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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.

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My Hero Academia, Season 4, Episode 7 Review/Recap

Ever since Midoriya and Togata learned that Overhaul’s using Eri to create Quirk-destroying drugs, they’ve been wracked with guilt. I don’t blame them, though: I would be mad, as well. Unfortunately, they can’t do anything until they learn where Overhaul’s keeping her. While this episode sees them deal with these feelings, Nighteye gets an unexpected break thanks to an unlikely source: magical girls.

Recap

The work study students return to school with instructions to not talk about the case to anyone. This leaves Midoriya feeling frustrated at his inability to do anything. Thankfully, a friendly talk with Shoto and Iida helps him get his act together. Soon afterward, the five students get the call in: they found where Eri is.

By chance, Eri’s babysitter went out to buy her a magical girl toy at the same store Nighteye was shopping. Realizing something’s up, Nighteye used his Quirk and confirmed that Eri was at Overhaul’s HQ. Now armed with everything they need, the heroes mobilize to capture Overhaul and rescue Eri. Since they’re still doing work studies under the heroes taking part, the UA students are allowed to join in the assault.

Despite trying to keep things a secret, the Shie Hassakai learns of their assault. As a result, they hit back with their elite fighters, the Eight Bullets.

Review

As a fellow geek, it fills my heart with pride to see geek culture becoming so prominent. We’ve already established that Sir Nighteye’s a major geek , but the fact that he was able to figure that guy was Overhaul’s underling the way he did? As for those who think its weird that a grown man likes magical girl anime, it seems normal to me. Look at me: I like Star vs, and that’s a kids show.

That said, this episode was, for all intents and purposes, a cooldown episode. It helps the show redraw its focus in time for the non-stop action we’ll be getting starting next week. While boring at times, it helps build up the hype for the upcoming action. It’s going to be epic seeing the raid in full force next week! Go beyond, Plus Ultra!

I Give “GO!!” a 3.5/5.

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My Hero Academia, Season 4, Episode 6 Review/Recap

Ever since Midoriya had to Overhaul take that little girl, Eri, he can’t stop thinking about how scared she was. Before we could see him deal with that any further, though, the last episode switched the focus to Kirishima. As Red Riot, he encountered a villain with two very powerful drugs: one that can take away Quirks, and the other enhance them. The show’s made it clear Overhaul’s connected to this, but it’s not until this episode that we see how deeply it goes. It all connects back to that little girl named Eri.

Recap

Not long after Kirishima’s fight, he, Midoriya, Uraraka, Asui, and the Big Three are summoned to a meeting. Sir Nighteye’s brought in a lot of major and minor heroes to address the Shie Hassaikai and their plans. Based on everything they’ve learned, Nighteye’s determined that Overhaul’s created a new drug that can temporarily shut down people’s Quirk’s. However, what’s sickening is Fat Gum’s own revelation. The drug in question’s made from the blood and cells of Eri.

The revelation that Overhaul’s using Eri fills Midoriya and Togata with disgust. However, Nighteye takes the blame for them, saying he told them not to interfere. Despite several people wanting to go after Overhaul then and there, Nighteye promotes caution. If they lose Eri again, then the villain’s will make sure they never find her. As for the two young heroes, they’re more determined than ever to save Eri. In the Shie Hassakai’s hideout, all Eri can think about how kind Midoriya’s touch felt to her as she cries.

Review

Some say that it takes a truly evil person to hurt a child, and they’re right. The fact that Overhaul’s using Eri as a tool for something so vile sickens me to my stomach. The sad thing is that I knew this was coming since I read the manga, but it still disgusts me.

Once I got past the initial rage, though, I thought of what a quirk-destroying drug could do. Ultimately, the only conclusion to be made was that if Overhaul found a way to destroy people’s Quirk’s, it would trigger unrest on a global scale. I saw this exact scenario at the start of Joss Whedon’s run on The Astonishing X-Men, so I know how dangerous a power-destroying drug is.e

This season of My Hero Academia may lack the stakes that All for One brought, but the fact that we’re seeing how it affects people makes up for it. Justin Briner and Ricco Fajardo deliver with their emotions as Midoriya and Togata. I can’t wait to see them rescue Eri. Go beyond, Plus Ultra!

I Give “An Unpleasant Talk” a 4/5. No action, but plenty of drama to keep you hooked.

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

After taking a break last week, My Hero Academia returns with another new episode. One that’s just in time for Toonami’s premiere of Season 4 of MHA. A chance encounter with a villain forces Midoriya to make a difficult decision. Not long after, he learns why All Might and Sir Nighteye split up, and All Might’s task of fighting fate. In other words, this season’s going to be amazing.

Recap

Claiming to be the father of the little girl, Eri, Overhaul tries to take her back with him. Picking up on how terrified she is, Deku’s very hesitant to let her go. However, Togata gets him to stand down. They can’t risk tipping Overhaul off about the fact they’re investigating him. Later on, Sir Nighteye grills him for almost letting his emotions get the better of him.

Unable to stop thinking about everything Nighteye’s said, Midoriya asks All Might what led to the two falling out. Back when he first beat All for One, All Might was in bad shape. Nighteye insisted that he retire and name a successor then; otherwise, he would die within six or seven years. All Might’s sense of justice was too strong, though, and he continued his work as a hero. Years later, Nighteye picked Togata as his successor, but then Midoriya came along. Nighteye called him a fool for giving up his quirk to Midoriya.

Deku’s shocked to hear all this. More importantly, it means that within a year or so, All Might could end up dying. However, All Might’s more determined than ever to continue fighting fate so he can see Midoriya live up to his expectations. In turn, Midoriya vows to live up to the legacy he carries on.

Meanwhile, we see more of Overhaul’s cruelty as he takes Eri back to his base, saying she’s important to his plans.

Review

I think that this episode delivered some pretty big bombshells. Firstly, we see just how cruel and evil Overhaul really is through the terrified reactions of Eri. We throw the word “evil” so much, it sometimes loses its meaning. However, we always think their’s something heinous about hurting a child. Seeing how scared Eri was made me feel genuinely disgusted at Overhaul, and I don’t blame Midoriya for wanting to say no. If someone like Luffy or Goku were in his place, they’d punch Overhaul’s lights out.

At the same time, I knew that Togata, AKA Lemillion, was right about standing down. The fact that he kept his cool under pressure speaks a lot about heroic he is. Even so, I knew he didn’t like letting Eri go, either.

Then we have the revelation of All Might’s possible fate. However, I don’t think Nighteye was talking about the people when he said All Might should retire. Knowing how much he admires All Might, I don’t think he could stand to see his hero in such a state. While he does care about the importance of the Symbol of Peace, I think deep down, Nighteye doesn’t want to accept the fact that All Might’s mortal. I could simply be over analyzing things, however. Regardless, in matters like these, I’m the kind of person who’d rather look fate in the eye and say “you don’t control me.” I hope All Might can fight fate and win, and I hope Midoriya can prove Nighteye wrong.

The next episode’s going to change focus to Kirishima and another one of U.A.’s Big Three. From the look of things, I think it will still tie in to Overhaul. Either way, I look forward to it. PLUS ULTRA!

I Give “Fighting Fate” a 4.5/5. Very good episode.

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My Hero Academia, Season 4, Episode 3 Review/Recap

In order to do a work study under Sir Nighteye, all Midoriya had to do was get him to laugh. However, it looks like his impersonation of All Might only offended the older fanboy. The meeting of the ultimate All Might fanboys shall commence!

Recap

Despite failing to make Nighteye laugh, Midoriya manages to turn things around by demonstrating his knowledge of All Might. Yet Nighteye refuses to let him do a work study because he thinks he has nothing to offer. So the man gives Midoriya a test: if he can get the stamp out of his hands in three minutes, then he’ll sign off on his work study.

Midoriya gives it his all, but his training’s no match for Nighteye’s Quirk. By touching his target and making eye contact, Nighteye can see someone’s future actions for up to an hour. He effortlessly dodges Midoriya’s attacks. When the test is over, though, Nighteye realizes that Deku never damaged any of his All Might memorabilia. He held back and dodged it all. Impressed, he approves Midoriya’s work study, though makes it clear that he doesn’t approve of him being All Might’s successor.

With his work study secure, Deku begins his first mission. Nighteye’s agency is investigating Overhaul’s actions and needs more intel. However, not long after heading out, Deku runs into a terrified young girl, with Overhaul in tow.

Review

I, for one, found the dynamic between Midoriya and Nighteye to be very humorous. The way that they both fanboyed over their shared love of All Might was funny, even if it wasn’t intentional. Having been a fanboy of multiple things myself, I understand how much fun it is to talk to someone about what you love with someone who loves it as much. That’s how friendships are forged.

All fanboy stuff aside, I think it’s unfortunate that Nighteye doesn’t see Midoriya as a worthy successor to All Might. In the older man’s eyes, Mirio Togata fits all the qualities of the next Symbol of Peace. Midoriya may need to work on his confidence a lot, but for all his faults, we know he has the heart of a hero. That’s why All Might chose him.

The next episode is going to see Midoriya face his biggest test yet, and I think fans have a lot to look forward to. That little girl fleeing from Overhaul is very important, and saving her is the key to stopping the plans he has in store. If Deku can’t save a single girl who’s crying, then he’ll never be able to call himself a hero.

I Give “Boy Meets…” a Solid 4.5/5

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My Hero Academia, Season 4, Episode 2 Review/Recap

With the recap episode now out of the way, My Hero Academia can get into the meat of the season with its new villain. The deadly supervillain Overhaul makes his anime debut, and right off the bat, he show’s he means business.

Recap

At the League of Villains hideout, Tomura meets with a man called Overhaul, a member of the Yakuza gang Shie Hassakai. Despite trying to recruit him into the League if Villains, Overhaul lambasts Tomura for having plans, and that he intends to become All for One’s successor. When the League tries to attack him, he shows his power by brutally killing Magnus and somehow shutting down Mr. Compress’ Quirk.

Meanwhile, Deku tries to further his hero training by doing a work study at a hero agency. At Gran Torino’s and All Might’s suggestion, he decides to go to Mirio Togata, who’s studying under All Might’s former sidekick, Sir Nighteye. The first thing that Midoriya must to get Nighteye to acknowledge him, though, is to make him laugh. In addition, this is what he sees when he first walks into his office:

Recap

I won’t beat around the bush: I liked this episode. It manages to effectively introduce our newest villain and a major hero in the same episode, as well as give us insight into their characters. If you read the manga, then you know that Overhaul’s Deku’s toughest foe yet. Worse, unlike Tomura, he has a plan that could shake up the world of heroes.

As for Sir Nighteye, I’m looking forward to seeing him in the anime. Despite his stoic appearance, he considers laughter and humor to be one of the biggest weapons a hero can use. Given how nervous Midoriya can be, we know that he’s going to have a hard time with Nighteye. The end results, though, will be worth it. I’m honestly looking forward to seeing this season. In addition, the fact that it’s simuldubbed the same day it comes out in Japan gets my hyped! Go beyond, plus ultra!

I Give “Overhaul” a 4/5.

Also, can we talk about the video Nighteye was watching. Look at all those dislikes!

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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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