REVIEW: ‘My Hero Academia’ Episode 170 — “My Hero Academia”

The war is over, and the heroes have won the day, but My Hero Academia Episode 170 makes it clear that the story isn’t just about the victory; it’s about the quiet that comes after. Titled simply “My Hero Academia,” the finale serves as a poignant epilogue that reckons with the decade-long journey of Class 1-A. It prioritizes emotional resolution over spectacle, focusing on the enduring legacy of the heroes as they navigate adulthood.

My Hero Academia Episode 170 jumps forward eight years, showing a world that has healed but is fundamentally different. The central focal point is Izuku Midoriya (Daiki Yamashita), who is now navigating life as a teacher at U.A. High. The embers of One For All have finally faded, and seeing Deku without his power is a bittersweet realization of his sacrifice.

It is a fascinating look at identity, exploring what happens to the hero when the war is done. My Hero Academia Episode 170 doesn’t shy away from Midoriya’s loneliness. He is shaping the next generation, passing on the lessons he learned, but there is a palpable sense of longing as he watches his former classmates climb the hero charts without him.

The animation emphasizes this distance, often framing Midoriya looking up at the sky or watching videos of his friends, isolating him in the frame. This raises questions about what it truly means to be a hero—is it power or spirit?

My Hero Academia Episode 170 revels in the silence that comes after a battle won.

However, the episode does a fantastic job of showing that his sacrifice was not in vain. The rest of Class 1-A are shown thriving, and crucially, they are implementing the societal changes they fought for. We see Mezo Shoji (Masakazu Nishida) being awarded the Imamura Peace Prize for his work in resolving prejudice against heteromorphs. This is a vital inclusion, proving that the anger Spinner felt has been addressed rather than suppressed.

Similarly, Ochaco Uraraka (Ayane Sakura) is shown leading a massive expansion of quirk counseling services. This is a direct payoff to the themes explored in the previous episode regarding Toga. My Hero Academia Episode 170 highlights that Uraraka has learned that saving someone means understanding them before they break. It is an important reminder that the heroes are no longer just reacting to villains; they are preventing them from acting.

My Hero Academia Episode 170 also touches on the reality of adulthood, specifically the difficulty of maintaining connections. Aizawa mentions the trouble of getting the old class together due to their conflicting schedules as top heroes. It grounds the narrative, showing that the drift between friends is a battle even heroes have to fight.

Nostalgia is interwoven in every frame of the episode as things wrap up.

Visually, the episode uses nostalgic framing to mirror the series’ beginning, bringing the journey full circle. When a young student, Dai, asks Deku if he can be a hero, the moment serves as a litmus test for Deku’s growth. He validates the boy but grounds him in reality, showing how he has internalized All Might’s (Kenta Miyake) legacy while evolving it. He tells the boy to work hard, shifting the dream from a destiny to a goal.

The finale culminates in a moment that rewards that growth. The reveal of the armored suit, funded by Bakugo (Nobuhiko Okamoto) and the rest of Class A, is the episode’s emotional peak. Bakugo’s involvement here is vital, cementing his journey from bully to Midoriya’s greatest supporter. He spearheaded the project because he refused to let his rival remain on the sidelines.

My Hero Academia Episode 170 is an emotionally powerful conclusion that asserts that no one walks the path alone. The final shot of the class leaping into action together shows that the burden of the Symbol of Peace is no longer on one person’s shoulders. It is shared.

My Hero Academia Episode 170 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.

Previous Episode | Next Episode