Bakugo Had Better Pull Through!

My Hero Academia S7 Ep 11 Review

So, for those of us who read the manga in advance, we all knew that this moment was going to happen eventually—that big moment with Bakugo that wound up breaking the internet and freaking out the entire fandom. I knew it would happen eventually, but I thought we had more time to prepare for it. But I underestimated the anime’s pacing and how many chapters they adapt into a single episode. As a result, I was left caught off guard again when that big moment between Bakugo and Shigaraki took place.

And it’s just as horrifying as I remember.

The Big 3 Take on Shigaraki

Unlike the previous episodes, this one focuses solely on a single front of the war: the Coffin in the Sky, as the heroes are hanging by a thread against Shigaraki. It’s taking everything they have to stay alive, and the anime does a great job of conveying the sheer desperation they’re experiencing. If Shigaraki had his Quirks, they would’ve died long ago.

I liked seeing the Big Three take to the field and function as a team. They’re the top students at UA for a reason, but they’re also best friends. And when they work as a team, they kick serious butt. As a bonus, this episode gives us the backstory behind Nejire, and it’s sweet how going to UA gave her a chance to meet people who accepted her extroverted nature. I’ve become a fan of her dub actress, Lindsay Seidel.

As for Suneater, his Quirk continues to be utterly badass in my eyes. His ultimate attack against Shigaraki was something out of a video game! Had this been anyone else, the Big Three would’ve won. Too bad they’re fighting Shigaraki.

Speaking of whom, Midoriya was right about Shigaraki. For all his efforts and All for One’s, a small part of Tenko Shimura is still buried within him. And the more worked up he gets, the more Shimura slips through, as Lemillion discovers. It’s like with Darth Vader: there’s still that little light in his heart that the darkness can’t destroy. However, that doesn’t do any of the heroes any good, including Bakugo.

What Happened to Bakugo is Nightmare Fuel!

Even though Deku is officially the main protagonist of My Hero Academia while Bakugo is the deuteragonist, I don’t think that’s fair anymore. My Hero Academia is as much Bakugo’s story as Deku’s, and this episode cemented that for me. Despite knowing how outclassed he is against Shigaraki, despite breaking down in tears over that fact, Bakugo doesn’t give up. Even when the other heroes despair, he returns and walks toward Shigaraki. And, as we learn, he’s pushed his Quirk so hard he’s unlocked a state where he can release exploding sweat from his entire body! In other words, he just unlocked super speed!

But all this does is anger Shigaraki even more. Much like his evil mentor, he can’t fathom the idea of an “extra” pressuring him so much. And what he does…will leave a lot of fans in tears.

There’s a particular trope in anime and manga that I particularly enjoy. When the story wants to convey extreme sadness, rain starts pouring down. It’s like a way to demonstrate that the universe itself is crying. And seeing Bakugo lying there on the ground, his chest ripped open, there’s plenty to cry about.

I remember how fans reacted when we read about this in the manga. Everyone wondered if Bakugo would make it or if this was it for him! And if he did die, we didn’t know if we should respect the mangaka for being so bold, or curse him for doing this. Either way, we’re about to see a repeat of this for the anime-watchers.

And things are only going to get worse.

The Villain’s Counterattack Begins!

Everything that has happened in the war until now has merely been the first round; a warmup, if you will. Now, the villains are about to launch a massive counterattack, and things will get worse before they get better. In addition, there will be a two-week wait for the next episode. The Olympics start next week, so things are on hold in Japan thanks to that.

This was an excellent episode for the series, and I’m surprised it got to it this fast. If my calculations are correct, then the anime could complete the Final War Arc within this season and still have room for the (currently) ongoing epilogue. It’s sad, though. By the time the next episode comes out, My Hero Academia will be two days away from ending. However, with a world as imaginative as this society of superhumans, I wouldn’t put it past Horikoshi-Sama to write a sequel or some more spin-offs.

And pray for Bakugo. Go beyond, PLUS ULTRA

I Give “Light Fades to Rain” a 4.5/5

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