This My Hero Academia Episode Is Peak Anime (& Michael B. Jordan Agrees)

The Final Season of My Hero Academia delivered moments that fans had long been anticipating. From the animation to the sound design to the narrative arcs, the series truly created an unforgettable climactic experience that culminated nearly ten years of storytelling.

As stunning as the eighth and final season was, one episode stood out among the rest, with one A-list celebrity sharing just how resonant and impactful the series is. Michael B. Jordan, who's known for his acclaimed roles in Creed, Black Panther, and, most recently, Sinners, shared how one moment cemented My Hero Academia as a moving anime masterpiece.

My Hero Academia Recently Came to a Stunning Conclusion

The official finale of My Hero Academia aired on Saturday, December 13, 2025, bringing nearly a decade of animated storytelling to a close. The series wrapped the Final War arc with stunning battle sequences, emotional payoffs, and a resolution that offered satisfying closure for the beloved characters and story.

Despite neatly tying up the narrative, the ending maintained an open quality, leaving room for fans to imagine the futures of Class 1-A going forward, allowing their lives to continue on beyond the main storyline. My Hero Academia’s ending offered viewers a rewarding conclusion that marked the start of new chapters in their lives.

Luckily for fans, viewers will have the opportunity to see a little more of the cast’s lives years after the Final War through a special episode titled “More,” releasing on May 2, 2026, as part of the series's ten-year anniversary. The episode will cover Chapter #431, the manga’s epilogue, offering an even more satisfying end to the hit shōnen series.

Until then, the conclusion of My Hero Academia was felt among all fans and even captured the attention of well-known celebrities, with Michael B. Jordan recently speaking about how impactful the final season of the show was, particularly through one special moment.

In a recent interview with W Magazine, Jordan was asked about what films had recently moved him to tears. He referenced his own work in Sinners in response to the interviewer’s input as well as Armageddon. Both projects carried significant emotional weight, but after quickly mentioning those two films, he took a moment to talk about an anime series, sharing:

"My Hero Academia ... It's like the last season of the series… It was an episode where Bakugo [had] this emotional moment where he finally got recognized by one his mentors and idols that he always felt overlooked him throughout the entire show, and they did it in such a dramatic way and in an epic fashion, that I dropped some tears. It was beautiful."

Jordan’s reflection on the series and Bakugo’s arc within it touch on My Hero Academia’s greatest strengths. The recognition Bakugo received from All Might right before the intense battle against All For One served as the culmination of years of character development and hard-won lessons that shaped his character.

The result was an emotional payoff that resonated with countless fans around the globe, including celebrities of Jordan’s caliber, who personally took the time to share the moment that moved him to tears. Jordan’s admiration for what became one of Bakugo’s greatest moments was rooted in the scene’s universally shared experiences of recognition and validation.

The Final Boss!! Is Easily One of My Hero Academia’s Greatest Episodes

The episode Michael B. Jordan spoke about comes from Episode 3 of Season 8 (the Final Season) and Episode 162 overall, titled “The Final Boss!!.” The series opens with Bakugo’s dramatic return from death itself and an epic intervention that saved All Might from meeting a gruesome end at the hands of All For One.

The episode not only delivered jaw-dropping, gorgeous animation as Bakugo took on one of the series's greatest threats one-on-one but also framed his return with emotional depth. For years, fans watched Bakugo struggle with recognition and pride, aspects that remained central to his arc.

In “The Final Boss!!,” Bakugo proves his strength and receives acknowledgment from All Might in a way that completely validates his personal journey. Jordan’s description of the scene fits perfectly with how Bakugo and All Might’s interaction was portrayed, sharing just how meaningful the moment was.

The culmination of Bakugo’s character arc in this episode resonated strongly with audiences, earning the episode a rating of 9.8 on IMDb, tied with the eighth episode of the season finale, “Izuku Midoriya: Rising,” as the highest-rated episode of the Final Season. “The Final Boss!!” stood out for its climactic battle and emotional closure for Bakugo’s character arc.

Bakugo’s Character Arc Is One of the Most Rewarding in the Series

Bakugo’s story has always been defined by his fierce ambition, explosive temper, and relentless drive to be recognized. From his earliest appearances in the series, it was clear that Bakugo’s harsh, abrasive attitude was the result of years of unquestioned praise and pride, ultimately leading to moments where he was forced to confront his own flaws.

Throughout My Hero Academia, Bakugo steadily stepped into the role of hero and a leader, with the Final War standing as his redemption. He proved more than just his capacity for strength, but his maturity and empathy, which weren’t deeply seen in the earliest chapters of the story. His evolution was earned and an immensely rewarding experience for audiences.

The Final Season perfectly demonstrated Kohei Horikoshi’s ability to create powerful, realistic character arcs over long-running series by allowing characters like Bakugo to grow and stumble along the way. Through him, My Hero Academia delivered a stunning and satisfying storytelling experience that touched the hearts of everyone who watched.