Talk about backstory

Well, holy hell, this is a volume full of the backstories we’ve all been craving!

In the aftermath of the giant battle, we are informed of how Japan deals with the immediate aftermath of the event. We see many different perspectives here, from those on the ground as civilians, those who are outside of the immediate danger and more concerned with the “drama” that came from it, and heroes who are becoming disillusioned with their jobs due to the graphic and awful nature of what they must now face.

Most of the volume is dedicated to explaining the tragic backstories of several heroes, like Shoto and Hawks, and more backstories on Dabi and how he became corrupted by hatred. These passages are important for establishing why these men became the people they are; Hawks managed to rise above the darkness of his childhood while Dabi was dragged down further by his father’s rejection.

As usual, MHA offers the reader a strangely introspective look at how we as a society put unfair expectations onto others, especially those heroes who took an oath to serve citizens. We see Endeavor speak freely and honestly about his past mistakes while also showing the wider public that heroes are people too, and thus are not infallible gods to look up to. It’s quite a sobering volume all around, but the end, with Deku speaking about embracing the kindness within, leaves the reader with the hopeful feeling that has flowed through the entire series up to this point. Another interesting and fun read from the MHA universe!

Title: My Hero Academia (Vol 31)
Author: Kohei Horikoshi
Format: Paperback
Pages: 216
ISBN: 9781974732128

Three Descriptors: Hopeful, Action-packed, Dramatic