Despite being off air for more than a year, My Hero Academia season 7 episode 1 premiered on May 4, 2024, following the release of the April recap series. Although it may not have been the most spectacular start to one of the series’ biggest turning points, it still impresses in many aspects such as voice acting, storytelling, and the OP and ED.
The highly anticipated premiere of My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 1 features the epic battle between Star and Stripe and the still-fusing Tomura Shigaraki and All for One. While there may be some minor flaws in the animation and odd character placements at times, Studio Bones seems to be getting back on track and delivering what fans of My Hero Academia have been waiting for.
Note: The author’s opinions in the following review are exclusive and may contain spoilers for both the anime and manga of My Hero Academia.
My Review of My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 1: Star and Stripe vs. Tomura is Spectacular but Slightly Undercooked
Summary
The aftermath of the Paranormal Liberation War and All For One’s mass breakout in Japan caused widespread chaos and sent shockwaves throughout the world. Due to All for One’s heightened criminal influence and the chaos he caused, no other nations were able to provide aid officially.
The sole Hero capable of flying to Japan was America’s Star and Stripe. However, right before her meeting with Endeavor and the other struggling heroes, Tomura appeared and intercepted her. The clash between them was fierce, with Star and Stripe utilizing her powerful New Order Quirk and her stealth bomber lasers, draining the air from Tomura.
Despite facing resistance from Star and Stripe, All for One remained steadfast in his belief that stealing her Quirk was crucial to establishing his new world order. This was evident in the climactic scene of My Hero Academia season seven episode 1, where Star and Stripe summoned a powerful air avatar and launched a coordinated attack with laser barrages and missiles in an attempt to defeat Tomura.
The Opening and Ending Songs
The first track of My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 1 is Tagatame (meaning ‘For Someone’s Sake’) by Toru Kitajima, also known as TK from Ling Tosite Sigure. Tsubomi (meaning ‘Flower Bud’) by Omoinotake serves as the ending theme.
Despite not meeting fans’ expectations, the introduction is still functional. The song has a somber tone, unlike Odd Future which has a buildup, or Make My Story which is upbeat and lively. Though unexpected, the song is still enjoyable, especially when compared to SiM’s Rumbling for Attack on Titan’s final season.
The initial focus on a multitude of characters, including a brief glimpse of Toru Hagakure’s true form as the Invisible Girl, is beneficial as it sets the stage for the U.A. Traitor and Final War arcs which involve nearly every character in the series.
The issue lies in the peculiar character emphasis: the upper-tier Nomu receive a group shot, with Star and Stripe being filmed from behind at night with her team, and the ultimate close-up of Class 1-A heroes surrounding Deku includes Tenya, rather than more pivotal characters such as Kirishima or Momo. This diminishes the impact of what should be a grand opening for the final season.
The conclusion of the song carries a stronger emotional impact and is more heartfelt than the beginning. It is a slower tune, with a focus on the key characters involved in the final arc, portraying them in stark contrast to one another. The villains are depicted in shades of grey and darkness, reminiscent of withering flowers, while the heroes are portrayed in vibrant colors, like a blooming garden full of diverse hues.
To put it simply, Dabi, Toga, Shigaraki, and Spinner can be seen as flowers that never fully blossomed – individuals who are trapped and defined by their pasts. On the other hand, the heroes, despite facing their own challenges, have grown into their true selves: Ochaco embodies the very qualities she admired in heroes, Shoto has escaped the shadow of his father’s mistreatment, Shoji has overcome prejudice, and Deku has become a reflection of All Might, just to name a few.
The animation is gorgeous, but off in places
Many fans have consistently criticized Studio Bones’ treatment of the animation in My Hero Academia. The animation has frequently been denounced for censorship, with instances of blood and violence being removed, and key scenes such as Bakugo’s stabbing by Shigaraki not being given the appropriate impact.
Despite the stunning animation in the fight sequences and the opening and ending credits of My Hero Academia season 7 Episode 1, there are some noticeable issues with the portrayal of Star and Stripe. The beloved American superhero in the series has some awkwardly rendered animation, particularly in her facial expressions leading up to the confrontation with Tomura.
Despite its signature comic-book style, My Hero Academia’s animation is not as rough as early Dragon Ball Z or as clean as contemporaries Jujutsu Kaisen or Demon Slayer. This can take some getting used to, as fans have pointed out that people have had difficulty adjusting to the art style since the series began.
The quality of this is not on the same level as Seven Deadly Sins’ second season or the well-known Naruto vs. Pain battle in Naruto: Shippuden, and also not comparable to the original TV version of Goku vs. Beerus in Dragon Ball Super. However, it can be likened to Jujutsu Kaisen’s Shibuya Incident, where Mahoraga vs. Sukuna was released unfinished, yet still resulted in a great product. It is likely that the Blu-ray release will address these issues, as it did for Jujutsu Kaisen.
Pacing and plot progression are slower than contemporaries
A sluggish start to a season after a year-long break from airing is not uncommon, similar to the debut episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen’s Hidden Inventory and Demon Slayer’s Rengoku-focused installment preceding the Mugen Train arc. Previous seasons of My Hero Academia have typically followed a similar pattern, gradually building momentum towards the middle of the season.
Despite the immediate action in seasons 2, 4, and 5, the remaining seasons have been slow to begin.
Despite its slow start, season 7 episode 1 of My Hero Academia continues the trend of foreshadowing important events to come. One significant example is the rise of Spinner as the new symbol of paranormal liberation, taking on the mantle of the infamous “Hero Killer”Stain. This foreshadows the upcoming heteromorph riot in the Final War arc.
Despite the fact that the manga only showed All for One’s rant about her before the battle, the anime version of My Hero Academia season 7 Episode 1 includes an anime original scene featuring Star and Stripe. This scene takes place at a US Air Force base, where an overseas camera crew is attacked, and Star and Stripe is seen preparing with her squadron. Additionally, the scene includes a flashback that connects Star and Stripe’s origin story to the events of the My Hero Academia: Two Heroes movie. This improved introduction provides a better understanding of Star and Stripe’s character compared to the manga.
In addition to introducing season 7, episode 1 of My Hero Academia also hints at future conflicts. Toga’s melancholic reaction to a newspaper article about her past tragedy foreshadows her inevitable confrontation with Ochaco. Skeptic’s dissemination of propaganda to unite Spinner and the League is another foreshadowing of potential conflicts. Furthermore, the disturbing display of All for One and Tomura’s mental fusion is a foreshadowing of significant events to come.
Why Voice Acting is Top-Tier in Video Games
The voice acting in both the subbed and dubbed versions of My Hero Academia is consistently excellent, with the cast always delivering their best performances and avoiding any lackluster or poorly delivered lines. In the first episode of season 7, veteran voice actor Akio Ōtsuka perfectly captures the commanding presence and menacing tone of the villain All for One as he passionately shares his plans for world domination.
Notable VAs for Star and Stripe include Romi Park in the Japanese version and Natalie Van Sistane in the English version.
Romi Park has been an actress since 1998, portraying strong female characters such as Ragyo Kiriyuin in Kill la Kill and Hange Zoe in Attack on Titan. Similarly, Natalie Van Sistine has also taken on roles as powerful women, such as Yor Forger in Spy x Family and Miorine Rembran in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.
The performances by all cast members in My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 1, including Tomura, All For One, Star and Stripe, and even a brief moment of Deku doing laundry, effectively bring the characters to life. The delivery of lines by the pilots and general whom Star and Stripe converse with is also commendable, conveying the necessary seriousness for the situation at hand.
The inclusion of well-executed sound design, voice acting, and thoughtfully placed leitmotifs and themes for characters such as Star and Stripe and All for One greatly enhance pivotal moments, such as the fight scenes and All for One’s speech. The attention to sound design in anime is often underrated, making it commendable that Studio Bones has successfully mastered this element.
Concluding Remarks
Despite a slow and underwhelming start in My Hero Academia season 7 episode 1, this does not necessarily indicate negative developments for the future. While some fans have expressed disappointment, Studio Bones has successfully captured many of the highly anticipated moments from the beginning of My Hero Academia’s story.
While the first episode of My Hero Academia season 7 may not pack the same punch as Jujutsu Kaisen’s Hidden Inventory or Attack on Titan’s final season, it still serves as a strong opening to the Final Act Saga. Its initial lack of thrilling battles or intrigue may be underwhelming, but it sets the stage for what’s to come.
Despite the intense and epic moments throughout the manga that fans have been eagerly waiting to see animated, Studio Bones still has a lot of work to do in order to match its intensity. However, a slightly underwhelming start only means that they have the potential to surpass expectations and deliver an even more breathtaking and amazing adaptation, reaching the heights of “plus ultra.”
The final visual for Star and Stripe is revealed before the premiere of My Hero Academia season 7.
The identity of the latest hero in season 6 of My Hero Academia, Star and Stripe, is being explored.
Ahead of its premiere, details and more about season 7 episode 1 of My Hero Academia have been leaked.
In My Hero Academia, the special attack known as Keraunos, used by Star and Stripe, is explained.
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