My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising is undeniably canonical (confirmed by the manga)

Despite the confirmation from series mangaka Kohei Horikoshi that My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising is canon, fans still have doubts. However, the latest chapter's spoilers provide additional evidence that the movie is indeed part of the manga series.

For those who are not familiar, My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising is a film released in 2019 during the fourth season of the anime, immediately following the Meta Liberation War. Due to the incredibly unconventional events in the series, many were skeptical about its canonicity.

However, ever since, the manga series has dropped fans hints proving that it is indeed canon.

My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising storyline gets canon confirmation in chapter 405

Katsuma and Mahoro Shimano as seen in the My Hero Academia movie (Image via BONES)

The events of My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising, previously only speculation, have now been confirmed as canon. This confirmation came after the recent release of Chapter 405 spoilers, which revealed the appearance of Katsuma and Mahoro Shimano. In the manga, the siblings were shown expressing their support for Katsuki Bakugo, who had just rescued All Might from the clutches of All For One. As both Katsuma and Mahoro were significant characters in the movie, their inclusion in the manga solidifies the movie's canon status, further affirming creator Horikoshi's earlier claims.

Nine is featured in the My Hero Academia movie (Image via BONES). It's worth noting that this isn't the first time a character from the film has crossed over into the manga series. The film introduces Nine as the main antagonist, a character with the ability to utilize the All For One quirk. Although Nine meets his demise at the hands of Tomura Shigaraki in the movie's epilogue, he reappears in chapter 222 of the manga through the recollections of an All For One disciple.

This fact established definitively that Nine existed in the world of My Hero Academia, thereby reinforcing the canonicity of My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising.

Katsuki Bakugo, as portrayed in the My Hero Academia film and manga adaptation (Image via BONES, Shueisha)

The events in My Hero Academia chapter 404 strongly suggest that the events of the film, My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising, are considered canon. This is implied by Bakugo's eyes resembling the moment when Deku transferred his OFA quirk to him, as well as Bakugo and Deku holding hands, mirroring a similar scene in the film.

How does the movie being canon affect the manga series?

Bakugo and Deku as seen in the movie (Image via BONES)

In My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising, Deku shared his One For All quirk with Bakugo to defeat Nine. If these events are considered canonical, it would be expected for the two heroes to utilize the same strategy in the manga. However, some may find it odd to witness Deku and Bakugo performing the exact move again, especially since fans have already witnessed it years ago.

Nevertheless, choosing not to repeat this action would be even more peculiar, considering that having two users of the One For All quirk is undeniably advantageous. Given Bakugo's recent recovery, it would be logical for Deku to share his quirk with him. However, it is important to note that poorly executing this scene could potentially invite significant criticism.