Who is the Traitor at UA? The Truth…Will Not Bother You

My Hero Academia S7 Ep 3 Review

I’m not sure when this plot thread started, but for a long time in My Hero Academia, people suspected there was a traitor at UA High. And among the prime suspects were the students of Class 1-A. I never paid attention to it that much, though, as threats like Overhaul, Shigaraki, and All for One were of more pressing concern. And once the manga got to the point where the final battle was at hand, something like a potential traitor seemed pretty trivial. So when the series revealed that there was, in fact, a traitor at UA, I wasn’t that shocked. If anything, what shocked me more was who it was and their motive. I didn’t expect to see that happen.

Most of UA is In Good Spirits

In the aftermath of his failed attempt to steal New Order, All for One and Shigaraki are both left weakened. They’ve lost a ton of their stockpiled Quirks, and the completion of Shigaraki’s new body is set by a week, AFO’s plans are put on hold. Since he’s an evil mastermind in the vein of Darth Sidious, though, he’s not that concerned. He’s got so many plans in place he can still win even if one fails. Case in point, his spy at UA High.

Back at UA itself, it’s nice to see how hard the students are training for the final battle. They’ve all come a long way since their first days as students. More importantly, Deku’s mental state has greatly improved. Rather than try to shoulder everything alone, he’s willing to accept help from his friends. He’s no longer running himself ragged, which would play into All for One’s hands. 

Like All for One said, though, he’s got many plans in place to ensure he wins. In this case, his spy at UA.

The Traitor Revealed

Admittedly, when I first saw this moment in the manga, I was surprised. If there really was a traitor among the students at UA, I thought it might be one of the more prominent characters.  But the bait-and-switch with Toru Hagakure was well done. I still remember how many fans freaked out when they found out she might be a spy, and with her Quirk, it would make sense. However, it wasn’t her that was the traitor. It was Aoyama.

Again, didn’t expect that. 

I had…mixed feelings about the reveal of Aoyama being a traitor. You would think that the revelation would have more impact, but it’s lessened by the fact that he’s one of the less prominent students of Class 1-A, plot wise. Furthermore, after hearing about his his backstory, being born Quirkless, given his ill-suited Quirk by All for One, and being blackmailed by him, it’s very hard to see Aoyama as a traitor or a villain. It’s clear that he didn’t want to tell All for One about the USJ or the training camp. He and his parents were rightfully scared for their lives. Even if they tried to tell someone, they would die. That’s how All for One works. He manipulates people like they’re his toys and casts them aside when they’re useless. 

Anyone Can Change for the Better

What I will say that I liked, though, is how no one in Class 1-A holds Aoyama at fault for his actions. They understand that he had no choice but to do what All for One told him or die. Had they not been so compassionate, they could’ve turned Aoyama against them for good. 

I know it sounds a bit lame to forgive Aoyama so readily, but it fits in with one of the core themes to My Hero Academia. A real hero is someone who’s will to help out someone else who’s suffering, even if they’re an enemy. It’s that simple act of kindness that makes them heroes, and Class 1-A has taken that to heart. 

That, and it gives them their first chance to outplay All for One. He doesn’t know that Aoyama has been outed. They can use that to lure him out into the open, giving the Heroes a chance to take him down for good.

So, despite this episode’s big reveal of the traitor not quite measuring up, that’s not going to detract from what’s coming next. Trust me when I say that the battle to come is going to make the one at Jaku look like child’s play. You will not be ready for it! Go Beyond, Plus Ultra!

I Give “Villain” a 3/5

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