My Hero Academia's Final Battle Ended With a Beautiful Homage to the Series' Beginning That Fans Missed

Summary Deku's final punch against All For One parallels All Might's first battle, showcasing his growth and impact on the world.

Deku's actions in defeating All For One affected not just Japan but the entire planet, symbolizing a new era.

My Hero Academia's world feels dynamic, with every action having consequences, as seen in the parallels between chapters 1 and 423.

The battle against All For One in My Hero Academia is undoubtedly one of the most iconic moments in the franchise. This fight ended the centuries-old reign of terror of the Symbol of Evil and allowed Deku to prove himself as an amazing Hero.

Still, there is a small detail subtly hidden in chapter 424, which marks the end of this arduous conflict, that many fans of the series did not notice. This detail seems to be Kohei Horikoshi0s way of paying homage to All Might’s first battle in his successful series.

Related 10 Best Deku Moments in My Hero Academia That Prove He's the Greatest Hero Deku's journey of becoming the greatest hero is highlighted in small events that makes him stand out..

Deku’s Punch Dissipated the Storm Created by All Might

Izuku Put a Definitive End to the Conflict Against All for One

Close

During chapter 1 of the My Hero Academia manga series, All Might was shown battling against a terrfying villain with a Sludge Quirk. To end the battle once and for all, Toshinori punched the air in front of his opponent, creating a small but powerful storm in the process. This moment served as a perfect introduction to what All Might was capable of doing. It also subtly foreshadowed the metaphorical storm that followed Toshinori, this being his conflict with All For One. Many fans forgot about this event, as it did not appear relevant to the story.

Deku, who inherited not only the One For All Quirk but also the seemingly never-ending battle against the Symbol of Evil, finally put an end to the villain in chapter 423. It is during the final page of this fight that Horikoshi portrays Izuku clearing away the clouds that covered Japan’s sky. This parallel between chapters 1 and 423 seems to be intentional, as Izuku’s pose during the final page of the latter draws the reader’s attention toward the sky. With his final punch, Deku saved Japan from the ominous Symbol of Evil, clearing away the storm that had threatened the country for decades.

The clear sky that his final attack caused was the representation of Deku's overwhelming power, as well as his total victory over All For One. Izuku’s determination and heroic nature accomplished what his predecessors could not, bringing an end to the cycle of violence born with Yoichi and his brother. Deku has surpassed All Might, which was represented masterfully by Horikoshi comparing his last battle with his mentor’s first. This loving tribute is another example of how incredibly well-thought-out the story of My Hero Academia truly is.

The Effect of Deku and All Might’s Attacks Is Also Paralleled

Izuku’s Actions Seem To Have Affected the Whole Planet

For decades, All Might stood as one of Japan’s pillars, being the hero responsible for keeping the crime rates in the country below the world’s average. While an incredibly admirable feat, his actions seldom affected other countries. Toshinori may have inspired other heroes to follow his example, but he never inspired a true change. While most likely not the intent of Horikoshi at the time, this can be seen exemplified in his first battle. Toshinori’s punch was powerful enough to create a small storm, but it was only witnessed by a small group of individuals.

All Might was undoubtedly an incredibly important and beloved hero, but he never accomplished a feat as impactful as Izuku’s. In chapter 424, an American reporter revealed that the wind generated by Deku’s final attack was causing alterations to the weather all around the globe. Not only is this an incredible achievement that proves how much stronger Izuku grew, but it also symbolizes the repercussions of his fight. The world could never be the same after the Final War arc. The flagrant flaws of Hero Society were brought to life during the fight against Shigaraki’s army.

While not explicitly stated, it is heavily implied in chapters 424 and 425 that these issues have begun to be addressed thanks to Deku’s actions. Midoriya’s final confrontation against the Symbol of Evil not only changed the weather but also brought in the beginning of a new era for the entire planet. Deku became stronger than All Might in every sense, both as a fighter and a symbol of the world.

My Hero Academia is a series that has often been praised for how alive and dynamic its world feels. Every action depicted in the series has a repercussion in the story, sooner or later. The parallels drawn between chapters 1 and 423 are just another example of the brilliance with which Horikoshi writes this iconic and beloved manga.