Some may argue that the superhero genre is oversaturated. With the various Marvel films and shows in production, the different DC titles, and other shows like The Boys and Umbrella Academy, it’s hard not to agree. However, My Hero Academia has glided through the ranks not only as a fantastic anime show but a worthy addition to the superhero genre.
My Hero Academia throws us into a world that I think many of us would love to be in, particularly right now. Up to 80% of the global population possess, what is known as, a Quirk. Basically, when people grow up they will begin to develop a unique ability- a superpower. Some are completely bizarre and random, while others have the potential to protect and destroy.
Izuku Midoriya, who dreams of becoming a hero, is part of the small faction of people who do not possess an ability. However, that won’t stop him from following his dream to enroll at U.A. High School and begin his training to become a hero. After meeting his idol, All Might- The number 1 hero, Midoriya’s luck changes when All Might passes his quirk (One For All) to him, believing him to be the next symbol of hope.
With his new found ability, Midoriya starts his journey and makes many new friends with incredible quirks. While they adjust to their new life at U.A. an old enemy of All Might’s, All For One, prepares for war.
This very short synopsis doesn’t do the show justice. I’ve barely scraped the surface. There are currently 4 seasons so I’d be mad to break them all down for you. I’d rather you go and experience it all for yourself. If you love superheroes then this is an absolute must. Without question. Usually in superhero shows you get pretty standard powers. However, in my opinion, I think My Hero Academia redefined the way powers are seen and they experimented with what is considered a power.
You’ll see so many unique abilities. But what I found incredibly fascinating is that these powers aren’t quite limitless. You’ll see that these Quirks have limits and certain rules. Katsuki Bakugo, for example, has an explosive quirk that lets him shoot explosions out of his hands. However, this particular quirk is dependent on his ability to sweat nitroglycerin. This means that his ability becomes increasingly more powerful when he undergoes physical activities- because he sweats more. But it also means that during cold conditions, that ability to sweat is hindered significantly.
Another example is Midoriya. His quirk is just too powerful for his body and you’ll see the damage it does to him. Throughout the series, you’ll see Midoriya adjust and learn about his new ability while only using a certain percentage of it. While these characters are incredibly powerful, they have a limit to their power and there are restrictions. However, this little fact makes the shows most iconic line even more powerful- “Go Beyond, Plus Ultra”.
In a previous episode, I mentioned that Re:Zero had a lot of characters. Well, My Hero Academia has even more. However, much like their quirk, these characters are unique in very different ways. They have different hair, costumes, and, in some cases, their quirk actually has a physical effect on them. Iida, for example, has super speed but his speed comes from engine-like protrusions on his legs. He literally has car exhaust pipes in his legs.
So, in terms of characters it can be quite daunting. You have the heroes, the villains, the parents, the teaches and other side characters. There are a lot of characters to digest. However, you’ll get to know them incredibly quickly and very soon… you’ll have your favorites. I say this about a lot of shows but there are virtually no characters to dislike. The heroes are fun, interesting, cool and exciting. They all get an opportunity to show off their abilities and a large majority of them get their own little plot point.
That’s what My Hero Academia is great at. You’ll have the main narrative which drives the entire series but you’ll have little intervals which allow the characters to develop. Some characters remain quite quiet in the beginning and then you’ll suddenly learn about them and gain a new found appreciation for them. For me, it was Dark Shadow. He is a really cool character with a very interesting quirk but that’s all I had. Until I learnt more about him.
Tokoyami and his Dark Shadow
It’s hard not to talk about My Hero Academia without mentioning the animation. When there are battles, and believe me there are many intense battles, the animation studio (Bones) goes wild and they put everything they have into them. The fight scenes are insane. They get bigger and more ambitious, they look absolutely gorgeous and downright thrilling. There are definitely some stand out fights but if you’re like me and love a nice bit of action, all of the fight scenes, confrontations and battles will have you gripped from start to finish.
In terms of scale, some of the fights are ridiculous. Particularly when you witness the destruction and the actual aftermath. It becomes even more ludicrous when you realise that, more often than not, two characters are responsibly for the destruction of entire buildings and, on occasion, cities. My Hero Academia specializes in perfectly demonstrating immense power. This works incredibly well for the villains. Despite loving the villains, they can be pretty terrifying. When the characters are scared, including the Symbol of Hope All Might, then you know something is about to go down. Season 3… that’s all I’m saying.
If you want a show that has plenty of action, plenty of laughs and a stellar group of characters, My Hero Academia is the show for you. If you’re new to anime, this is a great introduction. I got hooked on it almost instantly. The overall design of the characters drew me in initially but once I got to know the characters and the story’s stakes gradually increased, I became hooked. I haven’t quite caught up with the manga but the next season will definitely be a treat.
Check out the opening for the first season. It’s a great little insight into the characters and the chemistry shared between certain characters (particularly Bakugo and Midoriya). You can also check out more anime related stories here.
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