My Hero Academia Fights That Are Better In The Manga

Key Takeaways

Some battles in the
MHA
anime fall short of the manga due to lackluster animation and rushed storytelling.
Disappointing adaptations include clashes such as Mirio vs. Overhaul, Deku vs. Gentle Criminal, and Shigaraki vs. Re-Destro.
Some battles, like Deku vs. Shigaraki and Endeavor & Hawks vs. All For One, were hindered by their lackluster animation and bright colors.

As a long-time fanatic follower of My Hero Academia, I must confess that my heart has been both thrilled and disheartened by the anime adaptation of some of its most epic battles. Having grown up with the manga, I’ve come to appreciate Horikoshi’s intricate storytelling, powerful visuals, and emotional depth.

Studio Bones skillfully transformed Kohei Horikoshi’s “My Hero Academia” manga into one of the most impressive and impactful anime series of the past ten years. Although it’s clear that a tremendous amount of effort was poured into its creation, particularly in the battle scenes, there are times when it doesn’t quite match up to the original comic.

Typically, MHA delivers top-notch anime quality, but on occasion, certain fights fail to match their manga counterparts, leaving viewers unsatisfied. This can be attributed to underwhelming animation, lackluster voice acting, or a hastily told narrative. Here are six battles that stand out as particularly problematic in this regard.

6 Mirio Togata Vs. Overhaul

An Emotional Clash That Should Have Had Better Animation

My Hero Academia Fights That Are Better In The Manga

Chapters 150 to 152 (Manga) Episode 74 (Anime)

There’s no denying that Mirio Togata is one of the most endearing characters in the series, and, during the Shie Hassaikai Arc, he proved how much of a hero he was when he sacrificed his own quirk in order to save Eri. Even after losing his superpower, he kept fighting the villainous Overhaul and his sidekick, Chronostasis, with his sheer strength and willpower. This was one of the most emotional and inspiring moments in the manga, as Horikoshi’s beautiful art and intricate paneling made the readers feel how strong Mirio felt during this crucial moment.

Unfortunately, the anime adaptation fell short, as the crucial fight scene was presented more like a series of still images rather than full animation. While it mirrored the manga closely, fans had hoped for a more detailed portrayal in the anime, but that wasn’t delivered. The only redeeming aspect was the captivating soundtrack accompanying this animated depiction.

5 Izuku Midoriya Vs. Gentle Criminal

The Climax Of The School Festival Arc Left Much To Be Desired

Chapters 176 to 180 (Manga) Episodes 84 and 85 (Anime)

In nearly every episode of “My Hero Academia” anime, there’s an exhilarating battle with outstanding animation, particularly when the main character, Izuku Midoriya (also known as Deku), is involved. Given this, his confrontation with the Gentle Criminal was highly anticipated to be the most impressive fight in the latter half of season 4. It kicked off promisingly, as the animation effectively depicted Gentle’s entertaining elastic abilities. However, the rest of the battle didn’t meet the expectations set by other fights within the series, falling short in comparison.

Compared to the animated version, the original manga seemed faster, more intense, and more heart-wrenching. Instead of a climactic resolution to an emotional struggle in the manga, what transpired in the anime was essentially a routine battle without much thought. However, the later seasons’ highlight was the remarkable confrontation between Endeavor and Hood, suggesting that the animators paid more attention to that fight.

4 Tomura Shigaraki Vs. Re-Destro

The Result Of A Poorly Adapted (But Important) Story Arc

Chapters 233 to 239 (Manga) Episodes 111 and 112 (Anime)

Among dedicated manga enthusiasts, The Meta Liberation Army Arc, or My Villain Academia as it’s more commonly known, is criticized for its lackluster adaptation that missed key moments and had a hurried pace. This significantly diminished the intended impact of the source material. Consequently, the climactic battle between Tomura Shigaraki and Re-Destro fell short of expectations.

In the animated version, the scenes that were eliminated and the short length of the storyline made it challenging to express to viewers the profound sadness and empathy evoked by the League of Villains. Consequently, Shigaraki’s pivotal growth didn’t seem as impactful compared to its portrayal in the manga. The climactic scene where he unleashes his quirk, causing total decay including Re-Destro’s armor, was visually impressive in the anime, but Horikoshi’s artwork made it appear significantly more intimidating and threatening in the original comic book.

3 Izuku Midoriya Vs. Tomura Shigaraki

This Long-Awaited Rematch Was So Disappointing In The Anime

Chapters 233 to 239 (Manga) Episodes 111 and 112 (Anime)

Following numerous instances and intertwined plotlines spanning multiple episodes, the highly anticipated Paranormal Liberation War Arc was poised to deliver the much-desired showdown between Izuku Midoriya and Tomura Shigaraki, with their recent power boosts significantly escalating the tension. To further heighten the drama, Deku’s wrath intensified after the antagonist mortally wounded his friend, Katsuki Bakugo, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats.

I must admit, the animated portrayal of this epic showdown fell short of my expectations. In the original manga, an enraged Deku transformed into an imposing and relentless force, seemingly unstoppable against Shigaraki. However, his menacing presence wasn’t nearly as palpable in the animated version, primarily due to censorship and overuse of vibrant colors that seemed out of place. Additionally, the animation was noticeably choppy and slow, which was truly disheartening given this battle was supposed to be the grand finale of the entire arc. All things considered, I firmly believe that this fight is best experienced through the pages of the manga.

2 Mezo Shoji Vs. Spinner

The Anime Lacked A Lot Of Crucial Context

Chapters 369 to 374 (Manga) Episodes 151 to 153 (Anime)

In the storyline, the theme of unfair treatment towards individuals possessing Mutant Type traits or Heteromorphs emerged later on. It was particularly significant during the climactic Final War Arc when Spinner and his radical faction attempted to storm the Central Hospital. This resulted in a thrilling confrontation between Spinner and the young protagonist Mezo Shoji.

Although both the manga and anime didn’t delve deeply enough into this specific theme, the original manga had laid the groundwork several years earlier with crucial scenes that depicted Spinner’s struggle and significantly advanced his character. As I’ve noted before, many of these significant scenes were absent from the anime, which resulted in a notable reduction of emotional intensity during this fight. While the animated version is by no means poor quality, it seemed surprisingly abrupt compared to the detailed setup provided in the manga.

1 Endeavor And Hawks Vs. All For One

The Choppy Animation And The Bright Colors Made It Look A Lot Less Intense

Chapters 353 to 364 (Manga) Episodes 144 to 150 (Anime)

At the outset of the Final War Arc, the formidable heroes were split into various squads. Among them, the Pro Heroes Endeavor and Hawks received the toughest mission: confronting All For One. This assignment sparked a relentless and complex battle, with the embodiment of evil skillfully employing some of his most potent stolen abilities, while both heroes tested their powers to their maximum capacities.

However, the animated adaptation of this team-up was hindered by a lot of questionable directing decisions, like the use of bright colors and some rough animation that ruined the dark mood. It doesn’t look bad per se, but most fans were expecting an encounter this important to look way better. In comparison, Horikoshi’s art really shined in the original version, especially when Endeavor lost an arm and made a new one out of his own fire. This was one of the most epic heroic moments in the manga, while it looked just okay in the anime.

2024-10-11 03:05