Animation Affirmation

While it may seem uncommon, given the circumstance that these types of films aren’t commonly shown at the theatres for numerous times and dates, it’s fathomable to perceive just how necessary it is for a popular Japanese animated T.V. show to delve into the cinematic realm and wow its devotee’s with a separate and elongated story. Indeed, in taking a look at many popular anime shows such as Fullmetal Alchemist, Bleach and Dragon Ball Z which have each respectively dabbled onto the silver-screen more times than the ordinary cinema-goer maybe aware of, it’s almost a rite of passage for these shows to test their distinctive merits to those who are intrigued merely at the sight of the drawn animation itself. While it’s arguable that many of these series-to-film animations tend to form a cheap trend of exhibiting a context that’s made to be rather forgettable and inconsequential in relation to what’s already been told in their respected series story-arc, there are a select few which adhere to all viewing demographics by showcasing familiar aspects whilst feeding information to those who haven’t the foggiest. This is certainly the case for My Hero Academia’s first incursion into a longer story-telling medium through Two Heroes; an animation which understands the severity and expectations of an anime film by applying recognisable and fresh aspects to all audiences. However, with the aforementioned series becoming one of anime’s most recognisable series, does Two Heroes have enough staying power to fit along side the series’ memorable moments?

Fittingly taking place between My Hero Academia’s second and third season, the famed series’ filmic counterpart centre’s its story around All Might and Deku who both accept an invitation to I-Island; a man-made floating city that’s purpose is to bread the intuitive scientists of the future and serves as a Quirk research facility. However, before both Deku and All Might check-out I-Island’s wonders, they’re immediately greeted by Melissa, the Quirkless daughter of All Might’s best-friend, who aspires to be just like her father and craft helpful technology for heroes around the world. Since only invited guests are on the island, everyone is allowed to use their Quirks freely which doesn’t stop the likes of Deku and his Class-1A friends to do the same once an evil threat violates and ensnares All Might and other prestigious heroes to the villains’ whim. With I-Island turning into a hotbed for villainous activity, with the peaceful turn-away turning into an impromptu battle between good and evil, can the Deku and his classmates find a way to resolve the issue? Or, do they discover something even more devastating?…

In a filmic anime spin-off feature such as this, which derives from a popular animated episodic series that’s transcended into a recognisable piece of entertainment overtime, one of the more imperative aspects that a cinematic-feature like this has to achieve is to broaden its own context to the point where all audiences find enjoyment from it. As much as Two Heroes is an animated feature that rather celebrates everything that’s fantastic about the My Hero Academia series, being how it simply focuses on an attachable ensemble of characters and how it seamlessly blends its own fantastical superhero world with elements of realism that rather ground certain moments to the point of reliability, for the said film to be memorable however, it equally has to be exhibit sequences of understanding that are easy for the general cinema-goer to follow. it’s not hard to fathom and glance over many of anime’s ventures into cinema and notice how many of them reluctantly gloss over the notion that they need exhibition for other audiences to appreciate. It was always important for Two Heroes to do this since My Hero Academia inherently transcends the boundaries of it being merely an anime series; it’s a superhero show that understands its medium and cleverly showcases mini-stories and characters that are wholly relatable. It’s this very transcendence that the show effortlessly displays that’s carried forward to this film where we’re presented with a story that simultaneously fits into the series’ canon as well as existing as a standalone that would serve as a welcoming entry into the franchise. While I personally knew the background to the story and characters that culminate My Hero Academia, given that I’ve seen all of the said shows episodes in English and Japanese (I know, nerdy right?!), the introductory summary that Two Heroes delves into of who the characters are and how each of them fitted into the story that’s welcoming to see; especially for those who are unfamiliar. It’s a necessary narrative device that never negates the films central crisis and rather enriches certain moments that are subtly referencing characters or moments from the show. To put it simply, once it goes over the exhibition that fans will know for sure, it trusts its other audiences to knowingly follow along which is something that a lot of preceding anime films of similar ilk never utilise. Additionally, Two Heroes also acts as an elongated episode for those My Hero Academia fans that want to see the likes of Deku and All Might in a separate story. It’s primarily a film that’s designed for the devotee’s of the popular series and this is evident through the subtle referential nods to the second and third season of the television show; rather echoing the facets that Cowboy Bebop: Knockin’ on Heavens’ Door emphasised through their characters’ zany antics and explored backgrounds. From it’s necessary exhibition of an opening, Two Heroes naturally takes itsin getting to the main conflict of the context but it’s this methodical narrative approach which doesn’t hinder what we’re seeing. In fact, we’re introduced to some rather riveting scenes that potentially could have been explored further. A good example of this would be the opening of the film where we perceive a much younger All Might in his hay-day fighting crime in America. While there are little snippets of these past recollections dispersed in the films story-structure, these specific scenes are only seen far and few between which is a shame considering how much these sequences delve deeply into All Might’s past. While the said hero’s past isn’t really much of a mystery in the series, it’s these aforesaid moments that shed more light into his aspects and distinctive mannerisms. Having said this however, Two Heroes wouldn’t have live-up to its own name if it didn’t express some light on Deku who goes through a rather interesting interaction with newcomer Melissa. the film smartly juxtaposes Melissa’s regular ways with how far Deku has come along since he inherited All Might’s ‘One For All’ Quirk. Even though he has this power and has become one of U.A High’s wonder-kids, it’s rather smart of the film-makers to make Deku reflect on his own Quirkless routes and humble beginnings which comes into fruition in season 3; when Deku himself meets Kota and thinks about fickle nature of a ‘hero’. Unsurprisingly, the main conflict of Two Heroes heads in a direction that is rather straight-forward and predictable. Yet, it’s to the films credit in pitting Deku and All Might at the first and final acts that brings it together. The two said protagonists inherently bounce-off each other as a mentor and apprentice should, but it’s equally pleasing to see the two diverge from one another in the middle portion and come together in a finale which see’s them both synchronise to the defeat the threat of I-Island. It’s simple, but effective story-telling which is something that the series takes great pride in upholding; using rather familiar aspects and executing them with a likeable tendency.    

As much as Two Heroes’ contextual emphasis lies within Deku and All Might, how both are together in the first and final acts and each of the two respectively have their own story-lines in the middle of the story-structure, the film never ignorantly forgets the series counterparts greatest strength – its own diverse and distinctive characterisation. Like Dragon Ball Z, it’s the characters disparaging personalities and intertwining relationships with one another that makes My Hero Academia so riveting to watch in the first place. Whether it’s Bakugo raging at Deku, Iida fulfilling his role as classroom representative or Mineta occupying a rather formulaic degenerate role, it’s clear to see that creator Kōhei Hirokoshi takes great and thought in all the characters that make up My Hero Academia since they’re all not only individuals that possess unique powers respectively, but uphold all uphold realistic persona’s that audience can relate with on some level. Much of this aspect is carried through into this film where the majority of Deku’s fellow classmates all get their time in the spotlight to show off their personality and to help defeat the threat that apposes them. While it may seem a bit abrupt in the manner in which Deku’s friends just show-up with little explanation, it’s a mode of means that meshes well with the absurd side of Two Heroes and plays off as a rather 1920’s camera-reveal gag. But each reveal of the likes of Iida, Todoroki, Uraraka, Bakugo and others doesn’t come in vein since all of Deku’s friends lend a helping hand and are equally never forgotten. Whether it’s Todoroki using both of his fire and ice powers or Yaoyorozu creating a canon with her Quirk, every character has their moment to give a helping hand which is nice to see. If there’s one qualm to be had with the characterisation aspect of the film, it would be how not every-single member of Class 1-A, including the teacher of Aizawa, didn’t necessarily make it into the stories fray. While they’re presence is known from little moments, it’s unfortunate that these select few characters didn’t also have their time to shine.

From watching all of My Hero Academia’s episodes in their entirety, it’s not surprising to perceive in this filmic counterpart how expressive the drawn animation is that Studio Bones provide. Like All Might does in his iconic final smashes, the animation goes beyond in delivering eye-popping detail that wonderfully bursts to life in scenarios of great impact. Whether it’s through the opening of the film where we see expressive motion through a younger All Might or in the climatic moments when Deku and his aforesaid mentor team in one of the films visually illuminating actions, the fluency that’s bestowed upon every motion of a character is sumptuous to behold; expressionate yet natural all at once and inherently adds verisimilitude to a show and film that wants to break it’s ‘realism’ through dynamic and kinetic moments of animated action. Not only does the animation expressions pay humble homage to the drawn marks in Hirokoshi’s manga series, emulating them rather faithfully, but it’s truly sublime to watch battle moments in Two Heroes that are choreographed to point where you think they may have dabbled in motion-capture or rotoscoping techniques. Combined this with fitting soundtrack which is perfectly utilised in specific scenes, it’s truly a spectacle to see Two Heroes on the big-screen. Perhaps my only criticism of the animation itself would be the background areas that aren’t as detailed as some of explosive action scenes. As understandable as it is to see this level of inconsistent background design within the show, it’s a bit miffing really to see it within the cinematic experience considering how much money goes into producing anime films of this ilk.

Considering that it’s the series’ first undertaking into the cinematic world, My Hero Academia: Two Heroes is a notable debut anime film which takes the aspects from the popular anime series and applies them perfectly onto the silver-screen. By accommodating its context to fans and general audiences alike and applying familiar aspects that are executed in fun and thrilling ways, it’s an animated feature that affirms My Hero Academia’s status as the most popular anime show in this day and age. It wholly understands what makes the show so likeable and it finds a separate story that properly showcases the series’ characterisation and action. Despite the minor set-backs in not using it’s wide-range of characters to its fullest and not exploiting it’s production resources to make certain backgrounds look as equally stimulating as the expressionate moments of action, it’s safe to say really that if and when My Hero Academia decide to release another full-length animated feature, they’ll improve on their misgivings since they have already done so since the shows second season. In a way, it’s just the beginning for a Japanese animated franchise that is consistently improving with each new story…

On that note, it’s time for me to end this week’s Film Review. As always everyone, thank you for reading my latest Film Review in the form of My Hero Academia: Two Heroes and if you happen to have an opinion on either the film or on the review, you’re more than welcome to comment down below. For next week, considering how Christmas is slowly creeping up on us all, I thought it would be a good time to publish a Retro Film Review of a movie that oddly reminds me of this merry time yet isn’t strictly about…Christmas…😟 Anywho, with that said, thank you once again for reading my latest Blog Post and I hope you all have a nice weekend! Adieu! 😀✌💪👊💥

★★★★☆ – Alex Rabbitte