MHA Alternate Ending Revealed: Gaming Impact Guide (March 2026)
What was My Hero Academia’s alternate ending? Kohei Horikoshi originally planned for Deku to remain permanently Quirkless after defeating All For One and Tomura Shigaraki, becoming a UA High School teacher who would inspire future heroes with the message “You can be a hero!” This dramatically different conclusion from the actual ending would have transformed every gaming adaptation in the My Hero Academia franchise.
As someone who’s been following My Hero Academia since its early days and played every gaming adaptation from My Hero One’s Justice to Ultra Rumble, I can tell you this revelation completely changes how we view the entire franchise. The alternate ending Horikoshi revealed in recent art exhibitions and interviews would have transformed not just the manga, but every game, movie, and piece of merchandise we’ve come to love.
| Ending Version | Deku’s Fate | Impact on Gaming |
|---|---|---|
| Original Plan | Permanently Quirkless Teacher | Different character arcs in games |
| Final Version | Hero with Support Items | Current gaming narratives |
| Movie Connection | Heroes Rising sacrifice ending | Alternative storyline explored |
The Original Vision: Deku’s Permanent Quirkless Future
When I first heard about Horikoshi’s original ending plan, my immediate thought was about how this would have impacted MHA’s gaming dominance in the anime gaming market. The creator revealed that his initial vision had Deku losing One For All permanently after defeating All For One and Tomura Shigaraki, with no possibility of regaining his powers.
In this alternate timeline, the story would have jumped forward to show Deku as a UA teacher, essentially coming full circle to mirror All Might’s role in the beginning. But here’s where it gets fascinating from a gaming perspective – imagine playing through story modes where the protagonist’s ultimate fate is losing all their abilities. That’s a narrative choice that would have fundamentally altered every gaming adaptation.
The most striking aspect of this alternate ending is its thematic focus. Instead of the message “everyone can be a hero with help from others,” which the final version emphasizes, Horikoshi’s original plan centered on the idea that being a hero isn’t about having powers – it’s about inspiring others. This would have created entirely different gameplay mechanics and story modes in the various My Hero Academia games I’ve spent hundreds of hours playing.
The Timeline of Creative Evolution
Based on Horikoshi’s recent revelations at art exhibitions throughout 2024, the decision to change the ending came gradually as the series evolved. Initially, he wanted to keep the story focused primarily on Deku’s personal journey, but as the manga progressed, the rich cast of Class 1-A characters demanded more attention.
I remember discussing this with my gaming community when Heroes Rising first released. That movie actually used elements of Horikoshi’s original ending concept – Deku transferring One For All to Bakugo in a moment of desperate sacrifice. The fact that this ending was “borrowed” for the movie tells us Horikoshi had been sitting on this alternate conclusion for years.
Gaming Implications: How Different Would MHA Games Be?
Let me break down exactly how this alternate ending would have transformed the gaming landscape. Having played through every major MHA game release, I can tell you the ripple effects would be massive.
Fighting Game Narratives
In My Hero One’s Justice 2, the story mode follows the manga closely, building toward Deku mastering One For All’s various quirks. With the alternate ending, the entire progression system would need restructuring. Instead of unlocking new abilities, we’d potentially see a system where Deku gradually loses powers, teaching players to rely more on strategy and support characters – a complete paradigm shift from the power fantasy these games typically offer.
The character roster implications are equally significant. In the current timeline, older Deku with his support suit becomes a potential DLC character. In the alternate timeline? We’d likely see “Teacher Deku” as a support character who buffs other heroes rather than fighting directly – fundamentally changing the game’s meta.
Mobile Game Story Arcs
Mobile games like My Hero Ultra Impact and The Strongest Hero rely heavily on the gacha system where players collect different versions of characters. I’ve spent more time than I’d like to admit (and money) collecting various Deku variants. The alternate ending would mean:
- No “Full Cowling 100%” Deku variants
- No endgame power-up versions to chase
- Focus would shift to mentor/teacher variants instead
- Different event storylines emphasizing legacy over power
Battle Royale and Multiplayer Impact
My Hero Ultra Rumble, which I’ve been grinding since launch, would face interesting balance challenges. Currently, Deku’s character progression mirrors his power growth in the manga. With the alternate ending, they’d need to create a narrative where losing powers is somehow rewarding in gameplay terms – perhaps unlocking team-support abilities as individual combat power decreases.
Fan Community Reactions and Theories
The gaming and anime communities have been buzzing since this revelation dropped. On Reddit’s r/BokuNoHeroAcademia, I’ve seen fascinating discussions about how this changes our interpretation of early story beats. Many fans, myself included, are now re-examining moments like All Might’s retirement with new context.
What strikes me most is how the community has embraced both endings. Some prefer the tragic beauty of the original plan, while others appreciate the hope and collaboration themes of the final version. From a gaming narrative standpoint, I personally think the final ending works better for the kind of power progression systems these games employ, but the alternate ending would have been boldly unique in the shonen gaming space.
The Heroes Rising Connection
Here’s something fascinating that many casual fans might have missed – the Heroes Rising movie essentially gave us a glimpse of Horikoshi’s original ending. When Deku transfers One For All to Bakugo, we see exactly what the manga’s conclusion might have looked like. Having rewatched this movie after learning about the alternate ending, the emotional weight hits differently.
In my recent playthrough of the movie’s storyline in My Hero One’s Justice 2, I noticed how the game developers struggled to adapt this sequence. They ultimately used a workaround where the transfer is temporary, maintaining gameplay consistency. This shows how challenging it would have been to implement the permanent Quirkless ending across all gaming platforms.
What This Means for Future MHA Content?
Looking ahead to MHA Season 8’s finale, knowing about this alternate ending adds layers to our viewing experience. The anime team now has the unique opportunity to perhaps reference or pay homage to Horikoshi’s original vision through subtle visual cues or expanded scenes.
For upcoming games, developers might explore “what if” scenarios more boldly. I wouldn’t be surprised to see DLC or special modes that let players experience the alternate ending timeline. Imagine a parallel universe story mode where you play through Deku’s journey to becoming a Quirkless teacher – it would be heartbreaking but incredibly unique in the fighting game genre.
Merchandise and Collectibles Impact
From a broader franchise perspective, this revelation affects how we view merchandise and collectibles. Figures and statues of “Final Battle Deku” would have looked completely different. Instead of powered-up versions, we might have seen more emphasis on emotional moment captures and legacy-passing scenes.
The Broader Anime Gaming Landscape
This alternate ending revelation positions My Hero Academia uniquely in the anime gaming sphere. While series like Dragon Ball and Naruto follow traditional power escalation paths in their games, MHA could have pioneered a different approach entirely. The courage to even consider such an ending shows why My Hero Academia stands out among anime recommendations for gaming fans.
I’ve been thinking about how this compares to other major shonen ending revelations. When Attack on Titan‘s controversial ending released, it sparked similar discussions about alternate possibilities. But Horikoshi actually telling us his original plan? That’s unprecedented transparency that the gaming community deeply appreciates.
Why Horikoshi Changed His Mind
According to Horikoshi’s recent interviews and exhibition comments in 2026, the change came from realizing his story had evolved beyond his original scope. What started as Deku’s personal journey became an ensemble piece about Class 1-A and the broader hero society. This evolution mirrors what I’ve seen in the games – players don’t just want to play as Deku; they want the full Class 1-A experience.
The final ending’s message – that everyone can be a hero with support from others – resonates better with multiplayer gaming dynamics. It emphasizes teamwork and collaboration, themes that translate perfectly to team-based game modes and co-op experiences that have become increasingly popular in anime games.
The Creative Process Behind the Decision
What fascinates me as both a gamer and manga reader is how Horikoshi’s creative process evolved. The December 2024 release of Volume 42, with its 38 additional pages expanding the ending, shows he wanted to ensure his vision was fully realized. This kind of extended content is exactly what we see in gaming with “definitive editions” and “director’s cuts.”
The parallel between game development and manga creation is striking here. Just as game developers often pivot based on player feedback and emerging gameplay dynamics, Horikoshi adapted his story based on how his characters and world grew beyond his initial conception.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Horikoshi reveal the alternate ending?
Horikoshi revealed the alternate ending details through various art exhibitions and interviews throughout 2024, with the most comprehensive information coming after the manga’s conclusion in August 2024. The December 2024 release of Volume 42 included additional context about his creative decisions.
Would the alternate ending have affected the My Hero Academia movies?
Absolutely. The Heroes Rising movie actually used elements of the original ending, with Deku transferring One For All to Bakugo. If the manga had used this ending, the movie would have needed a completely different climax to avoid redundancy.
How would gaming tier lists change with the alternate ending?
Character tier lists in fighting games would shift dramatically. Without endgame power-ups, Deku would likely drop from S-tier to potentially B or C-tier in games like My Hero One’s Justice. The meta would favor characters with consistent power levels rather than progression-based fighters, similar to how rivalry dynamics would change in competitive play.
Is there any chance we’ll see the alternate ending animated?
While unlikely in the main anime series, there’s potential for OVAs or special gaming content to explore this alternate timeline. Several MHA games already include “what if” scenarios, making this a natural addition for future DLC or special editions.
Did other manga artists influence Horikoshi’s decision to change the ending?
While Horikoshi hasn’t explicitly stated influences, the timing suggests he observed reactions to other shonen endings. The comparison to Game of Thrones‘ controversial finale that some fans have made indicates he was aware of the risks of subverting expectations too drastically.
Looking Forward: The Legacy of Two Endings
As we approach March 2026, with the anime’s final season on the horizon and new gaming announcements expected, knowing about this alternate ending enriches our appreciation of the franchise. Every game adaptation, every story mode, every character interaction carries the weight of what could have been.
For those of us deeply invested in both the gaming and anime sides of My Hero Academia, this revelation doesn’t diminish what we got – it enhances it. We now understand the deliberate choice Horikoshi made to emphasize hope and collaboration over solitary sacrifice. That’s a message that resonates perfectly with the multiplayer experiences and community aspects that make MHA games so engaging.
The fact that characters like Hawks almost didn’t exist in the series shows how much Horikoshi’s vision evolved. Similarly, this alternate ending revelation demonstrates that even the best creators constantly refine their work, seeking the perfect balance between their artistic vision and what serves the story best.
Whether you prefer the tragic beauty of the original ending or the hopeful collaboration of the final version, one thing is certain – My Hero Academia’s impact on gaming and anime culture remains profound. And knowing what could have been makes what we have even more special. The gaming adaptations we’ve received, from epic final battles to next-generation gaming experiences, represent a carefully crafted vision that honors both artistic integrity and fan expectations.