My Hero Academia, the beloved anime and manga series, has officially concluded after nearly a decade of captivating storytelling, intense battles, and profound character development. Since its debut in 2016, this series has become a cornerstone of modern shōnen anime, enchanting fans with its thrilling heroics and layered narratives. However, despite the satisfying closure delivered in the recent finale, there is one significant aspect missing from the anime adaptation that could ultimately affect the legacy of My Hero Academia if left unaddressed.
The Series Finale: A Bittersweet Goodbye
On December 13, 2025, the final episode of the My Hero Academia anime aired, bringing to a close nearly ten years of storytelling. The finale wrapped up many character arcs with emotional and thematic resolutions that honored the series’ core messages of growth, perseverance, and heroism.
Fans witnessed Izuku Midoriya, or Deku, and his classmates graduating from U.A. High School and getting glimpses of their futures. Society has notably improved, with Japan healing and rebuilding after the climactic Final War against Shigaraki. The episode underscored the importance of inspiration and lending a helping hand — Deku stepping into a teaching role at U.A. echoes All Might’s legacy, showcasing the cyclical nature of heroism.
One of the most touching moments was when All Might gifted Deku an armored suit funded by their former classmates, symbolizing both the past and present coming together and allowing Deku to resume pro hero work, giving fans a conclusion that feels genuinely well-earned.
The Crucial Missing Chapter: The Epilogue
Despite the satisfying finale, the anime has not adapted the essential epilogue found in Chapter #431 of the manga. This chapter provides deeper insights into the characters’ futures and addresses lingering questions left open by the main ending.
This epilogue highlights the rankings of Class 1-A students, showing how their skills and growth have evolved, and illustrates Deku’s passion for teaching, noting that even if he hadn’t lost the One For All quirk, he likely would have remained an educator.
Most poignantly, the epilogue explores significant emotional growth between Deku and Uraraka. They realize the importance of balancing selflessness with their own happiness, recognizing that it’s okay to live fulfilling lives while still helping others. This open-ended yet meaningful conclusion provides a more satisfying emotional payoff for longtime fans.
Why the Anime Without the Epilogue Feels Incomplete
The epilogue offers a character-driven, heartfelt closure that expands the narrative beyond the battles and immediate resolutions. It reinforces themes of resilience, personal growth, and legacy, emphasizing that heroism extends into everyday life.
Without this chapter in the anime, the story feels somewhat unfinished. Although the anime’s ending gave fans many moments to celebrate, Chapter #431’s inclusion could have elevated the conclusion, providing a fully rounded ending that resolves remaining questions and deepens the audience’s connection to the characters.
For Deku and Uraraka especially, the epilogue gives a satisfying emotional endpoint. It shows both characters learning to balance their selflessness with self-awareness and personal happiness—an essential growth that the finale alone did not fully capture.
The Importance of Animating the Epilogue
Though the series’ anime has officially ended, there remains hope that this vital epilogue will be adapted in future projects. The series closes with the phrase “Our journey continues on…,” sparking speculation about potential special episodes, OVAs, or even a fifth feature film that could include this concluding chapter.
The epilogue’s focus on the central characters’ growth deserves to be brought to life in the anime medium. A special episode or film including this chapter would give fans the closure they crave and ensure My Hero Academia concludes on the highest note possible, honoring both the manga and the long-standing anime series.
Failing to animate the epilogue risks leaving the story incomplete and disappointing loyal fans who have invested in both the manga and anime. It is essential for the series’ legacy that this final, thoughtful chapter is shared with the wider audience who have supported the heroes’ journey for years.
Conclusion
My Hero Academia has been a defining shōnen series of its generation, filled with inspiring heroics, compelling characters, and meaningful themes. While the anime’s finale provided much-needed closure and honored the long journey of its heroes, the absence of the manga’s epilogue in the animated adaptation leaves a notable gap that could tarnish the series’ lasting legacy.
Animating this epilogue is crucial to delivering a complete and heartfelt conclusion that truly honors the characters’ growth and the story’s message of resilience and legacy. Fans deserve to experience this final chapter, which beautifully closes off character arcs, especially for Deku and Uraraka, by emphasizing emotional growth and personal fulfillment. Share your thoughts in the comments and explore more at keeperfacts.com.
