More Than Meets The Eye

If there’s one genre of Japanese animation that engulfs the viewing gaze of the West and, as such, has become the perception of general anime viewing, it is that of the Shōnen animation series. In being primarily aimed at the pre-teen and teenage boy demographic, Shōnen animated series have become the staple genre in providing simplistic yet entertaining qualities to Westernised audiences that are already accustomed to a classical structure involving action and an over-arching story-line that is filled with the usually tendencies romantic and comical character interactions as well as the main lead being portrayed as a young adult male. The most iconic Shōnen specific show which best exemplifies all of the aforementioned tropes and is credited in being the most influential towards other Shōnen shows that have implemented its ideals, it is that of Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball; a premise which, even today, is still considered to be one of the more pivotal anime for younger audiences. However, while it’s clear to see that the rather ‘stream-lined’ Shōnen constructs still have a place in this day-and-age, it’s interesting to perceive how the said anime genre has itself morphed in ways that utilise ideas from other popular anime genre’s and present ideas and scenarios that aren’t inevitably formulaic. This is certainly the case with Kenji Nagasaki’s anime series adaptation of Kōhei Hirokoshi’s manga of My Hero Academia which, although pursuits in presenting a thirteen episode structured show that is synonymous with other Shōnen shows by displaying an aspiring individual who strives towards a particular goal and other notable constructs of the mentioned genre, it’s true viewing beauty lies within its inherent optimism and how it presents themes and ideas that diversifies not only the superhero genre, but anime as well…

Centred around a world in which being a ‘superhero’ has become the main profession of general society, My Hero Academia basis its story around Izuku “Deku” Midoriya, a young yet super-heroic nerdy teenager who dreams of becoming a hero more than anything, but finds himself among the twenty percent of people who are without a special power or ‘quirk’. After a chance and heartfelt encounter with his heroic idol in All Might, a hero regarded as ‘number 1’, Deku finds a way to rise above his internal circumstances and attends the prestigious U.A. High School in the hopes of making his dreams into a reality… 

In initially being influenced by the thematic intricacies of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man and how the said hero/film displays this notion that even people with exceptional powers still retain mundane and relatable internal contradictions, juxtaposing the ability to help others with the inability to help ones-self, one of the more distinctive aspects that My Hero Academia upholds wholeheartedly is how heartfelt and relatable the story is despite it possessing a formulaic structure that gives us a general idea of where everything will fall further down the line. Rather than being a poor animated imitation of whatever Mike Mitchell’s Sky High was supposed to be, Nagsaki’s super-heroic adapted anime show is a premise that is not only fundamentally self-aware and knows where and how the main events will inevitably unfold, but it’s also fortuitously optimistic in the sense that it displays scenarios and abstract characters that leave you ingrained to the screen and devoted to individuals that never find the appropriate time to be immersed in comparison to the central protagonist of Deku. Almost instantaneously, this can be seen within My Hero Academia’s first few episodes where we’re presented with a Quirkless (a person with no powers) nerdy and ambitious character in Deku who, ironically, not only has to contend with the fact that he’s the only person in his school that doesn’t possess an ability, as exemplified through the way in which the hot-headed Katsuki Bakugou bullies and torments said character for, but withstands a relationship with his own mother which elaborates on Deku’s internal insecurities and how she doesn’t realise her sons longing and desired dream in being a hero, despite not having the power to do so. Indeed, by placing impactful contradictions from the-get-go in which we see an emotional mother accordingly coming to terms with her sons dreams of becoming a hero and should have supported his ambition despite his incapacity to fulfil that same aspiration, it not only brings forth this heartfelt engagement towards the aforementioned protagonist and what he wants to achieve, but it also shows how My Hero Academia is willing to delve into realistic themes which audiences not just anime die-hards, can identify with. As much as there is this arguable talk amongst audiences and critics alike stating how stagnant the superhero genre is becoming due to the fact that, in the recent years that have come and gone, there has been an overwhelming amount of entertainment that involves heroism, it’s shows like My Hero Academia which re-fresh the already mentioned genre with characters and instances that provide just as much tension as a sequence portrayed in a live-action melodrama. While the relationship between Deku and his mother is one of the more palpable examples of this which brings about an innate sympathetic angle to the show, there is also Deku’s rivalry between his childhood acquaintance of Bakugou which makes for some in-tense watching since they both want the same thing in becoming a hero yet are incapable of relating to one another since Bakugou despises Deku in matching his successes, shown later in the season when they contest with one another in beautifully animated bout. Being that the first season does contain thirteen episodes which means that there’s only a certain amount of contextual progression and depth to be exhibited, it does mean ultimately that despite the fact that a varied amount of screen-grabbing and wonderfully diverse characters are shown-off, there’s never adequate time to know what it means for them to be joining the U.A. High School and potentially becoming a hero. That being said, considering that the season ends on a note that more or less gives-off the impression that character progression will be applied in the second season, it’s equally pleasing to see that the bulk of the thirteen episodes in season one is dedicated towards Deku and his aspiring heroic journey. As he is the main protagonist that we’re fixated towards on a consistent basis, by having a strong foundational understanding of his character that’s established early on will only serve to strengthen the over-arching story as My Hero Academia goes into another season.

Possessing similar character traits to Studio Bones’ arguably most notable anime protagonist in Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist, it’s evident to perceive that My Hero Academia’s central accolade of Deku also strives towards the future and as much as he’s casted as the clear underdog amongst his peers, it’s clear from his attainable humility and the way in which he attains in possessing a quirk to go to U.A. High School that Deku is immediately both likeable and relatable; especially in contrast to his childhood rival in Katsuki Bakugou. However, while he’s portrayed to be an egocentric bully hell-bent on tearing others down in favour of building himself up, the character of Bakugou, like Deku, is an individual that’s just more than an atypical Shōnen rival. It’s clear that he has some pride and anger management issues, but his drive to become a hero and protect the society from villains that threaten the peace is just as admirable as Deku’s notable humility and doesn’t place him as a one-dimensional hothead that contrasts the central characters personality. Aside from the aforementioned characters and as highlighted before, one of the biggest acquisitions that My Hero Academia has going for itself is the characterisation and how multilayered and intriguing the cast of heroes are. Whether it’s the attentive and earnest class-president Tenya Iida, who’s equipped with engine powered-legs, trying to fulfil his family legacy in becoming a hero or the sweet and innocent Ochako Uraraka, who can make things levitate by simply touching anything, that’s trying to uphold an internal promise, My Hero Academia boasts a colourful cast of diverse and wonderfully realised characters that leave you wanting to know more about them. As much as it’s a hindrance that the thirteen episode structure doesn’t allow for the rest of the characters to be shown in comparison to the likes of Deku and Bakugou, the very notion of having a vast amount of distinctive individuals makes for a story that pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. While it’s disappointing to not learn as much as possible about other characters who aren’t on-screen as much as others, you can expect that since this is an anime that is adapting events from a on-going Manga series, there’s plenty of room further down the line for characters to establish themselves and to engross themselves in a world that is filled with surprising wonderment. Although each of the characters depicted displays moments of intrigue and comic-relief that makes My Hero Academia an anime show to be devoted towards, particularly when you have a character such as All Might (an individual who is an amalgamation of Mr.Incredible and Johnny Bravo) who is far more than just a big muscle-bound superman who possesses crippling weaknesses of his own and mentors the central character permitting an added heartwarming dynamic to the proceedings, what is even more credible to notice is each of their abstract designs which elevates the memorable cast even further. From Deku’s kind and innate smile to Mineta’s grape-like hairdo and Bakugou’s vexed eyes, it’s a pleasure to witness an anime show that purposefully builds upon characters personalities through the way in which they’re interpreted visually. Not only that, but even the way in which a particular action is animated and how a specific gesture is made by a specific character, look as though they have been lifted straight from the drawn Manga and into motion which in turn feels so natural to perceive; unlike most-common anime these days which irritatingly employ CGI effects instead which in-turn takes you out of the experience. 

Having worked on imaginative animations of Fullmetal Alchemist, Wolf’s Rain and the luminous Space Dand, it should come as no surprise that Studio Bones has once again presented something in My Hero Academia that is brimming with colour and creativity. Considering My Hero Academia’s pedigree in being a superhero archetype that pits heroes amongst villains, the show itself is loaded with visually stimulating action set-pieces that are an absolute joy to watch, thanks to the way in which the fluid drawn strokes of a particular movement and the dynamic angles are presented in. From the subtle character nuances of the glistening eyes of an emotionally wrecked Deku to the explosive set-pieces brought on by Bakugou’s explosive hands and All Might’s ferocious fists, each and every episode distributed was a visual treat and puts current anime’s that resolutely use CGI effects instead to shame. As good as the tense and visually stunning action sequences are savouring to perceive, it wouldn’t be the same without the inclusion of the composed and arranged score done by Yuki Hayashi. In sporting a catchy theme song that is catchy and exciting to listen to, it would be criminal to underestimate the musical prowess of what this anime has to offer since there is a particular song for every moment that unfolds. Whether it’s the moment in which Deku is told that he can become a hero or when All Might delivers a mighty Plus Ultra to an opposing foe, the music combined with the luminous animation is breath-taking to witness.        

In filling the void that One Punch Man left behind, the first season of My Hero Academia produces thirteen episodes of attractive action which is dignified by an engaging yet heartfelt story that’s fantastically maintained by a core cast of memorable and relatable characters. While it’s disappointing that the thirteen episode structure not only doesn’t allow enough moments for all the characters to flourish who they are and what their background is perceived as, but also how there’s never enough confliction with villains that weren’t as fleshed out as they should have been, it’s clear from the way in which season one ends that the stage is set for the second season to pose some new and exciting story arcs for the heroes at U.A. High School. Although it may come off as a Shōnen that is proportionate with the formulaic anime’s of the past, My Hero Academia is a superhero story that exists in an era of pop-culture that, yes, does occupy the noticeable space in being a simplistic underdog story, but is also shown to be an anime which enlivens the genre with engageable topics and themes…

On that note, it’s time for me to end this week’s anime review. As always everyone, thank you for reading my latest anime review of My Hero Academia: Season 1 and I hope you’ve all enjoyed the read! 😉 If anyone has an opinion on either my review or on the anime series itself, you’re more than welcome to drop a comment down below. For next week, If I find the time, I’ll bring you a Film Review of Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049. As always everyone, thank you for reading this week’s Blog Post and I’ll be back next week!…Hopefully 😕 Have a nice day! Adieu! 😀💪👊💥

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ – Alex Rabbitte