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

This show is officially on a hot streak.

My Hero Academia delivered one of its top episode in “Fight on, Iida.” Season 2 of My Hero Academia achieved excellence with “Shoto Todoroki: Origin,” and continued that streak with “Fight on, Iida.” Now “Todoroki vs. Bakugo” offers a hearty does of twists, excitement, and character development.

I was shocked when Izuku Midoriya, aka Deku (Justin Briner), the series protagonist, lost to a classmate and rival Todoroki (David Matranga). Then, Tenya Iida (John Michael Tatum) fights Todoroki. Once again, Todoroki emerges victorious. In “Todoroki vs. Bakugo,” the driven Katsuik Bakugo (Clifford Chapin) fights Todorkoi. Initially, I expected Bakugo to lose with Tokoroki rising to the top of the U.A. Sports Festival. However, in what came as a surprise to me, Bakugo bested Todoroki.

“Todoroki vs. Bakugo” wraps up the sports fest plot line. While I’m excited to see the progression of several narratives such as a newly introduced villain, I do appreciate the frenetic energy afforded by the sports fest. Additionally, I’m keen to see how Deku’s relationship with All Might (Christopher R. Sabat) changes after the sports festival.

As My Hero Academia season 2 progresses, it becomes more personal for several characters. There’s a lot to dissect for Todoroki. Whereas he initially shuns his father’s fire quirk, Todoroki eventually accepts that he can use it as his own. Further, Todoroki embarks on a mission to rescue his mother. Iida deals with an attack on his older brother by a mysterious new villain. Deku grapples with losing in the sports fest. Meanwhile, Uraraka (Luci Christian) returns home and is surprised by her parents.

This past three-episode arc makes My Hero Academia into a masterpiece. It’s an intelligent, well-written show that’s not afraid to trounce viewer expectations. Moreover, My Hero Academia presents fairly heavy topics alongside its lighthearted humor. This balance of narrative elements makes season 2 even more enjoyable. With the sports fest concluded, I’m excited to see how the rest of the season proceeds.