Extra Content from Volume 40.
The Behind-The-Scenes#
"Organic, Mingling Clusters of Light."
That chapter title is a reference to a line from the opening poem in Kenji Miyazawa's collection Spring and Strife (Haru to Shura).
I'm pretty sure I mentioned at some point that the nickname "Deku" is also a Kenji Miyazawa reference. That one comes from his poem "Falter Not to the Rain" (Ame ni mo Makezu).
Anyway, this title was a good fit for a chapter about All Might and Aoyama since, like Deku, they both started out Quirkless.
Incidentally, the second poem in Spring and Strife is one called "Refractive Index."
It's often super obvious where my inspirations for things in MHA come from.
Toru Hagakure#
Because Hagakure wasn't visible up to now, she was able to bypass the regulation about how much skin a hero's costume is allowed to show (a topic that was initially addressed because of Midnight's costume).
Hagakure might have to revisit the issue now. Toru: Hmm...
Stain#
The glider Stain comes swooping down on is a piece of Detnerat tech he stole from some hooligans while roaming around.
I intended to include a brief explanation about that, but the idea was scrapped when I ran out of pages.
When deciding to cut that content, I was like, "No biggie! We'll just do it like Star Wars!"
(There's an enormous amount of supplementary Star Wars material that addresses topics not explained in the mainline movies themselves. It's fascinating.)
Leaves Blowing in the Wind#
Toshinori and Toshie#
With respect and gratitude for Yanase Sensei!
(Creator of Anpanman)
Katsuki Bakugo#
Katsuki's blood was getting blown around by the storm and blasted to who-knows-where, so All For One never managed to lick any of it...
The gifts that Deku, Katsuki, and Todoroki have received from All Might (in Todoroki's case, his words) have had a widespread impact.
Katsuki: Yeowch! Oww!
Assistants Introductions#
Imamura
Ikeda
Tanimoto
Mugino
Iwaki
Ashigaki
Tono
Noguchi
Koga
Monri
The Contribution#
We've got another gift from Akiyama Sensei, author of the MHA: Team-Up Missions spin-off ·
Thank you to her, as always!
It's on page 184 · Hurry over to page 184!
THE SLIGHTLY PREMATURE AFTERWORD
At last, I've hit 40.
No, not my age. I mean, the number of volumes.
At this point, we've got to go on the offensive, pay due respect, buckle down, and see it through. That applies to me, Deku, and Shigaraki too.
Thank you to everyone who's stuck with me this far on the journey!
Hope you'll show up again for the next volume!
THAT HAND#
All For One somehow lost Yoichi's remaining hand during the era when he was put on the defensive by All Might.
40#
Congrats on Volume 40 · You're beyond amazing, Kachaaan ·
—Yoko Akiyama