Again, my regular disclaimer: This is more of a 'reaction' and my commentary as I watch this season in animated format for the first time instead of a review. Also keep in mind that at the time of writing this review I have been caught up to the manga, although I'll try not to spoil too much of it in case someone's reading this as they watch the show itself.
Episode 8:
- I actually do really like that the story takes through the time of explaining a good chunk of the present characters' motivations and how they view this act of... well, vigilantism, basically. It's an honestly rather interestingly complex discussion about whether they should trust the pros to handle it or if they should take matters into their own hands, and while we wouldn't have a story if Midoriya and company didn't go out to save Bakugo, it's nice that some of the cast actually present counterarguments.
- Also, Iida's role as being the class prefect and his conflict about the earlier Stain arc, and seeing Midoriya and the others 'make the same mistakes [he] did'... Iida kind of faded into the background after this set of arcs, but it's some really good character growth for him, huh?
- The whole 'hysterical strength' thing does deconstruct this series' Plus Ultra motto and how it could really fuck your body up something fierce, huh?
- GANG ORCA! I love Gang Orca.
- Okay, I absolutely love that after nearly three-fourths of the episode of serious discussion about whether they should or should not save Bakugo, we get the hilarious comedic moment of Midoriya and the others dressing up as """"thugs"""". Especially funny is Midoriya going "OIII KORRRAA!" and Kirishima trying to coach him, while Iida says 'a lady with a large rack over there' in the stiffest way possible.
- I also love that this whole thing is kind of just because Yaoyorozu wanted to shop in the clearance sale store.
Episode 9:
- I remembered reading this part of the story when it was serialized in the manga and everyone and their mother was speculating whether Bakugo would be 'villainized' like Sasuke was during the final arc of pre-timeskip Naruto. The thing is, though, I am very, very thankful that they didn't. It made sense for Sasuke to be hunting stronger and more powerful jutsu during that period of time for the character, but while Bakugo is obsessed with victory and power, he never once struck me as someone who would join the villains just because of that.
- It is kind of boring and somewhat recap-y, but I do like the reporter-vs-teacher scene. It's something that I feel is rather unique to a more grounded-in-modern-society setting, and does add a fair amount of world-building to the whole reputation ruining agenda of the Villain Alliance.
- Great moment for Aizawa, too, for showing faith in Bakugo's heroism. To a smaller scale, while Best Jeanist bemoans Bakugo's attitude, he also very quickly comes to the conclusion that Bakugo would be resisting the villains' attempt to brainwashing.
- And, of course, the press conference is also meant to be a distraction to hide the fact that All Might, Endeavor and everyone else is attacking on the very same day.
- It is kind of silly that Midoriya and Kirishima had to climb on their buddies' shoulders and use night-vision scopes, something that someone with a different set of quirks (like Shoji or Jiro) wouldn't find too much trouble in doing.
- "Hello, this is Pizza-La, Kamino branch." -beat- "SUMAAAAAASH!"
- I absolutely love how the assault team actually do function like an elite group of pros, quickly matching each and every one of Shigaraki's moves, like sending Mt. Lady after the Nomu factory or having Gran Torino quickly take out Dabi or casually revealing that they now know everyone's identities. Really, if AFO didn't show up, the heroes would've probably won.
- Damn, Kamui Woods, you're not like, in the top ten heroes or anything, but you totally managed to lock down the Villain Alliance pretty quickly.
- Dabi got instantly knocked out by Gran Torino, while Endeavor spends most of the raid guarding the perimeter. I guess that's reason enough why the two don't meet each other.
- "You underestimated a young man's soul, the diligent investigations of the police... AND OUR ANGER." God damn, All Might.
- Edge Shot totally just shot Kurogiri through the chest by turning into a needle! Hardcore! I'm not sure how the hell you can 'rearrange his organs' to make him sleep. Pretty sure any kind of organ rearranging would make someone, y'know, fucking dead.
- That expression of anguish on All Might's face when Bakugo gets teleported away literally next to him... man, poor Toshinori.
- Some great usage of the 'two minutes ago, elsewhere...' trope, by the way. In the summer camp arc, it's just meant to showcase the different fights happening simultaneously. Here, we get to see what happened to the team that got sent to deal with the Nomu Factory.
- All For One showing up, talking about stealing Ragdoll's quirk and how he's spent through a lot of his stocked-up quirks, while ominous Latin chanting plays in the background... damn, that's a pretty cool first impression.
Episode 10:
- Poor Kamui Woods just sounds and looks so devastated when he apologizes. A nice reminder that among the pros, he's the newcomer -- though, of course, no one actually blames him.
- I do like that while he's a right asshat, Endeavor's professional enough to tell All Might to 'hurry up and go'. While tossing in a couple of insults, naturally, but he could've been much worse is all I'm saying.
- Okay, so there's a reason Mt. Lady, Gang Orca and Tiger survived that blast from All For One. Best Jeanist, you're pretty damn cool. I mean, AFO blew a hole through you before you could attack him with your jean fibers, but still, at least he saved the others.
- Oh, I get it. "Do it over as many times as you need to" is meant to be another part of Shigaraki's video game comparisons.
- I do like that while we focus on Midoriya psyching himself up to move, the art actually shows Iida and Momo restraining Todoroki and Kirishima as well. Small moments like these remind us that everyone is trying to be a hero.
- That said, while I do appreciate the need for them to flashback to the various arguments against them jumping in to help... it's a lot less dignified when Iida has those fake mustaches on.
- That is a pretty over the top giant explosion Bakugo makes to get away from the Villain Alliance and a ridiculous distance before he grabs Kirishima's hands... and I don't care, it looks cool as balls.
- I do really like the fact that while they go for the 'friendship saves' trope, the story acknowledges that there's still too much bad blood between Bakugo and Midoriya, and that it's Kirishima that's Bakugo's buddy at this point.
- MOUNT LADY DOES SOMETHING BADASS! I mean, she got her face bashed by a magnetism-fired Mr. Compress, but for someone who was initially introduced as the epitome of a glory hound hero, good job, Mt. Lady!
- (I totally didn't catch the 'Shimura Tenko' and 'Shimura Nana' connection this early on back when I was reading this in manga format.)
- I really don't have too much to say about this episode, it's just All For One being a badass before he fights with All Might; while Team Midoriya rescues Bakugo. Lots of great action moments, and I love AFO's little listing of all the quirks he's using... and that badass boast and punch by All Might near the end. Pretty great episode all around.
Episode 11:
- Young Toshinori telling Nana Shimura that he wants to be the pillar of peace in a flashback... man, I was so sure All Might was going to suffer the Mentor Death Syndrome(tm) in this fight back then!
- I like that it's Nana that taught Toshinori the whole 'heroes must smile' thing... and it all ties to All Might's whole "origin" and the reason he can go Plus Ultra.
- I do like that the students just... just escape after their little stunt at the end of episode 10. It's just kind of a shame that poor Momo didn't actually do anything in their little combo move to save Bakugo.
- Between AFO appearing as a very caring mentor to Shigaraki and his teammates, and then mocking Nana to provoke a reaction out of All Might, man, AFO is a pretty great master manipulator, huh?
- So how many people died when All For One literally blew up what the reporter described as 'half of Kamino Ward'?
- I do like the public reaction to All Might fighting All For One and how they're just so... detached from it, y'know? Until they realize that All Might needs to win, and they start to cheer out of desperation rather than faith, and then we get Gran Torino's speech narrating as we see a montage of everyone cheering on the symbol of peace... god damn, the music in this episode is also pretty damn well-done.
- I also love that it's an actual plot point that All For One forces All Might to reveal his true, withered form -- something that was treated as a running gag all throughout the first two seasons.
- Also, damn, voice actor Miyake Kenta is going Plus Ultra himself in episodes 10-11. That scream after he realizes Shigaraki is Nana's grandson? So painful.
- I completely forgot that Endeavor, Edgeshot, Kamui and Tiger actually show up to help! His bit is kind of small, but after knowing the full story behind the Todoroki family, his "what is that pitiful back?!" towards the man he respects as a rival is actually surprisingly poignant.
- Jeez, that is a big ass cyborg arm that All For One created.
- Jeez, that is a badass clash of lightning and blood and weird-ass spatial distortion effects as the two giant fists crash onto each other. What an intense clash! What fun fight! Absolutely love just how much mileage the anime team got out of All Might's glowing blue pupils, and the symbolism with the fire flickering out...
- I love that the single most badass thing that All Might did, he did in his 'true' form, the ugly, disheveled and, to use AFO's description, 'unsightly' form.
- "That's because my back wasn't in it! Farewell, All For One! ...UNITED STATES OF! SMAAAAAASH!"
- God damn that was a beautiful finish. I just went back and rewatched that scene. And again in English dub. Hoo! Intense. I absolutely love that All Might's normally goofy fanfare theme plays like a goddamn victory march as he buffs back up and raises his fist one last time.
- "...next... it's your turn." Yeah, okay, I was going to continue until episode 13 or 14 originally, but I feel like this is the perfect place to stop.
No comments:
Post a Comment