English Dub Review: My Hero Academia “Cavalry Battle Finale”

Final battle…GO!

My Hero Academia continues, as does the U.A. High School sports festival. After the obstacle race, U.A. high school students participate in a Cavalry Battle. Series protagonist Izuku Midoriya, or Deku (Justin Briner), teams up with Ochako Uraraka (Luci Christian), Fumikate Tokoyami (Josh Grelle), and Mei Hatsume. During “Strategy, Strategy, Strategy,” Deku’s team struggled as their own class 1A fought to bring them down.

“Cavalry Battle Finale” resumes where “Strategy, Strategy, Strategy” left off. Deku, emerging in the first place from the obstacle race, obtained a 10,000,000 point headband. In the Cavalry Battle, each player is given a headband worth a certain set of points. Deku’s remains the highest number. The goal is to emerge from the battle with the most number of points.

I like the way “Cavalry Battle Finale” builds tension. Despite the feeling that Midoriya will persevere, and rise victorious, it’s nonetheless a struggle for Deku, Tokoyami, Ochako, and Hatsume. Additionally, I enjoy watching how Deku, Ochako, Hatsume, and Tokoyami collaborate and work together. Seeing their quirks (or powers) alone or in conjunction with one another’s skills is enthralling. Further, “Cavalry Battle Finale” shows not only their quirks but weaknesses and limitations as well.

Ultimately there’s a twist. The Cavalry Battle doesn’t end quite as I’d expected, a touch I rather appreciated. This lends a depth to the show, proving its commitment to straying from the expected and forging into unknown territory. Character development remains cleverly crafted. Deku notably evolves as the season progresses. In “Cavalry Battle Finale,” he finally uses his quirk, but only slightly. Through his actions, as well as internal dialogue, Deku’s personality forms and hones itself.

While the sports festival remains the main focal point of the series thus far, “Cavalry Battle Finale” advances the festival plot. The pace, unlike the pilot, persists in staying uptempo. While I’m eager to witness plot elements outside the sports festival, “Cavalry Battle Finale” changed the dynamic and kept the pace quick for an entertaining episode. Still, there’s loads of off-field excitement. Hopefully, once the U.A. sports fest concludes, My Hero Academia will shift focus to concentrate on those subplots.

“Cavalry Battle Finale” succeeds in ushering in a pleasant, gripping conclusion to the Cavalry Battle while surprising with its slight twist of an ending. A fast pace benefits the episode, and maintains interest throughout, despite the continual onus on the U.A. Sports Festival.