From its very beginning, My Hero Academia has consistently explored the fundamental question: what truly defines a hero? Is it raw power, the number of lives saved, or defeating the most fearsome villain? In a world where 80% of the population possesses a unique superpower, or “quirk,” what path can someone without such an ability take? Unlike other narratives, wealth or martial arts alone won’t suffice. Yet, characters like Midoriya Izuku and All Might prove that true heroism transcends these limitations, forging their own legends.
The highly anticipated final season premiere of this beloved superhero anime sees the world’s greatest hero step into battle, likely for the very last time. This episode delves into the profound legacy he’s leaving behind. While a significant portion revisits events from the Season 7 finale, which might feel slow if you’ve recently rewatched it, the episode quickly shifts gears. Once it moves past the recap, My Hero Academia’s final season premiere ignites, delivering an explosive, ‘The Dark Knight Returns’-inspired confrontation between All For One and All Might.
Picking up precisely where the last season concluded, the situation appears grim for our heroes. Despite successfully overcoming the fiery villain Dabi and the unpredictable shapeshifter Himiko Toga, they’re still contending with an overwhelming number of Twice clones, not to mention the immense power of All For One and the destructive force of Shigaraki. As hope dwindles, it falls to the former Symbol of Peace, All Might, to not only buy precious time for Midoriya and his allies to halt Shigaraki before he merges with All For One, but also to reignite the dwindling spirits of everyone around him.
This crucial aspect is where the episode truly excels, elegantly circling back to the show’s core themes of heroism and the metaphorical passing of the torch. My Hero Academia’s final season premiere beautifully illustrates the younger generation inspiring their predecessors. All Might engages in combat, astonishingly using moves directly inspired by his students’ unique powers. This emotional, full-circle moment for Class 1-A highlights not only All Might’s deep respect and admiration for his pupils but also how far they’ve grown, showcasing that their quirks can now be effectively wielded against the series’ ultimate antagonist.
Undeniably, the premiere’s most significant highlight is the epic clash between All Might and All For One.
While the premiere largely focuses on the titanic struggle between All Might and All For One, we also get an important update on Aoyama, a hero once inspired by All Might. Formerly forced into the role of a traitor, Aoyama seizes his moment to shine as a true hero in this episode, channeling his unique power to make a crucial and meaningful contribution to the battle, demonstrating remarkable personal growth.
The climactic battle between All Might and All For One is undoubtedly the biggest draw. Studio Bones pours incredible effort into imbuing the fight with immense weight and kinetic, thrilling animation worthy of this monumental rematch. Although the CGI integrated into All Might’s armor doesn’t always seamlessly blend with the 2D animation, the fight sequence itself is nothing short of exhilarating. Kōhei Horikoshi, the creator of My Hero Academia, has always openly embraced his love for American comics, and watching Armored All Might face off against a nearly indestructible supervillain feels like a brilliant fusion of Iron Man and ‘The Dark Knight Returns.’ Indeed, All Might’s armored helmet bears a striking resemblance to Batman’s cowl, complete with the Japanese hero’s iconic smile. It’s truly inspiring to witness this slender, quirkless, middle-aged man — who is literally missing his stomach — taunting his greatest enemy, boasting of victory with the unwavering confidence of a young hero who has never known defeat.
This episode presents All Might at his absolute peak, which is saying something, given how much My Hero Academia consistently shines when he takes center stage. He stands as a steadfast pillar of the older generation, entering this fight believing it might be his last. Yet, he pours every ounce of his being into buying precious time for the new generation of heroes. This fundamental theme has been at the heart of My Hero Academia from the beginning, making this premiere a powerful and fitting start to its final season.