Boku no Hero Academia [Season 8 Episodes 1-11]

My Hero Academia: Final Season (Episodes 1-11) – A Bittersweet Farewell to Hero Society

After nearly a decade of “PLUS ULTRA!” battle cries and classroom chaos, My Hero Academia has finally closed its doors with Season 8, the long-awaited Final Season. Produced by Studio Bones and directed by Kenji Nagasaki and Naomi Nakayama, these 11 episodes wrap up Izuku Midoriya’s journey from quirkless underdog to the world’s greatest hero—though not without sparking debate among fans about whether the ending sticks the landing.

Let’s start with the basics: The season adapts the final arcs of Kōhei Horikoshi’s manga, jumping from the climactic showdown with All For One to an epilogue that skips years into the future. For many fans, this time jump was a highlight. “Even the Granny gets a redemption with a totally new Shigaraki 2.0,” one MyAnimeList user noted, referencing the controversial twist where the elderly woman who abandoned Shigaraki as a child returns to save his successor. But the real emotional core? The epilogue. “All the time skipping to have an epilogue which I liked more than the entire season,” another fan admitted, pointing to scenes of Class 1-A graduates—like Deku in his sleek new hero suit, Uraraka as a pro hero, and even Eri (now a musician?)—living their dreams.

But not everyone was sold. “The final episode really said: forget everything, the real heroes are teachers, doctors, police,” a sarcastic comment read, criticizing the series’ last-minute pivot to celebrating everyday workers over its main cast. Others griped about unresolved plotlines: “No Endeavor-Toya and the Todorokis conclusion besides Shoto losing his dad’s image,” one viewer lamented, while another wondered why Kota (the quiet kid from Season 3) suddenly enrolls in UA without explanation.

Yet for most, the ending was a love letter to the series’ heart. “It was a true pleasure and joy watching My Hero Academia. Class A you will be missed, but I’m so glad seeing you all happy and growing together,” a tearful fan wrote. The epilogue’s focus on Class 1-A’s futures—from Bakugo’s gruff but proud hero work to Mina’s vibrant pro career—struck a chord. “Perfect conclusion for our Class A,” another added. “Thank you Horikoshi-sensei and everyone involved in this adventure.”

The season’s pacing was a hot topic too. With only 11 episodes to wrap up years of story, some felt rushed. “I still wish the story showed us their 3rd year but oh well,” a fan sighed, while another joked, “They skipped the Burger Flipping arc—maybe Horikoshi retconned it?” But others appreciated the brevity: “I’m glad they skipped some filler,” one user said. “The final fight with All For One was intense, even if it felt a bit fast.”

Visually, Studio Bones delivered. The animation of Deku’s One For All-powered punches and Shigaraki’s decay quirk was as dynamic as ever, though some fans noted a dip in quality during crowd scenes. The voice acting, however, was universally praised—especially Daiki Yamashita’s (Deku) and Kenta Miyake’s (All Might) emotional performances in the final episodes.

The ending’s biggest divisive point? The fate of Shigaraki. The elderly woman who abandoned him as a child returns to redeem herself by saving his successor, a twist that left some cold. “The same old woman who left Shigaraki alone when he needed it the most came in and saved him,” a fan wrote. “Wonder how many people like that are still out there that needed help.” But others saw it as a fitting, if flawed, conclusion to the series’ theme of redemption.

For long-time fans, the season was a nostalgia trip. “I started watching back in high school,” one user shared. “A lot happened between those years until now. Thank you for all these years.” Another, who joined during the 2020 lockdown, called it their “comfort show.” “I wasn’t here since the beginning, but I still remember binge-watching the seasons that were out at that moment,” they said. “This show means so much to me.”

Critics, however, pointed to missed opportunities. “What about Deku and Uraraka’s romance?” a fan asked. “They had us so invested for there to be nothing at the end feels so wrong!” Others wanted more closure for the Todoroki family: “No Endeavor-Toya conclusion besides Shoto losing his dad’s image,” a viewer noted.

But in the end, My Hero Academia’s Final Season is less about perfection and more about saying goodbye. “It doesn’t feel real… A second Shigaraki was in the making,” a fan wrote. “But Deku and the others really changed their society. That’s good.” The epilogue’s message—that heroes aren’t just those with quirks, but teachers, doctors, and everyday people—resonated, even if it felt preachy to some.

So, is this the perfect ending? No. But it’s My Hero Academia’s ending—messy, heartfelt, and full of the same hope that made us fall in love with it. As one fan put it: “GO BEYOND, PLUS ULTRA!”

For better or worse, the hero society we’ve grown to love is signing off. And for 20-somethings who grew up with Deku and Class 1-A, that’s a goodbye that stings—even if it’s time to turn the page.

Final Verdict: 8/10. A bittersweet but fitting end to a generation-defining shonen. Class 1-A, we’ll miss you.

— A fan who’s still not crying (okay, maybe a little).

PLUS ULTRA! 🧡💚