Summary
This week, there is no new episode ofMy Hero Academia, leaving the audience hanging on quite the cliffhanger after Episode 147’s fight, with twelve more episodes to come before Season 7 ends. With the anime catching up tothe fast-approaching end of the manga, this series needed to come back strong, and with new director Naomi Nakayama at the helm, it has done just that.
Season 6 left viewers with quite the tantalizing setup: Shigaraki would reach his full power in under three days, and with the world in chaos, few nations were willing to spare their heroes to assist. Then, America’s #1 hero, Star and Stripe, went anyway, eager to lend a hand to All Might, while the students of Class 1-A, reunited with Izuku Midoriya, train harder than ever for the coming war.
How Is Season 7 So Far?
The following is a spoiler-free review of My Hero Academia Season 7, Episodes 1-9
“My Hero Academia is so back”
These werethe words that concluded our review of Episode 140. Furthermore, they should have been the words etched into the minds of anyone who was shaken by Season 7’s opening episodes, who may have forgotten that this series well and truly has “the sauce.” It’s that special something that cynics would tell you has been missing from the show since Kenji Nagasaki stepped back from the “director” role to “chief director.”
True, it’s no secret the show has changed over the years, and not always for the better, but it doesn’t take long for the team at Bones to remind fans “Oh yeah, they’ve still got it.” Season 7, in particular, returns with a vengeance - and it had to. The story is nearing its climax, and its return to the screen calls for something momentous; a call which is answered with gusto.
Season 7 Starts on a High Note
It’s remarkable just how much has transpired in the nine episodes since the anime returned on May 5.The battle between Shigaraki and Star and Stripeperfectly encapsulates the boundless creative possibilities of Kohei Horikoshi’s storytelling. These weird and utterly unique superpowers clash in inventive ways that keep the viewer guessing. Central to the show’s charm, however, more so than the clever concepts, is the character drama.
Star and Stripe is not a major character in the grand scheme of things, but like every good supporting character in this series, she positively steals the show while she’s there. It’s such a satisfying fight, riddled with twists and turns, all while endearing viewers to a character they previously knew nothing about. And somehow, this is all just in the first two episodes.
Betrayals, Battle Plans, and Bitter Rivalries
From here, the story keeps the hits coming. The sudden reveal of a traitor rocks Class 1-A to its foundation. Whereas the previous battle was a triumph of action, the drama following it is a triumph of artwork and voice-acting, and -to the surprise of no one - Yuki Hayashi’s score. Heartbreak turns to resolve when the class realizes they have an opportunity to set a trap for the villains, finally able to turn the tables on an opponent that has always been one step ahead.
The underlying drama takes what would normally be a lull between major story moments and fills it with so much more tension - an essential quality after such a strong opener.My Hero Academiagets very blatant with its attitude that “there are no side characters,” emphasizing the importance of every hero in the story and the role they have to play. It’s a theme articulated quite emotionally and just as blatantly challenged by All for One later on.
By the time the heroes' plan is hatched, it kicks off one of the biggest battles in the series' history, once again demonstrating how cool this story can be on a conceptual level alone. In terms of execution, however,this season indulges in all-too-familiar vices. To be specific, too many repeated or flat-out redundant exposition dumps. It’s nothing new, but it’s only so disheartening now because of the heights this show has continually demonstrated it can reach without them.
Despite such drawbacks, Season 7 has been quite stellar thus far. Its artwork, music, and performances continue to impress, though there’s a sense that the animation has yet to truly amaze. At the risk of sounding picky, even the battle between Todoroki and Dabi, while pretty to look at and narratively satisfying, felt like a piece was missing. For what it’s worth, though, the visuals as a whole are quite good.
Preparing for the Second Half
The following contains minor spoilers for My Hero Academia Season 7, Episodes 1-9
Deku vs Shigaraki, the Cage Match in the Sky
Undoubtedly, the biggest draw of the episodes to come for many will be Deku facing off against Shigaraki. After getting teleported to the wrong place thanks to Himiko Toga, Deku has to race from Okuto Island to the Coffin in the Sky, where his team is fighting Shigaraki without him. While the rest ofthe anti-Shigaraki team is plenty strongon their own, Shigaraki’s unexpected new mutations have complicated things, allowing him to grow parts of his body rapidly.
For a season that has really honed in on the theme of no one being an extra, this is a smart storytelling choice, as it puts Deku on the sideline in a sense, at least momentarily. As powerful as One for All has become, and as likable of a protagonist as Deku is, this story would be nothing without its supporting cast. Likewise, that’s what makes the fight against All for One so captivating.
The Resolve of “Extras”
Episode 147 certainly picked a harrowing cliffhanger to leave its fans with before taking a break. Endeavor was dealt a critical injury, Hawks was barely holding his own, and Tokoyami and Jiro took a devastating hit from All for One, the latter of whom lost one of her earphone jacks. It’s a rather violent retortto this season’s aforementioned central theme, and a punishment dealt out to “extras” who thought they could take on a villain such as him.
As thrilling as Endeavor rallying himself to deal All for One a devastating hit might sound, it feels more thematically important than ever for the students to get some payback as well. The most exciting plot threads teased in the last episode all center around students from Class 1-A who haven’t always been in the spotlight.
Mina is going to go toe-to-toe against the thugs who killed Midnight, a teacher and role model whose death still haunts the students. Aoyama will have to confront the consequences of betraying All for One. Finally, Shoji will face off against Spinner;two heteromorphs with ample reason to be angryat society’s cruelty, fighting on opposite sides of a battle for the future of their country. As good asMy Hero AcademiaSeason 7 started, the best seems yet to come.
