Ryo Yoshizawa Returns as Rody After 4 Years! Official Interview for My Hero Academia Final Season

On November 22nd, the final battle episode, FINAL SEASON Episode 8 (No. 167) "Izuku Midoriya: Rising," aired. Izuku Midoriya "Deku" was supported by his Class 1-A classmates at U.A. High School, heroes, and people from all around the world as he defeated the Demon Lord All For One. That episode featured the surprise appearance of original movie characters, including Rody and others who appeared in the theatrical films!

Today, we bring you an official interview with Ryo Yoshizawa, who plays Rody.

After an incredible 10-year run in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump, Kohei Horikoshi's blockbuster manga My Hero Academia reached its finale in August 2024. Now, the saga continues on screen with My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON. Produced by Bones, this final chapter is currently streaming on Crunchyroll as of October 4, 2025.

Ryo Yoshizawa's Rody Also Appears! Heroes Including Izuku Midoriya "Deku" Defeat the Demon Lord with Support from People Around the World!

In the highly acclaimed episode "Izuku Midoriya: Rising," as people from around the world cheered for Izuku Midoriya "Deku" in his battle against All For One, one young man was shown calling out "Do your best!" to Deku.

That was Rody Soul, an original character who appeared in the 2021 theatrical film My Hero Academia THE MOVIE World Heroes' Mission!

Rody, portrayed by actor Ryo Yoshizawa, became an instant fan favorite through the bond with Deku depicted in the theatrical film. Now, that same Rody has appeared in the TV anime series. Right after the recording session for "Izuku Midoriya: Rising," an interview was conducted with Ryo Yoshizawa, who voices Rody.

©K.Horikoshi / Shueisha,My Hero Academia Project

Official Interview with Ryo Yoshizawa (Voice of Rody Soul)

──How did you feel when you learned that Rody would be appearing in Hero Aca again after 4 years, and in the TV series no less?

Yoshizawa: "I was just absolutely thrilled. Since the theatrical film (2021's My Hero Academia THE MOVIE World Heroes' Mission) was released, I'd been hearing that the character Rody Soul was incredibly popular. To be able to appear not just in the theatrical film but also in the TV anime—as a Hero Aca fan myself, nothing could make me happier."

──How was the recording session this time?

Yoshizawa: "It had been 4 years since I'd played Rody, so I watched the movie to review before going to the recording. Looking at the original artwork, I felt that the key element was 'intensity.' Watching Rody on the monitor, I felt that his expression wasn't like 'Deku's in trouble! Hang in there!' but rather 'Deku can do this'—showing great trust in him.

While worried, I felt he was placing great trust in Deku and believing 'Deku will be okay.' Based on that, we recorded various emotional variations on set, and I felt the difficulty of it all over again.

Sound director Mimata directed me on how to lean into the emotions and express the inner feelings. While it was challenging, he explained things clearly, so I feel confident about the result."

──This was an appearance at the very climax—did you feel any pressure?

Yoshizawa: "It's the most exciting scene of the climactic battle, so the responsibility was enormous. In performing Rody's voice, I hoped I wouldn't get in the way. I thought it was important how well my voice could blend into the world of Hero Aca, and I performed with all my heart."

──What do you personally feel is the greatest appeal of Hero Aca?

Yoshizawa: "There's so much that if I started talking about it, I wouldn't be able to stop (laughs), but I think the way humor is incorporated is absolutely brilliant. I really love the tension level of the comedy—the humor doesn't interfere with the serious moments, which creates a sense of reassurance when watching. And then there are the 'connections.'

Deku and the heroes unexpectedly have a huge impact on the people they meet through their hero activities. Those connections circle back around later. Even without realizing it themselves, because they've lived so earnestly, they've influenced so many people. Seeing those scenes is incredibly moving and makes me cry. The connections between characters are both the greatest appeal of this work and its theme, I believe."

──Finally, please give a message to Hero Aca fans.

Yoshizawa: "I never imagined I'd be able to participate in the FINAL SEASON, and the story where Rody appears has action scenes so incredible that even when reading the manga, I wondered how they'd express it. So when I watch it in the anime, I think I'll be so moved I'll cry. (※Interview was conducted before the episode aired)

Hero Aca has truly become a special work for me, so I'd be delighted if many people would watch it."

──Thank you very much!

Other Original Movie Characters Also Appear!

In "Izuku Midoriya: Rising," not only Rody but also original movie characters appeared, including Melissa Shield (voiced by Mirai Shida) from the first theatrical film, the young siblings Mahoro and Katsuma Shimano (voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa and Yuka Terasaki) from the second film, and Giulio Gandini (voiced by Mamoru Miyano) from the fourth film.

This was depicted in the original manga by Kohei Horikoshi, and the development connecting the original work, TV anime, and original story theatrical films heated fans' and viewers' hearts even more.

With only 3 episodes remaining, the TV anime My Hero Academia Final Season continues to air every Saturday at 5:30 PM on Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV network's 29 affiliated stations nationwide. ※Excluding some regions.

TV Anime My Hero Academia Work Information

My Hero Academia Final Season

Started airing October 4, 2025,We can see it on Crunchyroll.

Introduction

The comic series has surpassed 100 million copies in worldwide circulation! The TV anime My Hero Academia is based on the hugely popular manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump (published by Shueisha) for 10 years by Kohei Horikoshi.

The story is set in a world where approximately 80% of the population possesses some kind of supernatural ability called a "Quirk." Following high school student Izuku Midoriya "Deku" and his classmates at U.A. High School as they aim to become Heroes—professionals who protect people and society from accidents, disasters, and criminals known as Villains who abuse their Quirks—the story unfolds with growth, battles, and friendship!

And now, in its eighth season, the series will finally air as the FINAL SEASON starting in October 2025!!

Story

In a world where supernatural abilities called "Quirks" are commonplace, a "Quirkless" boy named Izuku Midoriya, known as "Deku," met his idol, the No. 1 Hero All Might. All Might recognized the heroic qualities hidden within Deku and passed on his Quirk, One For All (OFA), to him.

Deku enrolled in U.A. High School, a prestigious institution for producing heroes, and grew alongside his Class 1-A classmates, aiming to become a Hero who could save society and people with his Quirk.

In the spring of Deku and his friends' second year at U.A., heroes including Deku and the villains led by Tomura Shigaraki and All For One finally enter the final battle, with fierce fights unfolding across Japan.

The Todoroki family's fate involving Shoto Todoroki, Endeavor, and Dabi = Toya Todoroki, and Ochaco's confrontation with Toga have reached their conclusions. And finally, Deku unleashing One For All at full power faces off against Shigaraki, who has fully awakened after absorbing the consciousness of All For One who tried to possess him. All For One's main body, having regained his prime power through rejuvenation, battles against "Armored All Might," who wears a powered suit despite being Quirkless. Their battles head toward conclusion——!

Will Deku's "story of how we became the greatest heroes" achieve its finale, or will everything collapse...!?

Staff

Original Work: Kohei Horikoshi (published by Shueisha Jump Comics)

Series Director: Kenji Nagasaki

Director: Naomi Nakayama

Series Composition: Yosuke Kuroda (Studio Orphee)

Character Design: Yoshihiko Umakoshi, Hitomi Odashima

Art Directors: Shigemi Ikeda, Yukiko Maruyama (Atelier Musa)

Color Design: Kazuko Kikuchi (Wish)

Director of Photography: Takashi Sawa

3DCG Director: Yota Ando

Editor: Kumiko Sakamoto