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My Hero Academia Season 5, Episode 12 Review

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a momentous day for My Hero Academia! Today marks the release of the show’s 100th episode!

Life Goes On at UA

Last week saw the end to the Joint Training Session with Class 1-A coming out on top. Despite what a certain guy with a superiority complex from Class 1-B would say. Seriously, I get that Monoma wants to be a hero, but his attitude wins him little friends. Though, he’s not that bad. As we saw in this episode, he tried to help Eri with her Quirk, but it was a no-go. However, just seeing Eri looking so happier than she was when we first met her is worth it.

In the meantime, something momentous happens to the remaining members of Class 1-A: Bakugo and Todoroki got their provisional liscences! In other words, they’re legally capable of kicking villain ass! And to demonstrate, they effortlessly a group of villains on a purse-snatching spree.

After seeing them in action so many times, I’m now convinced that those three are going to be the top three heroes someday. They’re simply that awesome! And with the threat of the League of Villains ever present, they need this kind of raw power.

So, for the hundredth episode of My Hero Academia, this was pretty much par for the course. To be fair, though, this is meant to be a transition to the next arc. And if you’ve read the manga, then you’ll know what’s about to happen. And it’s going to shake the anime community up. Until then, though, the next episode is a light-hearted Christmas episode! GO BEYOND, PLUS ULTRA!!

I Give “The New Power and One for All” a 3/5

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The Owl House Season 2, Episode 1 Review

Dana Terrace, you are a lifesaver! Just when the second season of Amphibia ended with the episode that rocked the Internet, The Owl House geared up for it’s second season. For those unfamiliar, The Owl House follows Luz Noceda, a 14-year-old human girl who finds herself in the demon world. There, she lives in the titular Owl House as she trains to become a Witch under the powerful outlaw Witch, Eda the Owl Lady. That’s how the series started, anyway. However, as the first season ended, things shifted dramatically.

Eda was constantly hunted by the enigmatic ruler of the Isles, Emperor Belos, for refusing to join a Coven and for her portal to Earth. Thanks to her own sister, Lillith, Eda was captured and sentenced to death. Luz battled the Emperor and managed to rescue Eda and Lillith, but in the process, she had to destroy the portal to Earth to keep it out of Belos’ hands. In addition, due to a curse Lillith placed on Eda, the two could no longer use magic. As a result, the season premiere, “Separate Tides” sees us deal with the new status quo. And my God, is it good!

Struggling to Make a Living

The episode starts off with a humorous call-back to the series premiere before Luz recaps the events of “Young Blood, Old Souls.” Now that Eda can’t sell more human junk, the Owl House residents have to take up odd jobs to make ends meet; as of now, they’re working as bounty hunters. Yet the show makes it clear that things aren’t looking good for anyone.

Firstly, we see Eda and Lilith trying to come to terms that they can’t use magic like other Witches anymore. As a result, any respect they had is all but gone; I’m not even sure if Eda’s wanted anymore! To make matters worse, the two have to spend their meager money to provide for Luz, as there isn’t much food on the Boiling Isles her body can digest. In other words, times are tough, and its taking a toll on everyone.

The episode sees the members of the Owl House cope with the loss of income and their main provider’s handicap in their own way. Eda resorts to stealing, like she would. Lilith has an identity crisis whilst simultaneously trying to prove her worth to everyone, leading to a fight with flaming bees and an odd friendship with Hooty. And Luz? Luz handles things her way: by doing something reckless.

A Newer, Slightly More Serious Luz

At her core, Luz remains the same bright and optimistic person she was in the series premiere. As the episode continues, though, we see that part of that may be a façade. Nearly losing her mentor and losing her only means to return to Earth took a major toll on her mind. Thus, when she decides to head out to sea cosplaying as a Team Aqua grunt to catch the biggest bounty she can find, she only brings King to help her. Other than that, she’s alone.

This isn’t the first time Luz has done something dangerous on her own. However, this time it’s not about her being naïve and reckless, but her trying to keep her found family safe. In the episode’s climax, Luz and Eda have an argument over why the former did this behind her back. Luz frustratingly admits that she blames herself for the state Eda’s in. As a result, she’s starting to push her loved ones away to protect them.

This reversal of ways of thinking wasn’t lost on me, and I hope that other fans would recognize it, as well. Luz starts to become a loner like Eda, but thankfully, Eda talks some sense into her as she reminds her ward how she got her to open up to others. She even managed to start mending her relationship with her sister. In other words, Luz brought out the best in the Owl House residents. By the end of the episode, the two reconcile with what happened, and they find some resources that will keep them financially secure for a while.

I LOVE THE GOLDEN GUARD

There’s one other thing that merits discussion about this episode, and it’s Belos’ new right-hand man, that guy in the owl mask that got everybody talking. We finally know what to call him: the Golden Guard! According to Lilith, he’s a teen prodigy whose already made it into the Emperor’s Coven. With her gone, it’s likely that he’s now in charge, making him one of the main antagonists of the series.

I will be blunt: I LOVE THE GOLDEN GUARD! He’s voiced by an up-and-coming young voice actor by the name of Zeno Robinson. Disney fans may recognize him as the voice of Remy on their other cartoon, Big City Greens, while anime fans may know as Goh in the Pokémon franchise, Hawks from My Hero Academia, and more. In short, he’s someone to watch out for, and it’s clear he’s giving it his all as the Golden Guard.

In contrast to the no-nonsense Lilith and the menacing Belos, the Golden Guard is very much affably evil. He’s goofy, energetic, and a jokester who spends his time onscreen trolling Luz, Eda, and King. Despite his laidback attitude, though, he makes it clear why Belos trusts him so much. He manages to effortlessly curb-stomp Eda and Luz, the latter of whom demonstrates throughout the episode how skilled she’s gotten at glyph magic. In the end, the only reason the group even gets home is because he let them do so. In other words, this guy’s trouble.

The Owl House Off to A Great S2

To sum up my thoughts and feelings, The Owl House is already off to a great second season. It doesn’t waste any time with bringing us up to speed on the new status quo, it builds on the world of the show with a new threat, and has the characters deal with recent events in a meaningful and realistic fashion. It also makes clear that it’s not going to be as light-hearted as Season One.

The first season was meant to build up the world of the show. Now that that’s done, Dana and her team look ready to give us the meat of the story. And given how the final shot of the episode ends with Belos standing next to a repaired door to Earth, things are going to be big.

If you haven’t already watched The Owl House, then now’s the perfect time to get caught up with it. The entire first seasons’ on Disney+, and I cannot recommend it enough. Go watch it, you guys! It’s worth your time.

I Give “Separate Tides” a 4/5

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One Piece Chapter 1016 Review/Recap

So, the Battle of Onigashima’s been filled with a lot of twists and turns. Despite being outnumbered 6 to 1, the Alliance has done well against the Yonko. In addition, despite attempts to break them, the Alliance remains as defiant as ever. And while Kaido and Big Mom believe Luffy to be dead, they have no idea that he’s getting ready for the next round. This week, though, sees two unlikely heroes help to turn the tide of the battle. This week, Zeus and Otama are coming in clutch!

Recap

In the Flower Capital, Otama’s guardian, Tengu Hitetsu, explains to Toko how the Fire Festival’s meant to honor the dead. When she asks if her father is watching over them, Tengu affirms that he’s watching over all of Wano. Meanwhile, the CP0 are surprised by how the battle’s progressed when they hear news about Momonosuke falling off the island.

Elsewhere, Nami and Usopp try to figure out how her Clima-Tact’s talking like Zeus. The weapon explains that when Hera tried to devour Zeus, she wound up pushing his soul into Nami’s Clima-Tact. In other words, Zeus is now Nami’s weapon! And he can do a lot more than just cast weather!

To prove his point, Ulti shows up and takes Otama hostage, so Zeus morphs the Clima-Tact into a spiked ball and pounds her!

After Usopp saves Otama, Zeus manifests from the Clima-Tact and unleashes his full power, finally taking Ulti down for good. As a result, the two Straw Hats are able to hijack one of Kaido’s Mary’s and let Otama say a little something to everyone listening.

Meanwhile, Kaido confronts Yamato atop the dome, where Yamato reiterates his determination to take his Dad down and leave Wano. He knows that he can’t beat his Dad; only Luffy can. Therefore, he’s going to throw everything he has at Kaido until Luffy returns. Thunder explodes in the sky as father and son begins!

Review

This arc just keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it? Even when their back’s against the wall and they’re fighting 6 to 1 odds, the Alliance still doesn’t give in. And it’s thanks to that tenacity that they now have a real chance at winning!

According to CP0, the Alliance was once numbering at about 3,000 to Kaido and Big Mom’s 24,000. However, almost everyone in the main hall defected to the Alliance, boosting them to about 7,000. And with Tama about to turn most of the Gifters to their side, that makes the fight much more even. With the defeat of Ulti, though, the Beast Pirates just suffered huge blow to morale. They’re losing.

And Zeus, coming in clutch to save the day! I’m glad to see the former Homie’s left Big Mom for good. She didn’t deserve him. I hope he can get a shot in at the Yonko in the future!

Yamato vs. Kaido!

In the meantime, though, the big focus is going to be on the fight between father and son. We don’t know the full details of the relationship Yamato had with his Dad, but I’m hoping that he slugs his old man good! He may not win, but if he does good enough, I’m hoping Luffy will let him join the Straw Hats.

Sadly, we have another break next week, as is all too common these days. However, Oda’s health is more important. I can’t wait to see Luffy come in clutch!

I Give “It’s Otama” a 4/5. Good Riddance to Ulti!

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