Explained: My Hero Academia’s Endeavor Agency Arc

Essential Insights

Endeavor’s pursuit of redemption through mentorship and personal development with his interns.
Hawks operates as a double agent to retrieve crucial intel regarding a looming villainous threat.
Engagements among Endeavor, his interns, and his family prompt introspection and transformation.

Many fans of My Hero Academia are likely acquainted with Endeavor; while opinions on him may vary, their familiarity is almost universal. As the leading hero in Japan following All Might’s retirement, Endeavor had long aspired to this prestigious title, desperately desiring to surpass All Might or at least outshine his progeny. However, he ultimately inherited the title only because of All Might’s departure, which fueled his frustration, yet he embraced the role having invested so much effort into it.

The Endeavor Agency Arc unfolds from Season 5, episodes 13 to 18 of My Hero Academia. This pivotal arc occurs after the Meta Liberation Army Arc, focusing on Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki as they take on internships with Endeavor. It not only highlights their development but also tracks Endeavor’s quest for atonement while examining the evolving landscape of hero society as they brace for the impending conflict orchestrated by the Paranormal Liberation Front.

Progression of Hero Work Studies

Todoroki Welcomes His Friends to His Father’s Agency

With the Hero Work Studies program reinstated, students from U.A. high school can now gain practical experience in hero agencies throughout the academic year. This initiative is designed to enhance their skills and prepare them for the challenges of a professional hero career.

Midoriya and Bakugo, like their classmates, were exploring their internship options. While most students had already selected their placements, the two were still undecided. Some opted to return to previous agencies, while Midoriya sought a fresh start. Bakugo was unable to join Best Jeanist’s agency due to the pro-hero’s ongoing absence. Fortunately, Todoroki invited them to join his father’s agency, which they gratefully accepted.

Upon introducing Midoriya and Bakugo to Endeavor, Todoroki feigns enthusiasm about the choice made without his approval but eventually accepts their presence. Endeavor, pleased by Todoroki’s initiative, believes his son is keen to mend their relationship, unaware of the underlying tensions. He intends to focus solely on Todoroki during the internship, sidelining Midoriya and Bakugo. However, as events unfold, Endeavor undergoes a significant transformation.

Hawks’ Role as a Double Agent

Establishing Trust with Villains

This arc sees Hawks actively working as a double agent. The Hero Public Safety Commission persuades him to infiltrate the League of Villains following their partnership with the Meta Liberation Army, which later evolves into the Paranormal Liberation Front under Tomura Shigaraki’s command.

Hawks is an ideal candidate for this perilous mission due to his composed demeanor, astuteness, and adeptness at maneuvering within challenging situations. The Paranormal Liberation Front is plotting something substantial, and the hero society must be equipped to counter it or face disastrous consequences. Remaining uninformed is not an option, prompting the commission to deploy Hawks to cultivate trust within the villain ranks and extract vital intelligence for devising a counteroffensive against the looming peril.

The Paranormal Liberation Front keeps a close watch on Hawks, yet he cleverly manages to relay critical information to Endeavor regarding their intentions. Endeavor meticulously reviews a crucial document, taking note of the highlighted sections that contain Hawks’ messages.

Once Endeavor decodes Hawks’ warning, he realizes the imminent threat is considerable, underscoring the need for increased preparation and manpower for the approaching conflict. With just four months before crisis hits, Endeavor’s perspective shifts—he resolves to train all his interns, including Bakugo, Midoriya, and Todoroki, ensuring no one is overlooked as they all gear up to become stronger.

Life Inside Endeavor’s Agency

Embarking on Training

All thanks to Hawks, Endeavor begins his newfound role as an engaging mentor. He initiates training for his interns and reveals himself to be a capable instructor, offering personalized guidance. Before embarking on training, he queries Bakugo and Midoriya about their goals. Midoriya aims to better manage One For All and especially master the Blackwhip ability, while Bakugo believes he has fully grasped his quirk and wishes to identify Endeavor’s shortcomings to surpass him. Endeavor acknowledges their ambitions and is about to further their training when Todoroki interjects.

In this pivotal moment, Endeavor’s greatest flaw surfaces—he neglects to inquire about Todoroki’s objectives, underscoring his longstanding obliviousness to his son’s desires, focusing instead on his own vision for Todoroki. Endeavor desires Todoroki to perfect Flashfire Fist, his signature move, yet Todoroki aims for a different path. He candidly informs his father that he is at the agency solely to gain knowledge, with no intent of extending forgiveness, affirming that All Might serves as his true inspiration.

This confrontation shatters Endeavor, who believed Todoroki’s arrival signified a chance at reconciliation. Endeavor must now confront the consequences of his past actions but chooses to move forward with training. He takes his interns on patrols, teaching them to effectively deploy their quirks in apprehending criminals. As the arc goes on, viewers witness the trio strive to surpass Endeavor when confronting threats.

Endeavor’s Path to Redemption

A Challenging Yet Vital Journey

True healing cannot occur overnight, as Endeavor’s past, especially towards his family, is deeply fractured. Thankfully, Endeavor’s daughter Fuyumi is driven to restore family ties. This arc opens a window into the Todoroki home, where Fuyumi prepares dinner, gathering her family alongside Midoriya and Bakugo.

This family dinner uncovers hidden grievances, particularly from non-family members. Natsuo openly expresses rage toward Endeavor for his past actions, holding him accountable for Toya’s demise, leading him to storm off in frustration. Todoroki is equally conflicted about his father, struggling with the notion of forgiveness. Midoriya encourages him to embrace his readiness to forgive without resistance.

Throughout the arc, Endeavor grapples with his past missteps, particularly the impact of his treatment toward his family. His relentless pursuit to eclipse All Might contributed to losing his son, Toya, following years of oppressive behavior towards Shoto, while neglecting his other children, Fuyumi and Natsuo. He strives to make amends and acknowledges that while he has achieved his goal of becoming the top hero, he has paid a steep price.

Despite putting on a tough facade, Endeavor is portrayed as a deeply flawed individual attempting to rectify his past errors and aspiring to be a better hero and father. The dinner at the Todoroki household further highlights Endeavor’s desire for familial harmony. He feels honored by Fuyumi’s effort to host a family gathering, even as Natsuo reacts with indignation. Endeavor’s commitment to making reparations and ensuring his family’s happiness, even at the cost of his own happiness, becomes evident.

The Climactic Incident

Demonstrating Endeavor’s Students’ Growth and His Strained Bond with His Son

Deku and Natsuo confronting villains in My Hero Academia

As this arc reaches its conclusion, a villain named Ending seeks attention by kidnapping Natsuo, intending to coerce Endeavor into killing him. In the rush to save his son, Endeavor finds himself paralyzed, unable to act decisively given the terror reflected in Natsuo’s eyes. Fortunately, his interns, whom he has diligently trained, step up, engaging in combat against the villain.

Midoriya, Todoroki, and Bakugo unite to thwart the villain and rescue Natsuo without requiring Endeavor’s assistance. Their victorious collaboration reinforces the bond among the trio, showcasing their capability to confront real-world threats together.

For Endeavor, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the personal costs of his past choices. After reuniting with Natsuo, he recognizes the resentment they have toward one another. During an emotional conversation, he acknowledges his historical failings and accepts accountability for overlooking his family, particularly Natsuo, Fuyumi, and their mother, Rei. He takes responsibility for Toya’s fate as well. Natsuo, still filled with anger, declares that he will never forgive Endeavor. In response, Endeavor concedes that forgiveness may remain elusive, yet he desires to make amends. The villain Ending witnesses this heartfelt exchange and is dismayed by Endeavor’s transformation, clearly indicating that he is on a path toward redemption.

What Lies Ahead?

This arc concludes with Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki showcasing newfound strength and confidence in their abilities, proving that their internship with Endeavor was fruitful. Conversely, Endeavor begins to restore his image in the eyes of both his family and society, although his journey to redemption is far from over.

Moreover, the narrative sets the stage for an imminent large-scale conflict between heroes and villains, with society’s faith in heroes hanging in the balance.

My Hero Academia is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

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