Spoiler warning: this article discusses events from My Hero Academia chapters 254 and 255. If you have not caught up with the manga yet, you may want to stop here.
Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia delivered one of its most emotional chapters at the end of 2019. Chapter 254 focused on Shota Aizawa’s past and finally confirmed a long-running fan theory: the villain Kurogiri was created from the body of Oboro Shirakumo, Aizawa’s close friend from his U.A. High School days.
Quick Recap of Chapter 254
The chapter revealed how the Nomu project had used Shirakumo’s remains and how parts of his memories still seemed to linger inside Kurogiri. For Aizawa, who lost Shirakumo during a hero internship years earlier, the discovery was deeply personal. The chapter ended with Aizawa trying to reach the friend he once knew, asking Kurogiri to remember who he really is.
Predictions for Chapter 255
- Kurogiri’s response: it seemed unlikely that Aizawa could simply talk Kurogiri back to his old self. Kurogiri’s programming centres on protecting Tomura Shigaraki, so a strong reaction was expected.
- A glimpse of Shirakumo: many fans hoped for a small sign, such as a familiar phrase or gesture, that Shirakumo’s personality had not been completely erased. Even a brief moment would give Aizawa a reason to keep trying.
- A shift back to U.A.: Horikoshi often cuts away at tense moments, so the chapter might also return to U.A. High School and show how the school was coping while Aizawa was away.
Why This Arc Matters
Aizawa is usually calm and guarded, so seeing him confront his grief adds depth to his character. The Shirakumo reveal also raises bigger questions about the Nomu experiments, who was behind them, and what other heroes might have been used in the same way. These threads became important later in the story.
Release Date and Where to Read
Chapter 255 was scheduled for official release on 22 December 2019, during the period when the series ran weekly in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump. English readers can follow the manga legally through VIZ Media and the Shonen Jump app, as well as Shueisha’s MANGA Plus service. Reading on official platforms supports the creator and the publishers.
Final Thoughts
The Aizawa and Kurogiri storyline gave My Hero Academia some of its most heartfelt moments. Chapter 255 was set to show whether any trace of Shirakumo could still be reached, making it one of the most anticipated chapters of that arc.
