My Hero Academia’s Final Deku vs Shigaraki Fight Saves the Most Boring Battle For the End

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The final fight in My Hero Academia is different from what many anime fans have come to expect from popular action series like Solo Leveling and Demon Slayer. While those shows are known for their spectacular, over-the-top battles, My Hero Academia Season 8, Episode 6 (Episode 165 overall), titled “Wrench it Open, Izuku Midoriya!” takes a more unexpected approach. It may not be the explosive showdown some fans were hoping for, but it tells a story that feels important and necessary.

The newest episode of My Hero Academia jumps right into the intense fight between Deku and Shigaraki. Deku is trying a risky move – forcing One For All onto Shigaraki – hoping to reach the villain’s mind and break through his defenses. While this episode focuses on a psychological battle rather than a physical one, making it a bit slower-paced than Bakugo’s recent win, it tells a crucial story that viewers shouldn’t miss, even if it’s not as action-packed as typical shonen anime.

Deku’s Weakness is His Greatest Strength in My Hero Academia’s Final Season

The final battle in My Hero Academia relies more on strategy than brute force, which has been a consistent theme throughout the series. A key storyline is finally coming to a head as the source of Deku’s strength as a hero is explored. Previously, Kudo suggested Deku’s unwavering determination stemmed from his respect for heroes and One For All. However, in Episode 165, he considers another possibility: Deku’s sincere appreciation for Quirks themselves.

Izuku Midoriya is famous for constantly talking to himself about quirks – some people even find it a little unsettling! He’s a huge enthusiast, and this comes from the fact that he was born without a quirk of his own. This deep understanding actually gave him an edge when he finally received One For All. Even now, as he’s giving his quirks away to Shigaraki, it doesn’t seem to weaken him because Deku is so skilled at maximizing the power of each one.

I was really impressed watching Deku use Smokescreen in a way even its original owner, En Tayuti, probably never considered – it really caught Shigaraki off guard! It’s moments like these that show what My Hero Academia does so well, blending old and new ideas seamlessly. Even when the show pauses for those long explanations, it’s still captivating to watch Deku cleverly outsmart Shigaraki, and those breaks don’t hurt the animation at all. Episode 165 felt like a true finale for a modern shonen classic, with some incredibly beautiful animation and action. That said, it wasn’t flawless. The way Deku and Shigaraki’s memories started mixing felt a little odd at times.

While the animation isn’t necessarily bad, the scene of young Shigaraki holding All for One’s hand is a definite highlight. However, some moments, like Froppy and Minoru unexpectedly appearing during the fight, don’t translate as well from the manga to the anime. What felt like a meaningful, full-circle moment in the manga comes across as strangely out of place in the anime, demonstrating how important it is to get the visual style just right.

Shigaraki’s Fate in MHA’s Final Season is Masterfully Tragic Storytelling

Okay, so episode 6 of My Hero Academia Season 8… some of the visuals felt a little off to me, but honestly, they did a good job of showing just how much is on the line as things wrap up. When Eri showed up, it hit me – the contrast between her and Shigaraki was perfect. Even though she couldn’t actually do anything to help Deku, just seeing her there really got me thinking about what MHA is trying to say with this final fight. It’s become so clear that Shigaraki isn’t just a villain; he’s someone who was let down by the hero system, and he wants to tear it all down and build something better – something that works for people like him and Spinner. It really boils down to how differently Shigaraki and Deku see heroes, and that’s because they’ve lived such completely different lives.

The main difference between Shigaraki and Eri is that Shigaraki never received genuine help from anyone, not even All For One, who only manipulated him for his own purposes. Like Eri, Shigaraki’s touch was dangerous, but while Eri found people who guided her to control her power and live a normal life, Shigaraki never had that support.

Hands are a central symbol for Shigaraki’s character, representing something he desperately lacks – the ability to connect with others. While a simple touch can be comforting for someone like Eri, for Shigaraki, it’s always been destructive. This contrast makes the visual of Shigaraki transforming into a massive form of hands in My Hero Academia Episode 165 both frightening and heartbreaking. Throughout the series, he’s caused pain through physical contact, but now he’s terrified of being touched by Deku.

Midoriya has a unique ability to recognize potential in others, like when he saw how Smokescreen could be helpful even when En didn’t. He desperately tries to find the good in Shigaraki, even when others can’t see it – it’s almost like a special power of his. This is a hopeful and crucial theme in the story. Eri represents what Shigaraki could have become if someone had reached out to him earlier. My Hero Academia is skillfully weaving these complex ideas into its final battle, even if it means prioritizing character development over huge, explosive action.

My Hero Academia’s Final Battle Becomes a Fight to Save The Villain

Episode 6 of My Hero Academia Season 8, titled “Wrench it Open Izuku Midoriya!”, delivers exactly what fans would anticipate from the climax of this arc. Interestingly, MHA leans into classic shonen tropes while also distinguishing itself. The series prioritizes character development and emotional depth, even slowing down the action – something even the most established classic anime like Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Naruto might have avoided at this point in their stories. This focus on the heart of heroism is what truly sets MHA apart and makes it special.

Throughout the anime, the conflict between One For All and All For One has often felt like a clash between prioritizing the group versus the individual. While it initially appeared to promote self-sacrifice for the greater good, the series’ final battle reveals a more complex message. By merging One For All with Shigaraki and All For One, the author shows that true success requires a balance – respecting individual needs and being willing to make sacrifices for the benefit of everyone.

A healthy society depends on its people, and should support each individual as much as they contribute to it. It’s a reciprocal relationship. The conflict between Shigaraki and the heroes highlights this: prioritizing One For All over understanding All For One was a critical mistake. True heroism isn’t about overpowering those who are different; it’s about empathy, like Deku demonstrates, and helping everyone find their place and feel accepted.

Midoriya won’t defeat Shigaraki through brute force or a powerful attack. His victory will come from extending a hand in understanding, not clenching a fist. The latest episode of My Hero Academia prioritizes this important message, even if it means less action, and that’s a positive change. Midoriya himself has consistently been willing to give up his fighting ability to end conflict, and that seems to be the core idea. If more people acted like Deku, choosing empathy and equality over power, the world would be a much better place.

My Hero Academia is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

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2025-11-08 23:14