Warning: SPOILERS for My Hero Academia’s epilogue (volume #42)
TheMy Hero Academiamanga series is well known for its complex and compelling villains. Throughout the series, fans were able to meet antagonists whose backstories or motivations made them question the nature of good and evil. Among these incredible characters,Toga Himikostands out for being one of the most tragic. Most of the time, the vampire-like villain would present herself as a hardened criminal.
Yet, her interactions withOchako Urarakagave readers a chance to see her more human side, revealing a girl whose only desire was to feel accepted. This kind and loving facet of Toga made a final appearance in the epilogue of the series, giving Uraraka the push she needed to let go of the past and embrace her future.
Volume #42’s Epilogue Bring Toga Back In An Emotive Moment
Toga’s Encouragement Gave Uraraka a Happy Ending
As theMy Hero Academiastory progressed, the relationship between Toga and Uraraka became deeper. While at first, they were not on the best terms, as Ochako believed the villain to be an unrepentant murderer, their constant interactions helped the hero see the truth. Behind all of Toga’s bloodlust and anger hid a scared little girl, one who was taught to hate herself by everyone around her. Their tragic friendship ended with Uravity trying to save the villain from certain death andHimiko redeeming herself by sacrificing her life for Ochako.
This heartbreaking event caused Uraraka to blame herself for Toga’s final fate, something that was made explicitly clear in chapter #429 and the epilogue of volume #42. Despite the world being at peace after the defeat of All For One, Ochako continued working herself to the bone to prevent another child from suffering like her late friend. Her self-imposed blame prevented her from moving on, something that Himiko did not agree with. During the final pages of the ending,a daydream version of Toga can be seen pushing Ochako while smiling, prompting her to let go of her pain and encouraging her to pursue her love for Deku.
Toga’s Death Proves My Hero Academia’s Hero World Is Broken
While Himiko Toga’s sacrifice for Ochacho Uraraka will go down as one of MHA’s most memorable moments, it still proves how broken their world is.
It is this moment that helps Ochako find the courage to accept Deku’s feelings, after the finalesubtly confirming them becoming a couple. Uraraka was never meant to carry the blame for Toga’s death, as she did everything in her power to save her and give her the love she was seeking. The vision of Himiko she has during the epilogue can be interpreted as the ghost of the late villain giving her blessing for Uravity to keep going, once again depicting the loving girl Toga was under her hatred.
Himiko Is to Ochako What Tenko Is To Deku
Both Villains Helped The Heroes Move On
Toga’s moving last gesture with Ochako is a lot more significant than imagined, asit mirrors Deku and Shigaraki’s final interaction. During chapter #430, as Izuku ponders if he wants to become a hero once again, a vision of Shigaraki can be seen in the distance. The illusion of his former enemy smiled at him, pushing him to chase his dream again. The entry made it apparent that Midoriya, like Uraraka, blamed himself for the death of Tenko, even after eight years had already passed. The duo needed the blessing of the people they tried to help to move on.
Toga’s sacrifice remains one ofMy Hero Academia’s most iconic moments,which gave fans a lesson that they should never forget. The epilogue giving her a chance to move on and embrace her future is an amazing final gift for the gravity-based hero. It is another proof of the outstanding attention to detail and writing that characterize the series.
My Hero Academia
Cast
Anime series My Hero Academia follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without superpowers in a world where most have them. Despite his lack of abilities, he enrolls in a prestigious hero academy, striving to learn the true essence of heroism and fulfill his dream of becoming a hero.
