Monday, May 31, 2021

Viewer Log: My Hero Academia ep 80

Not sure who has it worse, Bakugo and Todoroki working with kindergartners or Izuku dealing with weird Aoyama. 

Last time on My Hero Academia, Bakugo and Todoroki went to their remedial Provisional License class. There they met up with Yoarashi and the real Camie from Shiketsu high, along with Seiji Shishikura, who is just there to observe. The quartet were singled out by the teacher, Gang Orca, for a special assignment to work on their ability to connect with others. They have to connect with the hearts of some of the most monstrous of people, kindergartners. The kids in question are problem children that also possess powerful quirks, so they have their work cut out for them. Bakugo insists that they have a brawl to prove who’s strongest, and the kids are more than happy to oblige. Enough recap, let’s get to it.

This could either be a future Justice League or
Legion of Doom moment.

 

We open strongly with the grade schoolers attacking the students full force. One kid throws demon death balls, one throws dust, another swings a massive hammer, a fourth kid hits them with an electromagnetic wave, and the weirdest power of all, a kid with a cannon in his mouth. And that’s just naming a few. The size of the explosion the last kid makes surprises Present Mic, who notes that he was no where near as powerful as a child. Seiji explains that this is a known phenomenon. As Quirks mix with each generation, Quirks get more and more potent. This has lead some to believe in a theory called the Quirk Singularity Doomsday, that Quirks will eventually get too powerful for people’s bodies to handle. How ominous!

 

The teacher, Ikoma, gets up to try to stop her students, but Present Mic grabs her. He advices to let her stay back and let the students handle it. The other students of the remedial class ask Gang Orca if things will be okay. He takes personal offense to these questions and yells at them for thinking that he didn’t have this entire situation under control. He believes in these four, they might be failures but they can handle themselves.

 

Thankfully, when the dust clears, it’s revealed that the four hero students are seemingly unscathed. Not completely sure how that works, but whatever. Todoroki comments that he thinks that because the kids know that they’re hero students, they attacked with full force. This pisses off Bakugo, like most things do, and Yoarashi is sad because he just wants to be their friend. One of the other girls fires her “Queen Beam” at Todoroki which… turns him into a complimenting prince? Oh, wait, no, it was just Camie in disguise screwing with her. We finally learn that Camie’s Quirk is called Glamour, which lets her make illusions for a short period of time. Okay, I guess the Toga swap out can be forgiven if an aspect of their powers is that similar. I assume Toga used an excuse of being ill or her powers changing if anyone pointed out that Camie’s illusions don’t typically have a grey goo involved with them. For some reason, Bakugo is highly entertained by “Glamouoki” and can’t stop laughing about it. I’m with Todoroki, I don’t get why it’s funny.

 

I'm a grown ass man and I want to ride this slide.

The lead kid is from earlier is clearly upset by the older kids not taking them seriously. He swears that they, the kindergartners, will show that they’re more powerful than anyone. But then the students unleash their plan. Yoarashi unleashes a whirlwind that throws many of the little kids into the air, Camie creates an Aurora Borealis like illusion and Todoroki freezes the various kid’s attacks into the shape of a massive slide. Yoarashi puts them all atop it and the kids slide down, Camie and Todoroki using their powers to add to the effect. Todoroki explains that he can’t make complex designs with his ice just yet, but he used the kid’s tools and attacks as a frame for the slide, and compliments them all on their power.

 

We get a flashback to Bakugo explaining the plan. They need to show the kids how impressive they are, but also not humiliate the kids. Because losing to someone that they don’t respect will just make them feel like crap, which would be counterproductive. Weird how insightful Bakugo is being today… Yoarashi wants to set them on a better path, so they can avoid causing trouble like he did during the exam.

 

Seiji and Present Mic are both impressed with this strategy, which should get to the students and not wreck their self-esteem. Getting through to punk kids is something that is kinda hard to do, even if they are receptive to what you’re saying. Glad that they figured out a strategy that should be very beneficial for everyone involved.

 

Bakugo grabs the boss kid and tells him to get in there and have some fun. BK tries to fight off Bakugo, still believing that he’s superior to the older kids. Bakugo drops some knowledge on the kid, that always looking down on people it’ll be impossible for him to understand his own weaknesses. Bakugo talking from experience, eh? Bakugo has Yoarashi lift the BK up to ride the slide. Ms. Ikoma is shocked to see her kids have a complete turnaround like this. Present Mic advices her to keep this vibe going when she’s in charge again.

 

 All Might in the stands asks Endeavour why it’s so important to be the strongest. Endeavor can’t answer as he seems too enthralled by seeing Shoto using his flame side with a smile on his face to notice.

 

I feel like Present Mic is that guy who knows
everybody in his field.

After, Gang Orca congratulates them on completing their task despite their very vague instructions. Bakugo and Todoroki both are mentally quite pissed that the vague instructions were part of the test. He starts to compliment them all, but then starts yelling at them not to fail again. Present Mic explains that Gang Orca is actually a huge softie that loves kids, he’s just putting on a tough face for show. Ahhh.

 

After the fight, Yoarashi, Todoroki and Camie walk out and chat amicably, Bakugo does his best to walk ahead and ignore them. Yoarashi thinks that after all of that, he and Todoroki are destined to be friends, and Todoroki seems to be not upset by the idea. Camie says that Bakugo is okay when he doesn’t talk, so he should try shutting up more. Bakugo is angry (shrug). They run into Seiji and their teacher talking with All Might, Endeavor and Present Mic. Camie asks what they’re talking about, to which Seiji rather angrily announces is her. The teachers are beginning to work out the details of their schools working together more closely. Hopefully to decrease the chances of students getting kidnapped again, and in the hopes that they can start working together for joint training. Bakugo says that he’ll fight Seiji one on one and beat him.

 

Endeavor goes to talk to Shoto, but the youngest Todoroki isn’t interested in getting chummy with his pop. He slaps Endeavor’s hand away when he goes to ruffle Shoto’s hair. Endeavor, undaunted, tells his son that he’s vey proud of him, and that he swears to become someone that Shoto can be proud of too. That feels like a pretty tall order, given the years of emotional abuse, his wife being put into a psychiatric ward and his oldest son’s mysterious death, but what ya gonna do? Yoarashi punches himself in the face for some reason, and then goes over to the Todorokis. He tells Endeavor that he’ll be rooting for him.

 

All Might muses that progress is slow. Sometimes people come to a standstill, sometimes they have to look behind them, but step by step they keep moving forward.

 

The next few weeks pass in a blur for the students, and it’s now September. It’s weird that we’re still only in the like second quarter of their year, isn’t it? During that time, Izuku and the other students from the Shie Hassaikai raid attend Nighteye’s funeral. The kids talk with their hero mentors and it’s decided that they’re going to put their work studies on hold for a while. Centipeder is going to take over Nighteye’s agency and he and Bubble Girl are going to wait eagerly for Togata to return to active duty with them.

 

On a happier note, Eri has woken up. She’s still sickly and her power could still go out of control at any time. As such, they’re keeping her in isolation for a while longer. But they did discover that her power output is from the horn on her head. Releasing all of her power caused her horn to shrink to a little pump on her forehead.

 

Always ask before putting cheese in someone's mouth.

After all of that, the students get back into the grove of regular classwork. Izuku does his damnedest t make up for lost time during his math course with Ectoplasm. He tries to answer a question, but is off by a couple digits. Afterwards, Uraraka and Iida let him know that he’s impressed them with his renewed study fervor and suggest they get some lunch. Izuku barely gets out the sentiment that he’s hungry before Aoyama, this kid with the naval laser, sticks some cheese in his mouth. You really should ask before sticking fromage in people’s mouth. Everyone is kind of weirded out by this, for obvious reasons. He offers Izuku more cheese, but Izuku turns him down. Iida offers for Aoyama to join them for lunch, but Aoyama doesn’t eat at the cafeteria, Lunch Rush’s meals don’t agree with his stomach. They leave him to his rather fancy meal with… wine? Who allowed that?

Maybe it's because I've been listening to a true crime
podcast, but this has serious serial killer vibes.

 

Later that night, Izuku has someone sneaking around on his balcony. There’s some eerie music plays at its revealed to be Aoyama and he’s leaving something there. Izuku gets up, clearly disturbed and looks outside. On his balcony, written in cheese, is the message “Midoriya, I know.” Yeah, that’s really freaky.

 

Izuku runs to class the next day, as he didn’t get much sleep after that and is pretty weirded out. As he goes into the classroom, Aoyama winks at him and says surprise. Izuku thinks over the situation. He doesn’t know Aoyama very well, as he’s kind of a “free spirit” (weirdo) that doesn’t socialize much. He’s the guy that talks to just about everyone, but not about anything too deep.

 

After class, Kaminari shows some of the others that it’s been reported that the heroes Edgeshot (ninja who can flatten and stretch himself out), Mt. Lady (makes herself huge) and Kamui Woods (controls plants) are forming a team, supposedly called Team Lurkers. As they go to their next class, Ashido think they should all form a team when they’re pro. She suggest that Uraraka make her float so she can make acid rain. And that Sero could move her around with tape, and that Jiro, Koda and Shoji could be the scouts. Their team’s name? Team Rainy Day! I’m kinda into it. Mineta and Kaminari are kinda upset they aren’t included.

 

Everyone moves to the the gym for additional training. They’re supposed to either start working on a second ultimate move or prefect the two they already have until they’re flawless. Kirishima goes Unbreakable and swears to become a man that won’t flinch at someone like Rappa. He asks Bakugo, Sato, and Izuku hit him with everything they’ve got. Izuku turns him down to focus on solo training. Bakugo asks him if he’s made any progress, and when he says he hasn’t, is a dick. He tells Kirishima to let him use his Howitzer blast on him.

 

Weirdest bonding situation when one of the bondies
is suffering from serious indigestion.

Izuku thinks about how he’s pushed himself to 20% of One For All’s power, but he needs to hit 100% without anyone’s help if he’s going to be a real hero. He’s distracted by Aoyama being weird, showing him his new move, Naval Buffet Laser. It’s a focused laser cutter. Unfortunately, this laser attack gives him a stomach ache and he drops to his knees. Izuku, feeling bad for him, offers to take him to the infirmary to rest. Once it’s just the two of them, he asks about the balcony thing. Aoyama explains that he meant that he knows that Izuku’s body isn’t compatible with his power. Izuku kind of freaks out at this assessment, but Aoyama goes on to explain that he’s in the same boat. He’s had to wear his focusing belt since he was a child because otherwise the laser tends to leak out. His body can’t handle his power, and he remembers how Izuku used to hurt himself when using his power. He saw that Izuku had gotten more impatient to succeed since the work study, and wanted to encourage him. He loves cheese and surprises, so he thought the two together would encourage him. He’s a weirdo, but a nice weirdo. He advices that you can’t overcome the things that give you pain, you can’t twinkle! Izuku thanks him, but when he pats Aoyama on the back, it’s implied he craps himself. Oops. Afterwards, Izuku explains that this is how he and Aoyama became friends. How sweet.

 

Okay, so while this isn’t a bad episode, it definitely suffers from being two very different stories grafted together. I almost wish they’d done some filler in both episodes, extending the Remedial class arc into episode 80 and make Izuku and Aoyama’s side story be episode 81. I liked how Bakugo and Todoroki came together with Yoarashi and Camie to come up with a plan to beat but teach the kids they were put up against. It was pretty sweet. I also liked the bit between the Todorokis. As I said, Endeavor has a LOT to make up for, but his willingness to at least try makes it clear he’s not a complete hatesink. And while Aoyama’s stuff is a bit odd, it was a nice bit of world building. Aoyama confirms something that has been hinted at before, that sometimes Quirks and bodies don’t always work well together. Aoyama having intense indigestion due to his Quirk is actually one of the milder unfortunate mixes. Imagine, say, your main power is to generate intense flames, but, rather than having a resistance to extreme heat, your body has instead a resistance to extreme cold. That would be a real unfortunate combo, wouldn’t it? I liked that the two of them bonded and that Izuku has a better understanding of a fun but weird background character. Like I said, I think both of the stories told here are good and important, but mixing them together just felt a bit jarring. It’s a jagged edge instead of the slightly smoother edge of some of the earlier combined stories they’ve done. All I’m saying. Okay, after that last side story, we’ll move onto the next story arc, the UA School Festival Arc and the next villain, Gentle Criminal. I’ll see you then, have a good night. 

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