The concluding arc of My Hero Academia is unfolding right now on screens, and even with only three installments out, it’s staking a strong claim as the pinnacle of the show’s run—perhaps unmatched. Just as All Might’s brutal clash with All For One appeared headed toward catastrophe, teetering on the edge of the Symbol of Peace’s end, the jaw-dropping reveal of Katsuki Bakugo’s revival from what seemed like certain doom arrived precisely when it mattered most, ensuring All Might dodged that heartbreaking downfall. My Hero Academia’s latest chapter in this swan-song season, Episode 162 brings that pivotal moment to vivid life, capturing Bakugo’s thunderous charge to pull his mentor from the brink.
Though this installment stands out for its jaw-dropping visuals—arguably the smoothest and most dynamic animation the series has ever seen—it goes beyond mere spectacle to delve into Bakugo’s profound inner world with masterful finesse. In swooping in to shield All Might, Bakugo atones for the lingering regret that’s haunted him since the third season, almost a decade in the making. Yet the episode’s true powerhouse is the nuanced portrayal of Bakugo’s growth, cementing him as the quintessential sidekick to the story’s central figure, Izuku Midoriya. This synergy catapults the pair into rarefied air, marking them as potentially the most compelling tandem across the Shonen Jump landscape.
What sets the Deku-Bakugo partnership apart in the My Hero Academia saga defies the standard blueprint for Shonen leads. Usually, these protagonists launch as instant adversaries, spurring one another’s ascent through sheer competition. Take Asta and Yuno in Black Clover: their friction pulses with raw brawn, sidelining any real heartfelt layers. Or consider the legendary Naruto-Sasuke pairing from the Naruto saga, bound by a storied heritage yet plagued by tension that borders on contrived—evident in the backlash over Naruto’s clingy fixation on his wayward comrade.
Deku and Bakugo, by comparison, forge a far richer, more authentic tie. Right from the outset, Bakugo held the edge in raw might, while a quirkless Deku still perceived him as a soul worth rescuing in peril, planting seeds of genuine empathy from day one. As Deku’s abilities surged ahead, eclipsing Bakugo’s, their link weathered envy and bitterness before blooming into hard-won admiration—a foundation that only deepened over time. Their seamless collaboration shone brightest in the academy’s tandem trial, where they toppled none other than All Might himself, demonstrating that opposites could ignite unparalleled synergy.
The third season locked in this blueprint, framing Deku as the undisputed lead and Bakugo as his steadfast pillar. The fallout from Bakugo’s abduction by the League of Villains sparked the devastating showdown between All Might and All For One, stripping the hero of his might—and in its wake, Bakugo laid bare his envy toward Deku in a raw admission. That vulnerability underscored the glue of their alliance: All Might’s guiding shadow intertwined with their shared insights. They shatter the cookie-cutter Shonen mold, but the closing season’s masterstroke reveals the exquisite, purposeful weave of their unbreakable thread.
My Hero Academia Final Season episode 4 will be released on October 25, 2025.
BUMP OF CHICKEN performs the ending theme for the show’s eighth and concluding season. The ending theme is titled “I”.
Crunchyroll streams My Hero Academia season 8 anime worldwide excluding Asia.
The opening theme song “THE REVO” by Porno Graffitti.
RELEASE DATE FOR MY HERO ACADEMIA FINAL SEASON: October 4, 2025
My Hero Academia is a Japanese shonen manga crafted by Kōhei Horikoshi. Launched in Weekly Shōnen Jump on July 7, 2014, and concluding on August 5, 2024, it spans 430 chapters compiled into 42 tankōbon volumes. Set in a society where “Quirks” (superpowers) are widespread, the story centers on Izuku Midoriya, a Quirkless teen with ambitions of heroism. His life changes when All Might, the world’s top hero, recognizes his determination and passes on his Quirk, “One For All.” Midoriya joins U.A. High, an elite academy for aspiring heroes, navigating intense training, rivalries, and battles against villains. The manga blends dynamic action, emotional depth, and influences from Western superhero comics, earning over 100 million copies in circulation by April 2024, including spin-offs, cementing its status as a global phenomenon.
The anime adaptation, produced by Studio Bones, brings Horikoshi’s story to life with vivid animation and a compelling soundtrack. Premiering on April 3, 2016, it closely follows the manga, chronicling Midoriya’s growth at U.A. High and his clashes with villains like the League of Villains. The series spans seven seasons (with an eighth planned for October 2025), covering 158 episodes as of July 2025. Key seasons aired as follows: Season 1 (April–June 2016), Season 2 (April–September 2017), Season 3 (April–September 2018), Season 4 (October 2019–April 2020), Season 5 (March–September 2021), Season 6 (October 2022–March 2023), and Season 7 (May–October 2024). The anime also includes four films—Two Heroes, Heroes Rising, World Heroes’ Mission, and You’re Next—and ten OVAs. It’s lauded for its animation quality, voice acting (Japanese and English), and action, though some critique its pacing.
Kōhei Horikoshi is the manga’s writer and artist, inspired by his earlier works like Oumagadoki Zoo and a 2008 one-shot, My Hero. His love for Western superhero comics and shonen manga shaped the series’ unique style. The anime was helmed by Studio Bones, with Kenji Nagasaki directing, Yōsuke Kuroda scripting, Yoshihiko Umakoshi designing characters, and Yuki Hayashi composing music. Horikoshi contributed to the anime, notably on films and additional scenes.
The series has grown into a vast franchise, including spin-off manga (Smash!!, Vigilantes, Team-Up Missions), light novels, video games, stage plays, and merchandise. A live-action film by Legendary Entertainment is in development. The manga frequently topped The New York Times best-seller list, and the anime has garnered acclaim for its storytelling, art, and cultural nods to superhero comics, making it a cornerstone of modern anime and manga.
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