Studio Bones' Anime-original Foreshadowing in My Hero Academia: Solid Proof of Their Expertise

The anime adaptation of My Hero Academia by Studio Bones has sparked mixed opinions over the years, especially recently. While it has undeniably brought Kohei Horikoshi's story to global success, some fans argue that it has not fully improved the visuals and has even made some aspects worse, such as the structure of season 5. Nevertheless, there have been instances where the anime has enhanced the source material, particularly in the second season, which helped the series gain international recognition. For example, the anime added early foreshadowing that intensified the connection between Endeavor and Dabi, making it more impactful.

The My Hero Academia anime added an element of foreshadowing that the manga didn't have

In the second season of My Hero Academia anime, Stain faces off against Deku, Tenya Iida, and Shoto Todoroki, prompting Tomura Shigaraki to release the Nomu for additional chaos. This forces Endeavor, the second-ranked Hero, to step in and handle the situation. Notably, this marks Shoto's father's first fight in the Studio Bones adaptation, exclusive to the anime, and it subtly foreshadows future events.

In the fight against the Nomu, Endeavor uses blue flames to incinerate it, a move that he has never used before in the original source material. This is significant because the only other character in the series who uses blue flames is Dabi, also known as Touya Todoroki, Endeavor's first son, hinting at a familial connection between the Number 2 Hero and a member of the League of Villains.

It's reasonable to assume that the team at Bones were aware of the theory that Dabi was Endeavor's son, as it had been circulating in the fandom for years before its confirmation. This demonstrates that, aside from the situation in season 5, the My Hero Academia anime staff have done their due diligence in respecting the source material and offering a coherent adaptation of Horikoshi's story.

The value of the Dabi twist

Dabi revealing he is Touya (Image via Bones).

The Dabi revelation in My Hero Academia was a long time coming, with fans speculating for years about the true identity and motives of the mysterious character. Kohei Horikoshi strategically planted clues throughout the story, leaving breadcrumbs such as Dabi's unrevealed name and his peculiar interest in Shoto Todoroki during the camp kidnapping and his focus on Endeavor after defeating the High-End Nomu.

When it was revealed that Dabi was Endeavor's supposedly deceased son, Touya Todoroki, the execution received high praise for its impact. This connection added a personal dimension to the story, intertwining one of the main antagonists with members of the main cast and setting the stage for an intense final arc, with Endeavor's internal struggles and redemption attempts taking center stage.

Final thoughts

Despite some people feeling unsatisfied with the conflict resolution, the majority of fans believe that the twist had a positive impact on the characters of Dabi, Endeavor, and Shoto. This demonstrates Horikoshi's ability to create compelling mysteries and skillfully unravel them.

In the My Hero Academia adaptation by Bones, a compelling foreshadowing was presented in the second season during the anime-only battle between Endeavor and the Nomu, where Endeavor displayed blue flames. This hinted at his relation to Dabi of the League of Villains, who is the only other character in the series to use flames of that color.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of My Hero Academia, I am in awe of Studio Bones' anime adaptation. Their unique and intriguing foreshadowing element adds a whole new level of depth to the story. The Dabi twist was mind-blowing, and it's clear that the team at Bones put a lot of thought and effort into making it as impactful as possible. The way they subtly hinted at the connection between Endeavor and Dabi in the second season was truly masterful. It's moments like these that make My Hero Academia such a special anime.

The Dabi reveal was one of the most anticipated moments in the series, and Studio Bones did an incredible job of building up to it. The clues were there all along, but they were cleverly hidden so that the reveal still felt shocking and unexpected. When it finally happened, it was a truly emotional moment that had a profound impact on the characters and the story as a whole. I can't wait to see what Studio Bones does next with My Hero Academia. They've set the bar incredibly high, but I have no doubt that they'll continue to deliver amazing content.