The Pro Heroes of My Hero Academia are finally turning the tide of the series’ final war in their favor. The series’ final arc has had several ups and downs, but Chapter 420, "From Aizawa" tentatively implies that the heroes might be getting the upper hand against All For One for good. While solidifying their position of strength, Chapter 420 resolves several important character arcs -- or at least propels them forward satisfyingly. It’s yet another emotionally resonant installment of MHA, which is where Horikoshi Kohei’s writing shines best.
Since My Hero Academia Chapter 419 concluded with Eraserhead and other Class 1-A students emerging from a Warp Gate, Chapter 420 winds the clock back a few minutes to explain how their rescue was possible. In doing so, Present Mic and Eraserhead finally achieve some semblance of closure with their old friend Oboro Shirakumo. Their reunion is hardly the chapter’s highlight -- there are appearances from several familiar faces and some welcome new ones. Ultimately, Chapter 420 is about the indomitable spirit essential for heroism in MHA’s world, and how Deku’s actions have been inspiring everyone.
My Hero Academia 420 Reunites the Three Dumbingos
Kurogiri Still Recognizes Present Mic and Eraserhead on Some Level
My Hero Academia Chapter 420 kicks off with a reunion that has been highly anticipated by fans of both MHA and its spinoff Vigilantes. In their first appearance since Kurogiri warped them away from UA, Chapter 420 reveals that all three of them were transported to a tiny island in the open ocean. The effort of the trip seems to have exhausted Kurogiri, who is depicted lying motionless -- much to Present Mic’s chagrin. Present Mic seems irate at being trapped by the villain, but his actions reveal the source of his annoyance is related to Kurogiri’s very existence.
To Present Mic, all of Kurogiri’s actions only further pervert Oboro Shirakumo’s memory, as their old friend’s corpse and Quirk formed the base of the Nomu’s creation. This emotional sequence confirms two horrifying truths: that all Nomu do indeed retain some aspects of their original body’s personality and that there truly is no hope of reviving Shirakumo. Nevertheless, their presence and continued harassment of the Nomu does end up triggering a response. While this development lightly hints at some potential reformation for Kurogiri, he is merely adhering to the base programming All For One instilled in him. Despite everything that has occurred so far, Kurogiri still lives to protect Shigaraki Tomura.
The fact that it was fan-favorites Eraserhead and Present Mic who managed to manipulate Kurogiri into working for the heroes proves that their reunion isn’t in vain. At the very least, My Hero Academia Chapter 420 confirms that the spirit behind the Three Dumbingos is alive and well. Without the sliver of Shirakumo’s personality within Kurogiri, Eraserhead’s efforts at connection would have been for naught. Their interaction with Kurogiri not only provides some closure to their shared arc and the uncertainty of Shirakumo’s fate, but it allows Eraserhead to push the war into its final phase. For the first time, the coveted Warp Gate Quirk is exclusively in the grasp of the heroes.
My Hero Academia 420 Seemingly Homages Avengers: Endgame
Eraserhead Uses Kurogiri's Warp Gates to Teleport Reinforcements Directly to Deku
My Hero Academia’s mangaka, Horikoshi Kohei, has never been shy about his love for Western comics or about their influences on his magnum opus. In Chapter 420, he seemingly references the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most iconic film in both style and substance. The many Warp Gates that deliver Pro-Hero assistance to Midoriya Izuku’s side are an apparent nod to Avengers: Endgame’s climactic "Portals" scene. Just as the 2019 blockbuster rewarded longtime MCU fans by uniting a decade of characters for one final epic battle, My Hero Academia’s final arc is culminating with the return of several Pro-Heroes and regular civilians that have been absent from the story for years.
The Endgame parallels aren’t limited to the main theater of battle. Even in the safe houses where citizens are spectating, Horikoshi uses older characters to illustrate how Deku’s actions are inspiring a cultural change in the Hero society. Death Arms comes out of retirement to answer Eraserhead’s call for reinforcements. His enthusiasm spreads to the citizens, who pitch in what little resources they have in hope that they might help any injured heroes. Horikoshi even includes an Easter egg to his canceled manga Barrage -- its main character Astro is among the weaker Pro-Heroes that join Death Arms in warping to Deku’s rescue.
The most significant contribution comes from a still unnamed character that Horikoshi reintroduced in My Hero Academia Chapter 416. In Chapter 420, the simple gesture of offering his All Might t-shirt as a potential bandage carries some deep symbolism for the future of Hero society. Previously, this character was one of the loudest detractors and placed the responsibility of stopping All For One firmly on Deku’s shoulders. Giving up his All Might shirt represents his -- and the world's -- abandonment of that mindset. Instead of waiting for a hero to save the day, ordinary citizens are pitching in however they can.
My Hero Academia 420 Narrowly Avoids the Series’ Worst Trope
Eri's Rewind Quirk Is Sacrificed To Return Deku's Arms
One of the most prevalent My Hero Academia critiques is that the series coddles its characters, preventing them from experiencing any meaningful losses. Some characters have passed as the story has progressed, of course, but its death rate has never approached the frequency of Jujutsu Kaisen or Chainsaw Man. Similarly, injuries that should be significant in My Hero Academia are often reversed or become inconsequential in the long run, like Eraserhead’s full-body mauling from the USJ Nomu or Mirio’s lost Quirk. In Chapter 420, Deku regains his arms, barely one chapter after losing them in battle.
Deku losing his arms in MHA Chapter 419 had such an impact because he had been repeatedly warned of this specific injury several times before. The loss of his arms didn’t happen exactly as his doctors had predicted, but it was the result of the same reckless behavior. Grabbing Shigaraki’s arms was a selfless act of heroism, but it came with a cost Deku had been too single-minded to anticipate. For that matter, losing his arms to redeem Shimura Tenko had been a fair trade -- even if the boy’s vestige didn’t survive. Deku getting his arms back so soon would ordinarily cheapen the sacrifice, but the process of his injury’s reversal manages to justify their return.
Deku regaining his arms doesn’t seem contrived because this “payment” is being transferred to Eri. As part of the resources the civilians gave to Eraserhead, Eri offered her horn -- the receptacle of her Rewind Quirk. By cutting her horn off, Eri has probably jeopardized her ability to ever activate this powerful Quirk in the future... but if that’s the case, its final use couldn’t be for a more important cause. Eri’s sacrifice was a result of her earnest desire to repay both Deku and Class 1-A for saving her from Overhaul and for returning her smile. While handing over her valuable gift, Eri showed her unshakable faith in Deku by promising to perform a concert for him and his classmates, just like they did for her once this terrible day was over.
Deku’s arms returning through external help also further outlines the differences between him and the epic villainy of All For One. Both of them suffered physical repercussions from their vestige realm battle, but while All For One is forced to rely on his weakening regeneration, Deku is receiving his healing from treasured companions he had helped in the past. The slowly growing crowd at his side also starkly contrasts with All For One's solitary presence -- standing against an overwhelming force. All signs point to the villain’s imminent defeat, and knowing Horikoshi’s talent for fight choreography, the following battle is sure to be one of the series’ best.
My Hero Academia Chapter 420 is now available from Viz Media.
