Togggaaaaa!!!!!!!!!

I liked this twitter trend but I'm late for it as always hehe 😅😅

Now having gotten somewhat used to the void in my chest I can finally drag all my thoughts about the epilogue into one pile

I know it may be getting old for some of you guys already, but I haven't seen some things being discussed anywhere

My problem with the ending is actually with the audience, I literally have almost no issues with how the epilogue is written, all the minor ones I have don't come from the epilogue but the previous plot building which wasn't perfect by all means.

1. People forget that this chapter isn't the Epilogue but the Epilogue pt. 2

TWO PARTS YOU KNOW

Please reread 430. You did? Now let's compare.

a) Can you see what the chapter is focused on? 430 is a lot more shallow, it focuses on facts and tries to contain all the changes at once and looks VERY rushed. Hori didn't have much time with his schedule, so of course he tried to fit all at once and nothing at all. This chapter is more about the system and facts, trying to answer the more crucial questions fans may have.

Chapter 430 has ~20 pages

431 has almost 40 (!)

b) 431 finally has time to look at the characters up close. Why there is so much about Uraraka? Well, because in the pt. 1 she's got one panel and a couple of words. That's why half the chapter is about her now, because she and Izuku are the male and female leads of the manga.

c) Why didn't we have more of Katsuki? Well, this character isn't very known for huge inner monologues and all this sappy stuff. We can get enough from character interaction and subtle cues, as always. Despite being a big asshole and a major loudmouth (I say this with all my love and adoration guys), Katsuki is a really stoic character. And this kind of character doesn't need a whole 5 pages writing down their motivation and inner thought process. I like this. This man remains the most conscious person here and has the greatest development in the series (and Shoto, sure, these two are on the whole other level compared to others in terms of writing)

Izuku and Ochako are more open to us, and it shows in the chapter's way of storytelling

And Shoto is still the most relatable dude here, me too, Shoto, me too...

2. Izuku is NOT shutting Katsuki out of his life. He basically invited him to TEACH TOGETHER just like Katsuki invited him to BE HEROES TOGETHER.

To me it shows clearly that these two just found their two paths that don't align fully. Izuku has been teaching for years after his quirk was gone. Sure, he still adores hero job, but he already has stability and purpose and it's IMPORTANT to him. He's only been back to heroics for a month after all. Izuku has matured significantly, and I respect that about his character even if it's not perfectly written.

"Izuku wouldn't ever decline the offer". Do I need to remind you that it's whole 8 years after their school days?

Imagine yourself 16, dreaming to start a rock band with your best friend. You're both so passionate about it, you think music is the most beautiful thing in your life and you'll never be over it.

But you get your fingers injured severely, and you can't play your guitar anymore. You're devastated, but your knowledge is valuable and you get a whole teaching degree and go to work in a musical college. It feels very fulfilling to you. But your friend is very talented, he continues and pushes forward and actually becomes a worldwide known rock star! You're so glad for him!

But the time passes, and your friend, now famous and loaded, states – you're getting most expensive treatment and surgery, and we – I and our old band bros – pay for this.

And your fingers, they work properly again. You had a whole life of 8 years, and now there are so many possibilities open. You know your friend wants you to join his band and travel and rock the stage together, he offers it to you without expecting much, because he knows you have your life settled already, you can't change that with a flick of a wrist. He's an understanding friend, even if his passion for your old shared dream burns brighter still. You can join his band for a concert or two once in a while, it's a good reprieve from your everyday life. But as much as you love music, your priorities shifted significantly since your youth – and now teaching is as important and precious to you.

You even invite your friend to give a lesson of two in the college where you work. It's a way for you two still remain in each other's lives even if your paths are a bit different now. Your connection is built on compromise and genuine support from both sides, and it's fantastic!

I know the analogy isn't perfect, but it works I suppose.

3. About Himiko and Ochako. It's a painful one, but

No, Himiko wasn't haunting Ochako for the whole 8 years, it's probably a time to time occasion. It's not because Ochako is tired, it's because she can't let go of her guilt and at particularly taxing times it manifests in these visions.

Dreams are still a big mystery for science, but what we know is that they're almost always NOT about what you see, but about the hidden layers of meaning.

And of course we know this is not REAL Himiko, it's just Ochako's mind.

So I don't understand all the weeping around Himiko now being DEAD FOR REAL OH. This is Ochako's mind, not a literal Toga's spirit no matter how much Horikoshi wants his symbolisms to be literal in this story. It's still open to interpretation if Toga is dead or notnot (she's coping).

Tsuyu is so Tsuyu 😭😭😭

Right, my girl, this dummy really thought there's something wrong with her health while she just needed to see a psychologist...

I remind you that psychotherapy is severely underdeveloped in Japan. There's still a lot of stigma around mental health there, so please keep this mentality in your mind while reading manga. "They could just go and see a therapist." No, they couldn't. Their culture doesn't work like this, and societal norms aren't a joke in Japan, they're literally overwhelming.

And about how this chapter "ruined" Himiko. To me, it didn't.

"Himiko was written for Ochako". Exactly. Ochako's main negative character trait was inability to open up about her true feelings, putting up a cheerful front and all that.

Himiko was created to get her to understand what suppressing emotions does to people. Unfortunately, it seems she didn't catch this message fully until Himiko told her with plain words and freaking pushed her forward.

And isn't it a torture for Himiko seeing Ochako beating herself over her death, putting up a brave front to avoid her inner struggle which is COMPLETELY OPPOSITE to what Himiko tried to convey?

And Himiko loved both Izuku and Ochako, so of course she wants them to be special for each other and open up to each other too.

Because Himiko LOVES love in any form (pun intended), and wishes happiness for her special people, and sees how they have been holding back from living how they wanted.

Do you really think Himiko would prefer a depressed Ochako having hallucinations of her over an Ochako who's opening up and rebuilding connections with the man she yearned to reach out to for so long?

And of course I'm not about the ship. This manga was never about the ships. We've got a clue that Izuku barely had any contact with his former classmates since graduation in 430. This chapter is created to gives us hope that it'll change, starting with Uraraka because Uraraka was the one to reach out to him first in the beginning, and now it's his turn.

I imagine that it's just a start of the reconnection arc. Izuku can do this with the rest of his classmates too later, and knowing his tendency to butt into others' business he certainly will.

(Yeah, it's an actually good idea for a new tome for you Hori, not Boruto 2.0, never Boruto 2.0 please...)

4(?). This one has gotten me confused...

They studied 3 years... so they must have become class 2-A, then 3-A.... I hope it's a bad translation.

Do you trust Jirou? She certainly did put a whole ton of wasabi in his food, look at her face

Katsuki not toasting because he's the sober friend for his whole bunch of idiots>>>>

(he really has come here for the food)

Katsuki, when did you undergo your Syndrome arc?

Just listen to me I'm not crazy-

Hanahaki AU Himiko would be ecstatic to have hanahaki

It's practically the embodiment of how she sees love – blood and flowers are so. fucking. cute.

Just imagine her over a dirty sink in an abandoned house which league currently occupies, lead here by a persistent itch in her throat, doubling over in a violent coughing fit. But then she opens her eyes – before her a single pink camellia in precious splatters of red, sharply contrasting the the pristine white of the tiles.

She lifts her head to look at her muddy reflection in the cracked mirror. She smiles. No, it's the crazed, manic, awed grin.

Himiko Toga, no doubt, is happy.

oooh TogaChako Madoka Magica AU? They have SayaKyo vibes… doomed yuri 🤝

HIIIII I'm so sorry it took so long, but I read this and understood I needed to rewatch the entire show and the movies too XD

So I settled on a screenshot redraw, thanks for your suggestion 🤝

A bit of rambling. I first watched MM long ago, and only thought togachako suited the madohomu vibes. You opened my eyes somewhat!

The rivalry at first, the fact that Kyoko reached out to Sayaka first just like Himiko did to be rejected

The Sayaka's hero complex mirroring Ochako's

Kyoko being called a monster by her own family

The ultimate sacrifice Kyoko (Himiko) makes in the end

It hits me hard, thank you for the thoughts anon! (and for the waiting too)

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger guys

So working with what Hori gives us

No tgck? Okay, I'll play with the reincarnation idea instead

1. Ochako starts her quirk counseling program. She's so nervous but determined at the same time. She actually tries to do some work herself despite not having the qualification, and difficult children do open up to her somewhat. A young, bright heroine, and she's so understanding too! She doesn't see them as monsters, and her smile is so pretty...

A few cases go well, not without issues, but it's still good for a start.

She can't participate in every single case, but having a free day has her wandering the streets to clear her thoughts a bit.

And there she stands.

This girl, she doesn't look older than 5 years, a pair of uncanny yellow eyes peering up with a smile of blood-stained teeth. Her fingers are so small, stained with mud and blood too.

"Ne, ne, oneechan, do I look cute?~"

2. Or we can just accept izuocha and give our girl the best fucking parents ever. It's not about ships, it's about Himiko having two people she loves giving her pure, unconditional love she hasn't got in her previous life.

I wish I could have izuocha as my parents too okay???

3. Ochako often takes unfamiliar routes when returning home from work. It's actually fun, and also gives her an opportunity to survey the city for future patrols.

She notices a black cat starts following her one day.

Each day it seems to magically know where she'll be.

It looks so tired and weak, Ochako's heart clenches. She stops and tries to pet it once. It's fur is a bit coarse from the filth and dust of the streets, but it accepts her pets ao eagerly. But then it bites her, and runs away, clearly freaked out. Ochako isn't mad, but...

... can cats actually feel guilty?

The cat comes to seat near her house sometimes, leaves some birds it hunts as trophies. Ochako nearly gags the first time, but praises her furry friend anyway. It's just instincts, how can she blame it?

The kitty only lets Ochako feed her if her human lets her gnaw on her fingers and lap up the welling blood afterwards.

Someday, after 10 years, I'll finish the whole Himiko tarot deck, print the cards and do togachako readings for you guys, just you wait and see

I may have some ways of coping and Himiko speaks to me somewhat darker than usual

8 of swords is about feeling trapped and robbed of freedom

It's also about feeling abandoned and cold, lonely and confused, like a cornered animal

"Let the birds of my soul fly freely at last..."

And yeah this one is the pic I was talking about in this post. It makes so much more sense now

part 3/x

other cards:

Three of cups

Four of cups

himiko as Circe

I HAD SO MUCH FUN RESEARCHING THIS OMG THANK YOU SM!!!

I'm no Greek mythology nerd, but any goddess with transformation powers and golden eyes is definitely Himiko-coded

And oh how gorgeous the classic art on Circe is just- AAA

As it turns out, Love Bullet cupids can have heart-shaped scars over their fatal injury, so here's another cupid Himiko.

Tragically, cupids can't fall in love, but Himiko won't let that stop her from smothering Ochako with the love of other people in her absence. So many other people. An unreasonable number of other people. Ochako doesn't seem to return their affection but honestly? That's just classic harem protagonist behaviour.

Not like Ochako is grieving or anything...

This one really was harsh on me, like pure torture, but I kept telling myself: trust the process babe

so now I'm somewhat satisfied with the result

4 of Cups is about being stuck in the past, inability to see the good and questionable ways of coping

So of course these two came to my mind and live there rent-free

What do the jewels, the pearls and coins do if this insatiable hunger, the persistent ache, the never ending itch... They just don't. go. away.

part 2/x, part 1 (3 of cups)