Penned by Kohei Horikoshi, the wildly popular manga and anime series My Hero Academia has captured the attention of viewers with its detailed world-building, diverse characters, and deep moral quandaries. Among the dynamic ranges of the cast, one particular character has stood out for his remarkable journey of growth and redemption, that is none other than Enji Todoroki AKA Endeavor.
Introduced as an abusive and negligent father towards his son, Shoto Todoroki, Endeavor had a long road ahead of him to achieve his positive image within the fanbase. However, some feel that Horikoshi’s mishandling of Endeavor after writing an almost flawless redemption arc has hampered the character’s growth.
The Journey of Endeavor from Villain to a Redeemed Hero in My Hero Academia
One of the most interesting character arcs of modern Shonen anime is Endeavor’s journey in My Hero Academia. At first, Endeavor was portrayed as a brutal and power-hungry figure, existing in the shadow of the legendary All Might as the second-ranked hero. A terrible path of emotional and physical abuse of his family, especially his son Shoto Todoroki, resulted from his compulsive desire to surpass All Might.
However, following All Might’s retirement, when Endeavor found himself in the spotlight during the Pro-Hero Arc, it marked a turning point in his story. Endeavor was forced to face the burden of his huge responsibilities as the new Number One Hero and the impact that his past deeds had on his family. The journey that followed was intensely reflective as Endeavor worked to make amends for his past and recreate himself as a man, a parent, and a hero.
From this point onwards, many of those who had previously hated him were won over by his honest and progressive depiction of his struggles and his resolve to make amends. Compared to many other characters in My Hero Academia, Endeavor’s character development was praised as one of the best in the series.
Kohei Horikoshi’s Fumbling of Endeavor’s Character
Many fans believe that Kohei Horikoshi mismanaged Endeavor in the latter parts of the series, despite the character’s amazing buildup and payoff. Fans are disappointed in Horikoshi for making subsequent choices about Endeavor’s story, as he wrote such a complex and compelling redemption journey for him.
Fans claim that Endeavor’s character was neglected in favor of other plots, which decreased the significance of his development. While important, the emphasis on the larger struggle between heroes and villains frequently took priority over providing a complete picture of Endeavor’s personal journey.
Many fans felt that Horikoshi messed it up by not giving Endeavor the attention and development he deserved after such a promising start, which resulted in a perceived decline in the quality of his character arc. He is among My Hero Academia‘s most visually striking characters due to his talents, design, and the ferocity of his battles. Endeavor had a lot of potential because of his depth and coolness, and people wanted to see him reach his full potential.
As My Hero Academia has already been concluded, the sense of a missed opportunity in the aspect of Endeavor’s story is strong. His voyage Endeavor’s will remain a significant and somewhat bittersweet chapter in the legacy of the My Hero Academia series.
You can read My Hero Academia on Viz Media as of 18th August, 2024.
