My Hero Academia Author Kohei Horikoshi Reveals What Makes Deku And Shigaraki’s Final Fight So Meaningful

This article contains spoilers up to the end of MHA season 7

In the grand saga of “My Hero Academia,” the final confrontation involves the last heroes and villains engaged in an intense, climactic struggle. Amidst numerous awe-inspiring aerial skirmishes that punctuate this narrative segment, the most pivotal and thrilling encounter is undeniably the dramatic showdown between Deku and Shigaraki. Given their roles as protagonist and chief antagonist in the storyline, it is anticipated that their decisive battle would be eagerly awaited by fans. However, Kohei Horikoshi, the author of “My Hero Academia,” has shared his perspective on why this fight stands out exceptionally.

Initially, the battle is striking for its excessive action, given that both characters have become incredibly powerful by the climax of the story. However, during an interview with Da Vinci Magazine, Horikoshi hinted that this fight holds a deeper meaning that fans should bear in mind while watching or reading. This aspect of the fight seems to resonate with the core themes of the series in a distinctive manner.

The Final Fight Is About More Than Just Action

It Has A Lot More To Do With Pure And Selfless Heroism

Horikoshi wanted to tear off the “labels”
The final fight becomes a lot more personal and thematic

In the extended conversation, Horikoshi was inquired point-blank about his intentions for the conclusive battle of the series. Given that this confrontation between the hero and the antagonist is essentially the climax of the entire narrative, it’s understandable that there would be significant pressure on Horikoshi to weave in the core themes and messages he aimed to express one last time before bringing the story to a close for good.

In his response, the author suggests that the upcoming fight will eliminate the preconceived notions or stereotypes about both characters, Deku and Shigaraki. It’s not just about their costumes, as these have already been largely destroyed during the war. Instead, he is referring to the characterizations and comments made about them throughout the narrative.

For Deku, this includes the perception that he’s primarily a timid, innocent, and detached hero. On the other hand, Shigaraki is often seen as a ruthless, brutal villain who can never change his ways.

In simpler terms, during the climactic battle, it seems like we’re stripping away or removing the identities, traits, and roles that each character has developed.

Removing the labels makes the fight feel more personal and intimate, transforming it into a straightforward act of one individual striving to aid another, even though this person might be perceived negatively by society at large. This subtext adds depth to the fight, but it also cleverly connects Deku’s significant final battle with his character growth as written by Horikoshi.

Deku Has Always Tried To Look Past The Labels

So It Makes Sense He Would Do The Same For Shigaraki

Through his journey, Deku has been actively shedding preconceived notions about a person’s identity for some time. At the School Festival, when he confronted Gentle and La Brava, it was evident that his approach to adversaries as a hero had significantly evolved from the series’ early stages. Initially, Deku was inclined to defeat villains using raw power, but when tackling Gentle, he chose to delve into understanding what compelled this new enemy towards villainy.

“I wanna be the guy to show them all a bright future” – Deku to Gentle Criminal

During his heroic journey, Deku learns a vital lesson: True heroes don’t just prevent wrongdoing; they aim to help villains change by understanding their past and finding ways to rehabilitate them, even if it doesn’t always work immediately. In Gentle’s case, Deku’s efforts didn’t bear fruit right away, but eventually, they inspired a transformation in the villain during the Final War. This transformation resulted in Gentle saving many lives.

Given Shigaraki’s obvious emotional turmoil during their confrontation, it’s entirely understandable why Deku might attempt a similar strategy with him. Considering Shigaraki’s traumatic past and his tumultuous relationship with All For One, this situation presents an ideal opportunity for Deku to gain insights into Shigaraki’s character. These insights could potentially help Deku influence Shigaraki towards a more positive path.

Making Shigaraki A Sympathetic Villain

Horikoshi Feels This Final Clash Helps To Humanize Shigaraki

It can be hard to sympathize with Shigaraki without removing these tags
Horikoshi wanted to humanize him for the final clash

When Horikoshi discussed what made the final battle unique, he added an intriguing observation about Shigaraki. He explains that removing the negative labels attached to Shigaraki throughout the story helps him connect with aspects of the character that he can understand and relate to on a human level. Essentially, this perspective humanizes Shigaraki, despite his having carried out terrible actions within the series.

Indeed, I can’t help but be reminded that Shigaraki isn’t behind all this chaos aimlessly. In truth, his heartbreaking past might just be the saddest tale in the entire series. You see, he was brutally abused as a child by none other than his own father. This torment continued until one fateful day when he discovered the terrible secret that lay dormant within him – a Quirk he never knew he possessed. In a moment of despair, he unleashed this hidden power and inadvertently took the lives of his own family, a tragedy he carries with him to this day.

Thus, while it may seem simple to portray him as merely a ruthless killer, the creator intends for us to remember that Shigaraki was once a boy who missed out on happiness. This emotional struggle intensifies the final battle, and Deku’s mission becomes rescuing Shigaraki from further despair. Whether he succeeds or not remains to be seen in the upcoming anime season.

2025-08-26 19:33