Episode 166 of My Hero Academia, titled “From Aizawa,” marked a pivotal and emotionally charged installment in the series’ Final Season. Airing on November 15, 2025, this episode plunged viewers deep into the psychological battle between Izuku Midoriya and Tomura Shigaraki, revealing critical backstory and setting the stage for the ultimate confrontation. As the seventh episode of what is officially the eighth and final season, “From Aizawa” reshaped the narrative by exploring the villain’s tragic origins and delivering a shocking twist that has left fans buzzing.
The Journey into Shigaraki’s Mind: Tenko Shimura’s Tragedy
The core of Episode 166 revolves around Izuku Midoriya’s desperate attempt to reach and potentially save Tomura Shigaraki from the overwhelming influence of All For One. Utilizing the vestiges of One For All, Deku projects himself into Shigaraki’s inner world, where he encounters the tormented child who would become the symbol of destruction: Tenko Shimura.
Within this mental landscape, Deku witnesses firsthand the horrifying events that led to Tenko’s transformation. The episode meticulously portrays the traumatic awakening of Tenko’s Decay Quirk, which resulted in the accidental and devastating deaths of his entire family. This raw depiction of the incident underscores the profound sense of isolation and despair that paved Tenko’s path toward villainy. Deku, ever the compassionate hero, is shown desperately trying to reach out to the crying child, offering a hand of salvation and expressing a fervent desire to help him, even in the face of Shigaraki’s monstrous actions.
The Return of the Ultimate Evil: All For One’s Masterstroke
Just as Deku’s emotional appeal seems to make headway, and Shigaraki’s deep-seated hatred begins to wane, a terrifying twist unfolds. The vestige of All For One, which had been suppressed within Shigaraki due to his own overwhelming animosity, seizes this moment of vulnerability. All For One re-emerges with renewed power, effectively devouring Shigaraki’s consciousness and taking full control of his body. This shocking development shatters any hope of immediate redemption for Shigaraki and solidifies All For One as the true, unyielding antagonist of the series’ climax.
The repercussions are immediate and dire for Deku. In the mental realm, his arms are shown decaying as a direct consequence of Shigaraki’s power, highlighting the immense personal cost of his efforts. Despite this critical injury, Deku’s resolve remains unbroken, cementing his determination to confront All For One head-on, even without his most vital tools.
Thematic Resonance and Broader Implications
“From Aizawa” delves deeply into the series’ long-standing themes of empathy, the origins of evil, and the impact of societal neglect. By presenting Tenko Shimura’s tragic backstory, the episode challenges viewers to consider the complex factors that create villains, suggesting that a lack of support and understanding can be as destructive as any overt malevolence. The poignant parallel between Deku, a boy born Quirkless who found a mentor in All Might, and Tenko, a child with a destructive Quirk who was preyed upon by All For One, is starkly drawn.
The episode also features the rallying of other heroes, including members of the hero course teachers, who join the fray with the aid of Aizawa. This collective effort symbolizes the broader hero society’s commitment to supporting Midoriya in this ultimate battle, bringing the narrative full circle from their initial mentorship.
While lauded for its emotional depth and crucial plot revelations, some critics have noted pacing issues within Episode 166, suggesting that the rapid progression of major narrative beats felt somewhat condensed. Nevertheless, the episode undeniably serves as a critical turning point, transitioning the final conflict from a struggle against Shigaraki’s individual malice to the larger war against All For One’s enduring evil.
Looking Ahead in the Final Season
With the return of All For One to the forefront and Deku facing severe personal sacrifices, Episode 166 sets a high-stakes precedent for the remaining episodes of My Hero Academia‘s Final Season. The true final battle is now undeniably underway, promising an explosive and emotionally resonant conclusion to the epic saga of heroes and villains. New episodes of the final season are released every Saturday on Crunchyroll, with English subtitles available shortly after their Japanese broadcast.
