HeroAca: Only 3 Episodes Left Until the Finale! Last Battle Receives Huge Fanfare!! Yoshizawa Ryou’s Interview as Rody from the Movie Arrives, Plus Epilogue Event Information

The highly anticipated final chapter of the TV anime Boku no Hero Academia series, titled Boku no Hero Academia FINAL SEASON, delivered a monumental episode on November 22, 2025. This was Episode 8 (No.167), “Midoriya Izuku: Rising,” a thrilling last battle installment. Fans were in for a special treat as Rody Soul, a character originally voiced by actor Yoshizawa Ryou in the 2021 film Boku no Hero Academia THE MOVIE World Heroes’ Mission, made a surprise appearance in this episode. Following this momentous broadcast, an exclusive interview with Yoshizawa Ryou has been released, offering insights into his return to the world of HeroAca.

About Boku no Hero Academia

Boku no Hero Academia, affectionately known as HeroAca by its dedicated fanbase, is an exhilarating hero-action manga created by Horikoshi Kouhei. It captivated readers for a decade in “Shuukan Shounen Jump” before reaching its conclusion in August 2024. The story unfolds in a world where the existence of people with supernatural abilities, known as “Quirks,” is an everyday reality. The protagonist, Midoriya Izuku, also known as Deku, enrolls in Yuuei Koukou, a prestigious academy for hero training. Here, alongside his companions, he strives to become a hero who protects society and confronts the “Villains”—criminals who misuse their Quirks. The manga series has achieved phenomenal global success, boasting over 100 million copies in circulation worldwide.

Running for approximately nine years since its first season in April 2016, Boku no Hero Academia FINAL SEASON marks the eighth overall season of the TV anime. Currently airing since October, this final arc adapts the story starting from Volume 40 of the original manga. Episode 8 (No.167), “Midoriya Izuku: Rising,” was particularly climactic, depicting Deku’s decisive victory over the demon lord All For One, empowered by the unwavering support of his classmates from Yuuei Koukou Class 1-A, fellow heroes, and people from across the globe.

Episode 8: Midoriya Izuku: Rising – A Wave of Emotion

The sight of Deku fighting with his last ounce of strength, supported by his devoted classmates and other heroes, ignited an explosion of excitement and emotion among fans and viewers who watched the battle unfold in real-time on television, much like the people within the show’s universe. Social media platforms were flooded with passionate comments such as “I got goosebumps,” “Couldn’t watch without tears,” “Tears just flowed,” and “HeroAca is the best!” On X (formerly Twitter), “#GanbareMidoriyaIzuku” (Go Midoriya Izuku!) dominated the trend rankings immediately after the broadcast began. Other HeroAca-related terms like “HeroAca,” “Best Hero,” “You Say Run,” “Deku-kun,” and “3 episodes left” also soared in the rankings, showcasing the immense impact of the episode.

Rody Soul’s Surprise Return and Yoshizawa Ryou’s Reflections

Amidst the overwhelming reactions to “Midoriya Izuku: Rising,” which showed people around the world cheering for Deku as he battled All For One, one particular young boy’s encouraging voice stood out and captured significant attention. This was none other than Rody Soul, an original character introduced in the 2021 theatrical film, Boku no Hero Academia THE MOVIE World Heroes’ Mission.

Rody, voiced by the talented actor Yoshizawa Ryou, quickly became a beloved character due to the strong bond he formed with Deku during the movie’s main story. Now, with his long-awaited appearance in the TV anime series, Yoshizawa-san shared his thoughts in an interview conducted immediately after his recording session. From his feelings on returning to HeroAca after four years as Rody, to his impressions of the recording and the charm of the series, this interview is a must-read for all fans.

The Grand Finale Approaches: “Last 3 Episodes Special Project”

With only three episodes remaining, Boku no Hero Academia FINAL SEASON is set to enter its epilogue starting with the broadcast on November 29. To further amplify the excitement for the series’ conclusion, a “Last 3 Episodes Special Project” has been unveiled! On December 13, the very day the final episode (No.170) airs, an extraordinary event titled “Boku no Hero Academia FINAL SEASON ULTRA SCREENING – All 11 episodes Real-time Screening on Final Episode Broadcast Day” will be held at 12 movie theaters across Japan.

This ultimate event will feature a screening of all 11 episodes, culminating in a real-time broadcast of the final episode synchronized with its television airing. Following this, a special talk stage will take place at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills in Tokyo, featuring eight prominent cast members: Yamashita Daiki (Midoriya Izuku), Miyake Kenta (All Might), Okamoto Nobuhiko (Bakugou Katsuki), Sakura Ayane (Uraraka Ochako), Ishikawa Kaito (Iida Tenya), Inoue Marina (Yaoyorozu Momo), Hatanaka Tasuku (Kaminari Denki), and Uchiyama Kouki (Shigaraki Tomura). The talk stage will also be live-streamed to the other 11 participating cinemas, making it an ultra-special event truly fitting for the final episode’s broadcast day.

Furthermore, two major projects have been planned for fans to collectively enjoy the iconic theme songs of HeroAca. First, on November 30 at 8:00 PM JST, the third “Listening Party” for HeroAca theme songs will be held. This online event utilizes “HeroAca theme song playlists” available on various music streaming platforms. By simultaneously playing the playlist at 8:00 PM, fans can enjoy a total of 34 songs by 30 artists—including all opening and ending themes from TV anime Season 1 to FINAL SEASON, as well as movie theme songs and insert songs—all together. Further details about this online event will be announced at a later date.

Then, on December 7 at 8:00 PM JST, the “HeroAca OP & ED Movie Fest” will take place. The “TOHO animation channel” on YouTube will stream non-credit versions of all past opening and ending sequences from TV anime Season 1 to FINAL SEASON. This project invites fans to journey through the history of HeroAca‘s OP & ED animations. The viewing URL will be shared later, so stay tuned for more updates!

The TV anime Boku no Hero Academia FINAL SEASON currently airs every Saturday at 5:30 PM JST on 29 networks nationwide affiliated with Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV. With only three episodes remaining, the grand finale is drawing near. Be sure to pay attention to both the concluding chapters of this incredible series and the exciting “Last 3 Episodes Special Project” designed to enhance your enjoyment!

Full Interview with Yoshizawa Ryou, Voice of Rody Soul

Yoshizawa Ryou, as Rody Soul

―Please tell us your feelings when you learned that you would be appearing in HeroAca‘s TV series as Rody, after a four-year hiatus.
Above all, I was overwhelmingly happy. After the movie (2021’s Boku no Hero Academia THE MOVIE World Heroes’ Mission) was released, I heard a lot about how popular the character of Rody Soul had become. So, to be able to appear not just in the movie but also in the TV anime, as a HeroAca fan myself, I couldn’t be happier.

―How was the recording session this time?
It had been four years since I last played Rody, so I re-watched the movie to refresh my memory before the recording. Based on the character’s expression in the original work, I felt that it wasn’t about “intense passion” in that moment. Looking at Rody on the monitor, I sensed that he wasn’t thinking, “Deku is in trouble! Hang in there!” but rather, he was looking at Deku with immense trust, thinking, “Deku can do it.” He was worried, but he had great faith, believing, “Deku will be alright.”
On top of that, during the session, I recorded various emotional patterns, which reminded me of the difficulty involved. Sound Director Mima-san guided me on how to approach the internal expression, leaning into the emotion. Despite the difficulty, I felt a strong sense of accomplishment because his direction was very clear and easy to understand.

―Your appearance was right at the climax. Did you feel any pressure?
Appearing during the most exciting part of the climax battle was a huge responsibility. I hoped that my voice wouldn’t interfere with Rody’s performance. I believed it was crucial for my voice to blend seamlessly into the world of HeroAca, so I gave it my absolute best.

―For you, what do you find to be the greatest charm of HeroAca?
There’s so much, I feel like I could talk endlessly (laughs), but I really feel that the way humor is injected is absolutely brilliant. I love the comedic tension, and I think the humor that doesn’t disrupt the serious moments also provides a sense of reassurance to the viewer.
And then, of course, there’s “connections” – the bonds.
As Deku and the heroes carry out their heroic activities, they meet people who are unexpectedly greatly influenced by them. And those connections somehow return later on. Even without realizing it themselves, because they lived so earnestly, they ended up influencing many different people. Seeing those scenes makes me incredibly emotional, and I’m deeply moved by the connections between the characters. The human connections are truly the greatest charm and, I believe, the central theme of this work.

―Finally, do you have a message for all the HeroAca fans out there?
I never imagined I’d get to participate in the FINAL SEASON, and the episodes where Rody appears feature such incredible action scenes that, even reading the manga, I wondered how they would be brought to life! I think watching it animated will bring tears to your eyes. (Note: This interview was conducted before the main episode aired.)
HeroAca has truly become a special work for me, so I would be delighted if many people watch it.
―Thank you very much!

【Final Episode Broadcast Day Screening Event Information】

【Boku no Hero Academia FINAL SEASON ULTRA SCREENING – All 11 episodes Real-time Screening on Final Episode Broadcast Day】

＜Date＞ December 13, 2025 (Saturday)
＜Venues＞ TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills (Cast members will appear), TOHO Cinemas Ikebukuro, TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku, Yokohama Burg 13, TOHO Cinemas Umeda, TOHO Cinemas Namba, Midland Square Cinema, TOHO Cinemas Nijo, TOHO Cinemas Susukino, TOHO Cinemas Sendai, Hiroshima Baltic 11, TOHO Cinemas Lalaport Fukuoka (Live viewing of cast appearance part available at all listed theaters except Roppongi Hills)
＜Cast Appearing＞ Yamashita Daiki, Miyake Kenta, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Sakura Ayane, Ishikawa Kaito, Inoue Marina, Hatanaka Tasuku, Uchiyama Kouki
＜Timetable＞
(1) 12:20 PM – 1:50 PM: Episodes 160-163 Screening / 20-minute break after screening
(2) 2:10 PM – 3:40 PM: Episodes 164-167 Screening / 20-minute break after screening
(3) 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM: Episodes 168-169 Screening / 15-minute break after screening
(4) 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Cast Appearance Part
(5) 5:30 PM – 5:58 PM: Final Episode 170 Screening
(6) 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Cast Appearance Part
＜Admission Fee＞ TOHO Cinemas Roppongi (Stage Greeting Venue) 6,000 yen + handling fee, Other Theaters 5,000 yen + handling fee
＜Ticket Sales＞
TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills Venue: Ticket Pia Pre-Reserve from November 22 (Saturday) 7:00 PM to December 2 (Monday) 11:59 PM JST
Other 11 Venues: Sales begin December 6 (Saturday) at 12:00 AM JST
*Event details and appearing cast members are subject to change without notice.
*Please note that broadcast cameras and media personnel are scheduled to be present at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi, and you may appear on camera.

【Boku no Hero Academia TV Anime Information】

Boku no Hero Academia FINAL SEASON

Currently airing every Saturday at 5:30 PM JST!
Yomiuri TV・Nippon TV national 29 network stations *Excluding some regions

【Staff】

【Voice Cast】

(C) Horikoshi Kouhei／Shueisha・Boku no Hero Academia Production Committee

《Nakase Koutarou》

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