Series Review: My Hero Academia S3 – Episode 8

Episode 8 – “From Iida to Midoriya”

Finally, a kindly doctor explains the happenings of the past arc, invoking the full force of his bedside manner on Midoriya–explaining, with the medical community behind him, that our protagonist bypassed his body’s “limiters,” allowing him to go from “80%” to “100%” of his strength–a hilarious phenomenon aptly known as “hysterical strength.”

Deku learns of Kota’s behind-the-scenes care through a thank you note. The note begins as all notes do: “sorry for punching you in the balls.” The AniMessenger realizes that, unlike Newton’s Third Law, every action in MHA has an unequal, overblown reaction. Conversations between friends and enemies alike typically end in castration, slaps, and/or beatdowns.

The A Team huddles up and agrees to adopt the “acting without thinking” strategy for rescuing their flaming friend–a mantra every Hero must abide by (even though our cast have spent two episodes pondering their next course of action).

The plan: follow the coordinates emanating from the tracking device stuck to the Nomu’s butt (that Cap’n Handface definitely doesn’t know about), approach the Super Secret Lair of Villainry (simply walk through the door), and engage in “rescue without combat” by escorting Bakugo out of said Lair with a chorus of “Swiper, no swiping!”s echoing out behind them.

The entirety of the episode revolves around our Super Friends’ attempts to re-frame their actions in a non-stupid, “heroic” light. Alas, they cannot. Thus, the audience must watch, eyes rolling, as the lines between idiocy and heroism blur. Nevertheless, the narrative progresses. As Bakugo breaks loose from his shackles, will he burn the villains to a crisp? Or will he return to a pure energy state, stuck in Poké Ball stasis?

Rating: C+

And, please remember:

~ Don’t Shoot the Messenger

 

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