English Dub Review: My Hero Academia “Bakugo vs. Uraraka”

Possibly the best episode of the season thus far.

My Hero Academia continues and so does the U.A. High School Sports Festival. “Bakugo vs. Uraraka” arrives as a turning point in the season, and one of the strongest episodes in season 2. Ochako Uraraka (Luci Christian) takes on the powerful Bakugo. Even one of the announcers admits that he’s rooting for Uraraka. She’s series protagonist Deku’s (Justin Briner) closest friend and has a neat quirk, or power, of being able to make objects float. Moreover, her intentions as revealed in “That’s the Idea, Ochako” are to become a hero to help her parents.

But “Bakugo vs. Uraraka”  defies expectations. There are several turns throughout the episode when My Hero Academia deviates from the norm. I like this variation and it makes the show, and this episode particularly, significantly more exciting and engaging. Additionally, most of the episode doesn’t even focus on Deku. Instead, it concentrates on the battle of Bakugo and Uraraka.

Still, the final moments show what promises to be one of the greatest moments of season 2: Deku aka Izuku Midoriya faces off against the uber-powerful Todoroki. Further, there’s drama over Midoriya’s power gleaned from All Might (Christopher R. Sabat) as well as a foe menacingly uttering “I’m not afraid of two kids,” speaking of Todoroki and Deku.

Though I’ve enjoyed the fast pacing of My Hero Academia season 2 and its onus on the sports fest, episodes felt a bit formulaic. Each episode thus far concentrated on a different battle. While these face-offs varied somewhat, there was still a similar vibe and setting to most. But “Bakugo vs. Uraraka” comes as what feels like a turning point. The sports fest nears its end. Plus, My Hero Academia proved its willingness to subvert preconceived notions of logical narrative progression. I like this boldness and, “Bakugo vs. Uraraka” more than any episode thus far has me excited to see where the next episode leads. Overall, I’ve enjoyed My Hero Academia quite, with season 2 clocking in at stronger than its solid first season run.