If you look at Shoto Todoroki at the beginning of My Hero Academia, he’s basically a human glacier. Not just because of his Quirk, but because of his entire vibe. He was cold, standoffish, and honestly, a bit of a jerk to his classmates. Fast forward to the series finale in 2024, and the todoroki before and after comparison is one of the most drastic transformations in modern shonen history. We aren’t just talking about a power-up or a new costume. We’re talking about a guy who went from being a "masterpiece" of eugenics to a man who wants to make his own chopsticks.
It’s wild how much changed. Honestly, the Shoto we see in Chapter 430—eight years after the final war—is someone the Season 1 version of himself wouldn't even recognize.
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The "Masterpiece" vs. The Human
In the beginning, Shoto's entire identity was built on what he wasn't. He wasn't going to be his father. He wasn't going to use his left side. He wasn't going to make friends. He was a prisoner of his own spite. That whole "I will reject my father by only using my mother’s power" thing was a heavy burden for a 15-year-old to carry. It made him rigid. In those early U.A. days, his combat style was basically "spam giant ice walls and hope for the best."
Everything flipped during the Sports Festival. That "It’s your power, isn't it?" moment from Deku is legendary for a reason. But what people often miss in the todoroki before and after discussion is that using his fire didn't magically fix him. It actually made things more complicated for a long time. He had to learn how to deal with the trauma of his scar, the guilt regarding his mother, Rei, and the absolute mess of his relationship with Endeavor.
That Awkward Middle Phase
Remember when he failed the Provisional Licensing Exam? That was a massive wake-up call. It proved that even with all that raw talent, his lingering resentment toward his dad was literally making him a worse hero. He was clashing with Inasa Yoarashi because he couldn't get over his own baggage.
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Post-war Shoto is different. He stopped trying to ignore Endeavor and started trying to understand the mess. By the time he develops the Phosphor move, he isn't just "using fire and ice at the same time." He’s achieving a literal internal equilibrium. It’s the ultimate metaphor for his character: he’s not his dad, and he’s not just his mom’s "savior." He is his own person.
The Final War and the Dabi Fallout
The real "after" starts with the battle against Toya (Dabi). This wasn't some flashy hero-vs-villain showdown. It was a family tragedy playing out on a global stage. Shoto's mission wasn't to "defeat" Dabi; it was to stop his brother from burning himself to death.
- Before: Shoto was a solo act who barely spoke to his siblings.
- After: He becomes the glue holding the Todoroki family together.
In the final chapters, we see him visiting Toya in his final days. There's a heartbreakingly mundane moment where he asks Toya what his favorite food is. Toya says "soba," and Shoto says "same here." That’s it. No grand speeches. Just two brothers who lost everything to a broken system finally finding one tiny piece of common ground. It's a far cry from the boy who refused to even look at his father's side of the family.
Life Eight Years Later: What Really Changed?
The timeskip in Chapter 430 gives us the clearest picture of todoroki before and after. He’s the No. 2 Pro Hero now, which is exactly what Endeavor wanted for him. But here’s the kicker: he’s not doing it for Endeavor.
Katsuki Bakugo is out there obsessing over the No. 1 spot, but Shoto? He’s surprisingly chill about it. He’s more interested in the things he missed out on as a kid. There’s a reveal in the final volume (Volume 42) that Shoto is actually taking classes to learn how to make bowls and chopsticks. He’s obsessed with craftsmanship and food.
The Visual Shift
You can see the change in his gear, too. His early hero costume was a literal "eff you" to his dad—half covered in ice to hide his fire side. His final suit is functional and balanced.
- The Gauntlets: They now store both heat and cold to help him condense power for moves like Great Glacial Aegir.
- The Belt: He upgraded from carrying 5 canisters to 9, mostly so he can carry more medical supplies.
- The Vibe: He smiles now. Like, actually smiles.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Writers
If you're looking at Shoto’s arc to understand how to write complex character growth, or if you're just a fan trying to piece together the finale, here is the reality of his evolution:
- Healing isn't linear. Shoto didn't "get over" his trauma in Season 2. He spent the next seven seasons (and years of in-universe time) slowly unlearning his defense mechanisms.
- Forgiveness is optional. One of the best things about the todoroki before and after arc is that he doesn't fully "forgive" Endeavor in a cheesy way. They acknowledge the past, they work together, but the scars—both literal and metaphorical—stay.
- Identity is separate from talent. Shoto is a great hero, but the finale shows us that being a hero isn't his entire personality anymore. He found hobbies. He found a favorite food. He became a person.
To truly appreciate the journey, go back and watch his first interaction with Class 1-A. Then, look at the panel of him in the final chapter, standing with his friends, talking about the future. The physical power is impressive, sure, but the emotional maturity is the real "Plus Ultra" moment.
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If you want to track his progression, pay attention to his moves. Moves like Jet Kindling and Coldflame's Pale Blade aren't just cool names; they represent the exact moment he mastered the balance between his two halves. He stopped fighting himself and started fighting for the people he cared about.
The takeaway? Shoto didn't just become a top hero; he finally became Shoto.
Next Steps:
- Re-read Chapter 426 for the final "Todoroki Family" resolution to see how Natsuo and Fuyumi's paths diverged from Shoto's.
- Compare his Season 1 "ice-only" fights to his final battle against Dabi to see how his combat choreography shifted from "blocking" to "embracing."