how 325 moves the plot forward
This chapter highlights one of the main themes of the manga: connection by way of understanding.
However, the idea hasn't quite come full circle yet because it hasn't explicitly included OFA's ("heroes") connection to AFO ("villains") to the characters. This piece is missing, and it makes sense because it's through Hawks's inner monologue and thus limited understanding that we are introduced to this concept of OFA being a quirk that connects people.
But, the readers know OFA and AFO are linked, meaning that, just like OFA has connected the heroes and civilians right now, the villains are an inescapable part of this bond, too. This is a concept that the story seems to be expanding upon, considering that Deku saw Tenko crying through their dreamscape and realized Shigaraki was someone who needed saving, too.
Not to mention that the idea that AFO and OFA are connected has been brought up multiple times by the vestiges. In 286, Shigaraki and Deku even interacted in the same dreamscape. OFA's dreamscape always shows a door that has yet to be opened
which leads me to believe that Shigaraki is probably behind it. That door connects OFA and AFO. When Deku opens it, they'll be connected. Shigaraki will be the key to defeating AFO - after Deku has reached him. That's the power of OFA, after all.
I love that Iida and Ochako are so in sync ;-; It's beautiful that two of Deku's first and closest friends understand his heart and want to be there for him by stepping back and letting others reach him.
This callback to the true spirit of heroism All Might wanted to represent: that anyone could be a hero regardless of quirks. That heroes are everyday people who do everyday things like support one another in their time of need and look out for one another.
This panel is beautiful for many reasons:
- The symbolism of the umbrellas: shelter, understanding, unity, sharing pain and burdens, kindness, acceptance, altruism.
- Class rep Iida leading a lost child to safety like the hero he always wanted to be.
- The gentleness of the way Iida holds Deku's hand, and how relaxed Deku is being led by Iida. Deku feels safe enough to cover his eyes and trusts Iida blindly.
- Deku crying, his mom crying, Mineta and Kouta trying to mother Deku, and that kid who asked Deku for hope sheltering Deku with his umbrella.
- Kirishima crying because he's so touched.
- Momo graciously accepting a civilian's umbrella.
- Bakugo stubbornly dodging any connections like the sewer gremlin he is the same way he was annoyed by Endeavor embracing him along with Natsuo. It looks like Kaminari tried to put his hand on Bakugo's back and Bakugo was like, "sWEEERVE I'M NOT HERE FOR THIS TOUCHY FEELY CRAP." lmao.
- Shouji, the gentle giant, looking so shocked that someone so dainty and smol feels the need to protect him from the world (the rain).
- Mina and Jirou are quick to tell a civilian who is presumably apologizing that it's not needed (based on body language, anyway).
- The soft expression of the giant woman as she watches her hero accept help from others, too.
It's an interesting choice on Hori's part that Shouto, Endeavor, and Hawks aren't in the crowd. They're outsiders to the heart-to-heart currently happening and aren't particularly rejoicing like the civilians and UA students. The mood is dire. It could be because there is strife between father and son right now – the civilians have agreed to work together with the heroes and are proving that through action: accepting Deku and offering umbrellas (shelter, understanding, acceptance, support, kindness) to the students. But unlike the civilians, Endeavor’s words and actions have yet to line up. He promised to work together with Shouto to stop Touya but hasn’t pulled through yet. He's still running away. In fact, Shouto called him out for ignoring him and thus ignoring Touya and the family problem he (Endeavor) caused. These two being bystanders to the civilians and students bonding makes sense because the Todoroki family has always suffered silently and their struggle right now is theirs and doesnn't involve civilians. Society didn't create Dabi or abuse the family - Endeavor did.
Also, I want to note that Hawks’s one-sided childhood connection to Endeavor explains why he’s isolated alongside Shouto and Endeavor, once again hinting that there will be more Hawks’s involvement in the Todoroki family arc.
Speaking of Hawks, this is a callback to his ideal world, one where there is such an abundance of peace that heroes have spare time on their hands. It seems like Hori is building up to address Hawks' views of the world and definition of heroism because, like I mentioned earlier, the characters don't yet know how OFA and AFO are connected and therefore don't realize how villains are tied to OFA too through AFO.
The civilian's realization that they've been complacent bystanders is a great narrative response to what happened to Tenko. This is setting a foundation of societal change, which MUST happen for the villains to be understood and saved from self-destructing.
- I wrote here about how it makes sense Aizawa is hellbent on payback - a common reaction to grief is anger. This man needs a hug.
- Like Shouto, Endeavor, and Hawks, All Might is also shown separated from the others and looking even more miserable. He seems to be walking away from UA, and the mood for this scene is ominous, which is even more startling compared to the hopeful vibes the interaction at the beginning of the chapter.
Anyway, this was such a good chapter. I love that things are being brought up again and addressed. Seems like we're finally moving forward!
