All for One Makes the Same Mistakes as Sidious

My Hero Academia S7 Ep 18 Review

We are nearing a tipping point in the Final War of My Hero Academia. Toga is using her powers and Twice’s blood to unleash hordes of clones onto the battlefields. Shigaraki and Deku’s fight has moved to the ground. And most of the the heroes are now tied up trying to slow All for One down. But as it turns out, though, even the devil’s most loyal servants will turn on him if they’re pushed too far. For all his talk of being the ultimate villain, All for One still manages to make the same mistakes monsters like Darth Sidious do, and it costs him.

Wheels Continue to Turn

The main focus of the episode is on two parts of the ongoing war, but before that, it feels important to mention what’s going on with Toga. Just as Froppy and Uravity pointed out, she can’t use Dabi and Shigaraki’s powers because she doesn’t like them as much as she does Twice and Uravity. In other words, despite her resolve, there’s a part of her deep down that doesn’t want to be doing this. And while it’s a bit cliche to have the heroines fight the main female villain, Uraraka and Asui are the only ones who can stop Toga.

As for the fight at Gunga, I liked seeing Pinky face her fears by trying to stop Gigantomachia from escaping. Her hesitation in the Paranormal Liberation War almost cost her her life. By facing her fears head-on, she’s one step closer to being the hero she wants to be. Likewise, the same goes for Shinso, who proves how powerful his Quirk can be when the odds are in his favor.

All For One Doesn’t Get Reciprocal Loyalty

Getting Machia to follow his commands was ingenious, but my heart sank when I realized that All for One could just retake control. However, seeing Machia turn on his master was something I had forgotten about, but can understand why. Gigantomachia had served All for One loyally, and he abandoned him not once, but twice. Even a loyal dog can turn on its master if its pushed too far.

Watching Tsukuyomi, Mt. Lady, and Machia gang up on All for One was an impressive site, to be sure. Were they fighting anyone else, they might have won. But all they do is make All for One angry…and younger.

By the time he steals Hawks’ Quirk, I’d say All for One is somwhere in his 20s. And the younger he gets, the harder it’s getting to control his powers.

An Old Pro Steps Up

As bad as things seem, the anime makes it a point to remind us that things aren’t at their worst yet. The eyes of the world are on Japan with everyone waiting to see who will come out on top. However, before All for One can get to Deku, another hero is about to make his move. If you’ve only watched the anime, then the preview for the next episode makes All Might’s decision to join the fight seem like suicide. However, those who read the manga know what’s coming and have waited for it for months now. Once more, All Might will go beyond, PLUS ULTRA!!

Quick sidebar, I did find it very fitting that one of the villains taking part in the raid on Machia’s prison was the Sludge Villain. His actions set Deku on the path to becoming a hero, so seeing him is like the burglar who killed Uncle Ben coming back for us. Also, I loved seeing the stream of Gentle’s actions go viral. The man deserves it!

I Give “It’s a Small World” a 4/5

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