The Final War arc in My Hero Academia has delivered some of the most emotional and devastating moments in the anime’s history. As the long-running conflict between heroes and villains came to its dramatic conclusion, fans were forced to say goodbye to several pivotal characters. With stakes higher than ever, creator Kohei Horikoshi did not shy away from tragedy, leaving fans worldwide grieving as the final battle unfolded.
Below, we revisit the five most heartbreaking deaths from My Hero Academia’s Final War — scenes that left viewers in tears and continue to resonate long after the credits rolled.
Hero Killer Stain
Stain, one of the most complex characters in the series, spent years defining his ideology of true heroism. Despite his violent history, he ultimately chose to help the heroes when it mattered most. Racing to protect All Might, his lifelong idol, Stain attempted to restrain All For One with his Bloodcurdle quirk. His last words expressed his respect for All Might before AFO brutally killed him.
Stain’s sacrifice revealed the tragic depth of his character and earned him redemption in the eyes of many fans.
Kurogiri / Oboro Shirakumo
Originally seen as a loyal villain and Nomu, Kurogiri became one of the most emotionally layered characters after the reveal that he was created from the body of Oboro Shirakumo, the beloved friend of Aizawa and Present Mic.
Torn between identities, he used his warp ability to save lives in the final battle, severely weakening himself. His final act to protect Tomura triggered his destruction as he faded away, leaving fans devastated.
Dabi (Touya Todoroki)
Dabi’s story is one of the darkest and most tragic in the series. After years of resentment toward his family, he attempted to take everyone with him by overloading his fiery quirk. The Todoroki family united to save him, but the damage to his body was irreparable.
He survived the final war but lived only briefly, dependent on medical support before succumbing to his injuries.
Dabi’s death stands as a haunting reminder of the consequences of broken families and lost childhoods.
Himiko Toga
Toga’s twisted yet heartbreaking past made her one of the most tragic villains in MHA. In a crucial confrontation with Ochaco Uraraka, the two finally understood each other. After stabbing Ochaco in a moment of desperation, Toga sacrificed herself by taking Ochaco’s form and using her quirk to save her life.
Her final words proclaimed her right to exist and love freely — a scene that shattered fans everywhere.
Tomura Shigaraki
Often seen as evil incarnate, Tomura’s true tragedy was revealed when Izuku Midoriya discovered the terrified child buried beneath AFO’s control. After learning he had been manipulated his entire life to become AFO’s vessel, Tomura fought internally until the end.
With Deku and his friends’ help, Tomura managed to resist AFO long enough for him to be defeated. His body disintegrated into ashes, marking a painful end to one of anime’s most layered villains.
The Final War arc proved that MHA is more than a superhero story — it is a powerful tale of pain, identity, and redemption. Though the villains met tragic fates, their deaths carry profound emotional weight that fans will remember forever.
