Summary

  • Endeavor's journey is about redemption from obsession to being a father and hero.
  • His battles mark turning points in personal growth and public perception.
  • From a feared hero to one seeking redemption through family and humility.

Endeavor started off as a prideful and harsh hero who was obsessed with surpassing All Might. As My Hero Academia approaches its final phase, Endeavor’s fate shows both his wins and his mistakes. He is no longer the unstoppable force he once was, but a wounded man who has faced his past and fought to protect what matters.

Endeavor’s story is not just about battles with villains, it is about the battle to become someone worthy of being called a hero, and more importantly, a father. His journey to redemption is not easy, but at the end of the My Hero Academia story, his change is obvious, and he finally begins to make peace with the legacy he built.

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My Hero Academia Reminds Us Why His Name Is Endeavor

Despite everything he has done, Endeavor's refusal to give up never fails to take My Hero Academia to stunning emotional heights.

The following contains My Hero Academia manga spoilers; proceed with caution.

Endeavor’s Fall And Rise

From A Feared Father To A Hero Seeking Redemption

Endeavor using his quirk to fly - My Hero Academia

Name

Todoroki Enji

Alias

Flame Hero: Endeavor

Fighting Style

Ranged Combat

Quirk

Hellflame

As the long-time No. 2 hero, Endeavor was known for his aggressive, cold personality and was feared more than admired. His obsession with being powerful and surpassing All Might affected his life in negative waves. He married his wife, Rei, not out of love but just so he could create the perfect child with the combination of her ice quirk and his fire quirk. He pushes his kids, especially Toya and Shoto, to achieve what he could not, and this led to an abusive household and a broken family, especially after Toya’s apparent death and Shoto’s estrangement.

When All Might retired, Endeavor finally became the No. 1 hero. He did not get the title by defeating All Might, but simply because All Might retired, and by default, the No. 2 hero became the No. 1 hero. Endeavor’s intense battle with the High-End Nomu at the end of Season 4 marked the beginning of his redemption, where he resolved to become a hero his son could respect.

In later seasons, Endeavor works to make amends. He listens more, tries to be present, and starts rebuilding his family ties. A dinner with his children shows the deep emotional scars he caused, but also his willingness to face them and take responsibility.

By the most recent arcs, Endeavor shows growth; he listens to criticism without lashing out, respects his children’s boundaries, and acts with more humility. His goal shifts from personal greatness to protecting others and making up for the past. This journey is tested in the Paranormal Liberation War, where he faces the full weight of his past and his role as Japan’s top hero.

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Endeavor’s Battles

Each Battle Helped Him Change And Seek Redemption

Throughout My Hero Academia, Endeavor’s battles mark turning points in both his hero career and personal growth. His fight against the High-End Nomu shortly after becoming the No. 1 hero was brutal and public, ending with a scarred but victorious Endeavor raising his fist, finally earning the people’s respect.

During the internship arc, Endeavor saved his son Natsuo from a kidnapper, showing he now cared about protecting his family, not just fighting villains. In the Paranormal Liberation War, he faced the enhanced Shigaraki and pushed himself to his limits, suffering serious injuries and emotional fallout.

Later, in a desperate battle against All For One, Endeavor lost his right hand and was gravely wounded, but still managed to weaken the villain enough to delay his advance. His most personal battle came when he confronted Dabi, his lost son, Toya (Dabi). Endeavor tried to stop Dabi’s suicidal rampage alone, but his wife and children joined in, and it was ultimately Shoto who defeated him.

Endeavor And The Public

He Stopped Chasing Power And Started Doing The Right Thing

Principal Nezu and Endeavor at UA High School in MHA

Endeavor’s relationship with the public has always been complicated. As the No. 2 hero, he was respected for his results but never loved because his harsh attitude made him intimidating. When he became No. 1, many doubted him, but after his near-death victory against the High-End Nomu, the public began to see him differently.

Things changed drastically after the Paranormal Liberation War, when Dabi revealed he was Endeavor’s lost son, Toya, and exposed Endeavor’s abusive past. The public turned on him, feeling betrayed, and in response, he came clean by holding a press conference, where he confirmed everything and bowed in shame, choosing honesty over image. While this did not restore his reputation, it showed integrity and accountability. He stepped back from the spotlight but continued to fight villains quietly, even as people rejected him. By Season 7, the public is still divided, as some blame him for the chaos, while others respect his sacrifices.

Endeavor’s True Battle

From Causing Pain To Healing With His Family

Endeavor’s biggest battle has always been with his own family. At the beginning of the series, his family is broken, Rei is in a mental hospital, Fuyumi and Natsuo hate him, and Shoto rejects his fire out of hatred. Unknown to most, Toya survived as Dabi and had a deep hatred for him. As Endeavor started to change, he made small efforts to reconnect, like visiting Rei, having dinner with his kids, and quietly accepting Natsuo’s anger. His regret became clear when he cried alone and had nightmares of the family he lost.

After Dabi’s identity was revealed, the family faced their pain together. Rei visited Endeavor in the hospital with their kids, and instead of walking away, she insisted they confront Toya as a family. She acknowledged her own mistakes and started a fragile healing process. During the final war, Endeavor tried to stop Dabi alone, but Rei, Fuyumi, and Natsuo ran into the fire to help; they still cared.

Afterwards, Endeavor bowed, apologized, and took full responsibility. His kids and Rei cried not out of hate but because they finally felt seen. Though the pain remains, they’ve chosen to face it together. Shoto now calls him “Dad,” and Rei is back home, progressing. Endeavor’s path to redemption isn’t over, but he’s no longer walking it alone, and that may be his greatest achievement.

Endeavor’s Final Chapter

He Chooses Family And Redemption Over Fame

By the end of My Hero Academia, Endeavour is alive but not the same man he was when the anime started. After fighting All For One and Dabi, Endeavour is severely injured. He loses his right arm and is badly burned. He’s physically crippled and uses a wheelchair and steps back from hero work.

Emotionally, Endeavor faces the consequences of his past actions. He acknowledges:

"Endeavor the Hero is dead and burned away."

Signifying his rejection of his former identity and his commitment to atonement. He dedicates himself to caring for Dabi, who survived but is on a slow path to death due to his own injuries.

Public opinion may still be all over the place, but Endeavor has moved on from seeking validation. His priority now is making things right and being there for the people who matter most, his family. His journey underscores a transformation from a pride-driven hero to a man seeking redemption through humility and responsibility.

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My Hero Academia
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Release Date
2016 - 2025-00-00
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In My Hero Academia, some humans have superpowers called quirks. Izuku Midoriya, nicknamed Deku, is not one of them. Deku has always idolized heroes like the number one hero, All Might, and since he was a child, he has always wanted to be a hero. However, his lack of a quirk has always held him back, but a chance encounter with All Might after discovering a classmate in danger sets Deku on the path to becoming a true hero. My Hero Academia centers around Deku and a class of heroes-in-training at UA. This school shapes young quirk users into future heroes through fake rescue missions, combat training, and other hero-tempering tasks. With young Deku inheriting the "One-For-All" quirk, he will learn what it means to be a true hero while facing off with dastardly supervillains.

Studio
Bones
Creator
Kōhei Horikoshi
Number of Episodes
159
Streaming Service(s)
Hulu, Crunchyroll
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