TOKYO, Japan – The highly anticipated Episode 167 of My Hero Academia, titled “Izuku Midoriya: Rising,” aired on November 22, 2025, on Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV, presenting the definitive conclusion to the series’ main final battle. This pivotal eighth episode of My Hero Academia Season 8 saw Izuku Midoriya, known as Deku, confront a fully empowered All For One, who had completely overtaken Tomura Shigaraki’s body, in a showdown that has garnered critical acclaim and passionate fan reactions.
Deku’s Last Stand Against All For One
Episode 167 plunged viewers into the heart of the ongoing Final War Arc, focusing on the ultimate confrontation between the aspiring hero Deku and the formidable villain All For One. The episode masterfully depicted Deku’s struggle as he faced a newly empowered All For One, who had assimilated Shigaraki’s consciousness. Despite having seemingly expended the full power of One For All, Deku’s resilience and the enduring “embers” of his quirk proved crucial in the intense battle.
The narrative emphasized a core theme of the series: the power of collective effort and inspiration over individual might. Unlike previous climactic battles where All Might often fought alone, Deku’s final push was bolstered by the unwavering support of Class 1-A and pro heroes from across the globe. This collective backing transformed the traditional “I am here” symbol of All Might into a resonant “we are here” for Deku, highlighting his unique ability to rally and inspire those around him.
A Global Outpouring of Support
A particularly emotional highlight for fans was the global cheering scene, which saw characters from throughout the My Hero Academia universe—including Rody Soul, a fan-favorite original character from My Hero Academia The Movie: World Heroes’ Mission—voice their support for Deku. Rody Soul’s appearance, with actor Ryo Yoshizawa reprising his role, served as a powerful callback to Deku’s past connections and the widespread impact of his heroic journey. This collective encouragement propelled Deku forward, illustrating how his “weakness” ultimately inspires others to rise and fight alongside him.
Critical Acclaim and Fan Enthusiasm
“Izuku Midoriya: Rising” has been met with overwhelming praise, achieving a near-perfect 9.9/10 rating and being hailed as one of the highest-rated anime episodes of 2025. Fans on social media reacted intensely, with hashtags like “#頑張れ緑谷出久” (Go, Midoriya Izuku!) trending as viewers shared their emotional responses to the episode. Many described it as an “anime classic” and “peak shonen power up,” recognizing its significant thematic wrap-ups and narrative callbacks to Deku’s journey.
The episode also showcased dynamic action sequences and impactful visuals, giving lesser heroes moments to shine as they contributed to creating an opening for Deku. All For One’s transformation into a more tragic and physically deformed state underscored the depth of his villainy, further intensifying the emotional stakes of the battle.
Transition to the Epilogue
With the conclusion of the main final battle in Episode 167, My Hero Academia is now set to enter its epilogue phase. The series has three episodes remaining, leading up to the grand finale scheduled for December 13, 2025. These final episodes are expected to tie up loose ends and explore the aftermath of the intense conflict, offering a bittersweet closure to a story that has spanned nearly a decade. While the main battle concluded, the wider implications for the future of hero society and the fates of all characters will be addressed in the coming weeks.
