WARNING: The following contains spoilers for My Hero Academia Chapter #299, “Like Those Tragic Tales,” by Kohei Horikoshi, Caleb Cook and John Hunt, available now in English from Viz Media.

My Hero Academia Chapter #299, “Like Those Tragic Tales,” takes a step away from all the chaos created during the manga's war between the heroes and villains, diving instead into the tragic family history of Hawks. The Number #2 Pro Hero was originally known as Keigo Takami. Living with a father who was a thief and a mother that has no ambition in life, Hawks had to hold onto hope at an early age. Both his parents saw him as a burden, and there wasn't much of a familial feeling or fond memories that kept them together.

During this tragic upbringing that the chapter details, Endeavor reoccurs multiple times, often representing hope for a young Hawks. Chapter #299 also reveals that because of his mother’s current disappearance, Hawks is finally able to think of only himself, and truly be free.

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Though the arrest of Hawks' father is what set him on this trajectory towards true freedom, there was one thing still holding him back: his mother. Even though they didn’t share a special bond, he was still inclined to help her out, as a true hero would. Early on, Hawks’ father forbade him from leaving the house, but Hawks always had a sense for detecting danger and would rush to save others without hesitation.

Hawks' mother was not really involved in his life, but the one impactful memory he had of her was when she bought him an Endeavor toy. Not only did the toy make Hawks happy, but upon hearing that his abusive father got arrested by Endeavor, it solidified his connection to the flame hero as a beacon of hope.

After losing his father, Hawks' mother was not really sure how to adjust to the real world since she had been cooped up in the house for so many years. To avoid any future complications, Hawks had to retire the name "Takami." He admits to Best Jeanist that this was the moment in which he lost all connections to his mother, and the only thing really holding him accountable to her was her safety. That's why when he discovers the letter left behind by his mother -- stating that she left because of Dabi’s goons threatening her -- a wave of relief engulfs him in the present-day.

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Her abandonment was the final straw, and since she left, not the other way around, Hawks now knows that he did all he could to ensure her safety. Even though they didn’t have a good relationship, he was still inclined to help her out as any hero would. In all his sadness, there was one person who he still actually looked up to, however, and that was Endeavor.

As Chapter #299 shows, Endeavor’s impact on Hawks' life is much more than that of an idol young heroes can aspire to be like. Endeavor was the first toy Hawks received as a child, which was his symbol of hope, as well as the one who took away the constant negativity in his life, his father. Endeavor went from being his ideal hero to his actual savior.

Now, it’s all coming full circle for Hawks in the My Hero Academia manga and no one understands Endeavor’s true retribution like he does. Hawks is no longer tied down by his past, and in order to make his new future a reality, he’s going to have to rescue the one that instilled hope in him in the first place. Hawks never lost hope in Endeavor, and by rescuing him, his own hope will be validated; in turn, allow him to feel truly free.

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