My Hero Academia: All the OVAs, Reviewed

Key Takeaways

• My Hero Academia has eight OVAs and they are mostly good.
• “Training of the Dead” might be the funniest thing to come from the anime, and “Departure” stuns despite a short runtime.
• Overall, the OVAs are enjoyable but rarely achieve their full potential.

Over a span of seven seasons, and about to conclude with an eighth, the journey of “My Hero Academia” has been a prolonged one, marked by exceptional narratives and indelible characters, with minimal unnecessary content throughout. Apart from the anime-exclusive movies that have captivated audiences worldwide, Studio Bones has also created numerous OVA episodes during its broadcast, some of which have yet to be streamed online.

From its debut in Spring 2016, Studio Bones has generated eight Original Video Animations (OVAs), which could be extensions of the TV series or tie-ins to movie releases. At times, they’ve been adaptations of extra materials, but more often than not, they’ve been unique stories that explore intriguing concepts and rely heavily on character interactions.

The Anime’s First-Ever OVAs

Save! Rescue Training!

Experiencing a peculiar feeling as I watch the inaugural OVA of “My Hero Academia” for the first time. It underscores just how much the series has evolved, stirring up feelings of nostalgia along with a tinge of melancholy. On one side, it’s endearing to see Class 1-A students interacting when they were still becoming acquainted. However, this also means revisiting characters like Bakugo and Mineta at their most exasperating moments.

Post the events at the end of Season 1, “Save! Rescue Training!” finds the Class 1-A students returning to their training grounds at the simulation facility to catch up on missed sessions. However, it seems that this OVA version falls short in comparison to ideas that would be more fully developed in the main series, such as the class learning the significance of handling civilians during a rescue operation. Given its limited content, it may not be necessary to seek out this OVA for viewing.

VERDICT: NOT RECOMMENDED

Training of the Dead!

At the beginning of this OVA, it adapts an additional chapter focusing on Tsuyu’s family history and her friendship with Habuko Mongoose, a girl who resembles a snake. This part is cute and introduces an entirely new tale where Class 1-A takes part in a survival training alongside students from Isamu Academy, which is where Habuko attends. However, things get interesting when one of Isamu’s students triggers a quirk that transforms people into zombies.

Following a rather lackluster prequel, this installment was genuinely entertaining. The creators of the movie “My Hero Academia: Two Heroes” significantly increased the comedic elements in this part, thanks to imaginative abilities of the newly introduced heroes and delightful character dynamics all around. It had a vibe similar to an episode of “Angel Beats” or another well-known comedy series, with instances of wildly hilarious chaos.

VERDICT: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Short and Sweet or Long and Boring

All Might Rising

There’s not much new information in ‘All Might Rising’, primarily because it’s quite brief – running under three minutes. Originally, it was a standalone story given out to audiences who watched Two Heroes. In my opinion, if it had to be animated at all, it would have been more sensible to include it as part of the movie’s opening sequence. The animation depicts All Might’s journey, starting from when he lost his mentor and leading up to his departure for America to grow stronger. The visuals are moving, but the storyline doesn’t offer anything significantly new beyond what can already be deduced.

VERDICT: NOT ESSENTIAL

Make It! Do-or-Die Survival Training

Occasionally, viewers of contemporary shonen series might dismiss the slower sections as “filler,” failing to determine if what they find annoying truly qualifies as such. Critics of “My Hero Academia” may perceive the usual episodes as “Make It! Do-or-Die Survival Training.” Like “Save! Rescue Training!”, it can seem purposeless since it’s essentially a prelude to another similar storyline in the main plot. However, what makes it even worse is that it appears the writing and acting lack enthusiasm or dedication.

This two-part OVA seems to function as an introduction for newcomers who haven’t seen the previous seasons, as if it were a standalone piece. Interestingly, though, this OVA is actually derived from a live drama skit that was presented in 2018. Unfortunately, the narrative feels stretched out and lacks the originality one would expect, with only sporadic glimpses of clever concepts amidst an otherwise ordinary storyline.

VERDICT: NOT RECOMMENDED

Departure

Just like “All Might Rising,” this one may be brief, but it’s undeniably worth the watch due to its stunning visuals. Animation genius Yuki Hayashi takes center stage here. His clever use of perspective and creative distortion of character designs create a hilarious comedy experience that never fails to entertain. It’s a humorous animation skit packed with top-tier animation, serving as a testament to Hayashi’s exceptional skills (Take a look for yourself).

VERDICT: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The Baseball Episode That Wasn’t, and Other Oddities

HLB – Hero League Baseball

This animated episode revolves around baseball, much like a beach episode has sun and sand. You’ll find two groups of people here – those who adore these episodes and those who prefer to pass them by. I, for one, enjoyed it immensely. The storyline aligns perfectly with expectations, but the animation is what truly shines. It’s a delight to witness an OVA where the main characters take a backseat, allowing the supporting cast to shine brilliantly instead.

VERDICT: IT’S A BASEBALL EPISODE (DO WITH THAT WHAT YOU WILL)

Laugh! As If You Are in Hell

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, this OVA seems to be packing an intriguing twist! There’s a sneaky baddie causing chaos by inducing fits of uncontrollable laughter in people, making him impossible to catch. But what really gets our heroes fired up is some good ol’ fashioned payback. It’s not your typical high-stakes story, but with its adorable charm and innovative action sequences like Bakugo taking on challenges with a blindfold, it’s definitely worth checking out!

VERDICT: RECOMMENDED

UA Heroes Battle

During Winter Break, when students are stuck in their dorms, Togata introduces a novel creation from the Support Course: a card game centered around Hero Course students. By laying down character cards, the game generates a virtual combat scene on the board. If it weren’t for the annoying bug-eyed characters within the game, some intriguing hypothetical battles might have taken place. The ideas are engaging, but they’re marred by uninspiring humor and a concept that struggles to sustain an entire episode.

VERDICT: NOT RECOMMENDED

In essence, the Original Video Animations (OVAs) of My Hero Academia often lean towards being better than average, but they fail to reach their full potential and could arguably push further. Unlike the movies, where Studio Bones delves into extravagant spectacle and innovative concepts, these additional episodes and shorts do not fully capitalize on the opportunity to enrich and enhance the series. Nevertheless, it would be appealing if Studio Bones continued producing OVAs even after the anime concludes.

My Hero Academia is now streaming on Crunchyroll.

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2024-10-24 20:34