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My Hero Academia, Season 4, Episode 17 Review/Recap

Well, I think this may be my least favorite episode of the entire season of My Hero Academia. When we left off, Bakugo, Shoto, Camie, and Inasa had to rein in a bunch of problem elementary school students. When words failed to reach them, they resort to humanity’s other, time-honored solution: violence. Or so it looks like: in truth, they’re just trying to reach those kids hearts.

Recap

So, the quartet of heroes-in-training let the kids unleash their Quirks on them while the adults watch in shock. It’s then that the “Quirk Singularity Theory” gets brought up: it’s the idea that Quirks are growing stronger with each generation. In time, they’ll become so powerful, and people won’t be able to control them, hence why these grade-schoolers are so strong.

Fortunately, the young heroes prove that raw power isn’t enough; there’s also imagination. By combining their skills, the quartet’s able to put on a fantastic display of their abilities that wins the kids over. As for their leader, Bakugo lectures him on not acting like he’s better than everyone or else he’ll never learn. With their task complete, everyone returns to school.

Back at school, Midoriya ends up bonding with Aoyama over the fact that both have Quirks that can be harmful to their bodies. That’s about it.

Review

I am not sorry when I say this: I slept through the second half of the episode. I understand what the anime’s trying to do with Aoyama: like Midoriya, his Quirk can be a hindrance more than it can help. Thus, it’s natural for the two to bond over that. That said, I couldn’t get myself invested in that. On top of that, going from one story to the next in the middle of the episode felt a little sloppy, and even jarring. The fact that Sir Nighteye’s funeral is only shown onscreen for a few moments also felt like a disappointment. We saw that guy die and got broken up about it!

What I did enjoy, however, was the character development we see in our resident anti-heroes, Bakugo and Endeavor. Bakugo was an arrogant jerk when we first met him, but his time at U.A. gave him a lesson in humility. To hear him pass on what he’s learned shows how far he’s come in those past few months. Then, we see Endeavor own up to the fact that he’s been a bad dad to Shoto. Shoto doesn’t buy it, but I can tell that deep down, he’s happy to hear his dad say that.

There’s also the “Quirk Singularity” theory that got brought up, and I was intrigued. In Marvel and DC comics, I’ve seen beings with superpowers have children with powers of their own. Some of them, like Franklin Richards or Rachel Summers, can end up having god-like power. It’s a nice callback to Horikoshi’s inspiration, I think.

Beyond that, though, this episode was a snooze fest. Speaking of festivals, though, that’s going to be the focus of the next arc. From what I remember reading in the manga, it’s going to be a good one, too! Go Beyond, Plus Ultra!

I Give “Relief For License Trainees” a 2/5. Also did this kid copy the Destructo-Disc?

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My Hero Academia, Season 4, Episode 16 Review/Recap

As sad as it may be, Shonen anime can’t be all about over-the-top action and flashy moves. Every now and then, they’ve got to deal with the quieter moments. In this case, we see Bakugo, Shoto, and some students from Shiketsu High take their remedial classes for their provisional liscences. Their first lesson: winning the hearts and minds of the people.

Recap

As remedial classes begin, the Pro Heroes in charge pull aside four students: Shoto, Bakugo, and Inasa and Camie from Shiketsu. While they’re strong enough to be heroes, they lack the inviting aura a hero needs. So to teach them, they’ve got a special lesson: they have to win over a group of elementary school kids. The problem is, these kids refuse to respect any authority figures, at all.

Each of the four tries on their own to get through to the kids. Bakugo tries yelling at them; no go. Shoto tries talking things out with them or something, but gets made fun of. The kids trick Inasa into berating himself for not living up to his own standards. As for Camie, let’s just say the girls don’t trust her.

Meanwhile, everything’s being watched by All Might and Endeavor. During this time, Endeavor asks the former hero what it means to be the Symbol of Peace, to which All Might replies he’s not exactly sure himself.

As for the quartet, they decide there’s only way to get through to the kids: show off their powers. Thus, both sides get ready for a fight.

Review

I’ll be honest with you guys: I lost focus about halfway through the episode. As funny as My Hero Academia can be, this episode didn’t click for me. I’ve seen “teens look after troublesome kids” scenario several times in cartoons and anime before. Frankly, this episode didn’t bring anything new to that. However, it may also be because I could be a troublemaker in elementary school, as well. I lost count how many times I got sent to the Principal’s for talking out in class!

What was more interesting was the conversation between All Might and Endeavor. Endeavor’s made his jealousy of All Might no secret in the past, and the fact that the latter isn’t bothered by it irks him even more. Seeing him swallow and pride and genuinely ask his colleague for help shows a tiny amount of character development.

In addition, Endeavor’s right: the trust the people have in heroes is slowly being lost since All Might retired. Now they have win the hearts and minds of the people all over again, and no one did that better than All Might. That said, I think All Might’s advice is sound. If Endeavor wants to win hearts and minds, he has to decide what it means to be the Symbol of Peace. Just like how our hapless quartet has to win the hearts and minds of those kids.

Hopefully, the next episode will be more entertaining. I hate how some things have to be solved with violence, but if Naruto taught me anything, it’s that sometimes, the best way to get through to people is through one’s actions. In this case, a Quirk fight. Go Beyond, Plus Ultra!

I Give “Win those Kid’s Hearts” a 3/5.

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My Hero Academia Season 4, Episode 15 Review/Recap

So, last episode of My Hero Academia saw the end to one of the biggest stories in the anime’s history. Overhaul loses the ability to use his Quirk, and Sir Nighteye died surrounded by All Might, Deku, LeMillion, and everyone else. What could one of the biggest shonen anime on the market do to top such an amazing arc? Apparently start a new one with a slice of life theme.

Recap

With the raid on the Hassakai over, Midoriya and his friends all return to U.A., save for Togata. He’s staying in the hospital for a little longer. However, despite losing his Quirk and his mentor, Togata’s confident about the future. As it turns out, Mr. Aizawa’s going to be training Eri in using her Quirk. Hopefully, she’ll be able to use to reverse the damage Overhaul did. Thus, the interns return to a big welcome from Class 1-A.

As for the other heroes, they get back to work on finding the League of Villains. Gran Torino captures Kurogiri, but when another of All for One’s minions attacks, they have to flee. Meanwhile, Bakugo and Shoto are going through their own trials. They’re still taking remedial classes for their Provisional Hero Licences. Now they have to take them with the students from their rival school, Shiketsu.

Review

Well, folks, I think we can say that the next few episodes are going to be lackluster. After the emotional rollercoaster the show gave us with the Hassakai Arc, that’s to be expected. I know that not every moment in a shonen anime can be filled with action, but with the new opening, it just feels like the show’s a slice of life now. The outro only reinforced that with the whimsical pictures of all the heroes from their youth.

I know what’s going to happen next because I read the manga, and I’m not looking forward to these next few episodes. However, that said, I think the anime did a good job of wrapping up the previous arc. It shows the students dealing with their personal feelings and gives us a hope spot for Togata. I hope he gets his Quirk back one day; he’s too good at being a hero to sit on the sidelines forever.

I plan to keep covering the rest of the season, but I think my enthusiasm won’t be as great for the time being. Ah, well; I like slice of life anime. Go Beyond, Plus Ultra!

I Give “Smoldering Flames” a 2.5/5. Now comes the boring arcs.

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My Hero Academia Season 4, Episode 11 Review/Recap

I heard that for reasons beyond their control, the simuldub of My Hero Academia‘s delayed for a week. So I almost chose not to go through with a review this week. However, I decided that, subbed or dubbed, MHA is MHA. It’s a good thing, too, because this episode, we got to see Lemillion show just how great of a hero he really is. In fact, I can see why Nighteye wanted him to be All Might’s successor. Lemillion’s got the heart of a true hero.

Recap

Despite being part of an alliance with the Hassakai, Twice and Toga remember Shigaraki’s instructions to sabotage the group. Thus, they provoke Mimicry into losing his cool and exposing himself to the heroes. That makes him easy prey for Deku to take out whilst the League of Villains pair escapes. Meanwhile, Lemillion finally manages to catch up to Overhaul and Eri, only to be set upon by two more members of the Eight Bullets.

Even outnumbered, Lemillion proves more than capable of holding his own, wiping the floor with the Eight Bullets and grabbing a hold of Eri. As a result of provoking Overhaul by using his real name, the villainous Yakuza leader goes berserk with his power. The two continue to clash, until one of the Eight Bullets fires a perfect anti-Quirk bullet straight at Eri. Even though he knows what will happen, Lemillion throws himself in front of Eri, taking the shot and losing his Quirk.

Quirkless or not, Lemillion uses all of his training and manages to keep Overhaul at bay, despite sustaining serious injuries. However, his efforts aren’t in vain; at that moment, Deku and the others finally catch up to Overhaul!

Review

We’ve heard several times now how Overhaul thinks Quirks are a disease that’s infected people with the notion of heroism, blah blah blah. Well, if anything, Lemillion proves that that’s a load of baloney. You don’t need to have incredible powers to be a hero and save someone, and Lemillion reminds us of that, just as Deku did at the start of the story. His resolve even in the face of losing his Quirk is what makes him a true hero.

I can now see why Sir Nighteye wanted Lemillion to be the next Symbol of Peace. Even though we know Deku’s tapped to become that, I still think Lemillion will become one of the greatest heroes in the world. In other words, I know he’ll get his Quirk back someday, even if it hasn’t happened in the manga yet.

However, it’s now time for Deku to take center-stage and do what he does best: beat Overhaul’s beaked face into a bloody pulp. I don’t care if the dub’s no longer a simuldub; I’m looking forward to the next episode! Deku vs. Overhaul, at last! Go Beyond, Plus Ultra!

I Give “Lemillion” a 4/5

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My Hero Academia, Season 4, Episode 10 Review/Recap

It’s just occurred to me that we haven’t seen the League of Villains since the Heroes raid started. Since the two groups formed an alliance, one would think they’d help defend the base. In this episode, though, the League of Villains makes its move at last!

Recap

As the heroes continue to break off to fight the Hassakai’s members, Midoriya’s group presses onward. In spite of Mimic using his drug-induced Quirk, the Yakuza fails to slow the heroes down. Reaching his limit, Mimic chooses to split the heroes up even further. This leaves them open to attack at the hands of League of Villains members Twice and Toga.

Several days prior, in order to cement their alliance, Overhaul asked Tomura to lend him Toga and Twice as temporary members. Even though the group holds a grudge against him for killing Magne and wounding Mr. Compress, Shigaraki agrees. His plan is to weaken Overhaul’s group from within so they may seize control of his drug. As a result, Toga and Twice decide to sabotage the Hassakai’s plans by goading Mimic into sending Deku and Eraserhead to another location.

Review

Ironically, some of the more interesting characters in My Hero Academia have been the League of Villain characters like Twice and Toga. They remind us that underneath their immoral actions, these people are still human, and therefore capable of love and affection. We see it when Toga comforts Twice when he’s having a meltdown, and in their desire to avenge Magne. Heck, we can sort of see it in Toga’s obsession with Midoriya. It’s a twisted version of love, but it still shows them capable of doing so.

This episode does a good job in building up tension for what’s about to happen. In the next episode, we’re going to see LeMillion catch up with Overhaul and Eri. Given what we hear in the previews, though, there’s cause for concern about his safety. If the League of Villains plan works, then I think Deku and Eraserhead will end up next to LeMillion. Here’s hoping. GO BEYOND, PLUS ULTRA!

I Give “Temp Squad” a 4/5

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My Hero Academia, Season 4, Episode 1 Review/Recap

Recap episodes can a difficult thing for a show to master. On the one hand, they provide established fans and newcomers a chance to get caught up. On the other, there’s those who want to dive into the action. Therefore, imagine my surprise when the first episode for the hit anime My Hero Academia is a semi-recap. Thankfully, I ended up enjoying it.

Recap

The world’s still dealing with All Night’s retirement and the ramifications it has. Everyone wants to get a scoop on All Might, but only one guy is able to figure out what All Night’s message really meant:

Now, it’s your turn.

Enter Tokuda Taneo, freelance reporter and the only one outside the main cast to figure out what the hero meant: he was talking to his successor. Convinced that it’s one of Class 1-A, he’s able to get on campus to spend a day watching Class 1A in their daily lives, all to find the next Symbol of Peace. Additionally, it serves as exposition reminding viewers of the students names and powers.

It doesn’t take Tokuda long to figure out that Izuku’s All Might’s successor due to how similar they are. However, it turns out he’s a big fan of All Might, too, and he and Izuku bond. In the end, he chooses not to write his article about All Night’s successor and keep it a secret. Not before a grabbing a selfie with the future Symbol of Peace, though.

Review

I was apprehensive about this episode at first, as recap episodes can be boring. Thankfully, My Hero Academia subverts this by breaking by not following the standard recap formula. All it does is remind us of the most important moment of Season 3, then give us the name’s and powers of the students. Admittedly, I have a problem with remembering their names at times.

The biggest surprise was how much I liked Tokuda. At first, I was worried that he was just someone looking to cash in on All Might and Class 1A’s growing fame. What we got, though, was a true fan who looked up to All Might for saving his father’s life. Truth be told, I think he did this less for the job and more as a way to reassure himself that there’s still light left in the world.

Tokuda’s Smart

I also have to give Tokuda credit. He was able to figure out the real meaning behind All Night’s message to the world. To the best of my knowledge, he’s the only one aside from Midoroya and Bakugo to figure it out. That’s impressive, and this guy wasn’t even in the manga. I actually hope to see more of him in the future, even if I found his Quirk to be a little too convenient for his job. Seriously, he can make cameras appear from his body; that’s weird, even by Quirk standards.

My Hero Academia is a rising star in the anime world, and in an age where superheroes dominate our culture, I don’t see any signs of it slowing down. This episode was a terrific, if quiet, way of starting a new season, and I look forward to watching it. I also look forward to reviewing every episode. That’s right, I’m doing My Hero Academia on top of SAO: Alicization and all my other things! PLUS ULTRA!

I give “The Scoop on U.A. Class 1A” a 4.5/5

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