all films are canonical after surprise appearance by Melissa Shield – Portal N10

The eighth and final season of My Hero Academia brought a weighty confirmation to fans: the franchise’s films are integrated into the official canon of the work. The revelation gained prominence from episode 160 onwards, when the plot focused on All Might and All For One presented a detail that went far from being just fan service: the appearance of Melissa Shieldcharacter introduced in the film My Hero Academia: Two Heroes.

In the episode, All Might appears in his final battle against the greatest symbol of evil, even though he no longer possesses the power of One For All. The hero, weakened, appears equipped with high-tech armor. This creation was not the work of Mei Hatsume, nor of All Might. The episode revealed that the person responsible for the costume is Melissa Shield, daughter of scientist David Shield and one of the most striking characters in the first film in the franchise.

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Even with a brief appearance, Melissa served to reinforce the connection between the four films of My Hero Academia and the main series. The message is clear: they are all canonicaleach bringing contributions to the universe built by Kōhei Horikoshi.

Melissa Shield: the link between the anime and the films

Melissa’s presence in the most recent episode was not free. Since Two Heroesshe stood out as a genius inventor, even though she was Quirkless. Unlike Izuku Midoriya or All Might himself, who carried insecurities due to the lack of powers, Melissa seemed comfortable with her condition. Her intelligence and dedication to science placed her as a fundamental player in the creation of technological supports capable of expanding the heroes’ possibilities.

In the first film, she invented the Full Gauntletan accessory that allowed Deku to channel 100% of One For All three times without compromising his body. The item was crucial in the fight against Wolfram, the villain of Two Heroes.

In episode 160 of the anime, his most recent contribution appears prominently: the armor worn by All Might, designed to simulate the abilities of several Class 1-A heroes. Thanks to this technology, Toshinori Yagi was able to face All For One in a last show of courage, buying time for Deku and his allies.

This revival of the character, even in a silent cameo, symbolizes more than just nostalgia. It reaffirms the creative decision to keep the films connected to the central narrative, something that has not always been common in shonen anime.

The contrast with other anime films

For years, popular works like Naruto e Bleach They invested in films parallel to the series, almost always treated as alternative stories or “what ifs”. These productions were seen as fun extras, but they had no real weight in the development of the plot.

The strategy has changed with recent franchises, such as Demon Slayer. Films like Mugen Train and those to come in the final saga not only fit into the official narrative line, but also become mandatory to follow the story. Cinema became a direct extension of anime, with no room for those who wanted to skip steps.

My Hero Academia chose the middle ground. The films are canonicalbut not essential for those who only watch the anime. The casual viewer can follow the series without losing the essence of the story, while more dedicated fans have the reward of seeing references and characters like Melissa reappearing in the main line.

Melissa and the role of the Quirkless in My Hero Academia

The character also connects to a central debate in the work: the relationship between those who have Quirks and those who were born without abilities. Midoriya and All Might overcame the limitation by receiving inherited powers. Yuga Aoyama, another example, lived for years hiding insecurities because he depended on a granted Individuality.

Melissa, however, never saw her condition as a weakness. On the contrary: it demonstrated that the human spirit and intelligence can open alternative paths in the universe of heroes. His stance offers a different vision, without competing with Deku or All Might’s narrative, but expanding the series’ range of possibilities.

The inventions that marked the trajectory

In addition to the Full Gauntlet and All Might’s armor, Melissa’s trajectory continues in the final chapters of the manga. After Shigaraki’s defeat and the definitive loss of One For All, Deku once again relies on the inventor’s ingenuity.

Melissa develops an advanced suit capable of simulating previous abilities of One For All users, allowing Deku to continue acting as a hero even without a Quirk. At this stage, the character becomes even closer to Mei Hatsume, consolidating a partnership that projects human science and creativity as pillars of the new world in peace.

This evolution demonstrates that, although introduced in a film, Melissa transcended her origin and became a vital part of the story.

A bridge between media

The use of characters like Melissa in the final episodes reinforces the strategy of My Hero Academia in creating a cohesive universe between anime and cinema. Unlike a simple adaptation, films are not just derivatives, but integral pieces of the plot.

By reappearing, Melissa not only rekindles the memory of Two Heroesbut also promotes the idea that each production in the franchise deserves to be revisited and valued. For fans, the message is clear: films are far from disposable content. They have impact, weight and now, official recognition.

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