Warning: SPOILERS for My Hero Academia episode #157
The story of theTodoroki familyinMy Hero Academiais one of the most heartbreaking and emotional narratives in the series. After years of unresolved trauma, abusive power struggles, and lingering sentiments of hate and ire, episode #157 of the anime creates a poignant resolution that ties together every painful aspect. While manga readers have already seen this play out, the anime pushed things to a new level thanks to masterful direction and visuals, in what is being lauded as one of the best anime episodes in recent years.
In the pursuit of power strong enough to surpass All Might, Endeavor became single-mindedly obsessed and consumed with the idea of creating the “perfect” quirk in his children, so that one of them could fulfill his ambitions. This left deep scars on his wife, Rei, and his children, most notably on his eldest son,Toya, who later became known as the villain, Dabi. Dabi’s final moments bring the Todoroki family face to face with its tragic past and force them to confront the darkness they have created and endured.
My Hero Academia Just Proved Why All Might Is Still the Greatest Hero Even Without Powers
My Hero Academia reminded fans that All Might is still a great hero thanks to his effective strategies, capacity to inspire, and selflessness.
The Hellish Todoroki Family
Dabi’s Single-Minded Desire Is A Direct Reflection Of Endeavor’s Pursuit Of Power
In episode #157 ofMy Hero Academia,each member of the Todoroki family confronts Dabiin a desperate attempt to prevent him from destroying himself and everyone else around him in a brilliantly animated final fight. The Todoroki family’s dynamic has long been a product of the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition, emotional neglect, and abuse. Endeavor imposed severe expectations on his children and prized Shoto for carrying the quirk with the greatest chance of achieving the power he long desired.
This drive had critical consequences on all his children, particularly on his eldest son, Toya, who craved his father’s praise and, as a result, became obsessed with proving himself. This obsession is a direct reflection ofEndeavor’s single-minded desires and goals, leaving Toya to suffer under the weight of unreasonable expectations. Dabi’s creation is thus a tragic mirror of Endeavor’s actions and motivations.
Toya developed a desire to prove himself at any cost, however, while Endeavor sought power through control, Dabi pursued it through chaos and destruction.Dabi’s descent into villainyis not simply a rebellion against Endeavor, but rather a twisted embodiment of his father’s destructive ambition that nearly destroyed the family in the end. The greatest irony is that, despite their differences,Endeavor and Dabi are both driven by a singular focus; however, one is to reach the pinnacle of heroism and the other is to burn it all down.
Dabi’s Heartbreaking Final Moments
Dabi Confronts His Own Innermost Wish To Be Acknowledged By His Family
When Dabi is moments away from creating a massive fiery explosion, he is confronted by his family. As he becomes engulfed in flames, he screams out their names and demands Endeavor to look at him, reminiscent of the times Toya desperately fought for his attention. Beneath the flames and destruction, there is a fleeting glimpse of the boy Dabi once was, and he realizes thatall he wanted was to be seen. In his final moments, Dabi realizes that he still has more to say to his family and argue about. Every moment during this sequence contributed to creating an intense and glaringly heartbreaking emotional turn of events.
Dabi’s Final Fate in My Hero Academia Proves One Sad Truth, Endeavor Can Never Be Redeemed
Toya’s horrifying fate after the war proves that Endeavor’s penance will never be enough to make up for all the damage he caused.
The moment Dabi realizes his family is there, looking at him and trying to stop him, marks the final moments of Dabi’s persona and slowly opens the path for Toya. The simplicity of his true desires and the unspoken longing he feels directly mirrors the silent wishes of each member of the Todoroki family—to be together, and for once, to finally be happy. Endeavor dreams of his family together, happy, because he’s not in the picture.Endeavor’s redemption arccomes to its conclusion here, as finally has the chance to atone for his sins, but he also realizes that he can’t do it alone, he still needs his family.
Toya Todoroki Serves As The Gut-Wrenching Mirror Of The Todoroki Family
Dabi’s Actions Directly Contradict His Truest Wish
Dabi’s final moments encapsulate the deep inner conflict that has defined his entire life. While his words are laced with hatred, cursing himself and his family, tears slide down his face. Those tears are in stark contrast to the venom of his words, a reflection of the unresolved pain that Toya had buried for so long. His outward rage was a fragile mask that he held on to, but the fallen tears revealed the true pain behind it. This emotional scene, emphasized by intense voice acting and beautiful animation, echoes how the Todoroki family operated for years.
They were torn between outward appearance and internal suffering, holding onto their own unspoken emotions just as Toya did. At the end of the battle, Endeavor’s tearful apology to his family and to Toya marks a major turning point for the Todoroki family and opens a path toward healing. When the flames freeze over, ending Dabi’s rampage, the Todoroki family is fully reunited, battered but with their hearts cut open, marking the end ofMy Hero Academia’s most tragic story.
My Hero Academia
Cast
Anime series My Hero Academia follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without superpowers in a world where most have them. Despite his lack of abilities, he enrolls in a prestigious hero academy, striving to learn the true essence of heroism and fulfill his dream of becoming a hero.
