Midoriya, Please Come Home!

My Hero Academia S6, Ep 23 Review

I…barely have the words to talk about this episode. Because this has to be one of the most emotional episodes of My Hero Academia ever. When Midoriya reaches his lowest point, Class 1-A steps in for an intervention. However, it’s not the fighting itself that ends up bringing him back. It’s the talk-no-Jutsu that ends up getting through to Midoriya. I know it’s a cliche, but the show does so well! By the end, I was almost in tears!

Class 1-A vs Deku

Despite everything he’s gone through, Midoriya refuses to come home with his classmates, saying he doesn’t want to see them get hurt. They refuse to back down, and so, we’ve got a fight on our hands-an emotional, tear-filled fight.

Two major components make this fight epic. Firstly, it shows off just how much Class 1-A’s improved since enrolling in UA High. At this point, I’d say they’re closer to the level of pro-heroes than students, and they’re only first-years. Secondly, the fight’s punctuated by flashbacks to something meaningful Midoriya said or did for them. It shows just how much the boy’s inspired them to become better heroes and why they can’t let him fight his battles alone. In addition, it’s also cool to see how together, they manage to fight Deku to a standstill.

Try as they might, though, almost none of them manage to get through to their friend. All for One’s messed with him so badly that he won’t listen. None, that is, save for Bakugo.

Bakugo Apologizes?

One of the best aspects of My Hero Academia has been the relationship between Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo. It’s like Naruto and Sasuske’s relationship in their series, but it improves on what did work for them and avoids the pitfalls of what didn’t. However, this is the moment where, honestly, I think Deku and Bakugo’s bond really surpasses the classic shonen rivalry. There’s the usual “I secretly envied your strength of will” speech, but for some reason, I think Bakugo does it better than Vegeta or Sasuke could ever hope to do. Why? Because Bakugo calls Midoriya by his name, Izuku.

This moment floored me when I read it in the manga. Never, in all the time I’ve followed My Hero Academia, have I heard Bakugo use Midoriya’s first name. That moment really showed me that he was being serious about his apology. And when the stress of everything finally made Midoriya pass out, I was about ready to cry. That boy really needs a hug!

Too bad the public’s ready to turn on him.

Time to Remind People What being a Hero Means

So, Class 1-A manages to convince Deku to come back to UA, which is now an actual fortress with wall big enough to match the ones from Attack on Titan. However, while the school’s willing to let him stay, the refugees…not so much. They’ve heard rumors about how Shigaraki and All for One are after him, and they don’t want him near them. They’re ready to throw him to the wolves.

This moment was unbelievably frustrating for me. On the one hand, I get where these people are coming from since they’re scared, and they should be. On the other hand, they’re also blaming the people who are working themselves to death to keep them safe, sometimes rightfully, sometimes not. And when things get bad, they expect the heroes to do everything while they stand around like bystanders. What would some people call that? They’d call that being a sheep.

This moment highlights the biggest problem with society in My Hero Academia: everyone who’s not a hero’s suffering from Bystander Syndrome, and they refuse to do anything to help those in need when the heroes aren’t there. It’s what led Shigaraki into All for One’s hands and is on the verge of driving Midoriya away.

Thankfully, I know the next episode’s going to flip this on its head. Uraraka’s about to make the speech calling everyone out on what they’re doing, and I can’t wait. This was one of the best episodes of My Hero Academia ever, and I loved seeing how everyone’s grown. Oh, and Midoriya finally uses his catchphrase in the previews again! Go beyond, PLUS ULTRA!!

I Give “Deku vs. Class 1-A” a 5/5

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