{"id":157,"date":"2018-05-31T19:00:43","date_gmt":"2018-05-31T10:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/biggestinjapan.com\/?p=157"},"modified":"2018-05-31T21:57:11","modified_gmt":"2018-05-31T12:57:11","slug":"my-hero-academia-2s-back-half-teaches-us-about-a-the-problems-of-a-world-where-superpowers-are-the-norm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/biggestinjapan.com\/index.php\/2018\/05\/31\/my-hero-academia-2s-back-half-teaches-us-about-a-the-problems-of-a-world-where-superpowers-are-the-norm\/","title":{"rendered":"My Hero Academia 2<\/i>‘s Back Half Teaches Us the Problems of a World Where Superpowers are the Norm"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hey everyone. Before we get started, I just wanted to give out a big thanks to Joshua Ott for sponsoring this review with his Patreon donation. (At the $60 a month tier, you are allowed to pick one 13ish episode series to be reviewed–which is released in addition to the one article a week I normally put out here on BiggestinJapan.com.) His choice for me to watch was the second half of <\/span>My Hero Academia<\/span><\/i>\u2019s second season and review it, so with one more heartfelt thanks, let\u2019s dive right into episodes 14-25.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image source: \u50d5\u306e\u30d2\u30fc\u30ed\u30fc\u30a2\u30ab\u30c7\u30df\u30a2_\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1\u516c\u5f0f<\/a> on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n

Now in its third season, <\/span>My Hero Academia<\/span><\/i> is set in a world where the the vast majority of the population has a superpower (or \u201cquirk,\u201d as it\u2019s called in the series). After being crippled in a battle with his arch nemesis, All Might (<\/span>My Hero Academia<\/span><\/i>\u2019s equivalent to Superman) must choose someone to inherit his powers. While his sights are initially set on finding his successor at the the premier school for superheroes, U.A. High School, he instead chooses \u201cquirkless\u201d middle schooler Midoriya. But while Midoriya is one of the rare humans without superpowers of his own, he is blessed with a hero\u2019s heart so pure that it shames even the greatest superhero to ever live. <\/span><\/p>\n

The first season of the show covers Midoriya\u2019s beginnings, his entrance into and early trials at U.A. High School, and his first encounter with a group of truly dangerous super villains. The second season\u2019s first half then covers the school\u2019s sports festival–which is actually a way for current heroes to scout the next generation as sidekicks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image source: \u50d5\u306e\u30d2\u30fc\u30ed\u30fc\u30a2\u30ab\u30c7\u30df\u30a2_\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1\u516c\u5f0f<\/a> on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n

Over the course of the anime to this point, Midoriya\u2019s biggest enemy has been himself–or rather his own body. After all, the strength and speed of Superman has been forced into the body of a normal, if exceptionally fit, 15-year-old. Basically, the powers far outstrip the durability of the vessel, leaving him with broken limbs if he even tries to use his powers in the most minor of ways. He has found ways to mitigate the damage–such as using only a finger to attack with at a time–but he nearly always ends up crippled. And while there are heroes capable of healing him, all those involved agree that control is needed to turn Midoriya from \u201cglass cannon\u201d to hero.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus when given the change for an internship, Midoriya is sent to train with the man who trained All Might, the relatively unknown hero Gran Torino. It is there Midoriya has a breakthrough, instead of focusing his powers at one point on his body and then trying to focus on keeping the power low, he learns to keep the power at a low intensity through his whole body indefinitely. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image source: \u50d5\u306e\u30d2\u30fc\u30ed\u30fc\u30a2\u30ab\u30c7\u30df\u30a2_\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1\u516c\u5f0f<\/a> on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n

But while Midoriya learning to use his powers is important, the true focus of this arc is on Midoriya\u2019s classmate, Tenya, and the superhero killer, Stain. <\/span><\/p>\n

Tenya is an over-serious, yet strikingly responsible, hero-in-training who longs to be a hero like his older brother. However, when said brother is crippled by Stain, he sets out looking for revenge. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image source: \u50d5\u306e\u30d2\u30fc\u30ed\u30fc\u30a2\u30ab\u30c7\u30df\u30a2_\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1\u516c\u5f0f<\/a> on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n

Stain, however, is not your average villain. In fact, in his own mind, what he\u2019s doing is not only just but necessary. He\u2019s not out for any kind of personal gain by murdering heroes. Rather, he\u2019s out to correct a giant flaw in society: the prevalence of \u201cso-called\u201d superheroes. <\/span><\/p>\n

Over this arc we get peaks at what Midoriya\u2019s various classmates are up to on their superhero internships. Bakugo is basically just walking around being pretty. A pair of the girls are much acting as professional models. In fact, many of the internships we see have little to do with actual superheroing–i.e., rescuing people. In this new superhuman-filled society, \u201csuperhero\u201d seems to be nothing but a synonym of \u201ccelebrity.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image source: \u50d5\u306e\u30d2\u30fc\u30ed\u30fc\u30a2\u30ab\u30c7\u30df\u30a2_\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1\u516c\u5f0f<\/a> on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n

This is where Stain comes in. He sees it as his mission to destroy these fake heroes who only use the title of \u201chero\u201d for their own personal gain. And while his methods are no doubt evil, his underlying point is not wrong. <\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, in Stains eyes, the world has only one hero: All Might. Only All Might is totally selfless, going into dangerous situations for no other reason than to help people. As we see, even the number two superhero in the world, Endeavor, is only a hero to stoke his own ego. <\/span><\/p>\n

Every interaction Stain has with the heroes he encounters–even as he kills them is a test to see if they truly are heroes or not. When Tenya comes upon Stain mid-kill, Tenya attacks without a thought–happy at the chance to avenge his brother. Obviously, he fails Stains test. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image source: \u50d5\u306e\u30d2\u30fc\u30ed\u30fc\u30a2\u30ab\u30c7\u30df\u30a2_\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1\u516c\u5f0f<\/a> on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n

But moments later when Midoriya arrives, we see it play out differently. From the moment he enters the situation, his goal is not to fight Stain but rather to rescue the people in danger. He is there to protect and save, no other reason. This throws Stain for a loop. He has found that there is at least one more hero in the world. This is why, even though he fights Midoriya and the others for the sake of his own self preservation, he eventually takes a proverbial bullet for Midoriya. To Stain, true heroes are the most important thing in the world and he would gladly die to save one.<\/span><\/p>\n

Through seeing how Midoriya reacts to the situation, Tenya is able to recognize his own flaws in motivation–the very flaws that Stain points out–and reorient himself on the path to becoming a true hero. Without even knowing it, Midoriya is saving people’s hearts and souls just as he saves their bodies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image source: \u50d5\u306e\u30d2\u30fc\u30ed\u30fc\u30a2\u30ab\u30c7\u30df\u30a2_\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1\u516c\u5f0f<\/a> on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n

The final arc of season 2 is centered around Midoriya\u2019s class going through their first ever final exams in the weeks before summer vacation. Like any normal school, there are the standard written tests. However, as a superhero training school, there is also a practical test. <\/span><\/p>\n

Now normally this would just be a test against robots–allowing the students to go all out with little in the way of real danger. But Midoriya\u2019s class has proven itself to be a target for villains several times now. Thus, they are split into teams to fight the various A-grade heroes that serve as teachers at U.A.–though with the teachers handicapped a bit at least.<\/span><\/p>\n

This arc serves to mainly point out the weaknesses that each of Midoriya\u2019s classmates have and then show what happens when they try to overcome those weaknesses in a high pressure situation.While some succeed and some fail, there are two pairs who get important development through the test. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image source: \u50d5\u306e\u30d2\u30fc\u30ed\u30fc\u30a2\u30ab\u30c7\u30df\u30a2_\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1\u516c\u5f0f<\/a> on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n

The first pair is Todoroki and Yaoyorozu. Back in the sports festival tournament, both characters had their self images completely destroyed. Through his fight with Midoriya, Todoroki learned to accept his flame creating powers–that they are a part of him, and do not belong to his abusive father. Not only did this change his worldview, it also opened him up emotionally a bit–allowing him to better rely on the members of the class for support. However, just because he is open to his classmates ideas doesn\u2019t mean that old habits don\u2019t die hard.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yaoyorozu, on the other hand, was supposed to be the golden child of the class. With the power to create any inanimate object, she didn\u2019t even have to take the entrance exam to get into the school. Yet, time and again, it is those like Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki that steal the spotlight. In the tournament, her real moment to shine, she was defeated not due to fighting a superior opponent, but due to her own indecision: when you can create anything, how do you choose what to create?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image source: \u50d5\u306e\u30d2\u30fc\u30ed\u30fc\u30a2\u30ab\u30c7\u30df\u30a2_\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1\u516c\u5f0f<\/a> on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n

With such a public failure, Yaoyorozu\u2019s self-confidence is shattered–which in turn causes her to become even more indecisive. So when Todoroki takes charge in their test, she follows unquestioningly. But even then she makes mistakes. She\u2019s trapped in a loop many of us find ourselves in from time to time: if you\u2019re focusing all the the time on not messing up, you get distracted from what your supposed to be doing and then mess up anyway. <\/span><\/p>\n

While it takes a while, Todoroki eventually realizes that Yaoyorozu has a possible plan–and has had one from the start. He\u2019s just so used to relying on himself, he hadn’t noticed. On Yaoyorozu\u2019s side, she\u2019s so filled with self-doubt, she couldn\u2019t even bring herself to mention it. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, they try her plan, and with a little help from the teacher, they succeed and pass the test. In the end, Yaoyorozu has taken her first step to regaining her self-confidence and Todoroki has taken another step on his own path toward being a more balanced hero.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image source: \u50d5\u306e\u30d2\u30fc\u30ed\u30fc\u30a2\u30ab\u30c7\u30df\u30a2_\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1\u516c\u5f0f<\/a> on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n

The other pair that stands out in the test is Midoriya and Bakugo. While childhood friends, their relationship as young adults is strained to say the least.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bakugo, even before he got his powers, was driven to be strong and fight for the weak. In elementary school, this was Midoriya–and so Midoriya came to hero worship Bakugo. But, as a wise man once said, \u201cyou can\u2019t respect someone who licks your boots.\u201d Thus, the relationship became more one of bully and bullied as time when on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, one day, the weakest of the weak, the ultimate powerless victim, was suddenly able to not only compete with Bakugo but surpass him time and again. Moreover, the techniques Midoriya uses are often adapted from Bakugo\u2019s own moves–further angering the already insecure Bakugo. <\/span><\/p>\n

Basically, their relationship has reached the point where Bakugo seems to do the opposite of whatever Midoriya suggests–no matter how much sense it makes. And this includes trying to fight All Might, the teacher they are facing in their test, head-on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image source: \u50d5\u306e\u30d2\u30fc\u30ed\u30fc\u30a2\u30ab\u30c7\u30df\u30a2_\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1\u516c\u5f0f<\/a> on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n

In this scene, we get to see just how bad this world would be if someone like All Might were a villain. Without a code of ethics, he could destroy blocks in an instant, using only the air pressure cause by his punches. It becomes clear within moments that, even handicapped as he is (not to mention his already weakened state), that they have no chance facing him head on. Midoriya wants to run–after all, how could he hope to defeat the world\u2019s ultimate hero. Bakugo\u2019s pride, however, won\u2019t let him run. <\/span><\/p>\n

Eventually the two come to a tentative compromise: to hit hard and then run away. And while the plan is somewhat of a success, it becomes apparent that only one will be able to escape with the other buying time by distracting All Might. Midoriya is all set to do just that–but he finds that he can\u2019t. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image source: \u50d5\u306e\u30d2\u30fc\u30ed\u30fc\u30a2\u30ab\u30c7\u30df\u30a2_\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1\u516c\u5f0f<\/a> on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n

Midoriya doesn\u2019t want to be a hero. He wants to be <\/span>the<\/span><\/i> hero. His conscience, that aspect of him which so impressed Stain, would never allow him to sacrifice anyone when there is a chance he could save them–even in a test. So as All Might focuses on Bakugo, he expects that the heavily injured Midoriya is running away in order to \u201cwin\u201d the test. He doesn\u2019t expect that Midoriya has instead turned to attack. Thus, the punch hits him completely off guard, allowing Midoriya the time to drag the injured Bakugo out of the test arena to victory.<\/span><\/p>\n

This battle shows two important things: 1) Bakugo may be hot headed and arrogant, but he\u2019s not stupid. Faced with overwhelming odds, he may complain but he won\u2019t turn down help. 2) Midoriya\u2019s heroic soul won\u2019t let him back down from doing what is right, even if his opponent is the greatest hero the world has ever known.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Image source: \u50d5\u306e\u30d2\u30fc\u30ed\u30fc\u30a2\u30ab\u30c7\u30df\u30a2_\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1\u516c\u5f0f<\/a> on Twitter<\/em><\/p>\n

All in all, the second half of <\/span>My Hero Academia<\/span><\/i>\u2019s second season is focused on world building. Through the various internships we see what it means to be a superhero in this new superhuman society. Then, through Stain, we get a criticism of that society. The season itself closes on a more personal arc, showing how exactly our young heroes will fit into this society by highlighting both their strong points and weak points.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is a strong showing from the anime, and one that continues to build up to the ever nearing climax where Midoriya must step up and show the world that, even without All Might, at least one true hero still remains. <\/span><\/p>\n

My Hero Academia<\/span><\/i> can be seen with English subtitles on <\/span>Crunchyroll<\/span><\/a> and dubbed on <\/span>Funimation<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Top Image Source: \u50d5\u306e\u30d2\u30fc\u30ed\u30fc\u30a2\u30ab\u30c7\u30df\u30a2_\u30a2\u30cb\u30e1\u516c\u5f0f<\/a> on Twitter.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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