My Hero Academia Anime to Conclude in 3 Episodes Episode 167 Features Rody Soul Voiced by Ryo Yoshizawa

The TV anime My Hero Academia, currently airing on Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV, has announced that the series will conclude in just three remaining episodes. This marks the end of a nine-year run since the anime first premiered in 2016. In Episode 167, which aired today, Rody Soul, the original character who appeared in the 2021 movie My Hero Academia The Movie World Heroes’ Mission, made his return to the franchise. As in the film, he is voiced by actor Ryo Yoshizawa.

In today’s climactic battle episode, Episode 167 “Izuku Midoriya Rising,” Deku receives support from Class 1-A, fellow pro heroes, and people all around the world as he confronts and ultimately defeats the Demon King All For One. Social media lit up with reactions to the episode, with comments such as “gave me chills,” “I couldn’t watch without crying,” “emotional overload,” and “MHA at its best.” On X, the phrase “#頑張れ緑谷出久” dominated the top trending spot immediately after the broadcast, along with many other MHA-related keywords such as “ヒロアカ,” “最高のヒーロー,” “You Say Run,” “デクくん,” and “あと3話.”

During the global cheering scene for Deku, one of the many voices calling out “You can do it!” belonged to a boy familiar to movie fans. It was Rody Soul, the beloved original character from World Heroes’ Mission. Voiced by Ryo Yoshizawa, Rody formed a strong bond with Deku in the film and quickly became a fan favourite, leading to his special appearance in the television series.

My Hero Academia takes place in a world where superhuman abilities known as “Quirks” are the norm. The story follows Izuku Midoriya, or Deku, a boy who aspires to become a hero who protects society and combats villains who misuse their Quirks. Together with his classmates at the prestigious U.A. High School, he grows through countless battles and encounters.

The original manga began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in July 2014 and concluded on August 5, 2024. With over 100 million copies in print, the franchise has achieved immense global popularity. The TV anime began airing in April 2016 and has since produced multiple seasons and feature films.

Interview with Ryo Yoshizawa (Voice of Rody Soul)

■How did you feel when you learned that Rody would return to My Hero Academia for the first time in four years, and now appear in the TV series?

“I was overwhelmingly happy. After the World Heroes’ Mission movie released in 2021, I heard many times how popular Rody Soul had become. So having the chance to not only reprise him but also appear in the TV anime felt like the greatest honour as an MHA fan.”

■How was the recording session this time?

“It had been four years since I last voiced Rody, so I rewatched the film before the session to refamiliarize myself with him. To me, his expression wasn’t one of heated intensity, but something deeper. When looking at the monitor, I didn’t feel like he was panicking or shouting ‘Deku is in trouble! Hang in there!’ but that he believed in Deku wholeheartedly—‘Deku can do it.’ He worries, but trusts him deeply. In the studio, I recorded several emotional variations. It was challenging, but the sound director guided me through how to express what was inside Rody’s heart. Thanks to that, I felt I was able to capture him properly again.”

■Did appearing during such a major climax add pressure?

“It was a huge responsibility, appearing in the peak of the climactic battle. I just didn’t want my performance to interfere with the moment. I focused on blending my voice naturally into the world of My Hero Academia and did my best.”

■What do you find to be the greatest charm of My Hero Academia?

“There are too many to list, but I think the comedic timing is outstanding. The humour never breaks the seriousness, and it creates a sense of comfort and balance. And above all, it’s the connections—‘bonds.’ Deku and the heroes unknowingly change the lives of the people they meet, and those connections come back later in powerful ways. Seeing that sincerity ripple outward always makes me cry. The human connections in this story are its greatest theme and strongest appeal.”

■Finally, a message to the fans.

“I never imagined I would be part of the FINAL SEASON. Rody’s scenes include incredible action that even made me wonder how they would adapt them when I read the manga. I think fans will be moved to tears watching it animated. My Hero Academia is very special to me, and I hope many people will watch this season.”

Source : ORICON NEWS