As the symbolic leaders of the forces of good and evil in theMy Hero Academiauniverse, it’s almost unthinkable to imagineIzuku Midoriya (Deku) and Tenko Shimura (Shigaraki)peacefully sharing the same space, let alone inviting the public to reflect on the impact and legacy of their defining battle to reshape the world according to their opposing philosophies. Yet, that is precisely what’s set to happen in just a few months.
As recently announced on theheroaca_exhibitX account, fans will have the chance to experiencea special exhibition celebrating the recent conclusion of theMy Hero Academiasaga. Running from June to August 2025 at the Creative Museum Tokyo, the exhibition will feature brand-new original artwork by series creator Kohei Horikoshi. A quiet token for the fans who supported the series. Hosted in Japan at the Creative Museum Tokyo — one of the city’s premier venues for anime and manga-themed events — it will offer a fully immersive experience, even extending its theme to the café menu.
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While the details of theMy Hero Academiaexhibition remain unclear, the tone of its first visual teaser is anything but. The image portrays a somewhat resigned Shigaraki sitting beside an expectant Deku, evoking a fleeting moment of peace and unity. However, the imagery hints at a deeper narrative:Shigaraki’s face is entirely cloaked in the shadows, while Deku’s is partially illuminated. This contrast suggests that the likelihood of lasting peace is slim and that any unity achieved would be precarious at best. Still, there’s an undeniable poignancy in seeing the two together in a moment of calm rather than clashing in their usual struggle for dominance.
With this being the first teaser for the exhibition, and dropping so soon after the series’ conclusion, it naturally prompts speculation about Horikoshi’s intentions. One possibility is thathe’s inviting fans to consider the idea that events didn’t have to unfold the way they did. Historically, after any intense and emotionally charged conflict, people often reflect on what transpired, searching for lessons to learn and mistakes to avoid. In the aftermath of the series finale, this process of retrospection might be exactly what Horikoshi is prompting with this exhibit.
By releasing this teaser so far in advance, Horikoshi could be encouraging theMy Hero Academiafandom to contemplate the deeper connections betweenShigaraki and Deku. The image seems to ask a thought-provoking question: If circumstances had been different, could the two have been allies or even friends? This exploration of “what could have been” adds a layer of emotional depth to the exhibition and invites fans to see the characters in a new light.
Shigaraki And Deku’s Rough Childhoods Bind Them Together
Two Sides of the Same Coin
This idea is not as far-fetched as it might seem.Shigaraki and Deku share several striking similarities— which perhaps may be the central theme of the exhibition. Both endured less-than-happy childhoods, marked by feelings of loneliness, inadequacy, and isolation. These formative experiences profoundly shaped their worldviews, setting them on drastically different paths.
For Shigaraki, solace was found in embracing a darker path, where destruction became his outlet and identity. Deku, on the other hand, placed his faith in the righteous path, believing —often without certainty— that it could bring him the salvation he so desperately sought. These contrasting choices highlight how their shared struggles guided them in different directions.
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In the end,Shigaraki and Deku can be seen as two sides of the same coin. Their lives, though vastly different in outcome, are reflections of how similar beginnings can yield radically different ends depending on the paths one chooses to follow. If the exhibition’s theme is an exploration of the unity between Shigaraki and Deku, there’s plenty of material from the story to support the idea that, despite their divergent actions, they share a profound connection.
As the saying goes, one person’s hero is another person’s villain. Shigaraki wanted to be “a hero for the villains”, taking on the burden of liberating all those that society oppressed.Deku, on the other hand, resolved to be Shigaraki’s hero, despite all the harm he had caused, saving him from being a mindless vessel for All for One, andultimately redeeming himand giving him peace in their final confrontation, even if that came at the cost of Tenko’s life.
While the exhibition is expected to feature other characters from the story, the first teaser image suggests that it will, at least in part, focus on Shigaraki and Deku. Their narrative, deeply intertwined with themes and parallels, underscores the complex interplay of heroism and villainy that lies at the heart of theMy Hero Academiasaga.
The Horikoshi Kohei My Hero Academia Original Art Exhibition will run from Saturday, August 07, 2025 – Sunday, August 18, 2025, at the Creative Museum Tokyo.
Source:heroaca_exhibit
My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is a multimedia franchise that follows a young boy named Izuku Midoriya, who dreams of becoming a hero despite being born without superpowers. These superpowers, known as “Quirks” are found in most people after birth, but Izuku wasn’t so lucky - until a fateful encounter with All Might, Japan’s greatest hero, Izuku inherits his Quirk and enrolls in U.A. High School to learn the true meaning of heroism. Alongside his classmates, each endowed with unique abilities, Izuku faces rigorous training and lethal threats from villainous forces.
