My Hero Academia 0307: “What a Twist!”
My Hero Academia is back, y’all! And we’re recapping this season episode by episode. Just be careful: spoilers and speculation below.
Up until now, U.A. and Class 1-A have always beat the League of Villains. All Might and other pros saved them from the League’s attack on the USJ, and students collaborated with pros to counter the attack on Hosu City. Even in the terrifying “Encounter,” Tomura Shigaraki lets Deku go once he realizes he’s not alone.
This time, it’s different.
Deku, Todoroki and Shoji plummet to the Vanguard’s rendezvous point with Mr. Compress pinned beneath them. They’re going to save Bakugo and Tokoyami, injuries be damned. But they’re outnumbered, outsmarted. Shoji picks Compress’ pocket and grabs what turns out to be decoys. Aoyama’s redemptive naval laser hits Compress and saves Tokoyami. Bakugo’s face is harrowing as it disappears into Kurogiri’s Warp Gate: Stay back, Deku! Screams pierce the forest. They, we, thought they were doing well, that this skirmish might teach the students more than training camp ever could.
And in a way, it did. It taught them failure.
The aftermath of these events leaves the public with little to no faith in UA and maybe even pro heroes in general. Fifteen students and Pixie-Bob are critically injured. Ragdoll’s still missing. The staff is mortified and frustrated, especially All Might, as he stayed away from camp to protect the students, but his absence left them vulnerable. Worst of all, it’s possible there’s a traitor among the group, and it could even be a student.
But there is hope. Tsukauchi calls All Might to report a lead on the League’s hideout. There’s still time to save Bakugo.
Deku finally awakens and his friends — most of them — crowd his hospital room for a visit. These kids are at a loss, but Todoroki and Kirishima overheard Yaoyorozu talking to All Might and find out about her tracker. They’ve got a plan to rescue Bakugo, if Deku’s up for it. Tension erupts: Iida, still carrying the burden of Stain and Hosu, says they need to leave it to the pros. Kirishima fires back and wrenches our hearts:
“So if I stand by and do nothing now, how am I supposed to call myself a hero or a man?”
Bakugo is still within reach — all they’ve got to do is try, do anything but sit around idly. And Deku and Todoroki are prepared to try.
“We can save Bakugo.”
The Verdict:
“What a Twist!” dramatically slows the rapid pace set in the past three episodes, giving characters time to reflect on mistakes and wallow in frustration that evolves into determination.
Rating: 7.3
“What a Twist!” is available to stream in Japanese and English on Funimation, Crunchyroll, VRV, and Hulu.
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