Zero Hour! The Destruction of Jaku Begins!

My Hero Academia S6, Ep 5 Review

Remember at the tail end of season 5 of My Hero Academia and how Shigaraki showed just how dangerous his Quirk can be? Annihilating an entire city simply by touching it with his hands is a terrifying prospect. Now imagine what it would be like if that power for destruction got amped up by mad science. If you did that, then you’d have an inkling as to just how bad the heroes have messed up by failing to stop Shigaraki from waking up. Because now that he’s awake, all that awaits the heroes is nothing but destruction. Pure, simple, destruction.

The Power of Destruction!

From the outset of this season, the Paranormal Liberation Front’s been on the backfoot. Twice died, their members are falling like flies, and it looked like the heroes would handily win. But then, Shigaraki wakes up at the worst possible time, when he’s only being watched by a single hero. With his newfound power, though, he’s pretty much not being watched by any heroes, since he kills the one and steals his cape to cosplay as Tetsuo from Akira. And just like Tetsuo, his awakening brings an apocalypse to the city.

What follows may look cool from a viewer’s perspective, but from those who live through it, it’s like walking into a nightmare. A wave of destruction so powerful that it destroys anyone and anything it touches rushes out, leveling much of the city of Jaku. Worse, we’re forced to watch as several heroes fall victim to Shigaraki’s power, either trying to flee or giving their lives to save their comrades. It’s horrifying! And in the middle of all of this, we have poor Deku, knowing full well what’s happening and in no position whatsoever to stop it. 

As all of this is happening, we see Hawks’ hit his lowest point. Dabi mutilates his wings like there’s no tomorrow, then calls him out for killing twice right in front of Tokoyami. It’s only thanks to the student’s quick actions and Dabi’s ego that the two make it out of there with their lives. And knowing the manga, the trauma conga line’s only going to get worse as the season progresses. Because, at the end of it all, this whole season’s going to drive home how badly the heroes screw up. 

I know I should’ve gotten this review out sooner, but my Halloween plans meant that I had to put it off. That said, I did enjoy this episode, seeing it as one of the best so far this season. It’s a massive wham moment that’s going to define how things go from here on out. GO BEYOND, PLUS ULTRA!!

I Give “The Thrill of Destruction” a 4/5

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