The end of “My Hero Academia” with chapter 430 brought an end to a remarkable saga and clarified Deku’s future after his crucial decision to transfer the One For All quirk.

This transfer was essential, aiming to destroy Shigaraki Tomura from within. Despite the success of this plan, the consequences left Deku quirkless again.

He spent several years as a teacher before his friends in Class A, not wanting to leave him out of action, gave him a support item to help him resume his role as a hero.

Upon resuming his heroic duties, Deku encountered a spectral figure of Shigaraki Tomura, sparking widespread debate among fans: had Shigaraki become a vestige?

Understanding Shigaraki's Final Appearance

In the climactic final battle, the transfer of Deku's One For All quirk to Shigaraki Tomura set the stage for a dramatic showdown.

The remnants of One For All, in their effort to thwart Shigaraki, attacked the mental cracks in his consciousness, causing significant damage.

As Shigaraki's body began to deteriorate, All For One took control, leading to a fierce battle against the heroes.

A surprising revelation came from All For One during this battle. He confessed to being the force behind Tenko Shimura's acquisition of the Decay Quirk, a truth that shook Shigaraki deeply.

Decadence's quirk led to the accidental deaths of his family, which in turn shaped his villainous personality.

This realization motivated Shigaraki's decision to rebel against All For One, and he fought alongside Deku in the vestige world.

By the time we reach Chapter 424, both All For One and Shigaraki Tomura have met their ends.

Despite their antagonistic roles, Deku harbored a deep sense of regret. His intention was never to kill Shigaraki, but to save him, and his failure to do so weighed heavily on him.

This sense of loss persisted as he continuously thought of ways to rescue Shigaraki.

The Ghostly Vision

Eight years later, Deku has seemingly come to terms with Shigaraki's death, which is evident in his renewed vigor as a hero.

Upon returning to the heroic scene, he came across a poignant moment: a ghostly image of Tomura, smiling at him. This encounter led to speculation that Shigaraki may have become a vestige.

However, the manga clarifies that Shigaraki's appearance was not a vestige, but a ghost. The vestiges were previously only shown within the worlds of All For One and One For All users.

With the destruction of these quirks, the concept of traces no longer applied. Instead, what Deku saw was a spectral image of Shigaraki, not a remnant or trace of his being.

The meaning of Shigaraki's ghost

While the manga does not provide a detailed explanation for Shigaraki's ghostly appearance, it is strongly implied that it was intended to provide closure for Deku.

Shigaraki's ghost seemed to convey a message of reassurance, suggesting that his failure to save Shigaraki did not define his worth or his success as a hero.

This spectral encounter was a way for Shigaraki to wish Deku all the best in his future endeavors, offering a form of emotional closure and encouragement.

The final chapter of “My Hero Academia” did not confirm Shigaraki as a vestige.

Instead, Shigaraki Tomura's image was a ghostly apparition, meant to comfort Deku and signify that his efforts, while not always resulting in success, were not in vain.

This final interaction highlighted the series' central themes: redemption, understanding, and the emotional complexities of its characters.

The final moments of “My Hero Academia” provide a touching conclusion to Deku and Shigaraki’s complex relationship.

Although the manga ended the chapter on their direct confrontation, it left readers with a poignant reminder of the personal struggles and growth that define the series.

Shigaraki's appearance as a ghost rather than a vestige serves as a narrative device to offer both closure and a message of hope for Deku.

As the series concludes, it reaffirms that even in the face of failure, the journey toward redemption and understanding continues, for heroes and villains alike.