Anime "My Hero Academia" Concludes: Daiki Yamashita Reflects on "Spending Half My Voice Acting Life Running Together" — Final Episode Screening Event Report

Daiki Yamashita: The 8-Year Time Jump "Made Sense"

The final episode, Episode 11 (No. 170), was then screened in real-time on the big screen, synchronized with the TV broadcast. The cast joined the audience in the seats to watch the final chapter unfold.

When the screening ended, the venue erupted in thunderous applause. With the emotion of the finale still lingering, the cast returned to the stage to discuss the episode they had just watched.

The beginning of the finale depicted an episode involving a mysterious boy named Koki Terumoto, who was persecuted by his family, and the old woman who had once failed to save Tenko Shimura (Tomura Shigaraki). Regarding the scene where the old woman saves the boy, Uchiyama commented on the life of Shigaraki: "It made me think that Shigaraki could have had a different life. I was shocked when I saw the script's stage directions (regarding All For One's terrifying plan to frame Tenko). That was where the 'Decay' Quirk began, leading to the collapse of his family. At the very end, it made me reflect deeply on the character's life."

Regarding the graduation ceremony scene at U.A. High School, Yamashita smiled, saying, "Various memories came flooding back, making it the scene that hit me the hardest. I almost cried, but I felt it ended up being a graduation ceremony filled with smiles and humor." Furthermore, the scene where Iida gives the valedictorian speech was an anime-original addition. Ishikawa shared a behind-the-scenes story: "I put 10 years of feelings into those lines. They let me perform it at my own pace, and they used it just like that in the broadcast. I recalled the frustration of things not going well and the brilliance found after overcoming those struggles, and poured those feelings into the dialogue."

The second half of the finale depicted a scene 8 years later, showing Deku as a teacher. Yamashita revealed, "It finally clicked for me that the narration lines I've been saying for nearly 10 years connect to Deku in this era. However, in the conversation with Kota (who appears as a student), I initially approached it frankly, but received direction to act more 'teacher-like.' I hadn't imagined an adult Deku at all back then, but Sound Director Mima-san had been directing me from the beginning to 'imagine speaking to many children in front of you.' The actual content depicted was exactly that, so I was surprised, thinking, 'This is exactly what he meant!'"

Regarding the scene where All Might gives Deku a final gift, Miyake shared his thoughts: "I was directed to present the gift with his 'former majesty/aura.' Initially, I felt he had entrusted the Quirk to Young Midoriya and burdened him with something heavy. Being released from that, and being able to grant him positive power that pushes him forward once again... I felt relieved by this scene."

Okamoto highlighted the final line, "Come, Deku" (Koi, Deku). "I love this line so much. It’s the exact opposite of the line "Don't come, Deku" (Kunna, Deku) from when he was taken by the League of Villains, and you can really feel the change in their relationship. Also, 'Deku' refers to his Hero Name, 'Deku.' It gave me chills because it meant, 'Become a hero once more.' We were able to transfer the physical form of One For All that everyone gathered... I was just groaning in awe throughout the entire finale."

Uchiyama shared his impression of Shigaraki's peaceful expression shown at the end: "Shigaraki doesn't speak in the finale, so I watched the footage with a fresh, blank slate. The fact that the villains he defeated are still in a corner of Deku's mind... I really felt that Deku is a true hero."

Yamashita concluded regarding the final monologue: "As a story, this is a breaking point, but new encounters as heroes await them. I was directed to make the narration bright and filled with positive feelings, so I spoke those final words with the wish that a happy future waits for them."