My Hero Academia – Episode 59 (Review)
By: AlanV
Gang Orca and his crew show up to tack on a few notches of difficulty to the second test of the provisional exams. This pushes students’ decision-making skills as they try to juggle fending off a mock villain attack while ushering victims to safety. During the mayhem of the exam Todoroki will have to deal with his past yet again.
Todoroki has come a long way in dealing with the damage left from the toxic relationship with his father. However, his past catches up with him fast during this portion of the exam. Endeavor didn’t just ruin his childhood, he somehow managed to leave a dent in Inasa’s by pushing him aside during a chance encounter. The situation is exacerbated when Todoroki treats him the same years later.
This comes to a head as they end up fighting one another rather than focusing on Gang Orca, severely harming their chances of passing the second test. Both of them are incredibly powerful and gifted, always passing any challenge set before them with flying colors. That they are both being tripped up during this pivotal moment and could possibly fail due to a lack of progressing emotionally rather than a lack of skill feels fitting.
It’s genuinely impressive that the hero with the number two ranking had a hand in breaking so many kids’ spirits. It makes it very easy to begin to wonder who else he might’ve damaged, and if it’s possible that he might’ve single handedly created a few villains. Will someone else show up down the line being a bad ass villain because of Endeavor? Only time will tell but, it would be a fun plot line to explore.
Fortunately, Todoroki and Inasa do finally get their act together, leading to some amazing on-screen action. Seeing them combine their quirks is exciting, but what brings up the hype levels is the way Gang Orca deals with their merging of powers. He ends up showing just how powerful he is and plays the part of the villain extremely well.
The rest of the students also jump into the fray for some action, although in a fairly predictable manner. It’s still enjoyable to see, though. The best moment is when Deku jumps in to get another student out of danger while simultaneously getting Todoroki and Inasa to snap out of their negative behavior.
The majority of the episode focuses on Todoroki’s past traumas coupled with Inasa’s, while the rest of the students handle the business at hand. My Hero Academia goes back to good stuff after last week’s fluff, and in the best way possible.