17 Major Spoilers From The 'My Hero Academia' Manga
My Hero Academia is an insanely popular series that is enjoyed by countless anime fans. But those who have read the manga are having a wildly different experience from those who are anime only. While the series isn't over yet, there are already plenty of shocking events that anime-only fans are going to have to wait for.
If you're an anime-only fan who can't resist spoiling themselves or a manga reader who needs a refresher, this list is for you. If you're trying to avoid My Hero Academia spoilers but found yourself clicking on this list by mistake, hit that back button and check out another list.
- 1
The Traitor Is Revealed
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaAfter much anticipation and speculation, the U.A. Traitor has finally been revealed. It turns out that it's Yuga Aoyama, the boy who can't stop twinkling.
It's not that Aoyama is evil - he isn't. Because he was born without a quirk, his parents were worried about his future. At a young age, he was already beginning to suffer from discrimination. His parents contacted All For One and asked him to give their son a quirk. He did, but it came with a high cost. Not only did the family incur massive financial debt, Aoyama had to act as a double agent. If he failed to comply, he and his entire family risked their lives.
Aoyama feels extraordinarily guilty about putting his friends in danger. Now that the secret is out, he's willing to face the consequences, but he also hopes that he can do something to help the heroes and to protect his family from All For One.
- 2
Hagakure's Face Is Revealed
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaOne of the biggest mysteries in MHA has always been what Toru Hagakure, the invisible girl, actually looks like. We finally get the answer when she leaps in front of Aoyama's Navel Laser in order to redirect the light away from Izuku. The light briefly illuminates her face. Her invisibility wasn't hiding anything unusual - she looks like an ordinary teenage girl.
- 3
Bakugo Nearly Loses His Life
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaBakugo fans completely freaked out over the chapters that were released in August and September 2022, and for good reason. While fighting All For One in Shigaraki's body, Bakugo was mortally wounded. His heart got completely destroyed, and he seemed to stand little chance of survival. Thankfully - an entire year after that chapter was released - Bakugo returned to the battlefield totally beaten up, but still standing.
When Bakugo's life was first threated, pro-hero Edgeshot used his quirk Foldabody to shrink himself down enough to fit into Bakugo's body and start to repair his heart. Fans worried that in doing this, Edgeshot would be sacrificing his own life for the student's. However, Edgeshot reappeared after Bakugo's grand return to reveal that while he did do his part in keeping Bakugo alive, it was actually a bead of explosive sweat that creeped into the boy's blood stream that started his heart back up again.
- 4
Toga Sacrifices Her Life For Uraraka
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaHimiko Toga is a complex character in the My Hero Academia universe. Her desire to drink blood of those who she loves in order to become them is a direct result of her Transform Quirk, but has lead to her being misunderstood and villainized all her life. She finds comfort in the League of Villains who accept her and her quirk. Her desire to live a comfortable life with them leads to her playing a pivotal part in the war, and things are looking bad for the heroes as she leaves Uraraka with a life threatening wound.
However, rather than fear or look down on Toga, Uraraka decides to understand the girl. In doing so she realizes that Toga is in love with her and wants nothing more than to express her love - albeit in her own twisted way. Uraraka tells her that she can have as much of her blood as she wants, and that she loves her, too. With this being the first time Toga has ever truly felt loved in her life, she decides that it's time for her to give blood rather than take it.
By using Uraraka's blood to transform into her, Toga performs a blood transfusion and saves Uraraka's life. In Toga's last moments she thanks Uraraka for showing her kindness, and reiterates that all her life she has just loved in her own way. This major character death not only showed Toga's complex yet pure character, but also solidified Uraraka as a true hero.
- 5
Deku Loses His Arms
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaDeku has been fighting in the Final War for a long time, so he's bound to have some injuries - but losing both of his arms still managed to shock fans when Chapter 419 was released.
In an attempt to stop Tomura without further destruction, Deku enters his subconscious. The confrontation doesn't go exactly as planned, and instead of stopping him completely, Deku weakens Tomura's subconscious to the point where All for One is able to reemerge and take control of his body. Back on the battlefield, fans get to see the damage that's done to Deku's body.
Deku declares his intent to stop All for One and attempts to lift himself up, only to discover that he's lost both of his arms. This injury is another result of Tomura's devastating Decay Quirk, and our favorite hero-in-training is in a whole lot of trouble. Thankfully, before All for One is able to attack, Deku's classmates and friends come to the rescue.
- 6
All For One's Full Backstory Comes To Light
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaA year before the Luminescent Baby was born and became a worldwide sensation, a sex worker gave birth to twins she hadn't realized she was carrying, and passed away as a result. Those twins were All For One and his brother Yoichi Shigiraki. The boys ended up getting swept away by the nearby river, but not before All For One stole his mother's Spearlike Bones Quirk she unknowingly possessed. As years went by, All For One felt entitled to everyone and everything, and when things didn't go his way he would kill anyone and take anything he wanted.
This means that All For One was a brutal killer at an extremely young age. When the Luminescent Baby continued to gain support and love from the world despite not being the first actual quirk user, All For One found them and took that quirk and life, too.
His brother Yoichi on the other hand had no desire to harm others. He found comfort in comic book heroes and wanted to be someone who helped people. All For One also had an affinity for a character in these comics - but it wasn't the hero. The fictional Demon Lord and his control over society ignited a fire within All For One and inspired him to gain power by instilling fear in everyone. This resulted in the All For One we know now and his future plans for the world.
- 7
The Todoroki Brothers Battle It Out
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaDabi disclosing that he is Shoto's older brother, Toya, was one of the biggest reveals of the series. Now that this is a family matter, Shoto insists that he must be the one to take down Dabi once and for all.
The result is an epic battle between two brothers, a fire kindled by trauma burning between them. The two sons of Endeavor hold nothing back, using all the skills and powers they've accumulated over the years. We expect the visuals for this fight to be stunning and can't wait to see it animated in the upcoming season.
- 8
Hawks Loses His Fierce Wings Quirk
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaHawks is a beloved character in the series for his charm and strong Fierce Wings quirk. He has proven that the ability is stronger than it first seems, as its useful not only for rescue missions but also for close and long range combat. Sadly, however, we might not get to see Hawks use this unique power ever again.
The battle to stop All for One rages on, but despite multiple heroes fighting against the antagonist, he manages to best all of them. His sights are set on stealing Tokoyami's Dark Shadow quirk but Hawks stands in his way. All for One decides to take Fierce Wings instead and retreats due to Mineta's cries to leave Tokoyami alone. The entire scene is heartbreaking and we're left to wonder what will come of the Number Two hero, Hawks.
- 9
All For One Reveals That He Has Controlled Tomura's Life From The Beginning
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaMy Hero Academia has framed Tomura's backstory in a way that makes it seem like his meeting with All for One was a coincidence, but Chapter 419 revealed it as part of All for One's grand plan all along.
As it turns out, All for One had control over Tomura's life from the beginning - he chose Tomura's family specifically to destroy, removed the boy's original quirk, and replaced it with an uncontrollable Decay Quirk. He fully intended for Tomura to lose everyone he loves so that he would turn to All for One for love and loyalty. Tomura now understands that all of his misery wasn't a result of himself, but of All for One's cruelty and thirst for power.
- 10
All Might Returns
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaAfter Ida and Todoroki head to Gunga to stop Dabi, there's only one person in the area to fight All for One: All Might. It may seem all is lost, since All Might hasn't brawled since he retired in Kamino, but the hero simply states that this has always been his fight. With All for One regressing in age he's losing control of his anger and All Might knows he won't be able to ignore the Symbol of Peace. Pulling support items out of his car, All Might makes his famous declaration, and prepares for his final battle against All for One.
What makes this scene even more tearjerking is that when Naomasa screams at All Might to remind him that he's quirkless, the hero remembers the day that Izuku asked if he can become a hero without a quirk, using that memory to spur himself into the fight.
- 11
All For One's True Plans Are Revealed
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaThe intentions behind the series' main villain All for One's actions have been a question for years. Is he evil just for the sake of being evil, or does he have some grand plan behind it all?
Aoyama fully explains All for One's plans after getting Izuku alone. Following the havoc that ensued across Japan, many Japanese companies have filed for bankruptcy, and the rest of the world are soon to follow in a state similar to the Great Depression. Once humanity is struggling to provide essentials for themselves, All for One plans to be the sole provider of these things and use that power to control the world.
- 12
Shoji Finally Gets A Face Reveal And Backstory
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaFans have been long awaiting to see the face behind lovable giant Mezo Shoji, and soon they'll get a view of what he looks like in the anime. For those who can't wait, though, the manga has revealed what Shoji looks like as well as his character's backstory.
In Chapter 371 a group of angry heteromorphs lead by villain Spinner are attempting to storm Central Hospital, wanting revenge for the discrimination they face. This prompts Shoji to remove his mask and explain that he, too, experienced extreme discrimination growing up - he was constantly beaten for how he looked when he was younger. Despite this, he was able to use his heteromorph traits to save someone, and that lead him to want to be a hero.
His reveal resonated with the angry mob, and Shoji was able to deescalate the situation before it got deadly.
- 13
Two Villains Make A Comeback
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaSeason Four of MHA introduced the lawbreaking duo of Gentle Criminal and La Brava. You might have thought that their stories ended after getting arrested, but the manga shows that they make a huge comeback - and not in the way you may think.
After U.A. High's security system is breached, things are looking bleak for the good guys. If they can't get it back under control the villains will have the upper hand. Enter in La Brava: the small and extremely talented hacker. Now on the good side, she uses her skills to intercept the villain's plans and get U.A. back in control.
It's shown that after All for One released a slew of criminals into the streets, Gentle Criminal actually withheld everyone in his prison and stopped their escapes. In exchange for his help, he asked to be reunited with La Brava and be apart of the team stopping All for One.
- 14
Monoma Plays A Huge Role In The Final War
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaClass 1-B student Neito Monoma is known mostly for his incredible Copy Quirk and his disdain towards Class 1-A. It's likely he'll be known for something else following the Final War Arc and his large participation in it.
As a part of Aizawa's grand plan to ambush All for One, the U.A. teachers ask Monoma to copy and master Kurogiri's Warp Gate quirk. This way, All for One won't be able to sense an attack, and Monoma can separate the heroes and villains into their own isolated battles. Additionally, Aizawa is still weakened after his previous fight against Shigaraki. They utilize Monoma's ability to copy Aizawa's Erasure Quirk and keep Shigaraki at bay.
The 1-B student's ability is a game changer during the Final War and it's likely that without it, the heroes wouldn't be able to get the initial jump on the villains.
- 15
Gigantomachia Betrays All For One
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaOut of All for One's followers, Gigantomachia is arguably the most dangerous. It took multiple heroes to subdue the villain, but before that he caused mass destruction and even ended Midnight's life. His loyalty to All for One seems to be unbreakable - which is why All for One had gifted him with multiple quirks throughout their partnership.
Considering this, when Gigantomachia betrays his master and starts to work with the heroes, it's a massive shock. It was assumed he was under the control of Shinso's Brainwashing quirk at first. However, it becomes clear that Gigantomachia is acting under his own free will when begins he attacking All for One. His reasoning for the switch is that he cannot forgive his master for abandoning him and showing his true colors.
- 16
Shinso Adds A New Skill To His Quirk
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaShinso has an amazing Brainwashing quirk and the only downside is that he cannot force people to speak while under his influence. However, it seems to no longer be an issue for him.
In Chapter 344 Aizawa recruits Shinso to use his quirk against the Aoyama family to deceive All for One, and when Tsuyu points out that Shinso can't to brainwash them into speaking, the general studies student explains that due to his intensive training he no longer has that limitation. If Shinso's quirk wasn't already powerful enough, now he seems nearly unstoppable.
- 17
All For One's Creepy Nursery
Photo: My Hero Academia / VIZ MediaWhen the manga reveals how Dabi survived the injuries that his family thought ended his life, it also reveals something alarming.
Dabi was brought to a mysterious hospital-like setting where he spends about three years in a coma. When he tries to leave in order to reconcile with his family, he's reminded of how worthless and weak he is, and prohibited from leaving. He's also told that the other children there are his new family. Dabi set the building on fire and bounced, but what was the purpose of the building in the first place?
Dabi and the other children in the nursery were there to be experimented on - or to serve as possible spare hosts in case something happened to Shigaraki.
