Written by: Kevin Berge
Apparently belts and packs are required for all heroes, but I don't think they really put anything in them. (Image Courtesy of: thisvthattv.com)
I don't keep up to date with anime in general as I am so far behind on important series, but I was so interested in the idea of My Hero Academia that I could not miss out on checking it out. If you are curious about the series and have not already, check out my season 1 review first. *Note there will be spoilers for the first season in the review.*
This is one of the rare new shonen anime with the potential to take up the mantle left open by the end of Naruto Shippuden this year. While the first season showcased that potential, the second season was the true groundbreaker that unveiled just what this show could be.
With the hero origin stories mostly told and the villains establish, MHA can finally open up and develop its characters, creating new conflicts and action to make the series feel truly worth watching.
This is one of the rare new shonen anime with the potential to take up the mantle left open by the end of Naruto Shippuden this year. While the first season showcased that potential, the second season was the true groundbreaker that unveiled just what this show could be.
With the hero origin stories mostly told and the villains establish, MHA can finally open up and develop its characters, creating new conflicts and action to make the series feel truly worth watching.
Basic Story Set-Up
Izuku Midoriya has finally made it to U.A. High School and is being trained as a superhero, but a new threat is rising to challenge every hero: The League of Villains. The mysterious group nearly killed Midoriya's Class 1A, and now they must refocus on the rest of their year.
The Sports Festival is approaching where Class 1A are the clear favorites. Midoriya's rival Katsugi Bakugō and class prodigy Shōto Todoroki both promise to beat Midoriya while his friends Ochaka Uraraka and Tenya Iida hope to prove themselves to everyone.
The Sports Festival is approaching where Class 1A are the clear favorites. Midoriya's rival Katsugi Bakugō and class prodigy Shōto Todoroki both promise to beat Midoriya while his friends Ochaka Uraraka and Tenya Iida hope to prove themselves to everyone.
The sash around his eyes is cool and all, but I'm still not sure if he's deformed or just has a real talent for making his eyes look weird. (Image Courtesy of: reddit.com)
Story Arc Analysis
***This is the only section of the review that will contain spoilers for the second season. Those who have not seen the show should skip ahead to the Themes and Impact section.***
The Sports Festival (Ep 1-12): It's a tournament arc and a really good one. Basically expanding the length of the entire first season, this is a better view of the anime and its characters than has ever been seen before. Everyone that matters and even a few new characters get their own arcs.
Most importantly, this is Todoroki's time to shine with his story finally explored with his abusive father emerging. The fight between Midoriya and Iida is the best scene in the series has produced to date and finally made clear that this was a series I was invested in watching from start to finish.
Internship Leading to Stain (Ep 13-19): I was not too excited for the series breaking up Class 1A for their internships, but luckily the series does not stay separate long. Midoriya has some fun interactions with All Might's teacher Gran Torino who finally teaches Midoriya to use his powers without hurting himself.
Most importantly, this leads to a battle with the Hero Killer Stain. This battle is more of a fight of theology than pure action, but it works because Stain's driving motives are complex and interesting. It is a shame he dies at the end of this, turning him into a symbol rather than a pure threat, because there was more that could be done with him.
Final Exams (Ep 20-25): After some intense arcs early on in this season, the ending feels a bit too rushed and tame in comparison. The fights with the teachers have some cool moments, but the sense of true threat is barely felt then quickly thrown aside afterward. The real standout is the pairing of Midoriya and Bakugō against All Might as you would expect.
It is the one time the fight feels truly hopeless only for Midoriya's sheer force of will and Bakugō's desire to win to come together at the crucial moment. The season ends with Midoriya coming face-to-face with Shigaraki and unfortunately helping him find his villainous drive. It is surprising if a bit silly.
The Sports Festival (Ep 1-12): It's a tournament arc and a really good one. Basically expanding the length of the entire first season, this is a better view of the anime and its characters than has ever been seen before. Everyone that matters and even a few new characters get their own arcs.
Most importantly, this is Todoroki's time to shine with his story finally explored with his abusive father emerging. The fight between Midoriya and Iida is the best scene in the series has produced to date and finally made clear that this was a series I was invested in watching from start to finish.
Internship Leading to Stain (Ep 13-19): I was not too excited for the series breaking up Class 1A for their internships, but luckily the series does not stay separate long. Midoriya has some fun interactions with All Might's teacher Gran Torino who finally teaches Midoriya to use his powers without hurting himself.
Most importantly, this leads to a battle with the Hero Killer Stain. This battle is more of a fight of theology than pure action, but it works because Stain's driving motives are complex and interesting. It is a shame he dies at the end of this, turning him into a symbol rather than a pure threat, because there was more that could be done with him.
Final Exams (Ep 20-25): After some intense arcs early on in this season, the ending feels a bit too rushed and tame in comparison. The fights with the teachers have some cool moments, but the sense of true threat is barely felt then quickly thrown aside afterward. The real standout is the pairing of Midoriya and Bakugō against All Might as you would expect.
It is the one time the fight feels truly hopeless only for Midoriya's sheer force of will and Bakugō's desire to win to come together at the crucial moment. The season ends with Midoriya coming face-to-face with Shigaraki and unfortunately helping him find his villainous drive. It is surprising if a bit silly.
Two peas in a pod, truly. (Image Courtesy of: youtube.com)
Themes and Impact
The second season fully embraces its primary themes. The main villain Stain repeatedly makes clear that his goal is to eradicate all false heroes. This is a world that My Hero Academia populates defined by heroics. There are so many people around to save people that it seems overwhelming.
Stain looks at many as false because they aren't interested in heroics for the sake of helping people but personal selfishness. This creates a fascinating dynamic in the series because honestly he's right. While killing the selfish is wrong, he is pointed out the frailty of the system and even helping show people their folly.
Midoriya's whole story is driven by that same idea. He wasn't born into power. He just was born a hero, brave and willing to help whenever he can. All Might chooses him because he is exactly the type of person that is rare in this world and the type of hero Stain would likely praise.
The anime does not go too deep into any other ideas in this season, but it does do a great job hammering home this idea while developing the characters through their own personal struggles. It is far better than the first season which was also quite strong on its own merit.
Stain looks at many as false because they aren't interested in heroics for the sake of helping people but personal selfishness. This creates a fascinating dynamic in the series because honestly he's right. While killing the selfish is wrong, he is pointed out the frailty of the system and even helping show people their folly.
Midoriya's whole story is driven by that same idea. He wasn't born into power. He just was born a hero, brave and willing to help whenever he can. All Might chooses him because he is exactly the type of person that is rare in this world and the type of hero Stain would likely praise.
The anime does not go too deep into any other ideas in this season, but it does do a great job hammering home this idea while developing the characters through their own personal struggles. It is far better than the first season which was also quite strong on its own merit.
Conclusion
My Hero Academia grew out of the superhero trend in Hollywood, but it is still anime at its heart. This is felt most in season two where the characters come to the forefront. The dramatic character arcs coupled with quiet but assured humor sell this series perfectly.
Those who have started watching this show may not be gripped by the first season because of its length and limited scope, but that is where the second season comes in. Finally, there is more here to explore than just some brief lore and the tale of just Midoriya coming into his own.
Every action scene is more engaging with more strategy going into it. The thematic focus of the tale is felt more strongly. There is genuinely interesting and unique thought throughout this story with the growing feeling that there is a grand story at the show's core.
Even with so much more anime to explore in the meantime, I truly cannot wait for season 3 to begin and for more stories to begin in this world.
Those who have started watching this show may not be gripped by the first season because of its length and limited scope, but that is where the second season comes in. Finally, there is more here to explore than just some brief lore and the tale of just Midoriya coming into his own.
Every action scene is more engaging with more strategy going into it. The thematic focus of the tale is felt more strongly. There is genuinely interesting and unique thought throughout this story with the growing feeling that there is a grand story at the show's core.
Even with so much more anime to explore in the meantime, I truly cannot wait for season 3 to begin and for more stories to begin in this world.