ending is going to be divisive one way or another, either upsetting those that believe Deku can be a hero without a Quirk, or those who didn't want Deku to lose his Quirk.

 

[Antonho]

Dude, face it, the ending is going to be divisive one way or another, either upsetting those that believe Deku can be a hero without a Quirk, or those who didn't want Deku to lose his Quirk.

Horikoshi already introduced a suit in the story that is stronger than 99% of the quirk users in that story. There's no reason, other than lack of money and "friends" , for people like deku to not be heroes.

 

[nectar]

Deku's dad. I guess he's showing up along with the U.S. heroes. Maybe he's a hero or sidekick or type of specialist working with the American heroes. Or maybe he's just some dude. I hope not.