Is Toga from My Hero Academia really dead?

My Hero Academia is approaching its conclusion in the final arc, and the fates of many characters have been determined, sparking a variety of reactions. The outcome of the All For One vs. Katsuki Bakugo fight has been met with controversy, while the fates and story arcs of other main characters and antagonists remain unspecified.

One character whose fate remains unclear in the current My Hero Academia manga is Himiko Toga. Despite the apparent conclusion of her fight with Ochako Uraraka, there is ongoing debate about whether she is alive or not, due to author Kohei Horikoshi's lack of clarity on the matter in the manga.

Explaining if Himiko Toga is alive or not in the My Hero Academia manga

The final arc of My Hero Academia featured a climactic dance between Himiko Toga and Ochako Uraraka, highlighting their ongoing conflict throughout the series. The dance allowed both characters to delve into their motivations, shedding light on Uraraka's path to becoming a hero and Toga's journey towards villainy, including her compelling backstory.

During the conflict, Uraraka reached Toga and finally broke through to her, causing Toga to realize her errors and find comfort in Uraraka's presence. Toga had been misunderstood by society due to her Quirk, shaping her into the person she is in the main series, a fact that Uraraka empathized with.

As Ochako suffered from Toga's wounds during their battle, Toga gave her some of her blood to keep her alive before they both passed out. As of chapter 411 of the manga, it remains unclear whether Toga is alive or dead, a source of contention among My Hero Academia fans.

Does Toga need to die?

The conclusion of Toga's character in the final chapters of My Hero Academia manga sparks a captivating discussion as it offers insight into her character development and the overall narrative. The absence of fatalities throughout the conflict raises questions about Himiko's potential for redemption.

Toga replicating Uraraka's Quirk (Image via Bones).

With regard to the initial segment, Kohei Horikoshi has faced backlash for the absence of fatalities throughout the entire war. At present, the sole confirmed fatality is All For One.

The event was seen as the embodiment of evil and was ultimately defeated under questionable circumstances by Katsuki Bakugo, leading to criticism of his continued survival. Additionally, the fact that Dabi, who had caused extensive harm to the Todoroki family and suffered severe burns, appears to still be alive, has further fueled controversy.

In contrast, Toga is viewed as the one member of the League of Villains who could potentially serve jail time and be reintegrated into society without it feeling forced. However, some fans may argue that this would be a copout, and feel that her sacrificing her life to save another person would be sufficient redemption for her character.

Final thoughts

At the time of writing, there have been 411 chapters of the My Hero Academia manga released, but it remains unconfirmed whether Himiko Toga is alive within the story. Nonetheless, it is highly probable that the series will address this before its conclusion, potentially including an epilogue to her arc if she is indeed kept alive.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am deeply invested in the world of My Hero Academia and the fates of its characters. The final arc has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and the uncertainty surrounding Toga's fate is particularly intriguing. While some fans argue that her death would provide a satisfying conclusion to her character arc, I believe there is still potential for redemption and growth. Toga's complex backstory and her connection with Uraraka offer a unique opportunity to explore themes of empathy, forgiveness, and the possibility of change.

Personally, I would prefer to see Toga survive and face the consequences of her actions. Her journey towards understanding and redemption could add depth to the narrative and challenge the traditional notions of heroism and villainy. However, I trust Horikoshi's storytelling abilities and am eager to see how he resolves Toga's fate in the upcoming chapters.