English Dub Review: My Hero Academia “Relief for License Trainees”

OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)

As the quirked kids charge against Todoroki and the rest, Seiji Shishikura of Shiketsu High explains the “Quirk Singularity Doomsday” theory that is becoming more prevalent now, as more complex quirks are born each generation to the point that adults might not be able to control those with them. These kids might just be a sign that the world is headed in this direction, hence why needing to corral them is so important. The trainees do their best t hold them off with their own quirks, though their leader (who I guess just doesn’t have a name) won’t relent so easily, thinking that the kids know how to use their quirks much better than others. That is, until the combined use of the trainees quirks creates a fun ice slide and Bakugou tells the leader not to look down on everyone else or he’ll never be able to see his own weaknesses. With that, the trainees pass the task and Endeavor continues his own efforts to connect with Todoroki.

Back at the dorms, Fall arrives and the work study program is put on hold for the time being. Deku learns of Eri’s steady recovery, though that’s nothing compared to how strange Aoyama has been acting lately. He starts showing odd attention to Deku in particular, even stalking him through his window and leaving cheese on his windowsill that says “I know”. With that kind of vague message, it could mean that Aoyama knows about One for All’s true origins…and it turns out to not be too far off, since he tells Deku that he knows that their quirks are incompatible with their bodies. But he just wanted to show some comradery in that, not anything serious. Oh well!

OUR TAKE

Well, I guess we finished up the plot from last episode and managed to fit in a totally separate one on top of it! Goes to show how we’re kind of in a lull in terms of the tension and action, since not a whole lot of big significance is really going on right now. Still, I’d say these stories, while not the heaviest in story or fights, are still important in their own way for the characters in the long. The stuff with Bakugou and Todoroki, as mentioned previously, is about reinforcing the less appreciated aspects and tenants of being a hero, which is connecting with the people you’re saving, but in addition to that (which is what’s covered today) is looking towards the uncertain future of people with quirks. Given the nature of how quirks combine in this world, it’s a reasonable, even practical, fear that future generations may simply become too powerful to control, which can be quite frightening for non-quirk users or those who wish to reinforce the ideals of using those abilities responsibly. That makes what’s covered in this mini arc quite important to the themes and characters of this series.

And then we have the Aoyama part which is…alright, I suppose. Aoyama has not exactly been the most prominent member of the cast, seeing how he’s essentially about one gag more or less. This week he gets a little time to show off, but also to let us know that his bravado and showmanship is just his awkward way of trying to connect with his friends, especially Deku. The more suspicious way he presents himself this time is probably meant to invoke suspcions that he might be the traitor who gave away the kids’ positions at the summer camp…but honestly, I’m not sure the author of this series even remembers what the plot line was supposed to lead to anyway. I don’t know when we’re going to get to resolving that exactly, but getting some more development for the side characters is something I’ve always appreciate to be sure, so I can let that slide for the mean time as we get closer to the main plot for the remainder of this season, A SCHOOL FESTIVAL! Not exactly the most exciting, but I’m sure it will help entertain us enough for the rest of this and keep us excited for what will come next.