The Plot Of My Hero Academia: You’re Next, Explained

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The Plot Of My Hero Academia: You're Next, Explained

Highlights

  • My Hero Academia is on fire in 2024 with the manga ending, Season 7 airing, and a new movie, “You’re Next,” earning big.
  • The movie features Dark Might, an intriguing villain with powers similar to All Might, shaking up the hero world.
  • While the movie adds depth to the MHA universe, it’s optional to watch for main storyline understanding.

As a devoted fan of My Hero Academia since its inception, I must say that the latest movie, “You’re Next,” has truly outdone itself! The plot twists and turns were as exhilarating as the battles themselves, leaving me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire film.

2024 seems to be the year that “My Hero Academia” truly takes center stage. Following the wrap-up of the manga series not long ago and Season 7 of the anime being broadcast, fans have a lot to keep up with. However, the hype doesn’t end there – the franchise is gearing up to premiere its fourth feature film, titled “My Hero Academia: Your Turn“, in cinemas.

Back in August of 2023, I learned about an upcoming anime movie titled “You’re Next,” set to drop globally, including North America, on October 11, 2024. Excitement surged through the fandom when it was announced that this film would debut in Japan on August 2, 2024, raking in a whopping 370 million yen (approximately 2.5 million US dollars) on its very first day!

My Hero Academia: You’re Next Plot Explained

The Plot Of My Hero Academia: You're Next, Explained

My Hero Academia: Up Next!

The movie begins by showcasing Japan’s cities reduced to rubble, with just scattered remnants of society left standing. The valiant youths from U.A.’s Class 1-A are relentlessly battling villains and striving to reestablish peace in their world, when suddenly a strange fortress appears, indiscriminately swallowing up everyone it encounters.

As our heroes grapple with identifying the origin of this fortress and deciding on their next move, it becomes clear that Deku and his companions will encounter a powerful new adversary, self-proclaimed as Dark Might. Interestingly, Dark Might shares an uncanny resemblance to their mentor, All Might.

As a long-time fan of the superhero genre and someone who has closely followed My Hero Academia since its inception, I must say that the latest development in the story arc of All Might resonates deeply with me. The emergence of “Dark Might” is strikingly reminiscent of those “evil Superman” storylines we’ve seen over and over again, but what sets it apart is its thought-provoking exploration of All Might’s legacy.

Dark Might: The Evil Superman

The Plot Of My Hero Academia: You're Next, Explained

Dark Might holds the idea that genuine heroism stems from immense strength instead of moral deeds. Unfortunately, this warped perspective causes him to seize a girl who possesses powers that amplify her abilities, intending to use her might to redesign the city according to his desires. Consequently, an enormous airborne fortress arises where many innocent civilians, including our heroes, are unwillingly imprisoned.

In this movie, Dark Might could be considered its standout element. His abilities enable him to alter large quantities of matter, and he’s supported by an ensemble of potent quirk users who acknowledge him as the new Symbol of Peace. Contrary to stereotype, Dark Might is not a flat, villainous character. Instead, he’s engagingly complex, making him a compelling watch. In fact, his portrayal might just be the reason You’re Next is worth your time.

Todoroki, Bakugo and Deku Shine in My Hero Academia: You’re Next

The flying fortress mentioned earlier is Dark Might’s creation (not a spoiler, it becomes quite obvious early on in the movie how it happened). It traps hundreds of civilians and displaces them all over the fortress, pretty much like the Infinity Castle in Kimetsu no Yaiba. With all the main characters split-up and disoriented, we see each of them trying to reach and confront Dark Might in their own way. But before they can get to him, they must overcome his super-powered allies and an endless army of quirk-created automatons.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but appreciate the intricate narrative structure that offers numerous thrilling skirmishes and significant character interactions. Though Deku, Bakugo, and Todoroki are prominently featured, every hero gets their moment in the limelight. For our three leading heroes, the confrontation with Dark Might is not just a physical battle, but a deeply emotional test that questions their very essence as heroes.

1. In this film, we encounter two fresh faces: Giulio and Anna. Giulio, once a butler who is now part machine, plays a significant supporting role. He’s on a quest to eliminate his previous master, Anna, which adds complexity to the primary storyline. The creator of the series, Horikoshi, emphasizes the significance of the relationship between Giulio and Anna, suggesting it ties in with Deku and his companions’ ultimate objectives.

Is My Hero Academia: You’re Next Canon?

Initially, the portrayal of Japan in the film indicates that the events of “You’re Next” occur near the start of the anime’s seventh season.

Regarding its canonicity, it’s been confirmed by the voice actors that the film, “You’re Next,” falls under the category of being technically canon within the “My Hero Academia” universe. This implies that the events depicted in the movie are acknowledged as having taken place within this universe. However, viewing the movie is not essential for understanding the plot progression of the anime series. It’s simply an additional piece of content for fans to enjoy.

If you’re still finding it hard to grasp this topic, Horikoshi offered some enlightenment during an interview. He proposed that viewers who have seen You’re Next before Season 8 might find links to backstage events. Nevertheless, he clarified that those who haven’t watched the movie are unlikely to see a significant impact on their comprehension of the primary storyline.

Watching the film on its own can be intriguing, but once you connect it back to the original narrative, you may find yourself saying “Ah, that’s where the plot was headed!”

To put it simply, watching the movie “You’re Next” might offer extra insights into the world of “My Hero Academia”, but these events aren’t essential to understanding the main storyline. You can continue enjoying the anime series without watching this movie, as it doesn’t significantly alter the primary plot.

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2024-08-20 20:34