My Hero Academia – Episode 55 (Review)

By: AlanVClass 1-A continues the uphill battle of their quest to get provisional licenses, with the limited number of spots being scooped up. One of the usual suspects passes as expected, and things begin to look bleak for Yaorozu, Jiro, Shoji, and Asui. The struggle for these four students will be more mental than physical as they go up against some new foes.Viewers are treated to another set of new characters, with the bulk of the attention going to Saiko Intelli. Her quirk amplifies her already-high IQ with just a few sips of tea and a blink of the eye. She uses her quirk to bring the brunt of her classmates’ abilities against Yaoyorozu, Jiro, Shoji, and Asui.The group is caught off guard by the tactics they see coming from Saiko and her classmates, forcing Yaoyorozu to take on the leadership role. She’s always doubted herself in the past, but this situation didn’t leave her much choice. She’s buoyed from her previous experiences in watching Deku get out of difficult spots. Here’s hoping this confidence continues.As for Saiko, that intelligence comes with some baggage. It’s a bit cliché, but it works as a way to give Yaoyorozu’s group a way out of a difficult situation. Her IQ is high enough that she can’t conceive her plan going awry. The fact that it works out 95% of the way makes it more plausible that she lets her guard down, too.Speaking of confidence—or perhaps overconfidence—Bakugo runs into one of the other new characters worth discussing. It’s another formidable fighter from Shiketsu High School, Shishikura. He has the ability to neutralize his opponent by throwing goop out at them that seemingly assimilates its target. This ability is used to immediately take out Kirishima, which means Bakugo isn’t a happy boy.Before the two square off, though, they obviously have to trash-talk one another. Shishikura tries to knock Bakugo down a peg or two by implying he is a dishonorable opponent, which is laughably ineffective since Bakugo just doesn’t care. Bakugo volleys back by politely highlighting Shishikura’s eyes, which has an immediate effect. This is one of the best moments of the episodes, comedically speaking—just letting Bakugo be Bakugo.Unfortunately, the episode ends when the tasty face-off between Bakugo and Shishikura is about to begin. Bakugo is facing some strong opposition, and it’ll be interesting how he manages to work together with Kaminari.