My Hero Academia has introduced four feature films up to this date, all of which are reportedly considered part of the franchise’s canon. However, a potential inconsistency arises from the events depicted in the 2019 film, Heroes Rising. In this film, the protagonist Izuku “Deku”Midoriya transfers his iconic Quirk, One For All, to his friend and rival, Katsuki Bakugo. This scenario presents a dilemma when comparing it to the series’ conclusion.
The crux of the issue lies in the fact that, according to the series narrative, Bakugo receiving One For All implies that Deku should be unable to transfer it to Tomura Shigaraki in the final arcs of My Hero Academia. The absence of a definitive explanation in the lore adds to the confusion, yet there are avenues for interpretation regarding the intricacies of the One For All Quirk.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series. The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.
Does Heroes Rising Contradict the Series Ending?
In the climax of Heroes Rising, Deku’s act of bestowing One For All upon Bakugo allows them to triumph over the antagonist, Nine. Nevertheless, if this film is indeed canon, it raises questions about how Deku retains this Quirk later in the series when he passes it to Shigaraki. There remains no comprehensive clarifying dialogue within the story, hinting that the original creator, Kohei Horikoshi, may not have intended to account for this discrepancy amidst the film’s standalone narrative designed to leverage the franchise’s popularity.
Analyzing the core elements of the series, one might argue that One For All features a unique, sentient characteristic which may allow for temporary sharing. Although this does not align seamlessly with the film’s internal logic, it opens up the possibility that the depiction of events in Heroes Rising could diverge from the canonical events presented in the manga.
The Unique Properties of One For All
The distinctive nature of One For All sets it apart from other Quirks within My Hero Academia, which is crucial to understanding this discussion. Reports indicate that this particular power has unique interactions with individuals who possess existing Quirks versus those who do not, and that it may respond differently based on how it is transferred, as can be seen in the circumstances surrounding Deku’s and Shigaraki’s experiences.
Thus, it is conceivable that One For All could be passed temporarily under certain circumstances, providing a rationale for why Bakugo did not retain the Quirk permanently, as reflected in his encounter with Shigaraki during the final story arc.
Conclusion
From a meticulous standpoint, My Hero Academia fails to clarify how Bakugo acquires One For All in Heroes Rising or how this event impacts the culmination of the final war arc. However, one could interpret that the Quirk’s sentient essence allowed for a fleeting bestowal to Bakugo, after which it reverted to Deku’s possession.