My Hero Academia: A Smile Worth Saving

Key Takeaways

Toga poses a major threat, which brings out the best in her complex dynamic with Uraraka.
Uraraka shows compassion for Toga, bridging the gap between hero and villain with a focus on love.
Season 7 concludes the battle at Gunga Villa, delivering powerful performances and stunning artwork in the process.

Title	My Hero Academia Season 7
Director	Naomi Nakayama, Kenji Nagasaki (Chief Director)
Studio	Bones
Episode Air Date	10/5/2024

As a long-time fan of My Hero Academia and someone who has followed Uraraka’s journey since her humble beginnings, I must say this week’s episode was nothing short of extraordinary. The way Uraraka navigated her complex feelings towards Toga, not just as a villain but also as a fellow human being, was a testament to her growth as a character. It was heartwarming to see her approach the battle not with aggression, but with empathy and a desire for understanding.

The following contains spoilers for My Hero Academia, Episode 158, “A Girl’s Ego”, now streaming on Crunchyroll.

As My Hero Academia‘s Season 7 nears its conclusion, I find myself yearning for more episodes, particularly since the storytelling and acting have never been as compelling as they are now. This past week was especially significant for manga readers, as we watched Studio Bones bring to life the intricate relationship between Ochaco Uraraka and Himiko Toga during their intense rivalry.

Since drinking Twice’s blood and gaining her duplication ability, Toga has rapidly emerged as one of the most significant dangers to heroes and Japan, second only to Shigaraki and All For One. However, she hasn’t been able to fully harness this power like the original user, which has left Toga feeling hopeless, a despair that Uraraka couldn’t help but notice, even amidst a crowd of copies.

Uraraka and Toga’s Face-Off Is… A Lot

In the show, the bond between Uraraka and Toga holds a bittersweet, deeply emotional complexity that has sparked numerous conversations over time. Their relationship carries strong romantic underpinnings, which are not mere hints but significant aspects of their storyline. Labeling these as ‘undertones’ might seem inadequate when considering the richness and impact these elements have on the narrative as a whole.

These characters are mainly recognized by how they show affection and love towards others. While Uraraka expresses affection in socially acceptable ways, Toga struggles due to a type of intimacy that feels natural to her but is often seen as unusual or off-putting by others. Since she didn’t grow up in an environment where such subtleties could be learned healthily, it’s no surprise that Toga developed into a villain.

Society Failed Himiko Toga

When Toga reflects on her parents’ strong response to her actions and their decision to send her to counseling, there’s a disturbing tone to the words they used. The adults around her either dealt with her harshly, as if she were some kind of monster, or disguised their disapproval with sweet phrases, discussing “fixing” her and making her “regular” due to an alleged “abnormality” within her. This language has a chilling resemblance to the rhetoric used in conversion therapy.

It seems clear why the interpretation of their relationship between her and Uraraka as queer stands out so much – it strongly resonated with me, although it’s not an exact match. It’s understandable to feel uncomfortable about a child needing blood, but in a society where people value their unique abilities (quirks), it’s a glaring contradiction to reject this acceptance due to negative feelings (bad vibes). Furthermore, Toga’s outcome is merely the consequence of the system’s failings.

Uraraka’s Refusal to Let Toga Suffer Alone

Since their encounter with Toga during Season 6, Uraraka has been grappling with her obligations as a hero and her intricate emotions towards a villain. Following her interaction with Deku in Episode 143, however, she starts to grasp that not being able to forgive Toga doesn’t necessarily mean she’s faltering in her duties. On the contrary, her strong desire to comprehend Toga might be the very essence of what makes her a genuine hero.

As she engages in combat with Toga, she’s not so much aiming to overpower her but rather to catch her attention, to discuss a topic that is surprisingly profound – love. This theme is deeply rooted in both their characters, despite their differing methods of expression, which makes it an effective approach to reach her. Instead of exploiting a vulnerable point, Ochaco is also opening up herself. She reveals her poverty, her family background, and above all, her feelings for Deku. Her intention is that Toga might reciprocate in kind.

My Hero Academia Delivers Another Tour De Force

“The scene where a youthful Ochaco reaches out her arm to give blood to Himiko, which seems straightforward, might just be the most impactful image so far – in a season that’s known for its exceptional artwork.

It can’t be understated how much of this episode’s quality is owed to the vocal performances. Ayane Sakura as Ochaco Uraraka, Misato Fukuen as Himiko Toga, Aoi Yuki as Tsuyu Asui, etc., all convey the pain and exhaustion from this strenuous battle in their voices. Their cries are haggard and desperate, yet when the chaos makes way for some semblance of quiet, even the softness in their voices quakes, like holding back a sea of tears.

The voices and Yuki Hayashi’s outstanding music would have made this episode incredibly intense even without visuals, but the art is equally impressive, mirroring the talent of its performers. This season often contrasts characters with their younger selves (even in the opening sequence), which serves to remove their burdens and bring them back to a time before the world tarnished their innocence, making every character equally significant.

In this instance, Toga transforms into the feared monster that everyone perceives her as, but surprisingly, young Uraraka accepts her nonetheless. A poignant image emerges when little Ochaco extends her hand offering blood to Himiko, which could be the most impactful frame so far – in a season renowned for its exceptional artwork.

The End of the Battle of Gunga Villa

This episode effectively wrapped up the Gunga Villa arc by placing Toga as the main antagonist, leaving characters from various storylines vulnerable to her control. Characters like Hawks, Iida, the Todoroki family, and others are all potentially affected by Toga’s enactment of Twice’s “Sad Man’s Death Parade”. Throughout this season-long fight, the music, visuals, and dialogue consistently convey the immense scope of this confrontation.

The final episode of this season arrives next week, featuring All Might clashing with All For One again, while Deku and Shigaraki carry on their fight beneath the Sky Coffin’s debris. To suggest that anticipation is merely high would be a significant understatement; it’s hard to imagine how My Hero Academia could possibly fall short of delivering an incredible finale. Here’s to hoping it concludes spectacularly!

2024-10-06 23:33