Hottest Hero Happenings is a series in which we summarize the latest hero news. More specifically, said hero news concerns My Hero Academia’s currently airing third season. More more specifically, it operates on a ‘two episode per installment’ basis. More more more specifically, this particular installment will discuss episodes 7 and 8. More more more more spec…no, that would be too specific.

Recent weeks of heroism have been jam-packed with mania ‘n’ mayhem. Following the picturesque training camp being set upon by havoc wreaking villains, the goodies of My Hero Academia have fought back against all odds. Gripping encounter after gripping encounter has unfurled, hurling the heroes beyond their physical thresholds, most notably in Izuku’s white knuckle punch out with murderous fiend Muscular. Episode 7, What A Twist!, and episode 8, From Iida To Midoriya, conclude the full frontal assault of villainous terror, taking a much needed breather, whilst simultaneously crescendoing towards the coming conflict.

Who left the oven on?

To kick affairs off, Izuku, Shoto, and the rarely featured Mezo must survive a heated bout with a fearsome foursome in Compress, Dabi, Himiko, and Twice. Seeking to retrieve Fumikage and Katsuki from Compress’s clutches, they leap into a brief, but frantically engrossing encounter. Unlike prior fiascos with the League Of Villains, justice swallows the bitter pill of defeat as the heroes fail to un-kidnap Katsuki prior to the villains grand exit. Despite rescuing Fumikage in the nick of time, and preventing major incidents of casualty, their escape from death’s doorstep rings hollow when the League Of Villains’ primary objective, to kidnap the most combatively competent and (potentially) brain-washable/recruitable student went off with little more than miscellaneous inconveniences along the way. As the most injured students, including Izuku, are transported to hospital, the training camp closes its curtains following a bleak conclusion.

Training camp turns into hell.

Vlad to the rescue.

Whilst the manic pace of prior episodes comes to a steady slowdown, the necessity of content explored remains in the all killer, no filler bracket. From U.A. High School’s staff members discussing measures to tackle the public slander the academy is receiving post Katsuki kidnapping, to Class 1-A reconvening with Izuku in hospital and sharing their personal stories of guilt and regret, each exchange serves to provide meaningful discussion of the legitimate consequences following the League Of Villains’ actions, whilst simultaneously planting the seeds for the coming Katsuki rescue operation. With episode 8, From Iida To Midoriya, officially initiating said rescue operation, there’s more than likely some brilliant content on the way, including the true unveiling of All For One, All Might’s long standing nemesis.

And Tenya scores the knockout punch, Izuku is down.

Whilst Katsuki is detained by the League Of Villains, they attempt to careen him from the road of heroism via charismatic explanation of their ideology. Highlighting the empty selflessness surrounding heroes proclaiming to act in the name of justice, whilst in reality being incentivised by the financial benefits gained from their feats, is a legitimate criticism of the hollowness of heroism. Society’s relentless celebrityfication and idolisation of heroes is superficially petty, and its rejection of those not fitting their friendly ‘n’ trendy super hero mould is closed minded. Truly, the League Of Villains presents an ideology of legitimacy, but their extremist methods of promoting said ideology are deplorable. Cementing the League Of Villains as rational in their concepts, yet irrational in their cruelty, creates a multi-faceted conflict between opposing sides that no doubt has greater depths to explore in the coming future. Furthermore, Katsuki’s response to their attempted indoctrination further establishes him as a more likeable character than his aggressively crass persona portrays. Dedicated, motivated, hardworking, heroic, but with legitimate concerns regarding his capabilities that manifest as nasty brashness towards his acquaintances, Katsuki’s gradual transformation from his utterly dislikable introduction is most rewarding to witness.

The League Of Villains:

Rational ideologies, irrational methods.

U.A. making their public apology. “I’m sorry, I thought she was 18.”

With a satisfying conclusion to a tremendous tirade of combat, followed by an effective bridging to the up and coming Hideout Raid arc, My Hero Academia scores top marks as per usual. It’s time to save Katsuki (and probably take down a bundle of villains in the process).

You can watch My Hero Academia on Crunchyroll HERE.