A bittersweet epilogue begins as goodbyes, redemption, and emotional consequences take center stage.
Episode 9 of My Hero Academia’s final season marks the official shift into the epilogue arc, and it’s one of those rare episodes that hits harder because there’s no major battle happening. After the defeat of All for One, Shigaraki, and the Paranormal Liberation Front, the world is finally quiet — but that silence feels surreal.
The episode fully embraces the message that Kōhei Horikoshi has been telling since day one:
This isn’t a simple shonen story about winning. It’s about learning to live with scars, both visible and invisible.
⭐ Hope Returns to Japan — But It’s a Heavy Kind of Hope
The war is over. The villains are gone. The world can finally breathe again.
Yet Episode 9 makes it very clear that victory doesn’t erase trauma.
Heroes are still repairing cities, civilians have lost family, and the students of U.A. have sacrificed pieces of themselves that they can never get back. For the first time in the entire series, society feels safe — and that makes the emotional vulnerability hit even harder.
Rather than celebrating, MHA uses this moment to explore introspection and consequence. And it’s gut-wrenching in the best way.
⭐ Bakugo’s Arc Comes Full Circle — One of the Most Emotional Moments in the Series
Bakugo waking up in the hospital sets the emotional tone immediately. His arm is permanently damaged, but his first instinct is to fight his way back to strength — because that’s who he is.
But nothing prepares him for overhearing All Might tell Deku that One For All is gone.
What follows is easily one of the most powerful scenes in the entire anime:
- Bakugo crying
- Apologizing through guilt rather than words
- And All Might calling both him and Deku “the greatest heroes”
It’s raw, subtle, and beautifully earned. Their relationship has taken 9 seasons to heal, and this moment proves that Bakugo’s character development may be the best in the entire series.
For longtime fans, this scene feels like a thank-you.
⭐ Class 1-A Becomes Class 2-A — A Small Time Skip with Big Emotion
Seeing the class promoted after everything they’ve survived is unexpectedly emotional. Fans who grew up with My Hero Academia get hit by nostalgia — and a sting of bittersweet finality. They’re still kids, yet they’ve already carried the weight of professional heroes.
Murio’s speech drives it home:
These students have done far more than anyone their age should ever have to do.
The episode proves that the emotional core of MHA isn’t the action — it’s the humanity.
⭐ The Todoroki Family Scene — Tragedy Without Easy Answers
The most polarizing but impactful moment of Episode 9 comes when the Todoroki family visits Dabi (Toya) on his deathbed. The tension is justified, and the emotions are complicated — as they should be.
- Dabi crying and admitting his favorite food hits like a punch
- Endeavor’s guilt is overwhelming but does not erase his past
- Natsuo rejecting Endeavor feels validating
- The controversial choice to keep Rei with her abusive husband is the episode’s biggest flaw
It’s powerful, but not perfect. The writing around Rei will likely divide fans — and rightfully so.
⭐ A Quiet Episode That Hits Harder Than a Battle
There are no explosions. No Nomu. No supercharged quirks.
Yet Episode 9 still lands like a knockout.
It forces every character — and every viewer — to sit with the consequences:
- Loss
- Growth
- Regret
- Future
- Identity
Ayama’s farewell is the perfect example of this emotional roller coaster. It’s sad, then suddenly comedic, then shocking when Shinso joins their class — exactly the kind of tonal balancing MHA has always excelled at.
The war may be over, but the emotional story of My Hero Academia continues until the very last scene.
⭐ Final Verdict
Episode 9 is not flashy — it’s honest. And that’s what makes it unforgettable.
It allows the audience to breathe while reminding us that peace doesn’t mean perfection. Even in victory, the characters must confront the consequences of everything they’ve endured.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
A deeply emotional, introspective episode that marks the beginning of the end — flawed in places, but undeniably powerful.
Did you enjoy Episode 9 of the Final Season?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
My Hero Academia is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.
