The Epilogue Arc is the twenty-third and final story arc of My Hero Academia, as well as the fifth and final story arc of the Final Act Saga.
At long last, All For One, Tomura Shigaraki, and the rest of the Paranormal Liberation Front have been defeated once and for all. As a result, a new era of peace begins as society heals and rebuilds following the aftermath of the Final War. Class 1-A moves up a grade as they continue their usual studies and training, as well as dealing with the lasting effects of the war.
Summary#
Several months pass following the Final War, and the third year students of U.A. High School hold their delayed graduation. Mirio Togata, as the representative, gives the closing speech, reflecting on the losses inflicted over the past year and the work ahead to repair the damage. He references his final conversation with Sir Nighteye before using his Quirk to leap into the air as Bibimi Kenranzaki bursts through the stage behind him on a giant machine to send off the graduates.
Following the ceremony, Class 1-A, now 2-A, regroup in their temporary classroom, where Shota Aizawa reveals to them that he will continue to be their homeroom teacher into their second year due to the circumstances, much to the class' excitement. Yuga Aoyama is also revealed to be departing the school, having turned down the pardon for his actions in aiding All For One. His replacement is Hitoshi Shinso. In the ensuing celebration, Yuga's haphazard spray of Navel Laser causes Toru Hagakure's Invisibility to malfunction once more, and the rest of the class has a clear look at her face for the first time.
Once order is restored in the class, Mawata Fuwa, the student in charge of cleanup efforts, addresses the class regarding their roles within the wider effort. Amidst the discussion, the chaos following the war is recognized by Shoto Todoroki as akin to the darkness at the Dawn of Quirks that created All For One.
As the day finishes, the students discuss their underclassmen. Ochaco Uraraka is embarrassed by references to her speech atop U.A.,[1] and her smile is off-putting to Izuku Midoriya. As Shoto leaves for a meeting with his family, elsewhere in the city, a young boy named Koki Terumoto removes the threads sewing his mouth shut with scissors and stumbles out of his destroyed home.[2][3]
Shoto, alongside Enji, Rei, Natsuo, and Fuyumi arrive at the medical facility where Toya is being kept alive in a massive life-support machine. The staff inform them that Toya can only speak for a few minutes each day, and that his condition is inexorably deteriorating. Enji informs his son that he is retiring from hero work, that while it was always his plan, the wounds Dabi and All for One inflicted on him are too great to continue. Enji promises to return to speak to his son every day, after which the family is asked to leave to avoid stress on Toya's body. As they leave, Shoto asks his brother what his favorite food is, and receives the answer of Soba. Once the family departs, Toya tearfully apologizes to Shoto.
Outside, Natsuo informs his father that he will be getting married, but that he is cutting contact with him, which Enji accepts. It is revealed that Fuyumi quit her job as a teacher due to the circumstances, but that one of her student's parents is helping her get back on her feet. As Enji makes a final promise to shield them from any consequences from his actions, the siblings depart and Enji receives a message from Hawks as Moe Kamiji and the Flaming Sidekickers arrive to give him and Rei a ride.
Elsewhere Hawks, now the president of the Hero Public Safety Commission, and Lady Nagant, discuss her continued stay in prison, with Nagant refusing an offer to be released, wanting to see what the world will become following All For One's defeat and Izuku's actions. Gentle is released from prison and reunites with La Brava, while Izuku visits Spinner.[4]
Izuku and Spinner meet under the supervision of doctors, with a broadcast regarding the revealed information regarding Tomura Shigaraki plays in the background. The doctors explain that Spinner's process of mental degradation from receiving Body Bulk and Scalemail was narrowly halted thanks to ongoing research into the Nomu. Spinner insults Izuku, calling him a murderer, which Izuku does not deny. Undeterred, Izuku delivers Tomura's final words to Spinner, who reacts in disbelief. Spinner becomes agitated, activating Body Bulk while ranting about Tomura and grabbing Izuku, who motions the doctors to not restrain the villain. Izuku shares his feelings regarding Tomura with Spinner, who expresses that he will write a book about the League of Villains. Izuku requests him to make it a comic book and leaves, with Spinner giving him a message to pass onto Mezo Shoji.
In the same facility, Kai Chisaki reunites with the Shie Hassaikai Boss, who has recovered from the coma inflicted upon him with his Quirk and condemns him for his actions. After thanking Naomasa Tsukauchi for allowing him to fulfil his promise to Kai, Izuku discusses with him the possibility of stopping Villains for good. The next day, Izuku witnesses Katsuki Bakugo and Shoto being harassed by a crowd of their underclassmen fans.[5]
Once Tenya Ida calms the underclassmen, a fan of Izuku addresses him, causing the memory of Spinner's words from the day before to come to mind. Class 2-A goes into the field to clear rubble from the war, assisted by Fat Gum and Best Jeanist. While doing lighter work, Katsuki discusses with a slowly recovering Edgeshot regarding his condition. The grateful residents of the area provide the class food, and they are joined by the underclassmen, who wish to make up for their previous behavior. As they eat, Izuku is once again unnerved by Ochaco's smile.
That night, the class receives news that Ochaco has departed for home. In actuality, she stands at the location of her previous conversation with Izuku prior to the War,[6] reflecting on the death of Himiko Toga and how the conclusion to their battle was not televised. Ruminating on the need to keep up a happy front, Ochaco begins to cry as Izuku spots her and calls her name.[7]
Ochaco attempts to dismiss Izuku, who rejects her attempts to push him away and offers her a reassuring hand, calling back to the times at which she had helped him and calling her his hero. Ochaco breaks down and confides in him about Himiko's death and the guilt she feels over it, as well as her feelings regarding Himiko's upbringing and Quirk. Izuku in turn shares his thoughts regarding Tomura, calling back to All For One's words to him, concluding that despite their failure in saving Tenko and Himiko, if they continue to reach out without being asked, that it will still make a difference. The two are interrupted by the rest of Class 2-A, who had followed Izuku. In the ensuing discussion, the class learns about Izuku's transfer of One For All and his impending Quirklessness.
In the coming days Neito Monoma has a bust erected of him at the entrance to U.A. for his actions in the war, and All Might discusses changes to the hero ranking system with Hawks, including the expansion of the ranking to ordinary civilians who still perform heroic acts. Izuku and Ochaco witness Koki, freed from the prison his abusive family locked him in following the manifestation of his Quirk, be subdued when an old woman takes his hand, averting his attempted rampage before it begins.[8][3]
Over the next few years Tensei Ida returns to hero work through the use of support items, Eri is adopted by Shino Sosaki, Koki Terumoto becomes a student at U.A, and the last embers of One For All fade away.
Eight years later Izuku, now a teacher at U.A, writes in his notebooks before being interrupted by Kota Izumi, now his student, regarding the upcoming visit to the Unforeseen Simulation Joint. After giving instructions to him, Izuku pauses to reminisce about his high school years following the War.
Elsewhere, students at a middle school prepare to submit career applications in preparation for High School. Several students name Mei Hatsume, Ryu Yoshida, and Manami Aiba as role models, before Dai is mocked by his classmates for shooting for the hero course despite his weak Quirk. In their mockery, the students mention that villain attacks have decreased significantly, resulting in a decreased number of pro heroes and stricter standards to become one.
After class, Dai walks home while reminiscing that his friends have all outgrown their obsessions with heroes, leaving him the only one left. He stops in front of the repaired statue of All Might, remembering his first day of primary school eight years prior.[9]
Elsewhere, Tentacole receives the Inamura Peace Prize for his efforts in combating discrimination, A news report on the Quirk counseling program created by Uravity, Creati, Ingenium, and Froppy airs, Eri walks home with her friends, and Izuku is shown a video of Katsuki's latest outburst by Aizawa.
Later, Izuku passes by the hero agencies of Chargebolt and Earphone Jack, an advertisement sponsored by Tsukuyomi, and a news story on Red Riot. He notices a child tripping and leaps to catch him, at the same time that Dai does. Dai is astounded to meet Deku and the two converse, where Dai asks Izuku if he can be a hero, which Izuku affirms and offers advice on his Quirk.
Meeting with All Might, Izuku is presented with a suit derived from the Armored All Might suit and improved with the data gathered from his battle with All For One and eight years of development by Mei Hatsume and Melissa Shield, and funded by Class 1-A. Taking note of his actions earlier in the day, All Might proclaims that Izuku has earned this power. Hawks receives a call regarding a landslide and the former Class 1-A is dispatched to handle it, Izuku included. He briefly witnesses an apparition of Tomura Shigaraki before leaping into action with the rest of his class.[10]
Over the next month, Ochaco begins having a recurring dream featuring Toga. She visits the doctor, but nothing abnormal is found. Ochaco wakes from one such dream at her desk in her agency, before heading out to meet up with Lemillion, Suneater, Nejire, and Froppy to participate in a Quirk counseling event.
Following the conclusion of the event, Ochaco and Tsuyu take the train into the city, where they discuss Ochaco's strange dreams, raising theories from simple stress to an aftereffect of the transfusion of Toga's Blood eight years prior.[11]
Elsewhere, Izuku, Katsuki, and Ejiro drive into the city. During their discussion of their classmates recent careers, Katsuki asks Izuku if he will continue teaching given his recent return to heroism, which Izuku affirms with a comment that even if he had not lost One For All he likely would have still become a teacher. Unbenowest to Izuku, this was a veiled invitation to join Dynamight's agency, which Ejiro points out, prompting Izuku to turn it down. Sour about being turned down, Katsuki advises Izuku to start thinking more highly of himself, that if he continues to treat everyone as special results in no one being special.
Both parties arrive at a restaurant, as does the rest of Class 1-A, as the gathering to celebrate Shoto's promotion to #2 hero commences. During the event, the declining rate of villain attacks is brought up as something that might lead to the end of the need for heroes. Shoto responds to this by revealing that he has taken up woodwork, intending to eat with bowls and utensils that he made himself, something he realized he wanted to do when praying at Toya's altar and realizing he wanted to do more with his life than just heroism.
On the other side of the party, Mina responds excitedly to the news that Kinoko Komori and Shihai Kuroiro have recently begun a romantic relationship. Hanta follows this up by interrogating Denki and Kyoka about their agencies being side by side and the meaning of that, which they both deny means anything. Izuku overhears that and thinks back on Shoto and Katsuki's words, contemplating if there is a piece of himself that he isn't acknowledging.
Izuku's gaze lingers on Ochaco before he is interrupted by a sudden notification that a carjacking has occurred nearby, which all of Class 1-A leaps into action to answer. The incident is swiftly resolved, but the class decides to call it a night and go their separate ways. As Izuku bids farewell to Katuski, the earlier words regarding who he treats as special once again come to mind.
Elsewhere, Ochaco bids farewell to Tsuyu, with Ochaco ruminating on her feeling of disappointment that she did not get to speak to Izuku directly that night, comforting herself with the knowledge that they will see each other at work. However, Izuku's declaration that she is his hero[8] and her confession that she had fallen in love with him to Toga[12] and both come to mind. She reflects that despite them both discovering what they were meant to do and starting down their own paths, she longed to talk with him more.
Her thoughts are interrupted as she turns and notices Izuku racing towards her, which brings forth imagery of her dreams and Himiko. Izuku proclaims that while all of his friends are special and he respects all of them, he found himself wanting to talk more with her that day. At the same time, Himiko reassures Ochako that she lived how she wanted, and tells her that she has a lot more life to live and love to give. Izuku says that he wants more with Ochaco as she stumbles. After some stammering back and forth, Ochaco affirms that their romantic feelings are mutual and the two clasp hands to begin the next step in their relationship as an apparition of Toga watches from the crowd before vanishing.[13]
Several months later, Eri meets with the teachers of U.A, with the exception of Midoriya, to discuss her upcoming concert. The conversation is paused to watch an airing broadcast featuring Deku, Dynamight, and Shoto as the announcer reports on the recent Hero Billboard Chart JP placings, where Deku has reached the rank of #4 hero and Dynamight the #5.[14] Later in the day, Eri and her friends perform the same song that the 1A band performed eight years prior,[15] watched covertly by Izuku, Katsuki, Shoto, and Mirio, with the broadcast of the event additionally watched by Tsuyu, Ochaco, Mashirao Ojiro, and Rikido Sato.
Story Impact#
- Yuga Aoyama leaves U.A. High to atone for his actions as All For One's spy.
- Hitoshi Shinso takes his spot in Class 2-A.
- The classes of U.A. are dispatched to aid in reconstruction efforts following the Final War.
- Dabi's fate following the War is revealed. He survived and is kept on life support, but is still slowly dying.
- The other members of the Todoroki Family meet with Toya. There Enji Todoroki promises to continue visiting Toya until he dies.
- Following a request for his favorite food, Toya apologizes to Shoto Todoroki.
- It is revealed that Endeavor's injuries in the Final War necessitated the amputation of both his legs, and he is unable to continue Hero work.
- Natsuo Todoroki is revealed to have proposed to his girlfriend, and cuts all ties with Enji following their meeting.
- Hawks is revealed to have assumed the position of president of the Hero Public Safety Commission.
- Lady Nagant is revealed to have turned down the offer to suspend her sentence, instead choosing to remain in prison to see how the world will change following Izuku Midoriya's display of valor in the war.
- A news report airs on Tomura Shigaraki, revealing the details of his past to the public.
- Shuichi Iguchi's fate following the war is revealed. Experimental procedures alleviated the stress of receiving both Body Bulk and Scalemail, preventing him from permanent damage.
- Izuku conveys Tomura's final message to Shuichi, who becomes distraught over the death of his first friend and the negative public reaction to the broadcast airing on him. Upon calming down, Shuichi resolves to write a book about the League of Villains, and gives Izuku a message to pass on to Mezo Shoji.
- The fate of the Shie Hassaikai Boss is revealed. Experimental medical procedures reversed the damage done to his body by Overhaul, allowing him to reawaken from his Coma.
- Izuku grants Kai Chisaki's request and allows him to see his former Boss. The boss condemns him for his crimes as Chisaki apologizes.
- Following a reconstruction mission by Class 2-A, Ochaco Uraraka sends messages to the rest of the class that she has returned home, but in fact returns to the cliff where she previously discussed saving Himiko Toga with Izuku.
- It is revealed that the camera recording the battle between Ochaco and Toga ran out of batteries, and that the conclusion to the battle was not recorded.
- Izuku follows Ochaco to the rooftop, where he comforts her regarding Toga's death and reveals to her that he considers her his Hero for all the help she has provided him.
- The rest of Class 2-A arrive, and in the commotion learn that Izuku no longer possesses One For All.
- Neito Monoma has a bust of himself erected in the entrance to U.A.
- Programs begin at the Commission to alter the nature of the Hero Billboard Chart JP, allowing valiant civilians to qualify alongside Heroes.
- Izuku and Ochaco witness Koki Terumoto attempt to begin a rampage before being soothed by a passerby before he can begin.
- Eight years pass, and all current students of U.A. graduate, with most of Class A either opening agencies or becoming Sidekicks, while crime rates fall dramatically.
- Izuku, having lost the last embers of One For All, becomes a teacher at U.A.
- Uravity, Froppy, Ingenium, and Creati begin a joint Quirk Counseling program to allow children with "abnormal" Quirks to better integrate into society without suppressing themselves.
- Tensei Ida receives support items that allow him to return to hero work alongside his brother.
- Shoto debuts at #8 on the charts, eventually rising to #2.
- Dynamight debuts at #4, but his abrasive attitude results in him falling to #15 shortly afterwards.
- Tentacole receives the Inamura prize for his humanitarian efforts.
- Can't Stop Twinkling eventually becomes a hero despite leaving U.A, becoming a Sidekick under Invisible Girl.
- Eri is adopted by Shino Sosaki.
- Kota Izumi and Koki Terumoto become students at U.A. High.
- Dai encounters Izuku, who assures him that he can become a Hero.
- Izuku receives a support item developed from the Armored All Might suit, allowing him to return to Hero work.
- He witnesses an apparition of Tomura as he uses it for the first time.
- In the following month, Ochaco begins having a recurring dream featuring Toga. She visits the doctor regarding this, but the results are inconclusive.
- Class 1-A reunites to celebrate Shoto's rise to the position of #2 Hero.
- The event is interrupted by a villain attack, which the class stops.
- Afterwards, Izuku seeks out Ochaco to request more with her.
- Ochaco, understanding this to be the source of her dreams, affirms their mutual feelings as the two enter a relationship.
- An apparition of Himiko Toga watches the two before vanishing.
- In the following months, Deku debuts at #4 on the Hero charts, while Dynamight rises to #5.
- This fulfills their promise to compete with each other for the rest of their lives, with Katsuki right on Izuku's heels.
- Eri performs a live concert with her friends, playing their own version of the same song that the 1-A band played at the U.A. School Festival.
Characters Introduced#
Quirks Introduced#
- Darkness: Koki's Quirk allows him to spill a dark substance from his fingertips. The whole extent of his Quirk is unknown, as he was stopped by an elderly lady before he could unleash it. This Quirk is also said to be a variant that is unrelated to any of his family's Quirks.[16]
- Unnamed Saucer Quirk: Dai's Quirk allows him to throw saucer-like objects from his hair. It's possible for him to change their size. The Quirk seems to be considered weak, as Dai's classmate said it would be hard to get into the hero course with his Quirk.[10]