English Dub Review: My Hero Academia “Temp Squad”

Overview(Spoilers Below):

The League and the Hassaikai join forces.

Our Take:

I really enjoyed how they showcased the League of Villains. They first seem like a ragtag group of villains- and they were. Shigaraki’s actions didn’t really draw them in, but rather Stain’s actions. Shigaraki is without a doubt their leader, but it hasn’t really been shown very much that they care about each other as a unit, minus what Magne implies right before her death. Twice is absolutely distraught by what he’s done, in introducing Overhaul to the League that ended up getting Magne killed and Mr. Compress’ arm blown off, enough that he talks back to Shigaraki. He doesn’t want to team up with someone who hurt them so strongly, because he cares about them. Toga too, she seems very airheaded and whimsical, but ultimately, she was very hurt by Magne dying and threatens Shigaraki

Shigaraki in turn, shows one of the first signs as a budding leader. This entire time, he’s been more of a brat under All For One’s care, using his mentor’s influence to get things done rather than do anything himself. This time, All for One is gone, and it’s up to Shigaraki to helm things himself. Here, Chie has greatly insulted him, but it’s still in their best interests to cooperate than become enemies on the surface. This seems to have caused Shigaraki to compose himself differently, as it turns out he does value his fellow League members. Having Chie kill and maul two members wasn’t just an insult to the League and Shigaraki, but to the League’s unity as a whole. When Shigaraki tells Twice and Toga to cause trouble, he isn’t saying it to recover his personal lost pride, but because he’s just as angry as the rest of them. The heroes care a lot about each other, but that the villains do as well means that they are a legitimate threat. They’re not a ragtag group that will sell each other out.

In contrast to this is the Hassaikai. Chie rules by fear and people obey him because of his overwhelming power and abilities. The MMA fighter here didn’t have any issue spilling Chie’s plans because he doesn’t have that core thread of loyalty to him. Chie’s closest lieutenants are loyal to him, such as the shapeshifter inside the walls, but for the most part, not so much. Chie himself is strong, but the structure of the organization is much weaker– and this will likely come crashing down on him later.