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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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A Look at Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Disney’s Streaming Services

This past week saw a lot of big news regarding the ongoing streaming wars. First, Disney entered the fight with their new streaming service, Disney+. Hot on the heels of that, Nickelodeon announced their own long-term deal with Netflix. With Cartoon Network slated to join HBO Max’s lineup at launch next year, the message is clear. The Big Three have joined the streaming wars.

For an entire generation of kids, the Big Three of Animation were the ones who made the best cartoons on TV. As a result, the news of the trio joining the streaming wars was big news on social media. As a fan of shows made by all three of these entities, I couldn’t resist giving my two cents. So, I’ll be giving my thoughts and opinions on each company, their streaming service, and how I think they’ll do.

Nickelodeon and Netflix

When I was a kid, Nickelodeon seemed like the best place to watch cartoons; or rather, Nicktoons. They had so many great shows, like Spongebob, Fairly Oddparents, Rugrats, and of course, Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon looked like a cartoon giant, but then they started focusing more on their sitcoms. After that, I lost interest. However, this deal with Netflix could breathe new life into the Nicktoons.

Unlike the other Big Three of Cartoons, Nickelodeon’s not using an in-house streaming service. Instead, they’re formally teaming up with Netflix, which is the best possible move they can make. Firstly, Netflix’s still the top dog in the streaming business, and with Disney+ up and HBO Max to come next year, they want to stay that way. By relying on the lineup of Nicktoons beloved by millions as kids, they’ll be able to compete with Warner and Disney’s bigger library of cartoons. Both Nick and Netflix will win.

Cartoon Network and HBO Max

I didn’t start watching Cartoon Network until later in my childhood. However, once I started, I couldn’t stop watching. They’ve been churning out good cartoons for the last twenty plus years. As a result, I kept coming back to Cartoon Network long after I left Nickelodeon. In fact, I credit shows like Adventure Time and Regular Show for keeping me interested in cartoons. It feels natural that Warner would put them on their roster for HBO Max.

Next to Disney, Cartoon Network has access to the biggest library of cartoons, and one that’s not limited to their original shows. As part of Warner, CN can use the works of Hanna Barbera and Looney Tunes. Technically, Adult Swim also falls under Cartoon Network. While its currently unknown if they’ll bring any shows, Rick and Morty’s confirmed to join HBO Max. In other words, Cartoon Network’s got a lot to bring to streaming. However, given how much the subscription for HBO Max is said to be, this may cause them suffer.

Disney and Disney+

The last of the Big Three that I got into, I didn’t start watching Disney cartoons in earnest until Phineas and Ferb. My timing couldn’t have been better. The 2010’s saw Disney create its fair share of great cartoons; several of which I’ve written about. From the looks of things, they plan on heading into 2020 with even more great cartoons.

Disney’s library of cartoon shows is as impressive as their films, and that extends to the new Disney+. I haven’t seen much of it yet, but it seems they got most of the classic Disney Afternoon block on there, so that’s a big win. I actually went on Twitter and found Darkwing Duck to be trending! In addition to their original content, Disney+ has shows from properties that Disney owns, like Marvel, Fox, and Star Wars. All of these hit shows, in addition to how a subscritption only $6.99 a month, make for a tough combination to beat.

Which of the Big Three Will Come Out on Top?

Given everything that we know, I think it’s too soon to tell which of the Big Three will win the streaming wars. They each have really good cartoons that they bring to their respective streaming service. It may not seem like much, but since the millenials are now adults with money to spend, the cartoons they watched as kids could be a big factor in their companies’ success. As much as I love all three, I think the one that may come out on top will be Cartoon Network.

While HBO Max will be far more expensive than Netflix or Disney+, it partially justifies this given how much content they have planned. Regarding Cartoon Network, though, I think they’ve done the best job at consistently making good cartoons. Their famous line of “Cartoon Cartoons” lasted from 1996 to 2009 with the finale to Ed Edd n’ Eddy. In fact, Ed Edd n’ Eddy lasted for more than ten years. That’s superhuman by cartoon standards. In addition, the channel’s unbelievably successful cartoons this past decade. Regular Show became their first property to have an official movie since the end of Ed Edd n’ Eddy; Adventure Time spawned a generation-spanning fanbase; and need I say more about Steven Universe?

Given everything I’ve seen, and despite the high price of HBO Max, I think that Cartoon Network may come out on top in the Streaming Wars. However, I personally don’t mind who wins, as its the fans who win in the end. The Big Three are giving us a chance to see the shows we loved as a kid again, and maybe give us hope for reboots. That’s enough to make me happy, and I hope it’s enough for others out there. Besides, I’ve learned to stay out of this stuff.

Do you agree with my choice? Which of the Big Three did you enjoy the most growing up? Who do you think will win the streaming wars? Let me know in the comments down below.

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