Endeavor's Redemption: My Hero Academia Debate

If you want to see a fandom split right down the middle, just bring up Endeavor’s redemption arc in My Hero Academia. This is a character who went from being one of the most hated Pro Heroes in the series—thanks to his abusive past and brutal ambition—to a key figure in the fight against villains. Is his redemption believable? Is it even earned? Fans have been arguing since the arc began, and today, I’m ranking the top five most controversial moments, decisions, and turning points in Endeavor’s journey. Each point has sparked heated debates online, and my number one pick is going to light up the comment section—guaranteed.

Number five: Endeavor’s appointment as the new Number One Hero after All Might’s retirement. In the aftermath of All Might’s iconic battle against All For One, the Hero Billboard Chart names Endeavor as the top Pro Hero in Japan. This was a direct result of the ranking system, which is based on measurable achievements like cases solved and villains apprehended, rather than public approval or moral standing. The mechanism behind this ranking doesn’t factor in Endeavor’s history of domestic violence or the public’s lack of trust, so many fans saw this as unearned and even tone-deaf. The controversy here is clear: some viewers argue that the storyline realistically shows how flawed institutions can elevate problematic figures, while others feel it undermines the narrative of heroism the series had built.

Number four: the confrontation with High-End, a bioengineered Nomu. This fight takes place soon after Endeavor’s appointment as Number One. The High-End Nomu, designed for maximum destruction and regeneration, pushes Endeavor to his limits in a public setting. During the battle, Endeavor is forced to surpass his own limits and is severely wounded, ultimately defeating High-End with the Prominence Burn attack. The immediate cause of the controversy is the massive public spectacle: news helicopters film the fight, the world watches, and Endeavor’s battered body becomes a symbol of hope. Some fans see this as the story’s attempt to rehabilitate Endeavor’s image with a single heroic act, while others argue that a flashy victory cannot erase years of abuse or neglect. The debate centers on whether heroism in combat can compensate for moral failures in private life.

Number three: Endeavor’s attempts at reconciliation with his son, Shoto Todoroki. For years, Endeavor pushed Shoto to become the ultimate hero, resulting in deep psychological scars and a fractured family. The arc’s mechanism here is direct: Endeavor begins making awkward, halting gestures to connect with Shoto, such as inviting him to dinner and apologizing for past actions. Fans split on this one. Some see these scenes as honest portrayals of a man struggling to change but lacking the emotional tools. Others argue that mere gestures and apologies are not enough, especially given the magnitude and duration of the abuse. The debate intensifies because Shoto’s response vacillates between cautious engagement and visible discomfort, making it unclear whether forgiveness is even possible or appropriate.

Number two: the revelation of Endeavor’s treatment of his wife, Rei Todoroki, and the consequences for the Todoroki siblings. The backstory reveals that Rei was driven to a mental health crisis and institutionalization due to Endeavor’s pressure and emotional abuse, while the rest of the children—Fuyumi, Natsuo, and Shoto—each suffer in different ways. When Endeavor visits Rei in the hospital, he is shown expressing regret and seeking forgiveness. The mechanism here is the show’s attempt to humanize him through scenes of shame, reflection, and responsibility. The controversy here is deep: some argue that the series is too quick to sympathize with Endeavor, offering him emotional growth and redemption without real accountability or consequences. Others believe that showing a perpetrator’s remorse, however flawed, is important for a nuanced portrayal of abuse and reconciliation. The fact that the siblings are divided—Natsuo remains angry while Fuyumi hopes for reconciliation—mirrors the fandom’s own split.

And number one: Endeavor’s public apology and the mixed response it receives from both the in-universe public and the audience. After several key battles and the exposure of the Todoroki family’s past to the world, Endeavor stands before reporters and acknowledges his abuse, his obsession with surpassing All Might, and the harm he caused his family. He does not ask for forgiveness, but promises to atone and support his family from this point forward. The immediate cause of the debate is the unprecedented nature of the apology: it’s rare in shonen anime for a main character to admit to such serious wrongdoing in public. Some fans see this as a bold step toward meaningful redemption—accountability in the public eye, not just private regret. Others argue it’s performative, forced by circumstances rather than true change, and that the narrative is more concerned with redeeming Endeavor in the eyes of the public than in genuinely repairing his family.

Here’s why I made this my number one: the content of the apology is debated line by line in fan forums and social media. Some point out that Endeavor’s refusal to ask for forgiveness shows self-awareness, while others think it’s a way to avoid further responsibility. The fact that the story gives him continued prominence as a hero, and even positions him at the center of world-threatening crises, makes fans wonder if the arc is truly about accountability or about finding a way to keep a popular, complicated character in the limelight. The mechanism behind the debate is the tension between narrative necessity—keeping Endeavor as a key player—and the morality of forgiving, or even justifying, a past abuser.

Now, I know plenty of you are already typing up why your own ranking would be different. Maybe you think the High-End fight should be higher, or that the family scenes are actually more important than the apology. Maybe you think Endeavor’s “redemption” is impossible, or maybe you see it as one of the more honest arcs in modern shonen. Whichever side you’re on, let’s hear your ranking and your reasoning—this debate isn’t cooling off any time soon.