My Hero Academia - Volume 17 (Review)
By: EyeSpyeAlex
The My Hero Academia anime may be on hiatus, but the manga is going full steam ahead! We’re now on volume seventeen of My Hero Academia! Need to catch up? Check out my previous review here!
The Story
The manga continues with a look back at how Toga and Jin joined up with Overhaul. We finally get a look into the complexities of Toga’s and Jin’s quirks. Jin can make a clone of anything as he has a clear image. Humans are a little more complex though. Toga can turn into anyone as long as she drinks their blood. The more blood, the longer Toga can remain transformed.
Mirio confronts Overhaul who has Eri and his right hand man, Shin Nemoto with him. Nemoto’s quirk makes it so people talking to him can only tell the truth. He is especially good at getting people to spill the beans about their quirk. Also with them is Deidoro Sakaki who had the power to make anyone near them lose their equilibrium. Mirio uses his ultimate move to bypass the two. He then catches up to Overhaul and snatches Eri from his clutches.
Just when it seems like Mirio will have a clean escape, Overhaul uses his ability to destroy the floor and seal off all the exits. Even worse, his aid Kurono enters the fight. Mirio is able to use his permeation quirk to keep Eri safe and take down Kurono. All seems to be going according to plan until Mirio gets shot with a quirk canceling bullet. Even so, he manages to back Overhaul into a corner.
Suddenly, Midoriya and the others show up, ready to join the fight. Sensing a disadvantage, Overhaul heals himself by fusing with his underling. Midoriya takes the lead on the fight while Mirio escapes with Eri. As the two flee the area, Eri is suddenly overcome with guilt. Not wanting her would-be heroes to die in vain, Eri heads back to Overhaul.
Upon seeing her return, Overhaul makes his focus escaping with Eri. Just as he prepares to escape, Tsuyu and Uraraka make their entrance. The two have come to aid Midoriya and Night Eye in battle. In the ensuing confusion, Overhaul makes his escape with Eri. Midoriya follows close behind though, and is able to get Eri to come to him for rescuing.
As the two hit the ground, Midoriya is surprised to find he’s not in any pain. It turns out that Eri is using her rewind quirk on him to turn back time to when his body didn’t hurt. He’ll definitely need that assistance as Overhaul reveals his final form: fusion with the rubble. Even more troubling is Night Eye foresaw Midoriya’s death. It’s suddenly up to Tsuyu and Uraraka to assist Midoriya before Night Eye’s vision comes true!
The Review
This latest volume of My Hero Academia certainly packs a punch! Our patience was rewarded with one of the most epic battles in the series. Seeing Mirio persevere through losing his quirk is awe inspiring. Not only that, he manages to do some serious damage to Overhaul.
The villains also deserve an honorable mention for their destruction in this volume. They certainly made the battles interesting. I didn’t expect Overhaul to be able to use his ability to destroy the things around him. It was a delightful twist to an already deadly quirk.
Speaking of the battles, the action and gore are intensely illustrated. Night Eye getting impaled on the stagalamite was pretty gruesome to see. The determination and willpower that Kohei Horikoshi is able to illustrate on Midoriya’s and Mirio’s faces is amazing. Between the art and the action, My Hero Academia Volume 17 is one you won’t want to stop reading!
Fans looking to add My Hero Academia Volume 17 to their manga collection can find out more information here.