My Hero Academia Season 1 Review

After 13 episodes, the first season of My Hero Academia has come to an end, with a second season announced to be aired either late 2016 or early 2017. Other than the plot, which I've explained in my First Impressions review, there really isn't much to say about the first season.

This is because one of the show's biggest flaws is its incredibly slow pacing. Thankfully, it's not as bad as Naruto Shippuden, but it's very much visible and can't be ignored. I mean, it's understandable considering that the manga has produced 96 chapters so far since it first came out on Weekly Shonen Jump in July of 2014. The first season of the Anime covered the first 20 chapters.

When you think about it, 96 chapters over the course of two years seems small compared to the hundreds made from Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece. But such is the case, and since the manga is still ongoing, the last thing the Anime adaptation of My Hero Academia needs is either another long hiatus so the manga can produce more chapters, or go with the Naruto/Bleach route and throw in fillers. It may have worked back then, but I doubt it works now.

It doesn't help either that the action sequences in the first season are minimal and only lasts a few seconds. Compare it to One Punch Man and Tiger & Bunny, which are both superhero-themed works. With the exception of Saitama, who almost finishes everything quickly with his One Punch, the action sequences in One Punch Man and Tiger & Bunny last several minutes. But in the case of My Hero Academia, there's just like a few moves and a lot of commentary thrown in. That's it.

Granted, a similar formula is featured in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, but the cheesy commentary in JoJo is one of the franchise's charms and there is a good use of the action sequences. I can't really say much in My Hero Academia.

The second problem, which I don't really consider a problem, but it's something I honestly am not fond of, is Deku's character. The character talks a lot, thinks a lot, and whines a lot. I simply find him awfully annoying that I wanna Bright-Slap him and say "Get Over It!".

That being said, I do understand the appeal of Deku. He is the culmination of what it's like to be a teenager struggling for acceptance in this world that we live in. A lot of teenagers can relate to Deku and many have seen him as the new hero of this generation of Shonen heroes after Naruto, Ichigo, Luffy, and Goku.

If I were a teenager, I would relate to Deku's struggle and appreciate him a lot, as he is a reflection of my own struggle. So I get it. But I am an adult now and I just find Deku's character to be just that annoying he deserves that Bright-Slap.

Third is its cast being incredibly large. I'm already struggling to remember the cast of Game of Thrones, and this one is just as troubling to me, if not worse.

In spite of the issues I have with My Hero Academia, I actually enjoyed it. There is this charm to the show that, even with its problems, makes you come back for more. Yes, I'm not fond of Deku, but I do want to see how he manages with the power he is given. How long will All Might can hold on to his power? Will Bakugo turn heel just to defeat Deku?

And because this is a superhero-themed Anime, I couldn't shake off this feeling that My Hero Academia deserves to crossover with either One Punch Man or Tiger & Bunny. Make it the same way as Marvel or DC Comics and have an event where they do crossover, and how they interact and deal with a common threat. When the League of Villains attack, I really wished the S-class heroes of One Punch Man come to assist and see how Saitama deals with Nomu.

Last but not least, I cannot forget Porno Graffiti. I first heard of the band when they did the theme song "Anima Rossa" for Bleach, and they did a solid job with the theme song "The Day" for My Hero Academia.

So again, in spite of my reservations towards My Hero Academia, for what it's worth, it deserves to carry the torch of Shonen Anime from those before it. While I'm waiting for Season 2, I'll of course look up on the manga until it does arrive. I know it's still wishful thinking, but I do want it to crossover with One Punch Man or Tiger & Bunny. On a scale of 1 to 5, I give Season 1 of My Hero Academia a 3 out of 5.