In My Hero Academia Chapter 334, fans get the reunion they’ve been waiting for — Deku (Izuku Midoriya), Shoto Todoroki and Katsuki Bakugo.
WARNING: The following includes spoilers for My Hero Academia Chapter 334, “Parting Gift” by Kohei Horikoshi, Caleb Cook, and John Hunt, available now in English from Viz Media.
The My Hero Academia manga has taken a somewhat gloomy turn for the past few chapters and although the tale has never been more interesting, many fans still miss the series’ more light-hearted start. Anyone who’s missed Class 1A all these time is in luck as the latest episode finally reunites Izuku Midoriya (or Deku as he’s more generally known), Katsuki Bakugo, and Shoto Todoroki.
The trio, who interned together at Endeavor’s agency, was last seen together just at the beginning of the Paranormal Liberation War. Each of them had unique experiences during the conflict that drove them to recognize their faults. It also offered them new aims to aspire for. They’re surely well rested, more powerful than they’ve ever been, and revved up to confront the daunting job ahead with the rest of their class.
During the conflict, Shoto was forced to confront his family’s tragic past once more. The League of Villain’s Dabi revealed his true identity as Touya Todoroki, Shoto’s long-lost older brother who everyone assumed was dead. In the midst of battle, Touya easily blasted his way through Shoto’s most powerful strike and threatened to turn Shoto to ashes as Endeavor watched. He just released Shoto on a whim because their father fell unconscious. The aftermath of the conflict, saw Shoto resolving to bring Touya to justice for his many crimes, together with Endeavor and the rest of their family. And who knows? Shoto might have finally perfected Flashfire Fist off-screen.
Katsuki experienced possibly the most significant shift throughout the conflict and following. During their struggle with Tomura Shigaraki, Katsuki saved Deku’s life by absorbing an almost deadly hit meant for him instead. It placed him out of commission for quite some time and he had to wait until Class 1-A had finally cornered Deku to express with him how he genuinely felt. Katsuki apologized for all the years he spent harassing Deku and his bad actions since they had both joined UA. Another facet of his reformation was exhibited by the great coordination he displayed with his students as they attempted to catch Deku. It was a long cry from the one-man army Katsuki was doggedly straining to be towards the series’ outset.
Deku’s expansion since the conflict has been nothing short of phenomenal. Currently, he’s able to use One For All at 45 percent as well as 5 of the 6 prior One For All user’s Quirks. Despite having many of his core convictions questioned and damaged by the Paranormal Liberation War and its aftermath, Deku still has the positive view of heroism. This is just as well, as the recent chapter repeated that a controversial character might be watching out for him to save them.
Tomura Shigaraki’s body is currently being battled over for control between his and All For One’s consciousness. Tomura’s arrangement with All For One never involved having his mind being corroded away for his body to serve as a new receptacle for All For One and ever since their union, he’s heroically battled to fight off his sponsor. Upon overhearing Star and Stripe’s final pledge to All For One of another hero rising up to strike him down, Tomura’s mind immediately went to Midoriya. The couple has never been on good terms with each other yet Deku fiercely feels his job is to save Tomura from All For One. If this chapter’s clues are to be believed, he just might.
Apart from allowing them an extension on the clock until Tomura’s body is fully ready, Star and Stripe’s fleet recorded every element of their combat, including Tomura’s Quirks, strategies, and battle habits. This information should prove helpful to the heroes as one of All For One’s greatest weapons has been the mystery with which he works.
Having foreknowledge of the Quirks he might have at his disposal may provide the heroes an additional advantage as they could devise methods to counter otherwise devastating attacks. While Chapter 334 didn’t reveal much interaction between Deku and the rest of 1-A, the feel-good moments fans have craved for might be coming in forthcoming chapters. Izuku, Katsuki, and Shoto are obviously not the only class members with new skills and it would be a wonderful opportunity to display what the rest of Class 1-A would have to offer in the approaching battle against All For One.