My Hero Academia Voice Actors On How The Show Has Matured Throughout The Years

Since its release in 2018, My Hero Academia has remained one of the most-watched anime worldwide. Nearly six years and seven seasons later, the show has taken on a life of its own, crossing into mediums like video games and movies. There are a lot of things that make the superhero-filled shonen so popular, but one of the most remarkable is how the show has continued to mature with its audience.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for My Hero Academia.

In an interview with GameSpot during Anime Expo 2024, Daiki Yamashita (Voice actor of Izuku Midoriya, aka Deku) shared their thoughts on how the show has progressed. Yamashita specifically addressed the events of Season 6, when Deku thought it would be safer to stop All For One on his own rather than with his classmates.

“Season 6 was definitely an emotional roller coaster, especially in the second half,” Yamashita said. “After the Shigaraki battle, you have them targeting All For One. Which means he [Deku] has to fight alone, and that creates a new facet in him. Because he [has to] face everything all by himself in that solitary battle.”

Kenta Miyake (Voice of Toshinori Yagi, aka All Might) echoed Yamashita’s sentiments, sharing some insight on how his portrayal of Japan’s number one hero changed after All Might lost his powers fighting All For One in Season 3.

“There [were] some internal changes after the All For One fight,” Miyake said. “He [All Might] lost all his powers and basically went to become [a] supervisor for Deku, and that change in psyche was very important because the tone of voice ended up being slightly calmer than what he was in the beginning.”

This change can be seen time and time again throughout the show. Even though All Might is still a key player in the series, he takes more of a backseat role, aiding the show’s younger heroes from the backline.

But despite My Hero Academia being one of the most popular anime around, it can’t last forever. Earlier this month, series creator Kohei Horikoshi announced that the manga on which the show is based will be coming to an end in August–meaning that the anime might be coming to an end sooner than we once anticipated. Yamashita said they had “complicated feelings” about this revelation:

“I have very complicated feelings because, in the beginning, you have that catchphrase: It’s a story until [Deku] becomes the best hero ever. And I’ve been wondering who that best hero [really] is ever since the beginning of Season 1. It’s been a question that’s been around in my head, as well as people reading and watching the series. And now it’s like, ‘Oh, the ending is coming. Will it actually be disclosed? Will we know exactly who the best hero is?'”

Even though it’s still unclear how Deku will become the best hero and earn that title, it’s something that Yamashita is “looking forward” to finding out as both the voice of Midoriya and a fan of the series.

Miyake added that it’s sad knowing that the manga will be ending soon. But even though the series will be ending soon, Miyake said he feels a sense of respect for Horikoshi for “putting everything into it.”

“The author has done a great job and basically did everything he wanted to do. When I heard the announcement, I was kind of happy. Of course, I want to see it continue, but the fact that this epic tale kept going and going is amazing in itself,” Miyake said.

Despite the manga’s ending, both actors have some ideas of how they hope to see the anime play out (although some are more likely than others). Yamashita hopes to see another duo team up with Deku and Froppy, primarily because the two haven’t had a proper team-up since the USJ battle in Season 1. Although it was teased in the most recent season, it ultimately never happened.

Miyake said they would “totally love to see a scene” with All Might and Sir Nighteye fighting side by side. Although it’s explained that they worked together, it’s never seen in the show. Though the series could offer fans a quick flashback, this scene is likely not going to happen, as Nighteye died after the events of Season 4.

Nevertheless, My Hero Academia has plenty of stories left to tell. Just recently, it was announced that the anime will be getting another movie titled My Hero Academia: You’re Next, a play on the iconic line All Might says. As of right now, the anime has yet to announce an official end date.