Kōhei Horikoshi finally did it. After ten years of quirk-shattering fights and enough emotional trauma to fill a UA storage locker, the story has wrapped. But honestly? My Hero Academia 432 isn't just another chapter. It is the epilogue that cements the legacy of Izuku Midoriya in a way that’s making a lot of people very, very angry, while others are breathing a sigh of relief. It’s complicated. It’s messy. It’s exactly what the series needed to be, even if it hurts to see Deku back at the start.
Most fans went into the final stretch expecting a flashy power-up or a "happily ever after" where Deku keeps One For All. Instead, we got reality. Hard, cold reality.
The Reality of Deku in My Hero Academia 432
The core of this chapter focuses on the transition from the "greatest hero" to a teacher. It’s a timeskip. Eight years, to be precise. Deku isn’t out there punching skyscrapers into dust anymore. He’s a professor at UA High. This has sparked a massive debate online about whether Horikoshi "robbed" Deku of his glory.
But look at the nuance here.
Deku lost the embers. That’s been the trajectory since the war against Shigaraki ended. In My Hero Academia 432, we see him navigating a world that has moved on, yet is fundamentally better because of his sacrifice. He isn’t miserable, though. He’s fulfilling a different kind of heroism. He’s literally shaping the next generation. It’s a callback to the very first chapter—"You can become a hero"—except now, he’s the one saying it.
Think about the weight of that. He gave up the strongest power in the world to save the world. If he had just kept the power, the sacrifice would have felt cheap. By making him "quirkless" again for those eight years, the weight of his choice actually sticks. It’s a bold narrative move that rejects the standard shonen trope of the protagonist becoming a god-king at the end.
The Controversy of the Class A Dynamic
People are talking about the "loneliness" of Deku. There’s a panel that suggests his friends have been busy. And yeah, they have. Bakugo, Todoroki, Ochaco—they’re top-tier pros. They’re out there living the dream they all shared.
Does it suck that they don't hang out every weekend? Maybe. But that's adulthood. Horikoshi is tapping into a very real, very human experience. You graduate, you get jobs, you drift. But the bond remains. The chapter clarifies that they didn't just abandon him; they were literally funding a multi-year project to bring him back into the fold.
The Suit That Changes Everything
Just when you think the story is ending on a "bittersweet" note of Deku being a regular guy, All Might shows up. He brings a briefcase. Inside is an armored suit—basically an Iron Man-style exoskeleton—funded by the entirety of Class A.
- It was developed by Melissa Shield and Hatsume.
- It cost a literal fortune.
- It allows Deku to fight alongside his friends again.
This is the "Full Circle" moment. Deku started quirkless. He became the strongest. He became quirkless again. And finally, he becomes a hero through the support of those he inspired. It’s not about the DNA he carries; it’s about the bridges he built. The suit isn't a "pity gift." It’s a testament to the fact that Class A refuses to leave their friend behind.
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Why the Timeskip Split the Fandom
Eight years is a long time. Some readers feel like those were "lost years" for Deku. They wanted to see him as the Number One Hero in his prime. Seeing him as a 20-something teacher feels like a step down to some.
But consider the alternative. If Deku just stayed the strongest, what happens to the theme that "everyone can be a hero"? The ending of My Hero Academia 432 argues that heroism isn't just about punching. It’s about teaching. It’s about civil service. It’s about the mundane work of making sure a society doesn't collapse back into the "Vigilante Era."
The world Deku lives in now is safer. The "Hero Public Safety Commission" has been overhauled. The way society treats those with "villainous" quirks has improved because of Shoji’s work and Ochaco’s counseling programs. Deku might not be on the news every night, but his fingerprints are on every single one of those social changes.
Let's Talk About Shigaraki's Legacy
One thing that doesn't get enough credit in this final stretch is how Shigaraki is remembered. He wasn't just a monster to be slain. Deku’s attempt to "save" him is what defined the final arc. In the end, Shigaraki’s death wasn't a victory of violence, but a conclusion of understanding.
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In My Hero Academia 432, we see the ripples of this. The world isn't just looking for the next "Symbol of Peace" who can hit things hard. They are looking for a society that doesn't create Shigarakis in the first place. This is the true "Plus Ultra" of the series. It’s a systemic change, not just a physical one.
Actionable Insights for the Post-MHA Era
Now that the manga has officially concluded with this chapter, what should you actually do with all this information?
- Re-read the First Chapter: Seriously. Go back and read Chapter 1 right now. The parallels in dialogue and framing in Chapter 432 are intentional. You’ll see that Horikoshi had this "return to roots" planned for a long time.
- Look for the Cameos: The final pages are packed with background characters from the entire 430+ chapter run. It’s a "Where’s Waldo" of the MHA universe. You'll find characters from the School Festival, the Remedial Course, and even the spin-off Vigilantes.
- Analyze the Suit Tech: If you’re a lore nerd, look at the design of the suit All Might gives Deku. It mimics the "Armored All Might" suit used in the fight against AFO, but refined. It’s a beautiful piece of visual storytelling that shows the evolution of support items in this new era.
- Acknowledge the Emotion: It's okay to feel let down that Deku isn't a god-tier hero at the end. It's also okay to find it beautiful. The series is about the burden of power and the beauty of passing it on.
The story of Izuku Midoriya ended exactly where it began: with a hand reached out to help. Only this time, the whole world was there to reach back. That's not a failure of an ending; it’s a masterclass in thematic consistency.