Common Name: My Hero Academia
Alternative Names: Boku no Hero Academia, HeroAca
Score: 10/10, 5/5
Length: 1 Season of 13 Episodes, 1 Season of 25 Episodes, 2 OVAs
Genre: Shounen, Action, Super Powers, Drama, Comedy
Summary: For reasons that still remain a mystery to the world at large, humanity has undergone a unique and dramatic evolution where superpowers, ranging from minor quirks to full-body mutations, have become the norm. There are, however, some individuals in this world who stand well above the average citizens--villains who would openly abuse their powers and the heroes who attempt to maintain peace. At the top of this hero-worshipping society stands the man known as the world's greatest hero, All Might, the Symbol of Peace in this chaotic world. So, it just figures that most young children of this new world, like the young Midoriya Izuku, would come to idolize this hero among heroes. Unfortunately, Midoriya stands apart in this world for a wholly different reason--he has no superpowers. In spite of being bullied endlessly for his lack of powers, Midoriya still dreams of the day when he'll become a hero just like the great All Might.
Review: So, it's come to this again, has it? Like Jojo and Attack on Titan before it, I'm kinda late for the My Hero Academia party. Were we not past the second season of, arguably, the biggest shounen title to hit the screen in a while, excluding the Big 3, I could reasonably believe that some people don't know about the glory that is HeroAca. Current events and the untimely airing of my site being what they are though, I'm confident in the claim that 90% of anime fans have already made up their minds when it comes to this show. Either you love it or you can't be bothered--there is very little middle ground to be had in this case. So, if you're reading this (thanks, by the way), you're probably just curious what I have to say about the current king of the shounen battle anime world. Having acknowledged that fact, let's just jump into this.
I know, right? Me not starting a review with some long-winded diatribe? It's like Christmas has come early...by a couple weeks.
To say that I like My Hero Academia would probably be the understatement of the century, to be totally honest. If you claimed I wanted to marry this show and raise some adorable, superpowered kids with it though...you wouldn't be far off. HeroAca is just one of those shounen titles that hits all the right marks for me and offers a little something for everyone. Even though the show as a whole could basically be summarized as "Naruto with superheroes," there's just something about this show's pacing, characters, and a premise that makes it so much more than that.
Granted, that might just be due to the fact that Midoriya is an insecure nerd. In other words, there's
a lot more for me to like and relate to with this character than the obnoxious shit that was Naruto.
While shows like the Big 3 (Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece) needed time to really hit their stride and start hitting the marks to be considered truly great, HeroAca hits the ground running. Following the concept of "show don't tell," there's little to no exposition to be had in this show regarding the state of the world since what you see is basically what you get. What you get, in case it wasn't obvious enough already, is a world full-to-bursting with badass superheroes and supervillains who are trying to make a name for themselves. We're simply thrown into the character drama that surrounds Midoriya Izuku (otherwise known as Deku, meaning "the one who can't do anything"), and his dream to be like his favorite hero, All Might. Powerless in a world of the powerful, Deku is functionally meant to function as the underdog who has been kicked into submission his whole life. Starting off this way, we get a solid reason to get invested in the hopeless nobody who keeps getting back up in spite of his, and I hate to put it this way, disability. But that discomforting choice of words is kinda the point though. In a world where people can be and do anything, being "just normal person" is a serious disability. So, through Deku's fight against the crippling fact that he is powerless, we're given an introduction that smacks of Koe no Katachi. While this brand of introduction definitely makes Deku out to be someone worth your pity, it also sets him up to be not just likable and relatable but a little admirable too. Here's the thing though: in spite of being the main character and focal point of the show, he's not the only one with that kind of thoughtful complexity. Damn near every character in this show has something that makes them stick out in their own way.
Like, take this as a joke if you want, but there's something to be said about a show
where every girl, including the villains, is "best girl."
Even Bakugou, disabled puppy-kicker extraordinaire, is a deeply fascinating and likable character once all is said and done with this show. If I had to explain why that is though, I'd have to say it's probably because every one of this show's characters is determined and deeply passionate in their own way. While you're not necessarily meant to like or agree with the actions the show's villains, even they bring something to the table because their motivations and logic is, if not reasonable, totally understandable. It doesn't take much to see, particularly during the events of the show's second season, that both the good and bad in this world are just a part of something bigger and infinitely more complex than objective right and wrong. More than that though, it becomes even more fascinating and engaging as time goes on because every character plays into that larger narrative in their own way. While it is certainly admirable that Deku fights tirelessly to become All Might's successor (oops, spoilers), it is no less admirable that Uraraka wants to support her family or that Todoroki wants to become a hero far greater than his abusive father because all those things are valid reasons to become a hero. Sure, we might not see that kind of depth with every character the show has to offer, but it never feels like those characters didn't earn their place in this story.
Though, to be totally honest, it did take some time to convince myself of that fact.
The greatness doesn't end there though. As I mentioned before, this show has a little something for everyone. While that is due in large part to the show's diverse cast of characters that are equally capable of dramatic and humorous moments as they are at offering some drop-dead gorgeous action sequences, a large part of the credit is due to the fact that the show paces itself out so well. Rarely ever is there a moment when the action gets predictable or the humor grows stale. Heck, this show even found a way to make the dreaded tournament arc of every shounen battle anime actively hilarious throughout and memorable in some moments. The only real complaint I have against the show was how the first season played up Deku's painful history with Bakugou a little too much, and that was just an issue with the show's first season. By the second season all that was pretty much over and done with, leaving nothing for me to even nit-pick at by end of season. The music was amazing and memorable. The art and animations were fluid and appealing when they weren't blowing my mind during the show's high points. Seriously, I have no real complaints to level against this god of the shounen genre. So, I feel it almost goes without saying that I am pumped for more of this show. I have little doubt that things are just going to get better and better as the stakes get higher and higher. The only real worry I have is that the cast will suffer from having plot armor once things reach a point when their school's teachers, let alone All Might, can no longer feasibly protect them from the world. From what I've been seeing/hearing though, that worry is unfounded.