My Hero Academia - Episode 40 (Review)

By: AlanVWhile the first episode of this season was more of a recap, episode two sets out in earnest. The kids from U.A. set out for their summer training camp, where they will be pushed to their physical limits. All in order to get them ready for the onslaught that is sure to come from the league of villains. The best part? Mineta is in top form…The first test the kids face is a stern one. They have to make their way through a forest filled with monsters to make it to their base camp. The fighting is frenetic and full of energy, but it still feels a bit hollow. We’ve seen quite a few montages of them fighting in the past, so this part was a bit boring. It seemingly served as a way to introduce new viewers to all of the characters and their various quirks.Once at base camp the atmosphere returns to more of a slice-of-life feel. There Deku meets a salty little boy who is unimpressed with his classmates’ efforts to become heroes. He soon learns the reason why, and it serves as an opportunity to show that not everyone in the world loves the idea of heroes.It’s also a poignant moment because it serves as a reminder that being a hero can come at a cost. While the individual characters, and viewers, know the consequences on that one person, it’s easy to forget that heroes can leave behind devastated family members. It’s also a point where Deku can reflect on his run-ins with Shigaraki; and gets some insight into what Shigaraki does and says. He’ll often speak of All Might as someone who smiles thoughtlessly, which is a more twisted view of how the little boy feels about heroes.It’s also where Mineta is on full display. He waxes poetic about the injustice of him being so close to the girls’ bathing area, yet not being able to see anything. It ends with him being pushed back as he tries to climb the wall using his quirk, leading to a quick fall on the face of Iida who happens to be chastising him. It’s a great moment where Mineta gets his just deserts.This episode was a bit of a mixed bag. The action on display was a bit lacking and too familiar. However, we are introduced to some fun new characters and get some nice laughs at the expense of Mineta.