My Hero Academia Needs to Fix a Big Issue With Deku and Shigaraki

As a devoted fan who has been invested in the world of My Hero Academia for years, I have to say that while the series has delivered countless thrilling moments and captivating storylines, it seems to me that they’ve missed a golden opportunity to fully explore the dynamic between Izuku Midoriya (Deku) and Tomura Shigaraki.


In the final stretch of My Hero Academia’s anime adaptation, there is a significant problem brewing between Izuku Midoriya and Tomura Shigaraki that needs to be addressed before the series concludes. The original run of My Hero Academia’s manga wrapped up this past Summer in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, marking the end of Kohei Horikoshi’s ten-year journey portraying the epic battle against Tomura Shigaraki and All For One. As the anime now delves into this climactic war between heroes and villains, it presents an opportunity to tidy up a major conflict between our protagonist and antagonist.

In the upcoming episodes of “My Hero Academia,” we’ll witness the climactic battle between Deku and Shigaraki, as the anime progresses beyond Season 7. It’s becoming increasingly clear that these two characters had less interaction than expected leading up to their final encounter. Initially, they were portrayed as a sort of dark reflection of each other, but as the series advanced and broadened its focus on the impending war involving All For One and his ambition to rule the world, this parallel took a back seat.

Where Did My Hero Academia Go Wrong With Deku and Shigaraki?

Initially in My Hero Academia, Shigaraki served as a formidable adversary to Deku, frequently confronting him. Interactions between them helped establish Shigaraki as Deku’s ultimate enemy. It appeared that the next battle between heroes and villains would involve these two characters prominently. All Might and All For One’s successors were poised to uphold their mentors’ legacies, and Shigaraki’s destructive tendencies suggested he was essentially the opposite side of Deku.

As the story progressed, the relationship between these two characters grew murky and increasingly complex due to the introduction of new antagonists and intricate plot points. Despite being ousted earlier, All For One re-emerged as the principal adversary. This is when Deku began contemplating the notion of rescuing Shigaraki from his apparent grim destiny, which All For One had orchestrated by manipulating him into becoming the villain he is now. Deku was moved by the young Shigaraki’s struggle to break free from that manipulation and felt compelled to offer help.

Despite Deku being an admirable individual, his decision seemed swift, altering the direction of the series significantly. Now, Deku is battling Shigaraki head-on, yet he remains determined to save Shigaraki from himself. Conversely, Shigaraki continues to wreak havoc not just against Deku but also their shared connection to All For One. The captivating dynamic between them as protagonist and antagonist, which made them so intriguing initially, seems to have faded. This decline occurred due to All For One’s unwillingness to yield, preventing Shigaraki from fully developing into a multi-dimensional character.

How to Fix Deku and Shigaraki’s Main Problem

In the manga version of “My Hero Academia”, there’s a bit more insight given into Shigaraki’s background, which is helpful. However, even with this additional detail, it doesn’t quite satisfy fans who have been following the anime, as it seems inadequate given how much Deku desires to rescue him. Given that the series is nearing its conclusion, it feels like the manga is attempting to compensate for missed opportunities earlier on. The expansive universe of “My Hero Academia” means that Deku and Shigaraki aren’t particularly familiar with each other. Deku’s desire to save him stems more from his heroic nature, wanting to help someone in distress, rather than discovering some hidden depth within Shigaraki.

Reflecting on the storyline, it seems somewhat unfulfilled for Deku, as he learned about everything after it had already happened. Regrettably, All For One’s crucial part in these events and his transformation into the ultimate antagonist was not explored fully. Moreover, Deku and Shigaraki never had a chance to confront each other properly, leaving their conflict unresolved. As the story progressed, we were left with limited insights into Shigaraki’s perception of Deku. This lack of development in their relationship is reminiscent of the engaging narratives we saw at the beginning but was ultimately set aside as the series reached its conclusion.

Despite currently following Kohei Horikoshi’s manga, there’s a chance that the creators of “My Hero Academia” might include fresh content to deepen the relationship between Deku and Shigaraki ahead of their climactic battle. Although Season 7 concludes in a few weeks, there remains potential for the series to continue into its eighth season and possibly its finale, offering some resolution to this significant plot point before it ends.

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2024-10-03 02:40