Work Text:
I feel compelled to write this and get these thoughts out of my head ever since watching that FARCE of an episode 431/More. This is an essay as to why I objectively believe that 430 was the true ending of MHA and that 431/ More was a forced upon red herring. I had had my serious suspicions with the manga itself, but with the anime it just solidified it and made even more evidence come to light.
Horikoshi:
Horikoshi publicly stated that he put the camera down and did not write or draw anything for 431. Yes, he approved its publication, but what was he supposed to do? He was contractually obligated. His assistants wrote and illustrated it, kinda poorly. I will get into why I believe he approved it later. He has publicly stated that MHA is NOT focused on romance and that he will not publicly confirm a single relationship. But artists have their ways of conveying their true messages… that’s literally the PURPOSE of art.
He is contractually obligated to post SOMETHING every time a new episode drops for the anime. The day More came out, he posted SOMEONE ELSE'S WORK. With no mention of More. Someone else's artwork of just the trio- Todoroki, Bakugo, Midoriya. If he was being supportive of that chapter, wouldn’t he have been… supportive? Wouldn't he create some piece of art depicting the supposed confirmed relationship? Nope. The work he posted of his own creation was just Midoriya powering up his suit. Just.... him... And drawing attention to the suit... That's... interesting...
After the anime ended with the release of the 430 adaptation, he did put out a piece referencing the upcoming More chapter, but it was really weird. Everyone in the image was noticeably confused with question marks and exclamation points over their heads. The kanji captioning the piece said 'everyone looks great as expected of a pro.' That's... A weird statement... Like... They're just doing their jobs... Just showing up because they were told to.
During the interim between the series finale and the release of the episode More, the video game MHA: All’s Justice was released. Horikoshi touted the video game happily.... You know ... The game where EVERYONE is hinting at BKDK... AND URURAKA flat out says to Bakugo, 'I know you love Midoriya.' While talking to Bakugo, Midoriya says, “I’m just marveling at how my Kacchan has grown up.” Horikoshi publicly stated how proud he was of this game…
The amount of official art this man has created with Bakugo and Midoriya being just adorable is ridiculous. Uraraka and Midoriya? Um… what art?
Publicity:
Publicly there was a ton of hype and fanfare over the finale episode. From voice actors to animators and everyone involved, there was a ton of loving publicity over the end of this era. Huge public statements. There was much less advertisement for the episode More. And up to and following the release of the episode, everyone has been silent. Like they’re pretending it doesn’t even exist. When it comes to merchandising there’s countless BKDK scenes being turned into figures and merch and whatnot. 431/More? NOTHING. Not one official thing. Wouldn’t the quest for more money be reason enough? So… where’s the merchandise? Unless Horikoshi is refusing to sign off on said merchandise because he disagrees with it.
430:
430 was what Horikoshi ended on. He said this is my finale; I have put my pen down. That chapter was beautifully done in both the manga and anime. Scene after scene of Bakugo and Midoriya side by side. The graduation pose was adorable smiles, Bakugo leaning backwards to be in frame and closer to Midoriya. Later, Aizawa showing Midoriya the video of Bakugo being… Bakugo was nothing short of Aizawa rolling his eyes begging Midoriya to do something about his attitude. And the look Midoriya gives is pure ‘yup… that’s my man… I love that stupid idiot. I'll deal with him.’ Why would that exchange exist if not to draw attention to their relationship?
Izuku is narrating like always. Telling his story. Telling their story. Because he wants to finish telling his story! Even breaking the 4th wall to tack on the suit and extra finale.
The suit.
Dear god.
NO ONE DROPS THAT KIND OF TIME AND MONEY ON SOMEONE THEY DON’T DEEPLY CARE FOR!
The suit and extra finale… that whole scene was Bakugo’s (indirect, because Horikoshi can’t say things like that directly) proposal. The suit was mostly paid for by Bakugo (engagement gift?) and supported by the rest of the class (joint wedding present?). The god damn gloves of both of their suits are identical in design now. Horikoshi has always put specific meaning in HANDS.
That ending was a proposal and engagement photo shoot. How else do you get 20 adults in one spot like that unless it’s carefully planned and staged? All Might, Midoriya’s Father-Figure, is practically giving Midoriya’s hand to Bakugo. Dramatically drives him right up to him. Bakugo reaching his hand out for Midoriya with everyone waiting patiently for his tearful response. Joyful, tear-filled smiles. Kirishima and Shoto (best men?) framing either side.
Uraraka (Maid of honor?) in the background just smiling. Then when they all race off Uraraka is looking ahead towards her own future. NOT at Deku. Because she deserves her own future. Her own story beyond just being the boring love interest. She is happy with her life.
Bakugo LOCKS EYES WITH A HUGE ASS GRIN AND DOESN’T LOOK AWAY FROM MIDORIYA. Literally chasing each other into the damn sunset.
That’s what the creator ended with. Period.
And when he dropped the artwork on the day of the release of 431/More... It was again....the suit... Like... Is bro showing off the ring or something? Just reminding us of the true ending.
Now… let’s deep dive into the farce known as 431/More
Animation/Art:
The episode needed to fit a specific run time, so whatever was put in needed to MATTER. Needed to COUNT. How long or short a sequence is. What gets put into the intro and outro. Theres only so much run time. What they may add or highlight. So if we look at what they choose to do, things start coming to light.
More was bookended by BKDK. LIKE HARDCORE. Intro was all beautiful flashback animation. All from well known, canon scenes. Including the mid-air spiral. Including the end of 430, the outstretched hand. I lost count of how much BKDK there was. The end credits immediately cut to the final season animation with Kacchan looking at Midoriya in tears. They could have cut to ANYTHING. Could have done a whole different outro. But chose THAT.
Like, hey fans, sorry you had to watch all that. We’re crying over that bullshit too.
The majority of the animation / art itself was… eh. It felt completely off and dull. Where was Midoriya’s giant forehead scar? That stuff doesn’t magically disappear. Bakugo doesn’t smile ONCE… when in 430 he was almost always smiling with Midoriya. No one looks accurate… like they were Dollar General versions of themselves. Which is crap. Horikoshi’s assistants have PERFECTED the style. Like they were just fulfilling the contract. HANDS were drawn poorly, which everyone knows is a huge no-no for Horikoshi’s work. The man has a fetish for hands. It was like they took the panels shot by shot from the manga and… did them even worse somehow.
Additionally, there were misspellings and other hero name inaccuracies ALL OVER THE PLACE. In the anime itself and even in the Crunchy Roll summary. Like no one gave a crap about the quality being put out. The voice acting was flat at best. Everyone was just phoning it in. Oh. we have to make this garbage to appease a section of loud, American homophobes? k. whatever. True fans will pick up what we're putting down here. At least I'll get a paycheck.
The only GOOD animation was the villain scene... Which wasn't fleshed out in the manga... The sudden villain chase scene was only in the manga for two panels. The animation did an entire sequence. Like the animators were permitted to do what they wanted instead of what they were required to do. And low and behold, they focus on Bakugo and Midoriya working in tandem across from each other on either side of the van. Depicting the joyful coordination of BKDK.
So… the only canon specific, pre 431/More art in the anime episode is almost exclusively BKDK… Meanwhile in the anime, the only art that’s NEW BEYOND what was dictated by 431 manga is… BKDK… with some flashy Shoto and Iida. And it was the only part that had real HEART in it… got it…
Writing/Story:
This gets into why I think 431/More is a hiding in plain sight farce. Proof as to why it’s a fake. Horikoshi and his assistants ‘approved’ this chapter BECAUSE it’s full of evidence as to why it’s fake.
The episode/chapter was not narrated... Like at all. Even the chapters/episodes that Midoriya wasn’t in, such as the My Villain Academia arc, included his narration because he was telling his story. If it was so important and he’s telling the story of how he finally ended up with the love of his life… wouldn’t it be… important!? Wouldn’t he narrate the crap out of that? The boy NEVER SHUT THE FUCK UP… but now… he’s… silent? 431/More ... Isn't his story... It's no one's story. If it’s no one’s story… it’s not real. It's unsettling how SILENT the chapter is. Like uncanny valley, liminal space, twilight zone silent.
Uraraka has a lovely long scene discussing how happy she is with her life just the way it is- maybe because she’s found purpose and fulfillment?! Midoriya has that scene in the back seat of Bakugo’s car, discussing how happy he is with his life just the way it is- ya know, teaching and doing hero work with his friends (fiancé)?! If he were to join Bakugo’s agency, he wouldn’t have time to do both, he’d be too tied down. But none of this really matters because… it’s not real XD.
At the restaurant a bunch of things happened very quickly that I didn’t pick up on in the Manga, but seeing it animated brought it all into focus. Things get even more off track.
- Shoto goes into a deep discussion about how it was necessary/inevitable to follow the path dictated to him... by family and friends and fans. And says how he disagrees and WON'T follow it ...
- Immediately following that Bakugo mentions reading Parasyte. A manga about humans being taken over by aliens and forced to do things they don't want to... Violently...
- The moment Bakugo mentioned Parasyte, Midoriya looks at Uraraka and repeats the 'inevitable/ necessary' line.
Referencing being forced to do something he does not want to do! Putting these things together, Midoriya is admitting to being forced to do something he doesn’t want to do. He’s being forced to follow this path of a romance he doesn’t actually want. The characters have now lost control of their own choices and are following the path that is inevitable. Just a puppet now, like Parasyte.
An actual DEKU.
Oh. yeah... that's right... Bakugo is calling Izuku DEKU again... that's weird... He stopped doing that a decade ago unless he's calling him by his hero name. Why does he call Izuku a PUPPET the whole chapter???
Why would a writer put these specific items in their work? Why would they draw these parallels? Animation and writing like this is limited to very specific timeframes. Ever second COUNTS. Every frame counts. What was the purpose of repeating this idea if NOT to make sure the audience GOT IT? Make sure the audience that’s paying attention catches on that the characters are doing this against their will.
<Another odd piece was Bakugo telling Midoriya he couldn't give him a ride home. With the rationale that he had to be up early in the morning to see Edgeshot. Like... As if taking Midoriya home was a common occurrence, so Bakugo felt the need to tell him WHY he couldn't this specific night. But then turns around and gives rides to the squad. Hmmm... Is it ... Because he was taking the squad home, then going straight home himself... But if he had taken Midoriya home, he would have stayed... And then missed Edgeshot? Just ... A very curious interaction.>
And closing on the weirdest, most un-romantic hand grasp on the planet. As the billboards show Midoriya, Bakugo, and Shoto WATCHING. Like 'hey... See this inevitable garbage? Remember, we literally said this isn't what we want.'
Those billboards were not in the manga. It takes up the majority of the screen. If this was such an important defining moment, shouldn't the focus be on the supposed couple? The animators chose to add that. And the animators chose to have the advertisement named 'BAR.' A big red banner saying 'BAR.'
The word bar means to block out. Like the three of them are sitting there watching the scene, drawing the attention of the audience to them instead of whatever was happening below. And then for some reason the characters on the billboard leave the billboard! They watch the 'inevitable' scene, then leave. Why do the animators do that?!
Followed by THAT outro.
The whole chapter is just... off. Cheese slid off the cracker weird. Felt like I was reading/watching something from a completely different anime/manga. Pacing, sound, dialogue, art. It all felts wrong. Like it didn't fit.
Like a poorly written fanfic, no offence fellow fan fic writers...
Conclusion
Horikoshi signed off on 431/More because he was contractually obligated to. And he permitted THIS specific piece out there because it was purposefully full of enough inaccuracies and obvious references to this being done against the character's will for him to let his audience be intelligent enough to see it and realize it was a fake. He put this load of crap out into the world and said ‘Hey! See this?! Look at this and realize it’s all crap. It’s satire and parody. Draw your own conclusions based on whatever this is.’
431/More was BS. Everyone involved knew it was BS. The creators and artists put it out because they had to for the cranky, homophobic part of the audience. They did it to placate them. And left the rest of us with an entire bakery worth of breadcrumbs as clues to the ACCURATE ending.
431 was a literal fever dream.
430, with Bakugo’s proposal and Midoriya’s joyful acceptance, was THE END!
Thoughts? Comments? I’ll return to the regularly scheduled fanfiction now 😊
*If you enjoyed this rabbit hole, check out my BKDK fictions. They follow all these ideas 💚🧡