RJ Writing Ink

My Hero Academia, Season 4, Episode 9 Review/Recap

While Kirishima’s Quirk, Hardening, isn’t as flashy as Bakugo’s or Deku’s, it’s still a powerful ability. As we saw earlier in the season, as Red Riot, he becomes a living shield to protect others. In this week’s episode, his status as a shield’s put to the test.

Recap

With Suneater having taken out three of the Eight Bullets, he’s out of the fight. Thus, Mimic tries to weaken the heroes further by taking out Eraser-Head. Thankfully, Fat Gum’s able to take the blow, but at the cost of separating him and Red Riot from the others. The pair are thus set upon by two more members of the Eight Bullets, the Spear and Shield combo of Rappa and Tengai. To the heroes shock, Rappa breaks though Red Riot’s.

The resulting shock reminds Kirishima of his time in middle school. His Quirk was seen as weak by others, and he lacked the courage to help others. Meanwhile, his classmate Ashido was the opposite who everyone saw as a future hero. It’s not until he remembers the words of his role model, Crimson Riot, of how all heroes face fear. However, it’s the fear of letting someone die that spurs them to act anyway. With those in his mind, Red Riot holds his ground against Rappa. This gives Fat Gum enough time to play his trump card: by burning up his fat reserves, he can absorb the blows he takes and send them back at an enemy. Thus, the Shield becomes a spear that shatters Rappa and Tengai.

Review

One of the hardest things about being a hero is dealing with the fear of death in battle. Not their deaths, per say, but the death of the people they swore to protect. But it’s that very fear that inspires the greatest of heroes to risk everything, and Kirishima faced it head-on. Like a true shield of justice.

I didn’t really care for Kirishima’s backstory, as it wasn’t that interesting to listen to. The thing I was most interested from his backstory, though, was the indirect mention of Deku. Apparently Bakugo’s encounter with that slime villain and Midoriya jumping in to save him was big news. While it makes for one heck of an origin story, here it serves as a sort of inspiration for Kirishima; I think.

I probably said it before, but I have the feeling that most of Class 1-A will end up being top-tier heroes. If Kirishima keeps training his Quirk, I think he’ll become a truly unbreakable shield. I can’t wait to see his progress. GO BEYOND, PLUS ULTRA!

I Give “Red Riot” a 3.25/5

Click here to see more animanga stuff.

My Hero Academia, Season 4, Episode 8, Review/Recap

Even though he’s one of the Big Three of UA, Tamaki Amajiki’s not like his two friends. He lacks their self-confidence, nor does he have a bubbly personality. However, looks are often decieving: underneath his shy exterior shines the heart of a hero. As the raid on Overhaul’s base begins, we learn why his hero name’s Suneater.

Recap

While Ryukyu’s group and most of the police fighting the Shie Hassakai’s thugs, Fat Gum and Nighteye lead their teams inside the hideout. However, Overhaul’s Eight Bullets stand in their way to buy time for their boss to escape with Eri. Using their powers, the Eight Bullets are able to split the team up even further. In particular, the Bullet Mimic uses his doped-up quirk to turn the underground into a moving labyrinth. As a result, they’re split up even further.

When faced with three more members of the Eight Bullets, Suneater chooses to stay behind while everyone else moves on. Despite putting up a strong fight and showing the full extent of his Quirk’s power, the teamwork and trust of the trio of enforcers almost overwhelms him. Rather than give up, though, Amajiki remembers how he first met Togata in Third Grade and became his friend. He then remembers telling Togata how he shone like the sun, to which Togata said Amajiki would shine bright enough to eat the sun. That inspired his name, Suneater, and became his inspiration as a hero. Acknowledging how powerful friendship can be, Suneater bests the three Bullets.

Review

Hot dang, man! On paper, Suneater’s Quirk may sound a little weird, but in terms of praticality, it’s one of the strongest Quirks I’ve seen in My Hero Academia. The ability to transform distinct parts of your body into various animals can be a powerful ability in fiction. However, seeing Suneater combine the different traits like he did was so incredibly cool! No wonder he’s part of the Big Three of UA!

More than his powers, though, I loved seeing the flashback of Amajiki and Togata. The friendship those two have is, in my opinion, inspiring, because they inspire each other. Having a friend who encourages you to be better is one of the best things a person can experience. In a way, friendship’s the main theme of this episode.

While we see a positive example of friendship in Amajiki and Togata, we see a negative one in the three Bullets. They trust in each other because they have no one else, and while I feel sad for them, they don’t try to improve their lives.

This arc’s shaping up to be one of my favorites in My Hero Academia, and I’m betting the action will get even better from hero. I can’t wait for next week! GO BEYOND, PLUS ULTRA!

I Give “Suneater of the Big Three” a 4.5/5. Great Action, Great Flashback, All Around Great Episode.

Click here to see more animanga stuff.