"End of the Beginning, Beginning of the End" is the twelfth episode of My Hero Academia's third season, and the 50th episode overall.
The police continue their investigation on the Nomus and the League of Villains. Tsukauchi and Gran Torino visit All Might in the hospital; All Might tells them that One For All has truly left him and they discuss Shigaraki. Midoriya and his classmates head home following dropping off Bakugo with the police; Todoroki sees his father destroy a room in a rage, unable to accept becoming #1 without surpassing All Might. Midoriya meets with All Might, who informs him that he's effectively retiring and promises that he'll focus on Midoriya's training.
In order to better protect the students in the wake of All Might's retirement, Nezu announces that U.A. will now be a boarding school, and it falls to Eraser Head and All Might to break this news to the students' families. While Jiro's and Bakugo's parents express approval towards the concept, Midoriya's mother Inko is hesitant to expose her son to even more danger. Izuku and All Might eventually manage to convince her.
Tropes present in this episode:
- Adapted Out: In the manga, a recovering Ragdoll is distraught over the news that her Search Quirk is stolen by All For One, and the rest of the Wild Wild Pussycats gather to console her. The scene is absent in the anime.
- Arson Murder And Life Saving: Midoriya was clearly expecting a berating from All Might for his actions during the Hideout Raid, but then All Might expresses relief and happiness Midoriya got out without an injury for the first time.
- Declaration of Protection: As All Might performs his Pose of Supplication he vows to Inko that he will do everything in his power to train Izuku properly and keep him as safe as possible even if it costs him his life. Inko, knowing how much All Might means to Izuku, tells him not to sacrifice his life and instead live so that he can help Izuku to the best of his ability.
- Establishing Character Moment: Bakugo's parents are introduced here. His mother borders on abusive, smacking and yelling at him often, but is more into Tough Love, grateful for his safety and that UA is setting him on the right path, as she always knows he has potential. His father is the more of the Henpecked Husband who tries to defuse their heated argument.
- Meadow Run: A subverted Beach Run. The screen sparkles up as Midoriya and All Might run to each other across a beach... and then All Might "Texas Smash" punches Midoriya for being so reckless.
- No Challenge Equals No Satisfaction: Shoto visits his family household and hears his father Enji raging inside his workout room. He peers into the doorway and sees him pissed off about All Might retiring. Endevour had always strove to surpass All Might and become the No. 1 Hero, but believes it has been unearned because he never showed up All Might himself.
- Oh, Crap!: Izuku is used to hanging out with All Might in terms of training, but he and his mom are shocked of the now-retired hero visiting them in their own home.
- Parents as People: Inko wishes to support her son in his dream, but his mounting injuries as well as the school being attacked multiple times has caused her to lose confidence.
- Passing the Torch: The theme of this episode. All Might is effectively retired, and so decides to devote his time to training Midoriya. On the villainous side, All For One's incarceration means Shigaraki now has to step up to the plate.
- Pose of Supplication: Done by All Might to Inko — he apologizes for the harm done to Izuku, expresses that Izuku is the right person to succeed him, and promises that he'll stand by Izuku no matter what.
