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Izuku Midoriya and Eri fighting Overhaul has become one of the most iconic fight scenes of the protagonist inMy Hero Academia, especially when the latter’s Rewind Quirk allowed Deku to go beyond the full strength of the One For All Quirk without suffering its terrifying consequences to its body. Contrary to Sir Nighteye’s predictions, Izuku doesn’t die but instead manages to pummel Overhaul into submission. By the time the Shie Hassaikai Arc is over, Shigaraki manages to destroy Kai Chisaki’s Quirk Factor, effectively destroying his eponymous Overhaul Quirk with it. Unfortunately, Eri uses up all her energy for Rewind to work, which means there was no way to restore Mirio Togata’s Permeation Quirk after his noble sacrifice earlier in the arc.
While fans will see Eri finally recharging enough energy to restore Mirio to a state before he lost his Permeation Quirk, fans might be wondering what could have happened if Eri saved Mirio as soon as he lost his powers. Interestingly enough, such an action could prove disastrous to the heroes based on how it triggers certain chain of events. In fact, Eri helping Deku this early may have been the Hail Mary the Pro Heroes needed to become truly victorious in the Final War.
Couldn’t Eri Have Helped In The Final War If She Hadn’t Helped Deku?
Mirio reentering the Final War as Lemillionwas a welcome sight to fans, as his Permeation was precisely the kind of ability that could counteract the touch-based Decay of Shigaraki. No matter how far Shigaraki could spread his Decay, it only works on things it interacts with - something Mirio can quickly dismantle with his Quirk. This is all thanks to Eri, who had finally gathered enough strength in her horn to Rewind the young Mirio far enough to reacquire his Quirk.
This might leave some fans wondering - had Eri been in full strength instead of using her Rewind during the fight with Overhaul, could she have had a bigger impact in the Final War outside Mirio? As surprising as this might sound, Eri leaving Deku alone to fight Chisaki would have been a catastrophic idea.
Sometimes I do feel like I’m a failure… …But even so, I’m not gonna give up!
Deku Didn’t Really “Defeat” Overhaul, At Least Traditionally
Izuku Couldn’t Have Defeated Overhaul At Full Power
Dekudefeating Overhaulwas one of the best highlights of Season 4, especially when Eri’s presence allowed the protagonist to go beyond Plus Ultra and unleash One For All via Full Cowl at 100% - a feat he had never done before. Due to his physical limitations, Deku had to combine some of One For All’s Quirks to replicate the output of Full Cowl 100% in the Final War.
However, perhaps it’s more important to remember that Izuku only managed to defeat Overhaul not just because of Eri’s Rewind. Rather, it’s thanks to the time her Rewind afforded Izuku that the youngster managed to outwit and outpace Chisaki.
Going In Alone Would be A Worse Idea
Izuku going headfirst after Chisaki is the protagonist’s predictable character flaw. He’s already done this with Bakugo against the Slug Criminal, he’s committed himself tosave Iida from Stain, and he took on Muscular to save Koda - all of which he fought at a massive disadvantage had it not been for backup, his body “luckily” not succumbing to One For All, or intervention from All Might himself. It’s for this reason that the fight with Overhaul was such a frightening encounter, as there was trulyno oneleft to save Izuku should he predictably end up being way in over his head.
And as per usual,he was. Even with access to Full Cowl 100% or if he attempts to recreate the conditions of his One For All 1,000,000% strike against Muscular, both outcomes will lead to Overhaul successfully landing a killing counterattack or Izuku himself succumbing to his wounds. If he dies,the One For All loses its current heirandanyone who inherits its abilities might not have enough time to train with it anyway.
A One For All Heir In The Sidelines
No Way For Izuku To Perform After Such A Fight Alone
Assume Izuku actually fights Overhaul alone without Eri’s help and miraculously survives. This won’t be without consequences, especially with what the story back then (and right now) implies and reveals about the nature of One For All. The only way for Izuku to defeat Overhaul without Eri’s help would be for the universe to bend its will to give Izuku the opening to land a defeating blow. With this in mind, here are things that would have happened:
A One For All Hail Mary
WhenIzuku willingly transfers One For All to Bakugofor an all-out attack against Nine inHeroes Rising, the former does so knowing he would lose OFA at the end of this last-ditch effort. This thankfully defeats Nine, but not at the cost of Izuku’s access to the Quirk. Thankfully, as the OFA didn’t disappear - but perhaps even “clung” to Izuku as a reward for his heroism. Even if Deku wants to use this against Overhaul (with no Eri), the question is whether the OFA would even let Izuku experience the same cop out twice.
What About Faux 100%?
Critics of Izuku’s potential inability to handle Full Cowl 100% with Overhaul may also compare this with hiscombat performance in the Dark Hero Arc- specifically when he’s started tapping into the “real” powers locked inside One For All. What if, by some miracle, the OFA’s hidden abilities manifest in the fight with Overhaul? As impressive as this was in its first outing against Lady Nagant and against Shigaraki in the Final War, Izuku presumably still took weeks of training to master all abilities involved - something he may not be able to do in a high-stakes battle like the one against Overhaul.
Izuku’s Arms Finally Gave Out During The Final War
Fans who keep on criticizing Izuku’s “usable” arms despite his doctor’s note will get the satisfaction of a fulfilled foreshadowing near the end of the Final War, as not only did Izuku maintain his bodily functions with Blackwhip “literally” carrying him but Shigaraki also successfully decays his arms at the end of the fight. It’s only thanks to Eri who had partially recovered her Quirk that Izuku’s arms were restored prior to their disintegration - which means Izuku is still left with massive injuries.
But at that moment… You… You looked like you needed saving.
Eri Retaining Full Rewind Wouldn’t Fare Any Better
A Future Not In The Heroes’ Favor
Why even mention the one potential good outcome and all the other bad endings? It’s because whatever might happen next will now rest the fate of the world in the hands of people a crippled Izuku left behind. Consider:
Would This Have Piqued All For One’s Interest? It Won’t.
Fans who recognize Eri’s potential might wonder why All For One had seemingly no interest in her powers, when Star and Stripe’s New Order had become an immediate Quirk of his interest due to its reality-manipulating capabilities. After all, wouldn’t a reverse-Uno card be the best trump card in emergencies? Some offered their answers to the matter:
