We’re here with a double header for My Hero Academia, with one pretty important episode…and one filler. Let’s go!
Important things first: MHA is at its best when All Might and Midoriya are onscreen together. To me, my favorite dynamic is how the world (and Midoriya) is inspired by All Might, but Midoriya is one of few to inspire the Symbol of Peace to “go beyond.” And that’s probably the strongest trait of Midoriya – he may not delight the masses, but he’s touched one, very tough hero. I’ve said it before – MHA is something of an exploration between Japanese and American methodologies: one being the humble, hard worker and the other being overwhelming, flashy strength. What makes this rendition interesting is the lack of criticism for the Western approach – All Might has consistently been over the top, but also treated with real affection from the authors.
The second interesting point of episode 67 is we see some serious foreshadowing: All Might’s predicted demise. I think that knowledge adds a real wrinkle to All Might: he’s been fighting every battle, wondering if it’s his last. Also important to note, Sir Nighteye seems to see things accurately, but without some details – so we’ll see. I do feel that All Might will likely be killed this (or next) season, which makes me sad – but I understand from a narrative perspective why it has to happen.
So Overhaul and the one horned girl also return. Mirio and Izuku showcase the different responses here – Izuka’s, while naivie, is focused on saving everyone. Mirio is more mature and makes the better strategic decision, despite the personal cost. That subtle difference I think will come into play as things continue, especially compared to All Might. Midoriya is actually closer to All Might’s approach – 0 casualties are acceptable. Mirio has a subtly different goal – he just wants to save 1,000,000 people, doesn’t necessarily matter who they are. The implication there is that as long as the vast majority are saved, some casualties are acceptable. A level headed and realistic approach – but not actually following in All-Might’s steps.
I’m sure as this season progresses, we’ll see more divergence on those methodologies. That being said, Mirio saved Midoriya from certain death, so there’s some real fog of war here. I’m also very interested to see the psychological trauma explored – there were some hinting of someone All-Might was unable to save in previous episodes.
Finally, the filler episode, Red Riot. I thought 68 was a serviceable episode and helped flesh out the world and concurrent events, but aside from knowing we have a drug that can inhibit quirks (which we already knew), nothing that important happened. Except that he’s Metapod and apparently has some backstory trauma, where he didn’t run to help.
Oh, and we met the other big 3 member, who has a ridiculous case of impostor syndrome. Poor guy. I’m interested to see if he’s held up as an example of someone who really shouldn’t be a hero but just has too much latent talent to do anything else. Fat is also a great senior level hero.
So where does this leave us? I get the feeling that MHA is biding it’s time for a action filled second half, but this has been slow going for them. I guess I really expected some more meaningful fights to have occurred by now – although the filler episode helps with that a little. Even still, this entire arc is feeling like the middle of the backstory for both Midoriya and Shigaraki; to me, that reduces the tension, since you know both will make it through and have experiences that are character-defining – but I am interested to see how it all plays out.
I disagree that episode 68 is a filler episode. Is it just because Deku is not front and center that you consider it filler? Pretty much everything in episode 68 will be relevant to the climax of this arc. The quirk removing bullets, The quirk enhancing drug as well as Red Riot, Suneater and Fatgum needs to be brought up since they all play a part in the narrative of the story.
Only episode 1 was anime only filler so far this season and so was episode 1 last season. Seems they are trying to make it a tradition to make the first episode of the season a filler episode where pretty much every character gets some screen time.
Well I’ll be – I’m an anime only fan, so you have better knowledge than me on the overall relevance.
I’m surprised though – 68 had hallmarks of a filler episode, so I just assumed (throwaway villian who made a connection with the hero, new good guys who haven’t gotten much screen time, and a little backstory flashback).
I guess filler is a poor choice of words on my part – I would say it felt like a “Stand Alone” episode from Ghost in the Shell (where they differentiated between Stand Alone and part of the overall story). By no means was it poorly done – I love Fat’s character immensely. I just wouldn’t have expected it to be relevant overall – looks like I was wrong!