#chapter 358

But the criteria for nobility are

What you think they are

“I understand.”

Like a true servant, the mountain lodge keeper immediately spoke.

“Exceptional birth.”

…!

“A promised inheritance and power. The existence of those who beg for fear and mercy from them.”

And then…

“The ruthless and powerful authority as a landlord exercised over the parasites, visitors, intruders, and challengers in one’s domain.”

…Why do these explanations sound like something out of a disaster god’s job description? Wasn’t nobility supposed to be about good and virtuous values?

Well, come to think of it, the lodge keeper’s master was a madman who lured people with inheritance just to have them kill and be killed in the lodge.

‘Brutal…’

I'm rolling on the floor laughing. I mean, the new lore is mind boggling, my jaw dropped, I was like "What, what?!" the whole time but - in the end, the chapter's conclusion,I'm just laughing so hard I can't breathe.

Provided he was properly disguised, Michael enjoyed strolling with Helena through the neighborhoods near her aunt’s townhouse. Yet today, even the pleasant weather wasn’t enough to dull his disappointment.

“Are you sure?” Michael asked, stopping.

“Yes, Michael,” Helena replied. “I’m just not ready to go public with our relationship, and if I accompany you to the gala, everyone will know.

“I suppose you’re right,” Michael said. “But I’d still feel better if you were there. Just knowing you were next to me would make all the difference.”

“I know, Michael, but once we let that particular cat out of the bag, there will be no putting it back,” Helena replied. “Besides, would it even be wise for me to go? I mean, I haven’t even met your parents yet.”

Michael grinned.

“Well, I’ve been meaning to ask ...” he said with smirk.

Helena laughed.

“Well, I suppose I walked right into that one,” she said. “Very well, I’m certainly willing to meet your parents if they are.”

“I’m sure they’d be thrilled,” Michael said. “They know I’ve been seeing someone, but I’m not sure even father knows who.”

“I’d be shocked if he didn’t,” Helena said. “Your father always seems quite well informed.”

“True,” Michael said, starting to walk. “But either way, it’s time you were formally presented to them.”

“I guess I don’t have much choice now, do I?” Helena said, taking his arm. “When?”

“How about dinner this weekend?” Michael suggested. “I know they’re going to the opera on Saturday, so Friday seems like a good option. Let me clear it with mother and I’ll let you know tonight.”

“Okay, just promise me you won’t leave my side,” Helena said.

Helena stopped and turned to Michael.

“Perhaps, but they’re also the reigning Prince and Princess of Weston, Michael,” Helena replied. “So forgive me for being just a little nervous.”

“Helena, I’m going to tell you something someone very wise has told me – time without number,” Michael said, smiling and walking forward. “All you have to do is believe in yourself and you’ll be just fine.”

Helena rolled her eyes.

CHAPTER 1 | BEGINNING OF PART 4 | PREV | NEXT

So we know this entity is a combination/melding of AFO and Shigaraki. During the Star and Stripe fight, he says as much: ‘I know I am Shigaraki, yet I am also AFO.’ Then we see examples of this: like him talking about Tenko’s dog Mon, then also him showing AFO-esque greed.

There’s no reason to believe anything has changed in this latest chapter.

Which is why the paneling and speech bubbles, and what images they frame, seems to give a pretty cool visual message about ‘who’ is speaking and what is relevant:

The first two panels, it’s just his hand, and his mouth. We don’t see Shigaraki Tomura at all, his face, his being, possessed or not. Adding the ‘boku’ (AFO’s preferred first-person pronoun), we can say this is the AFO part speaking. It fits his view of ‘everything is mine’, and his megalomania. And the way Shigaraki’s hand is shown - which has always been a very notable part of him, symbolizing his quirk, his power, his ‘gimmick’ - could prove again that AFO picked Shigaraki as his vessel because of Shigaraki’s power (and rage). It’s AFO revealing his goals here, achieving it through Shigaraki.

Panel 3 is words against a black background. No images at all, just things being stated - and these are all things said or shown before. Everyone is different in form and ability, ‘divided’ into categories like heteromorph or not; Standards that have been changed or lost when quirks appeared (the definition of ‘human’ no longer so clear); and finally a world that is in chaos and ruin, which is exactly what has happened. Especially because this is what Shigaraki Tomura had sought - to destroy everything, because everything had rejected him. Notable is the use of the word ‘collapse’ 崩壊 - that’s the name (and meaning) of his quirk in the original Japanese. So, Panel 3: ‘objectivity’ about the state of things, though with a Shigaraki slant.

Panel 4 and 5, the Bakugou images: self-evident, that all the things AFOShigaraki says right there can be applied to Bakugou and his experiences. In the rest of the chapter, these words are echoed, thought about by Bakugou in reference to himself. These words are applied to Bakugou, and they’re ‘’true’’ enough that Bakugou has accepted it

Finally, the last panel! We get a gorgeous panel of Shigaraki, his face representing the guy himself. It’s our Shigaraki talking (as much as we can say this meld entity is showing his Shigaraki side; see above), and the core of his words seem to be coming from him, as Shigaraki Tomura.

Again, it’s undoubtedly tinted with AFO, but it’s Shigaraki’s pessimistic desire for everyone to suffer - but equally. He’s always hated people who saw themselves as different/better, he’s dragged people down to his level, the level he believes everyone truly is.

Plus, we have his characteristic sarcasm: isn’t this equality the ‘peace’ Heroes would want? If everyone is miserable, then no one is miserable, no more than anyone else, that would be the baseline, the new normal. If everyone is exploited, then that’s just the world. It’s ridiculous logic, which is how Shigaraki usually mocks people.

So last panel: This time it’s “Shigaraki” speaking, and this is his sorta goal (and again, with AFO’s megalomania getting through via this vessel situation).

You are right about that bakugou and endeavor have a similar backstory and yeah hori was absolutely using parallels between them from the beginning. Bakugou stans just dont want to face the fact that bakugou is an abuser, no apology will ever change that! Even if the abuser changes for the better, he should stay away from his victims. Thats what endeavor is doing with his family. He buyed them a new house, while he himself stays in the old one on his own. He doesnt force himself on them and stays away, but promised them if they ever should need something from him, he will give it to them. Otherwise he keeps rightfully his distance to them. Its the right thing to do.

Thats why I disagree with you about the endeavor and bakugou are trying to redem themself for their past actions. Endeavor certainly does. Bakugou not so much. He developed to the better, but his core character, his personality and the way he treats others is still more or less the same. He "aPOlOgiEzEd" and right after tells izuku "nothing will change". He doesnt plan to change for the better. He believes after apologiezing, everything is done now and he wants to move on! He didnt really learn anything and ironically hori confirmed this in the newest chapter by throwing shade at bakugou stans "greatest character development in shonen history" like they love to call it. Unlike endeavor, bakugou still forces himself into the life and business of his victim, still insults and screams at him, is still mentally (and to some degree even physically) bulling him.

And like you said the big difference is that hori calls endeavor out, while with bakugou he tries to make it look funny! But that doesnt work! You cant treat shotos abuse serious and make fun of izukus on the same time, only because bakugou is more popular with the fans. Thats terrible storytelling and izuku deserves to heal just like shoto and his family.

Chapter 358 – The Guy who’s made some Progress

Bakugou vs Shigaraki

While Monoma and Sensei have still got His Quirks locked down with Erasure… While Kaminari’s Team is still keeping this arena powered up… While Yaoyorozu and the others are still replacing the ground to stand on!

…And that lack of understanding in turn leads to dread and rejection.