Kōhei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia has finally concluded after nearly a decade of captivating fans around the world. During its run, the series expanded beyond the manga into light novels, spinoffs, anime adaptations, video games, and films. Although its popularity waned slightly in recent years, the manga still holds an impressive third place in Shueisha’s Manga Plus Rankings, trailing only behind Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man and Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen.
What’s surprising is that My Hero Academia has managed to surpass heavyweights like Boruto: Blue Vortex and Eiichiro Oda’s legendary One Piece in these rankings. Also featured in the top ranks are Kaiju No. 8, Black Clover, and Kagurabachi. While these rankings give a snapshot of current popularity, they aren’t the definitive measure of success. However, Chapter #430 of My Hero Academia played a crucial role in giving the series a competitive edge.
Traditionally, the top 3 spots in the rankings were dominated by Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, One Piece, and Boruto. But with Jujutsu Kaisen and One Piece also approaching their final arcs, the rankings could see some significant shifts in the coming months. Although the finale of My Hero Academia sparked mixed reactions among fans, there’s no denying the enduring popularity of the series.
As of April 2024, My Hero Academia has over 100 million copies in circulation, including its spinoffs, cementing its place as one of the best-selling manga of all time. The anime adaptation has also garnered numerous nominations and awards, with Episode 13 of Season 7 set to air on August 17, 2024.
In Chapter #430, the series comes full circle, with All Might once again stepping in to save Deku (Izuku Midoriya) at a critical moment. In a surprising twist, the finale reveals that Deku has retired from his life as a hero and has taken up a teaching position at U.A. High School. The ending seemed to suggest that Deku was settling into a peaceful life, which left many fans speculating.
However, the appearance of All Might with a new suit for Deku at the end of the chapter raises several questions. Will Deku gain a new Quirk? Will he return to his hero duties? Although there’s no official word on a sequel, the possibility of a spinoff seems likely.
Fans were divided over the conclusion, particularly with Deku’s decision to step away from his heroic past and live an ordinary life. Another point of contention was the lack of a romantic ending between Deku and Ochaco Uraraka. Adding to the disappointment, all of Deku’s classmates went on to become heroes during the eight years that passed, except for him.
Given the series’ immense popularity, it’s only a matter of time before we see Deku donning his new suit once more. A spinoff focusing on the new generation of heroes could be in the works, and fans are eagerly awaiting any news of Izuku Midoriya’s return to heroism. Stay tuned for the latest updates on My Hero Academia!
