My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 16: Comparing Anime and Manga Adaptations

My Hero Academia season 7 episode 16 premiered on September 7, 2024. This episode was a masterclass in fight choreography and direction, yet it revealed a noticeable issue regarding the pudgy character designs compared to the original manga.

Although this stylistic difference did not affect the storyline, the anime sequel could be perceived as lacking when juxtaposed with the manga series. Capturing the essence of the manga in anime is challenging, as the dynamic nature of animation requires different preparation than still images. Nonetheless, the sequel continues to uphold its overall quality.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from My Hero Academia season 7 episode 16 and reflects the author’s opinion.

Examining My Hero Academia season 7 episode 16 in relation to its chapters

My Hero Academia season 7 episode 16: The Heroes in Trouble

TomurAFO as seen in My Hero Academia season 7 episode 16 (Image via Bones)

Titled “The Chain Thus Far,”My Hero Academia season 7 episode 16 adapted the concluding portion of chapter 375 along with chapters 376-378. The episode picked up from its predecessor, showcasing Toga and Dabi entering the battlefield where All for One was confined.

The clash between heroes and villains began immediately. Meanwhile, Twice’s doubles intervened in the Coffin in the Sky, preventing Monoma from nullifying TomurAFO’s quirk. This caused a significant explosion, leading to the Coffin in the Sky’s collapse.

The animated portrayal of TomurAFO’s explosion was particularly impressive, as the studio opted for a unique approach, giving the villain an eerie and horrifying aesthetic, as shown in My Hero Academia season 7 episode 16.

Furthermore, Dabi’s return with his awakened quirk received special attention in the animation, though the character designs for All for One’s younger version and a few others appeared noticeably pudgier than intended.

My Hero Academia season 7 episode 16: The Villains Uniting as Heroes

Gentle Criminal enters the final war (Image via Bones)

As the final war seemed to favor the villains, Deku observes his allies struggling. The Coffin in the Sky was plummeting towards U.A. High, and the battle against All for One shifted in the villain’s favor. Just when hope appeared lost, assistance emerged for the heroes.

While a villain was hacking the Coffin in the Sky’s systems, La Brava, a character from the U.A. School Festival arc, managed to seize control, driving out the villains by triggering their past traumas.

In a dramatic turn, Gentle Criminal, La Brava’s partner, confronted the falling Coffin in the Sky, using his quirk to encase it in an elastic suit to prevent disaster. Just as TomurAFO was about to unleash decay to sabotage the heroes’ efforts, he was intercepted by Lady Nagant, a former hero and minor antagonist from the Dark Deku arc.

Gentle Criminal as seen in the anime (Image via Bones)

The moment Gentle Criminal was revealed after escaping from Tartarus highlighted his character development, showcasing how a villain can undergo a transformation. His jump into the crashing Coffin in the Sky was animated with remarkable skill, giving the character a redemptive arc.

Additionally, Lady Nagant’s return carried significant weight, as she defied death after her defeat by Deku. Her expression in My Hero Academia season 7 episode 16 reflected her courage to assist those resisting the terror of All for One.