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My Hero Academia S05:E21 - Il nuovo avvento (Reaction)
My Hero Academia S05:E21 – Il nuovo avvento (Reaction)
Questa reaction contiene spoiler sull’episodio e sul manga, quindi leggete l’articolo solo dopo la visione oppure leggete a vostro rischio e pericolo. (｀∀´)Ψ Finalmente! (ho uno strano senso di deja vu) La saga: My Villain Academia! Abbiamo aspettato solo 20 EPISODI, ma alla fine ci siamo arrivati! Lo so, lo so, il nuovo arco è iniziato con l’episodio precedente, ma quello era solo…
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BNHA and villain decay
The major League of Villains is like the opposite of villain decay.
Deku starts mastering ofa, stops breaking every bone? Tomura starts being able to only use 2 fingers. Toga can now use quriks from people she transforms. Twice can multiply himself. Machia joins the team. Tomura gets Spinner to believe in him. They get the PL Army. Deku gets blackwhip, flow and starts to get danger sense? Tomura gets the power upgrade of the century with tons of quirks. Compress compromises himself if needs be. Dabi (with Skeptics help) detroys his father’s career, hawks image and hero society in one go and shows that he can do a prominence burn. A Re-Destro clone goes rampage and takes out chunks of a building. A ton of heros get killed, more get injured, some permanently. Spinner uses the power of friendship and family trauma to wake up AfO (not the plan, but got them out). They get an army of Nomus. AfO cracks all major prisons open to release the prisoners to do however they like. They saw the kids leveling up and decided to up them.
And now I’m imagining Deku going full on prison break with Spinner, Toga and some of Deku’s friends to get back up for Tomura to defeat AFO and them noticing that prisoners are horribly kept in those cells. You bet Re-Destro is strapped down like Muscular, Trumpet probably got muzzled and Geten thrown into some sort of heater (thinking ATLA boiling rock prison cells just the other way around).
A rant? BNHA SPOILERS - 306
We’re talking about Toga and Deku meeting, but may I introduce Spinner and Deku meeting up too?
We see Spinner acknowledging that Shigaraki isn’t ‘home’ by saying that “you’re not the one I chose to follow”. He looked so disturbed by AFO speaking through Shiggy and I just. He wants his bro back. I can totally see Spinner leaving the League to find Toga maybe, and then meeting up with Deku to save Shigaraki all together?
I can see that it would really upset Deku’s classmates, maybe make the police/heroes/public wonder if he’s really become a vigilante or even a villain. The public is so distrusting towards heroes atm, and I can’t imagine it getting any better through the time skip.
BUT! All I want now is having a bunch of people coming together to beat AFO, regardless of being a civilian/hero/vigilante/villain. I think it’d be cliche, but like, a real point of the series? That no matter who you are and what your quirk (or lack of a quirk) you can be a good person and a hero who fights for a better world.
And if Deku revealed everything about OFA and that he was quirkless, that could mean so much to other quirkless or quirks that aren’t glorified or considered ‘good’ by society. despite the big flashy quirks, he also got the brunt of societies dislike for those who don’t fit the ‘right’ mold. A hero that understands that society needs to change to help others. And while Deku will be the one fighting the big fight, cause yknow. How it is. I can just totally see a bunch of people helping him from the background or stopping AFO’s forces from stopping Deku before he can get to AFO and Shigaraki. Yep.
I think from a humanity standpoint it would also be interesting what someone like Deku would say on how the people are contained in those prisons, I don’t think it will come up with Muscular but it would be interesting, even though I’d see it more happening if there was another prison break involving Tomura’s side (specifically Compress, but also Re-Destro and his higher ups).
While it does make sense from a containment standpoint to have someone like Muscular, Moonfish or Kurogiri strapped down, so that they aren’t able to use their quirks, it is incredibly dehumanizing and definitly would cause real bodily harm to be stuck in such a position for a long time. Let alone the fact that solidairy confinement is one of the worst things to happen for the human brain. And in those panels we even see Stain and Overhaut with nothing but walls around them. Overhaul is completly quirkless, it’s not that he could do anything to even get out and Stain requires someones blood, so while I totally understand to not let him near other people, there’s no reason to give him nothing in his room other than the fact that they don’t see them as people anymore.
If you look specifically at Muscular anyone with a great strenght qurik would be completly strapped down in those prisons for hours on end, it’s strange that Muscular can move at all and didn’t go complelty insane to the point that escaping seemed useless with a torture device like that.
Later when the electricity goes out he gets to be free right away, which means that it is some sort of electronical device that keeps him strapped in, but he gets out incredibly easy (which gets me Jurassic Park vibes: the walls should always be strong enough without electricty to hold whatever is in there if it’s that dangerous!)
And if you look at the current arrest Re-Destro and Maschia surely would be strapped down like this too. Someone like Trumpet would get muzzled and Geten probably thrown into something like Hama in Avatar the Last Airbender did, so practically an ofen.
Compress would need to get his remaining hand strapped down and then thrown into a cell with nothing in it like Overhaul.
That is horrifying. Imagine if Twice, a mentally ill man would have ended up in one of those, strapped down so he can’t make clones, completly alone and then Hawks has the audacity to tell him to take his offer.
The number 2 pro hero must know what prisons look like and considering Twice is part of the League and the through Stain (social critic muder with a quirk that won’t help him escape if easy measures of containment are met) and Overhaul (can’t do anything anymore) in with Moonfish a straight up cannibal and Muscular, who we so far only know as someone who enjoys killing and AFO of all people means that he would have ended there for his iaffiliation with the League alone.
That would have never helped Twice, it would have made is mental issues a thousand times worse at best and considering his clones did already kill each other, let to suicide at worst. I would be interested in seeing Deku react to this containment system, considering he’s more or less a vigilante now he is technically a criminal and if they would arrest him, he’d have to be tied in one of those things aswell in order to contain him. And considering he does see the villains as human and wants to get behind that and get evil by the root, aka don’t let people become villains by helping them before.
The League are all such wonderful examples of that we already know, with Toga and Dabi being abused by her parents, Spinner expierencing hatred for his looks, Magne for her gender, Twice being left alone on the streets as a teenager and Tomura not only suffering from an abusive home but then being groomed by AFO, all of those could have been avoided and I’d love to see Deku get to that point where he wants to see the humanity in not only Tomura (that asking for help moment seemed like a real kick start for him) but generally all villains.
Muscular seems like an interesting place to start, considering all we know about him is that he really likes to kill people. Maybe he has a backstroy, maybe Deku learn that people with quirks can have a natural side effects for things (Toga with blood, the Todorokis with heat/cold issues, breaking your bones because your body can’t contain your quirk) that go beyond something clearly to be seen.
But within that learning process I’d be interested in Deku’s view about the prison system if it gets adressed and Muscular with a similar strong quirk seems like a start point in that direction.
I’m interested in the Deku/Muscular situation, not just for the obvious reasons but also on the question of where and how will they contain Muscular. Seriously, where? 6 out of 7 prisons are destroyed and Tartarus too, so will they give him an Iron Maiden and throw him into the overcrowded 7th? He’s a legitimate danger to public safety but also human rights so idk what’ll happen to him.
Good question.
From a logical standpoint, I think it’s probably safe to send him to any prison available. After all, the selling point of Tartarus wasn’t that it was the most secure prison for the hardest to contain villains, but the worst prison for the worst villains. Any prison probably needs to be able to contain any quirk. If not, what did they do with the purse snatcher from chapter 1, who has a very similar quirk to Muscular from a containment angle, or Gentle, an overall minor villain whose quirk still lets him open any door or walk through any window? No prison would just leave him with the ability to do that; so while we don’t know how they do it, any prison that can contain either of those two could also contain Muscular. It’s just not what he “deserves”.
But to also give my personal opinion: I’m hoping he gets recovered by the villains. Maybe I’m still holding out hope that something interesting gets done with him, maybe it’s because I’m bitter that the villains lost so many of their people (approx. 99.88% of their no name forces last I did the math & over half their leadership); but I just don’t want the League/PLF to lose any more of their guys now that they’re back down to the single digits, even if it is Muscular.
And hey, if that happens then maybe some better options for how to deal with him will reveal themselves between now and the end of the series.
(Also, just to clear up a misunderstanding your wording implies; it’s not that there were 7 total prisons + Tartarus. It’s just that 7 other prisons were attacked, but only 6 had prisoners escape. The 7th is fine, but it’s not the only prison left or anything. It is likely overcrowded though, all things considered.)
Kind of fits the narrative though.
Like when Rumi lost her limbs the next cover was her with cool prosthetics like a showcase of “how strong she is”, whereas any of the League Members who lost limbs got prosthetics, but Compress’s arm was acting up during Maschia’s fight, Re-Destro’s legs weren’t strong enough to keep up with his quirk at all times and did Giran even get anything for his fingers?
This is really mimicing of the real live that bnha often does with the celebrity treatment of pro heroes.
So the girls have to have pretty/sexy over functioning costumes, there are billbords everywhere and any pro hero who overcomes something is called a role model and strong for it, or they get away with comitting crimes without any trial.
Just like in real life celebrities get called strong and a role model for basic living, but when a civilian does it, it doesn’t matter or they have to take care of themselves, being in a huge disadvantage. Or when a famous person gets a legal sentence they are usually way lower than those of civilians.
A fighter that does horrible damage to their oponent loses their limbs?
Being a pro hero you’ll get a cool cover with your prosthetics.
Be a villain? You’ll be denied basic human rights, even though you are in no way capable of fighting anymore and not a physical threat to anybody.
This is very mimicing of the real live where the rich, wealthy or famous people get their lives back with a lot more ease even after traumatic experiences, while normal people have their lives destoryed/ made harder or even ended.
And it does give the villains right. They keep losing to this rigged system that they are trying to fight, so they have to push harder and they do. They are not in a place of privilege so any fight they take on, they are at a huge disadvantage from the get go -> See Deika.
Deternat has resources, they start the fight, Giran loses his fingers for not giving up the League, Toga gets blown up, Twice his arms broken, Shigaraki breaks his leg and loses his fingers, but they kept standing up and fighting. Which does really show of their dedication to themselves and gives you great reason to root for them. And because they keep fighting more priveleged people you want them to win and you start rooting for them.
So if they can go up against the Meta Liberation Army with all their resources, they can go up against the society that is activly working against them in all ways.
And on Hawks: keeping his wings is kind of forshaddowing on him getting out of the Twice kill for now. I remember very well the chapter he got burned and everyone was discussing about this being Hakws great turnpoint, but it wasn’t, so far Hawks has no turn point, only deepening his issues, which can be frustrating to read. And his wings are the first sign that nothing really has changed. Or as Dabi put it: he didn’t do enough yet.
The pro heroes still have their ways of getting away with things no one should get away with and so the damage done to society wasn’t enough yet.
But what makes it so frustrating to read for a lot of people is because we see this in our normal lives all the time. We see priveleged people using their position to help themselves instead of those who could use some help.
I don’t know if this is intentional or not as being part of pro hero society, but it does fit the narrative very well.
That being said: from a writing perspective I’d love for the heroes to have a big impact that really changes them in a way that isn’t fixable because for far (315) we see some slight learning from Deku, which is realistic, but kind of boring to read to be honest, when the villains always have such drastic consequences for their lives in comparison.
(Oh wait, that is a sign of privelege again, to have the time to grow.)
Is anyone else like... a lil bit annoyed by the repeated reversal of consequences for the heroes? When they brought Eri in I was like this is a cool concept but I like that her powers are too unstable to be basically used as an undo button for characters' injuries, but then the Mirio thing happened and there's no guarantee she won't be used that way again, and now apparently Hawks is getting his wings back too. Even stuff like Enji and Jeanist losing lungs feels like a moot point bc they still fight no problem - in fact Jeanist coming back at all sorta feels like another example of the problem.
It kinda feels like only minor characters/side characters/characters whose literal only purpose is to die actually face concrete consequences, especially on the heroes' side.
Idk, maybe Hori's handling of Aizawa will prove me wrong. We'll see.
“But Mr. Compress still goes through issues of mobility and accommodation, and his prosthetic isn’t a cure-all. (At last in the MVA arc. Post-MVA is for a whole other post. also will need another post about the other portrayal of limb loss in other characters in the story, tho.)“
So I wanted to add to this part, because I instantly got: is @nalmull talking about Re-Destro, Shigaraki, Giran?
Because all three of them have different takes on what happens post amputation. With Giran we don’t see his hand afterwards, but I assume that Deternat got him a something to compensate, but I’ll leave him out of here for now.
Shigaraki obviously got a power up in the ark, which was necessairy was power balance reasons and has been teased before that he can do more. And since he was decaying everything around him, I doubt that the loss of his fingers changed much in terms of his quirk, unlike Compress and Re-Destro, which is the person I actually wanted to talk about.
So the guy sacrificed his legs in order to live, fair enough. The next time we see him, he is in a high tech wheelchair, which allows him a lot of mobility and by the time, months later when the big fight happens we see that he got prosthetics for his legs.
And it’s actually adressed that they changed his life, because once the fight starts his prosthetics break because they can’t hold his stress form and he is distressed afterwards to not be able to fight and calls out for his spares.
The thing is, we know from Compress that Deternat has money and the ability to make high end prosthetics that accomidate the needs of the user far more than normal prosthetics, just like in our world where money buys you better disability aids.
Obviously with a world with powers like bnha, there is lot more options about what can be done in terms of smaller healing time, overall healing ability and creating technology like this, beyond our real world. We know this since early on with Recovery Girl and Mei Hatsume, so it would be safe to assume that a company like Deternat and a group like the MLA have people capable of helping the process along. (And maybe earlier Giran knew someone that could help with healing too.)
Post join Compress shows this through his prosthetics:
The man got himself a nice new arm with the ability to store his marbles, which is very smart and it also shows that in this world, there are high end prosthetics you can either buy or costom make if you have access to money.
Deternat is obviously a company who makes support items, they have all the people to make something like this. Yet they still failed to make Re-Destro everyday legs that would hold his quirk. Maybe he fighting legs that are able to hold his stressed out form and those are just his everyday prosthetics. Similar to running prosthetics for athelets that are specificly for sports. But the prosthetics he does wear are not capable of giving him the same ability that he did before, so again there is no “magic cure” not even for the CEO of a huge company, which is nice.
It’s Mr. Compress hour! Focusing on him again because I love him; but also with his Harima Oji’s Bloodline Reveal, we can look back at what he does with that perspective.
For now, though, because this post got way too long, let’s take a look at how he’s doing post arm loss:
*disclaimer: non-disabled person writing about disability representation. my apologies in advance for any mistake or mis-portrayal or just overstepping my position!
As far as I could tell, Mr. Compress got his arm blown off by Overhaul in early September, got fitted for a prosthetic mid-September, and was taunting Overhaul with his new arm late September.
(Shout-out to Giran, who “had a hard time finding a manufacturer [that could create a prosthetic that is capable of] delicate, elaborate movements.” But he did it, and it’s good work.
*From Databook 2.)
That’s pretty much impossible irl with our level of medicine - from hastily done google research, it takes six to eight weeks (or longer) for surgical wounds to heal after an amputation, in which then you can get fitted for a prosthetic. After that, one needs rehab/physical therapy for both managing the residential limb and learning how to use the prosthetic, which takes months, sometimes up to a year. And of course, that’s even not mentioning that current technology haven’t succeed in creating a sci-fi ‘can do anything a blood-and-flesh arm can do’ cyborg prosthetic.
So Mr. Compress’s prosthetic process is pretty much firmly in the realm of futuristic science-fiction, with luckily is what HeroAca goes with: We’ve got robots and holograms and Japan’s super fast bullet train goes even faster. This puts the story/character/concept at risk of the ableism of ‘the magic cure’, which effectively makes the character ‘no longer disabled’ and issues of disability is just dismissed or forgotten or erased to bring the character back to the non-disabled norm.
…Which is fortunately not totally the case here! Yes, Mr. Compress has a magic robot arm that looks and seems to function like a flesh arm— but Horikoshi-sensei does give thoughtfulness about the realities of having a prosthetic: As shown above, the prosthetic needs repair (Japanese text has it that it’s ‘creaking badly’), maybe even replacement. Compounding the problem is that Mr. Compress has to wait and make do until Giran shows up (and if not, he’ll have to find a new broker who can find a new prosthetist who can custom make his specifications).
Later, we see Mr. Compress examining his prosthetic arm/trying to fix it? Which is another nice touch to show that it requires maintenance. By the end of the chapter, the hand is broken off completely and stays broken for the rest of the arc, leaving Mr. Compress effectively one handed.
(In the following two chapters too, we’ll see that in the background action, he’s losing his balance a lot - something that can happen since like one just lost a chunk of weight asymmetrically.)
Significantly, I think, is that - though it’s not addressed in the text, which is a pity and a handwave - Mr. Compress, even with his relatively-high-tech prosthetic, has permanently lost half of his quirk. Before, he can compress things with either hand; now, just one. Which is huge, for someone who uses his quirk to often fight for his survival against other Villains out to kill. His battle power (?) has been reduced, as has how he incorporates his ability into his nimbleness and magician’s act. Really wish we could’ve seen the repercussions of this! Mr. Compress seems rather unfazed, even taking this in good humor - but what’s under that mask? Did he mourn that loss? Did it affect his self-esteem or self-image? Is it possible to feel phantom quirk sensations?
So there’s quite a few elements of Mr. Compress’s disability portrayal here that are too convenient and shallow. He’s easily up and about within weeks, and his feelings and new experiences are entirely glossed over. He’s a side character, but still it would’ve been nice to receive one chapter focused on him in regards to this. So far in the story, the broken prosthetic doesn’t give him much of a challenge either.
And yet Mr. Compress’s disability remains and is addressed; he’s a character who does have to deal with the experiences and consequences of losing a limb. The futuristic setting could’ve easily allowed Mr. Compress a super-arm that brings him back to the non-disabled norm and all concerns and portrayals of a life after an amputation gets tossed out the window. But Mr. Compress still goes through issues of mobility and accommodation, and his prosthetic isn’t a cure-all. (At last in the MVA arc. Post-MVA is for a whole other post. also will need another post about the other portrayal of limb loss in other characters in the story, tho.) He’s not portrayed as tragic or broken, and befitting his personality, he’s come to accept it as part of his life.
Not that the author did anything amazing or perhaps even above the bare minimum - and we don’t even know if this was intentional - but I think it’s cool that Mr. Compress’s disability is incorporated into his character, as part of him now as much as his signature mask and magic.
thanks for reading this long post. and back to liveblog, sorry for the wait!
Redestro:
Also redestro:
Top ten anime moment before disaster
🧡💚Des and his polka dots💚🧡
(*we get to see THAT scene next episode omg)
Why is his forehead so shiny? Man polished it or something or the event?
I wanna thank @thotsforvillainrights for giving and showing dub skeptic
So, in thanks, here’s dub Redestro
Hehe, he mad
I also would like to add this amazing scene
(You did your best old man)
So call me late, but I just found out that Geten share the same English voice actor to Albedo (Khoi Dao)
But then I remember that Skeptic share the same English voice actor to Nigel (a.k.a Number One in Kids Next Door) (Benjamin Diskin, Season 5)
Then, I found out that Redestro shares the same English voice actor Present Mic, Season 1 (Sonny Strait)
Trumpet’s is the guy who voiced Marco Diaz from Star vs The Forces of Evil (Adam McArthur)
And Curious share her English Va with…
Bulbasour! (Tara Jayne Sands)
✨The more ya know✨
Ig
Edit: forgot to place Trumpet’s voice actor, and should acknowledge some details I’ve missed
I made a visual scale cause Im not use to cm, but DAMN! SKEPTIC DO BE A GIRAFFE 🦒! He be lurch from the Addams family.
Greetings! Can you share your headcannon? What do you think is the height of all MLA members?
I don’t think people realize how much this track slaps. Like, IT GO SO F*CKING HARD
im single handedly paying this mans bills
WE BEEN F*CKING ROBBED!!!
All cut content with Rikiya Yotsubashi from Season 5! Huge thanks to @nick-foo-draws!!!
Some slightly spoilers for the new episode
So, something that hit me after watching the new mha episode is that Rikiya probably had to cover up Miyashita’s death, then get himself a new assistant (who actually follows the mla ideal). Which, rip to her.
But imagine Rikiya having to call skeptic to ask for a cover up and a new assistant after this like:
Redestro: Skeptic, I need a favor from you.
Skeptic: what is it, sir?
Redestro: I need you to look into our records for someone who can be my new assistant. Oh, and send a few our people here as well. Those who are skilled in EMS. It’s for my old friend and colleague. We had a bit of an, disagreement.
Skeptic: Right away sir. Shall I send Curious along the way?
Redestro: That won’t be necessary.
(Also, he still refers to Destro as his dad. Which will forever not sit well with me)
I still have beef with season 5 cause;
We could’ve have an Denerat jingle, that would definitely sound like he one Doofenshmirtz one
Re-Destro is just anime Doofenshmirtz and I hate that this was pointed out to me
*DELIGHTFUL SCREAMS*
The whole team
Bones Studio Screwed Over The Meta Liberation Army So I’m Doing An Analysis To Complain:
(Slight Spoilers: Mentions of Season 7 and the Manga)
So, As the title suggests, I’m going to be complaining about Bones Studio and how they handle my favorite arc and my favorite characters and how basically they water them down where it’s kind of lame. As I have written this, This could change after written/posted. We’re on Season 7 and while they showed the very important battle of certain hackers. They missed an important part...
That is Geten and Mr. Compress talking in prison about Geten’s family being toxic. This was an important part to not only Dabi’s backstory to reveal the harmful ways the Himura family bred for improved and better quirks, but also important to Geten’s story as well since this revealed, Geten is related to Dabi. They removed that scene even though this involved Dabi is loved by fans. This is truly beyond me since I believe it was a crucial part of the story. In my personal opinion, I believe it’s a personal hatred of the Meta Liberation Army on Bones’s part…
Which is why… I’m making this post, talking about everything Bones Studio did wrong with the MLA Arc and the Meta Liberation Army, why this makes me angry, and the created differences between the Manga to Anime.
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How Bones Studio Handled The Meta Liberation Army Arc:
This is an arc I absolutely love and is one of my favorites, Even in the anime it’s still my favorite. HOWEVER, I can’t forgive them for what they done to it. I personally believe that if the arc was animated properly and included the scenes missing, The MLA would have been almost as popular as the other villain groups and a lot more fans would be on board with them. Have you seen the merch for the MLA it is very little and usually exclusive to Japan. Now you must be thinking but “Myvillainacademiafan, They cut a lot of those scenes out to make it work for the anime!” I’m aware you gotta make room for time and other purposes. I’m aware some scenes don’t seem relevant. And yes, I’m aware some scenes might be inappropriate for a TV-14 rating. I “MAY” have forgiven them if it was only like a couple of times. BUT THERE WAS OVER A DOZEN SCENES CUT OUT, CHANGED, CENSORED, AND MORE. At that point, you might as well either create a new story with the amount of changes and bonuses made. Now let’s get to the changes…
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Re-Destro’s Introduction And The Proper Introduction Of The Army:
In the Manga, instead of the introduction of the Meta Liberation Army being the call with the League of Villains in the episode “My Villain Academia”. It’s actually when the UA students are hanging out and a certain commercial comes on the tv. It’s Re-Destro advertising for his company Detnerat. The commercial shows how the company is to help people in society with mutant like quirks or abilities live in the world easier with the help of their items. (I would also say that in a way, whether his company or the army, he wants citizens to live freely with their powers and this commercial was a perfect way to show that). After the commercial plays, it turns out it was being watched by Re-Destro and his assistant as well. (they don’t even reveal his assistant in the anime. Rip Miyashita for not getting an anime adaptation…)
The two talk for a bit when suddenly Re-Destro lets the word “Meta Ability” slip. Miyashita questions this and this was a perfect time to advertise Destro’s book “Meta Liberation War”. While he was hoping the assistant would be on board of the Meta Liberation Army, Miyashita however wasn’t convinced and saw this book as harmful and Destro nothing but a “Ranting Criminal” So with a slight uncomfortable and chilling scene, Re-Destro makes sure the man didn’t have any close loved ones before cracking his neck. After doing so, He expressed not only disappointment in Miyashita disliking the book and insulting Destro, but mourned the loss of the life taken…
After this we get the familiar scene we got with Re-Destro walking in to the lieutenants of the army to talk about their updates of the league in the episode “Revival Party”…
Why Removing This Scene Was Wrong And Makes No Sense:
While starting with the call for the League Of Villains is good at giving Re-Destro a mysterious feel to him, I believe you still would have gotten the same even if you included the original scene. Not only that, but it gives Re-Destro some unpredictably with how he’s going to react when you insult basically his lively hood. The commercial was a smooth and charming introduction of the character himself and having him talk and introduce the book was an excellent way to introduce the reader/viewer to the next arc. The murder of Miyashita was also an excellent way to introduce the threat and uneasiness of the Meta Liberation Army and what’s to come, Especially since it perfectly transitions to the fight with the ice villain fighting Shoto and Bakugo and that the villain was using Detnerat products. (Revealing panels later that Detnerat also helps villains in the black market as well)
In the anime, nobody is going to understand the ice villain and why his weapon was destroyed after he was caught because the manga explains better with the context. People were confused at first on Slidin Go’s sudden appearance and relevance to the story, (however, that could be a fault on both ends). When you go straight to the phone call for the introduction and appearance of the army. A lot of people were confused on who the hell those guys were anyways. So, instead of seeing them along the story and getting excited to see them finally go into action when the League of Villains do fight in Deika City. You’re left a bit confused with the anime…
AND SPEAKING OF CONFUSION, Is anyone going to talk about Giran in this?…
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Giran’s Sudden Kidnapping In The Anime:
While both the anime and the Manga don’t reveal how Giran got captured in the first place. The Manga added a bit more understanding compared to the anime. Before they show Giran in the Manga, We cut to the Meta Liberation Army talking with each other about Re-Destro’s black market items. (Which was played exactly after the ice villain was arrested. Literally a perfect transition and explanation on to the MLA as a threat and why everything happened the way it did) To which Skeptic told Re-Destro their “Guest” has arrived. We see Giran being dragged in by two body guards. And while the army has tried to beat and threaten the information out of Giran. He refuses to sell out his clients/League… And then after that we cut to the introduction of Gigantomachia like how we have in the anime.
…For the Anime, He’s just already there… He’s already Kidnapped, tortured, and had his stuff recovered while looking sad… Where’s the stubborn refusal and where’s the context on the anime’s part? While I guess it could be forgiven, they went easier on Giran in the anime given that his bruises are a lot more tame compared to the manga. It’s just confusing to have him suddenly there with not really any context. BTW, in the manga, they LITERALLY showed Giran’s fingers being placed around the areas the League has been. The anime really cut down the gore for that. (Not to mention the small dialogue revealing Skeptic got the information from Giran’s files after he thought he deleted them) Anyways, It’s just giving me earlier Mario games where you hear Princess Peach is kidnapped but they don’t show it. At this point, I feel like Re-Destro is going to tell the League “Their Broker is in another castle.”
The Mistakes With The Beginning Fight Of Deika City:
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I’m not going to go over the missing details with the League of Villains and such because this post is talking about the Meta Liberation Army. So here’s a list of missing mistakes until we get to the major big con of the anime again (While these are not really a big deal, I felt it would have been more cool if they kept these)
*After Trumpet welcomes them to the Revival Party and the fight begins. We see several shots of security cameras around the city. In the anime, They usually show the security cameras like once or twice. (While I can understand this being cut out. It’s a way that not only shows this is being recorded and that the citizens of Deika City are constantly watched. But it is also implying the incoming threat of Skeptic)
*Theres a shot of a hero trying to stop a worker from heading in Deika City area and Re-Destro talks about how it’s a city in a far away place covered with trees, Explaining it’s a perfect place to lay low in. (This one is understandable too and anime fans may already get the point. It’s still a way to show how the MLA haven’t got caught yet)
*The small dialogue removed from citizens/soldiers defending the army (Personally. I like them all to have a word. It just makes it more lively).
*The gore and violence being toned down. (I’ll talk more about, this but Bones Studio tends to have this thing where they either tone down certain things, Go off screen, they even clean them of blood. I understand it’s for TV-14 but if you’re going to develop the manga. Develop it right.)
And Finally, How they handled Curious’s Death which is my next topic…
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Curious’s Death And How It Had Much More Effect In The Manga:
From what I described in the little difference above after Trumpet introduces the army and the fight with Curious, There wasn’t a lot of major changes to complain about (I still will though) However, one thing I found specifically interesting is Curious’s death and how it was almost completely brushed away in the anime…
In the Manga, When Curious fell down it was brutal. They did not shy away from hiding the bodies dropping to the ground. After her death and Toga finding the shed to hide in. We cut to Re-Destro talking about Curious’s death and mourning her as Skeptic comes in. We see Re-Destro actually cry at the loss of Curious. Which brings me to the next part of this topic…
How The Lieutenants Handled Curious’s Death In The Manga:
While neither the Manga or anime showed Geten’s reaction to the news, The Manga showed how Re-Destro, Skeptic, And Trumpet handled the news of their comrade.
As I mention, we seen Re-Destro cry. He has cried TWICE. And yet, Bones Studio decided to cut those scenes out! (It’s like they don’t want Re-Destro to show emotion) But removing this was such a huge waste to his character because having a villain that cares so much about his subordinates is so rare to see these days and while we know he cares, It’s good to see this.
Now back on subject, Skeptic then talks about how they can’t use the footage of Curious’s death because “Toga isn’t a good fit for the tragic lead of narrative they’re pushing” Giran asks about the footage and Skeptic lectures and nags Giran about being stupid and to ask properly. Just like with Re-Destro’s scenes, Removing this is also a waste since it shows Skeptic’s character and behavior that could have been entertaining in the anime. (I will go over how they toned down Skeptic’s character in the next topic)
After, Skeptic goes on his tirade, Giran questions the MLA, and Re-Destro remains determined, We cut to the scene of the league fighting (It’s the same scene we see after Toga kills Curious however with a twist) Trumpet comes in on his political van and announces some tragic news. He announces the death of Curious and the soldiers/citizens are distraught. Trumpet uses his words to let them know of Re-Destro’s wishes and to fight harder making the crowd even more determined and angry, A harder challenge for the League of Villains.
Obviously with the anime, Curious just dies and nobody says anything about it. Removing those scenes is also a wasted opportunity because Bones isn’t showing how the lieutenants value one another, They don’t show the effect on everyone and how it would make the MLA fight harder after the league killed a valued member. It also makes it look like they just don’t care that she was killed to begin with. She just dies and we’re done. If Anime!Curious was in the afterlife watching them move on just like that, I bet you she would be fuming…
While Geten’s and Dabi’s fight remains the same, As we move on. There is some slight differences we notice with one Lieutenant with the Manga compared to the anime…
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Skeptic Being Toned Down In The Anime:
(Btw we never got this scene with the manga, Below is merch. While I love the art, I find it frustrating he was never seen animated like this) Anyways, while I’m aware this one isn’t really too much of a big deal and I’m happy to see Skeptic anyway I could since he is my favorite character, I believe Bones Studio toning down Skeptic really effects his character and removes the charm from it. It’s like Bones studio shoved chill pills down his throat.
For the manga, we get almost the same scenes we have from the end of “Revival Party” and the Beginning of “Sad Man’s Parade” Despite some subtle and not too much of big deal things, it’s a bit noticeable that Skeptic’s attitude is toned down. We talked about the reactions of Curious’s death, there was a scene cut out between Giran and Skeptic. Bones Studio has removed his nagging moments. (They removed another scene with him nagging at Slidin Go after the war so it just seems like Skeptic was always watching and collected. Interesting way to go at it but where’s the spice, You know)
But throughout his thing with Twice in the manga, Skeptic’s movements and behavior was slightly more chaotic. His poses were more backbreaking and animated yet his dialogue stayed similar to his character (And how it is in the anime). It was a way of showing that Skeptic doesn’t care how he acts, he’ll do whatever he wants and get the job done.
One more scene was cut out and as a Skeptic fan, It really frustrated me and that’s when he uses his quirk in action. After we get Twice becoming stronger, Skeptic telling Re-Destro he didn’t fail, the League fighting hard, and Dabi and Geten fighting (All which we have in the anime) We cut to Twice trying to clone Toga to do a blood transfusion. One of the Twice clones gets knocked back and they see that it’s one of Skeptic’s anthropomorphs to which soon… More start appearing! We see Skeptic looking insane and determined as he began to make multiple clones, commanding them all to go after Twice and capture him as he began to run after him. He was determined to capture himself because Skeptic “did not” fail.
Bones removing that scene was ridiculous because not only would that given Twice more of a challenge and show that the MLA will get their hands in there if it means success, but it also takes away showing how Skeptic’s quirk works in action. Having the scene removed and he’s just out in battle is a little strange, Like he’s just roaming and standing around? That isn’t like his character at all, he would take action! We finally got to see how his quirk works in season 7, however it was a little late when it should have been included in Season 5 to begin with… It would have been so cool to see the animation of the anthropomorphs forming and Skeptic running through the city madly and it would have been so cool to see the nagging scenes animated. (Think of it like Deku’s mutter scenes. But instead, It’s an a slight creepy nag with a dark background and the words “Nag” popping up haha)
And there is several times where Anime!Skeptic was toned down more compared to Manga!Skeptic however this is talking about the MLA arc so that’s a complain for another time probably…
Before we got that scene with Skeptic running after Twice, Most of the scenes are pretty much similar to the anime (With a scene from Hawk being placed in the middle of the MLA fight instead of earlier in the anime. That’s the only thing I will agree with for the anime’s decisions.) But one detail was also changed strangely that I also can’t help but notice…
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Regards Of Re-Destro’s Relationship With Destro In The Manga Vs Anime:
I don’t know what Bones Studio was thinking when they decided to make this choice, But in the anime Re-Destro claimed and was heavily hinted to be Destro’s son, when all actuality and in the manga, Destro is just his ancestor. There is so many reasons wrong with this and why this couldn’t work.
First of all, the time of Destro being alive wouldn’t work with Re-Destro’s because this was a time quirks were starting to appear and this was a time All For One was starting to make his ways in the world of villainy and All For One is confirmed to be over a hundred years old. (If Re-Destro was Destro’s son then he would be so old and wrinkly at this point of time… Or dead because how?)
Second, It’s just incorrect. It’s not true. Destro is just an ancestor to Re-Destro, Not his father. And when you talk about Re-Destro and Destro to fans who only seen the anime, They get confused when told Destro is actually an ancestor to him and not a father. At this point, If Bones Studio is mixing up the characters’s information. We should too, why not make AFO Shigaraki’s Biological father or make All Might related to Mineta. Because it’s fun ig!?! (Obviously people can have their headcanons, I have mine too! But when a whole studio is just getting information wrong, It’s just annoying)
@Stillness-in-green made a very good post talking about this and explains it much better then I could. So definitely check that out!
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More Minor Mistakes Before We Talk About The Final One:
*More dialogue from citizens/soldiers missing. (I already explained why this annoys me)
*Some dialogue between Trumpet and Spinner was removed. (Especially since it helps with Spinner’s character development and trimming while still works in the anime in terms of understanding and plot is still frustrating to manga readers)
*A scene of Slidin Go blocking a van from entering at the outside of Deika City when suddenly loud booming noises are heard and the hero mistakes it for earthquakes (While not really a big deal or a must have scene. This would have given Slidin Go more on screen moments… Maybe where he wouldn’t be forgotten).
*A scene/panel of a page from a children’s book talking about being kind to those with Mutant based quirks. (While also not a must, It would have been cute animated. Plus it would have been very funny if that plays after Trumpet gets offended to be compared to Spinner).
*Even though I said I wasn’t going to talk about the scenes missing with the league, this one I will. There’s a scene/panel with young Shigaraki looking on at a mysterious man leaving as his mother bows in apology. (If you’re caught up in the manga, You would know why removing that scene was a big mistake. Once again, Bones Studio picking and choosing what they want to add or not. I had to point this out because that’s what they did with this whole arc.)
*They removed Spinner clinging on Trumpet’s political van as Trumpet tries to reach Re-Destro, Basically clinging on to the van as it drives. (Suppose Spinner just ran over there quick in the anime)
*Re-Destro’s Claustro slowly breaks down in the manga. (Not much to complain. It just would have been cooler animated like that)
*And finally the last thing to complain about is the gore… Or less gore in the anime…
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Bones Studio Censoring The Gore Of The Meta Liberation Army Arc:
When people complain and talk about the comparison of censorship between the manga and anime of My Hero Academia, it’s this arc that has a lot of examples… A lot. While I’m aware and understand that this is a TV-14 rated show, it’s still in the manga and it should be represented to keep it faithful. The violence was toned more down with Giran’s bruises, to Toga’s bloody face from Curious, Shigaraki getting his fingers snapped off, and finally to the one picture above where Re-Destro’s legs were chopped off to save himself from decaying from Shigaraki’s quirk. The final scene with Re-Destro bowing to Shigaraki as his new leader was so chilling yet so cool in the Manga. It’s cool in the anime, But we could have had much more of it if it wasn’t toned down. It just feel like a cop out and lazy on Bone’s part…
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In Conclusion:
After the scenes I talked about, Everything is almost pretty much the same in the anime as in the manga as well, leaving my talk of the Meta Liberation Army Arc closing.
While I’m thankful for Bones Studio animating the anime I love, I feel frustration with how they handle not only the Meta Liberation Army but characters that are not as popular to fans or the main characters, Villains or not. Bones Studio usually will focus on characters that are more popular and give them as much screen time as they can while depriving others who aren’t as popular with scraps. (If you also notice, Throughout my talk, I had no complains of Geten’s scenes because he was usually seen with Dabi who is considered a popular character. So Geten’s scenes remain in tact because Bones knows Dabi is popular)
What caused them to do what they did to the Meta Liberation Army in the anime adaptation is beyond me? Whether it’s simply not caring about them, putting more focus, time, and money on characters that are more popular, Someone even theorized it was to put the budget of animation on the filler episodes or the movie that was coming up at the time. Whether it was, the fact that the characters I love were discarded and basically fans either don’t know or don’t like/care about the MLA and/or Arc, Hurts because THIS IS MY FAVORITE ARC. And I’ll be damned if I lie and say it isn’t because a lot of people say otherwise.
Whether anime or not, The MLA and the arc will still remain my favorite even if the studio working on doesn’t think so. These are characters I love and value a lot when it comes to My Hero Academia. But with how the Meta Liberation Army was handled and continued to be handled in the anime to this day is just frustrating. In Conclusion, Bones Studio do better…
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