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When we wrapped up season 7 of My Hero Academia, it was clear the last season would begin with one of the most intense conflicts in the anime. Even though having seen it in the original comic, fans were truly surprised by the intensity of this duel. The premiere, titled "Toshinori Yagi: Rising Origin," plunges viewers right into the midst of the clash between a now-Quirkless All Might and a youthful All for One, who is journeying to unite with his other half, Shigaraki.

The first part of the episode contains a summary of the previous season's ending, which at first left me a bit let down. But, as the minutes continued, it dawned on me that this decision was necessary to conveying the last fight between these archenemies in the best possible way. Actually, I question why season 7 concluded in the middle through such a crucial fight.

As with all the major battles in the show, the creators use the clash between the epitome of superheroism All Might and the villainous All for One to communicate the central ideas that support the story. In this instance, though, a particular scene resonated deeply due to its relevance to real-world events.

All Might, once the greatest hero, is now badly hurt and has lost his powers. His vulnerable body can just fight thanks to advanced armor created by his companion Melissa Shield. Yet, this pales in comparison to the vast array of lethal Quirks that All for One can deploy.

As All Might prepares for his ultimate fight against All for One, the whole globe is watching the duel through a mobile camera. The action then moves to a foreign country, where a young boy viewing TV questions his grandmother who that champion is and what will happen if he succeeds or loses. The grandmother's response is sobering: "It's happening in a remote country anyway. No matter which one prevails, it won't affect us for us."

Central Message: Conquering Indifference

Among the main lessons of My Hero Academia is that we can all be heroes if we triumph over the toughest adversary: indifference. The protagonist's story starts when, despite being Quirkless, he moves to Katsuki's aid while an whole group watches as the youth is endangered by a evil-doer. This concept reappears several times, even in this chapter, with a vulnerable All Might grinning as he takes on the greatest villain ever. While this isn't a new trope in storytelling, My Hero Academia stands out because it doesn't rely on sudden boosts in these situations. The series shows us that the most important struggles are those you cannot win. Still, despite that, you need to persevere.

Modern Parallels

It's hard to listen to the comment of the unnamed elder and ignore connections to real-world issues. For decades, we have grown increasingly removed and unfeeling to the hardship of people. We often refuse to act even if it's taking place right here — not to mention in a distant country. "There's nothing I can do anyway" has turned into the slogan of inaction, but My Hero Academia shows us this is never true. Although our actions seem ineffective, making an effort makes all the difference.

Toshinori Yagi remarks something akin in a flashback showing his early interaction with his master, prior to he became All Might: "Individuals has their hands full with their personal space." (In the original Japanese, "personal space" is translated as the more precise "three meters.") That's why he has to become the beacon of hope, but the key point is that when he states this, he is too Quirkless — the prime example of weakness in the universe of My Hero Academia. Perhaps no series can truly transform the reality we live in, but the theme of My Hero Academia has not been more significant. Savor this concluding arc during its run.