Disclaimer: All images, videos, and GIFs used in this post do not belong to me unless otherwise noted. There are spoilers for both the manga and anime, so please do not read if you’re not caught up with either story line. Otherwise, read at your own risk. Featured image is from Twitter.

Just to recap, my last two blog posts about My Hero Academia (MHA) / Boku No Hero Academia (BNHA) were about the 14 reasons why fans love the series. The first two reasons were that the story is a Shonen Trope Killer and that the series has so many inspirational and motivational quotes that resonate with the audience. Today, I will tackle more than one reason!

3) Feel Good Moments

The reason why we all follow stories–any type of story, is because something in the story–whether it’s the plot, trials, quotes, or characters– speaks to the us as the audience. Something has to connect to us, change the way we think or feel about a specific topic, or challenge our perceptions of the world to make us continually revisit or stay engaged with a story. These characteristics are usually present in a memorable scene within the overarching tale. In MHA/BNHA, we are gifted with various instances of feel good moments.

Midoriya vs the Sludge Monster

The first one that comes to mind and had made me hooked to MHA/BNHA was the second episode of the series. Our main character, Izuku Midoriya, decides to step in to save his childhood friend and tormentor, Katsuki Bakugou, from the villainous Sludge Monster, despite having NO POWERS and especially when all of the PROFESSIONAL heroes had given up hope for the situation.

The way he leaps into the foray, knowing he can’t really do anything with no powers while the (supposedly) REAL heroes had already declared that it was impossible to rescue Bakugou was so noble and beautiful. The best part of the moment? He inspired his OWN role model. All Might, the story’s societal Number One Hero, is weakened and had decided he couldn’t do anything either because he had no more stamina left. And here was this quirkless little boy saying essentially, “that doesn’t matter. I don’t need powers to do something, to try to change the situation, to help someone in need” as he charges forward into the unknown. Such a deeply powerful message to start off the series is what pulled me into this world and has made me a loyal fan ever since.

Video from YouTube

In the video, one of the professional heroes yells, “no you idiot, you’re going to get yourself killed!” Yet, Midoriya continues on, terrified, with no plan in his mind and with tears in his eyes. He’s ready to save his bully, demonstrating the kindness of his character, the dignity of a decent human being, and the heart of a hero, what he strives to one day be. He wonders as he goes in, “what am I doing? why am I running? why can’t I stop?” and then the most pivotal part: he thinks “what would a hero do?”

He answers Bakugou (who says, “what the hell? why are you here?) with “I don’t know, my legs…they just started moving…” I don’t know why I did what I did…maybe it was the look on his face. “Kacchan, I couldn’t just stand there and watch you die.”

(NOTE: the italicized portion is what Midoriya is narrating in that scene)

All Might then steps in and says these truly magnificent words, “I see now that I wasn’t living up to my own ideals…pros are always risking their lives, that is the true testament of a hero!”

NOTE: if you have not followed this series, please, please, PLEASE, give yourself a Christmas present by watching this anime or reading the manga! You won’t be disappointed. If you don’t like it, email me why because I am confident you will enjoy the story.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: as I will go into detail later on in this same post, the soundtrack created for the anime is instrumental in delivering the emotional impact that the story is trying to evoke. Each track also rightfully captures the tension of each scene. This is obviously seen in the video below.

Bakugou Rescue Mission

Video from YouTube

Another notable moment that tugged the audience’s heart strings is when Midoriya, Eijirou Kirishima, and Tenya Iida all come in to save Bakugou from the big villain, All for One. That hand grab has to be one of the most iconic instances out of the entire series so far. It represented and symbolized so many things. For instance, Bakugou, the most prideful character ever, had to willingly lay down his ego to accept someone’s aid, a huge price to pay for an arrogant bully. Him grabbing Kirishima’s hand meant he was acknowledging his need to accept help from others (and that it’s okay to, too!), an important fact to consider since he believes he is a strong, talented, and unbeatable individual. It also displayed the complex nature of Bakugou and Midoriya’s relationship and Midoriya’s understanding of it; it had to be Kirishima–not Midoriya or anyone else, who could dare reach out to the reputable and mighty Bakugou.

GIF created from video above by Crunchyroll

Bakugou is currently feeling threatened by Midoriya’s recent improvement. To accept help from someone he has always deemed as inferior would have been an insult to Bakugou’s fragile pride and would have jeopardized the entire mission. Bakugou had seconds to make the judgement to grab his friend’s hand or risked being caught by Tomura Shigaraki. Furthermore, this moment highlighted Kirishima and Bakugou’s friendship and their status as equals, an honor Bakugou rarely bestows to anyone, if at all.

NOTE: This later develops Kirishima’s character, especially since humble Kirishima doesn’t consider himself as talented as flashy Bakugou. However, realizing that getting along with Bakugou and receiving his acceptance (and advice) is the ultimate form of a compliment from Bakugou, this helps boosts Kirishima’s confidence and helps him to progress into his (SPOILER!!!!!) Unbreakable Mode in Season 4.

Finally, this incredible rescue was cathartic. Our baby, Bakugou, had been kidnapped and stripped away from his classmates during what was supposed to be an innocent, fun although intense and challenging summer training camp. Now, he’s securely in the hands of his friends and flying back home, safe and sound.

Side Note: by the way, for all you Bakugou fans out there and any aspiring writers, there is a wonderful website I recently encountered called Shadow and Movies which contains incredibly well-written and helpful information about writing. One particular article focuses on how Bakugou is constructed as a character and analyzes this particular scene (his rescue). You can check it our here by clicking on the link.

GIF created from video above by Crunchyroll

Oh, one last thing that I’d liked to point out: what I love the most in this scene was Bakugou producing a huge explosion to blow back Shigaraki and to fly up into the air to grab Kirishima’s hand. He flew all the way up there for that manly, brotherly hand grab. Just look at how suave he is flying up to snatch his buddy’s hand.

GIF created from video above by Crunchyroll

Just look at how grateful, relieved, and happy our Baku-boo is, smiling the way he is glad to have been saved from those villains. The little tough guy even says “You stupid or something?” (English Dubbed: “You idiots!”) just to hide his true macho feelings.

TT.TT (who cut the onions?)

And the fact that Kirishima needed to grab his hand so Bakugou wouldn’t fall down and hurt himself, I have no words but: man, do I love the concept and the execution of this brilliant idea. Bravo Kohei Horikoshi!

Aoyama’s Shining Sacrifice

I already mentioned this in Part 1, but it’s another feel good moment: Yuga Aoyama attempting to sacrifice himself so Iida could progress into the second phase of the Provisional Hero License Exam. The music and the reason why–Aoyama had always felt different from his peers and wanted to be more of use to them–was heart-wrenching and moving. It signified what being a hero means, putting your interests aside for the benefit of someone else’s. Aoyama, no doubt, wants to get licensed; however, the situation he and Iida were in appeared entirely hopeless (bad odds and an ever draining time), so why not give up his dream to save Iida and make sure at least he moved on? His well-intention sacrifice though, helped his other classmates step into the spotlight, to save him and Iida and ultimately ensured that the rest of Class 1A made it through the first phase of the Exam, perfectly ending that scene and the episode.

Video from YouTube

Yaoyorozu’s Redemption

In Part 1, I also had talked about how Momo Yaoyorozu had had two moments to shine that were rewarding to her character growth and development. These two instances were also emotional for both her and the audience.

The first was when she and Shoto Todoroki had successfully restrained their wise homeroom teacher, Shota Aizawa. Yaoyorozu is a bright student, if not the brightest student in all of Class 1A. She had entered the prestigious hero high school based on recommendations alone, so it’s obvious and understandable that she believes highly in herself and her capabilities. As a result, her self-esteem and confidence take a huge nose dive when she loses to Fumikage Tokoyami in the Battle Tournament of the Sports Festival just within mere seconds of her match starting. 

We see later on just how much of an impact that tournament had affected her when she second guesses herself during the Final Exam with Todoroki against Aizawa. Mr. Aizawa sees her internal mental struggle and knows he has to (or should) do something, but also understands that no matter what he says, she, herself, has to find her own confidence again.

Video from YouTube

When Todoroki reveals that he was the unknown student who had voted for her to be Class Representative, this encourages her to apply her intelligence again to devise a strategic plan to defeat Aizawa. Once she is successful (although not 100%–her catapult didn’t fully work without a slight hiccup),  she breaks down and cries, celebrating her achievement and providing the audience with catharsis. We’re all proud mamas and papas for her win.

Video from YouTube

The Battle of the Brains

Another instance that was heartfelt was when she was the mastermind behind getting her friends/classmates Kyoka Jirou, Tsuyu Asui, and Mezo Shoji out of the trap they had all fallen into during the Provisional Hero License Exam. She had sacrificed herself in order for the other three to escape and try to pass the Exam, but they broke through the doors to save her back, refusing to pass without her. I love that the animators–because this scene was actually only in the anime and is not canon to the manga– showed that heroes can save others, but can also be saved, too. Moreover, it showed the integrity of the other three characters: they’re not going to pass at the cost of one of their own. That is what makes Class 1A, Class 1A.

Video from YouTube

All Might: “Never fear, for I am here!”

Lastly, I would like to mention All Might. Each time this amazingly positive and jolly character enters a scene, his theme song comes on and his famous line announced with a lively and bubbly chuckle, “Never fear, for I am here!” is always so welcomed. It livens the dark mood that usually hangs over Midoriya before All Might’s arrival, but it also helps the audience feel that they, themselves, are being rescued when All Might says it during times of crisis. It’s perfectly worded and perfectly delivered to make you feel that everything will always be okay once All Might is here.

Video from YouTube

Take a listen to his theme and you’ll feel as if everything will be all right because All Might is here!

Image from Wattpad

4) The Anime’s Soundtrack

Great stories are ones that keep you on the edge of your seat or has you invested in the plot and character journey(s). What elevates a story to unbelievable heights, though, is the essential element of music. And MHA / BNHA is blessed with a lot, and I mean A LOT, of great musics and songs. 

The opening songs always capture the mood of the accompanying arc. For instance, the opening song for Season 4 (the first half of the season, I am assuming) captures the sadness of little Eri’s situation and Midoriya’s strong desire to rescue the poor girl and be a better hero.

Video from YouTube

And songs such as You Say Run, Trinity, and the anime’s Main Theme add to the emotion of certain scenes and the overall theme/message of the story. For instance, Bakugou’s Theme demonstrates his drive and ambition, further cementing his image as the Symbol of Victory. All Might’s Theme song makes you feel comforted and that all troubles will disappear once he arrives and the music follows suit. Songs such as You Can Become A Hero evoke this sense of self-belief, a can-do spirit, one that is uplifting, encouraging, and motivational, especially when played as Midoriya kneels before All Might who says “young man, you too can become a hero.”

Other tracks such as Surpassing You, played during the match between Ochaco Uraraka and Bakugou in the Sports Festival as Uraraka is on the ground trying to crawl back onto her feet or when Aoyama decides to sacrifice himself to ensure that Iida passes the Provisional License Exam add depth to the characters and their decisions. Hero A is also another great motivating piece that many people have bragged and swore have helped them with their workout sessions.

As I have said before, if you’re not watching this series and enjoying the soundtrack accompanying the story, you are seriously missing out and doing yourself a disservice.

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the soundtrack all compiled conveniently together:

Video from YouTube

Some of my personal favorite tracks are below: 

• Forever No. 2 
• You say run
• Tomodachigokko ja Irarenai
• Soredemo Sara ni Mukou e
• Minagiru Chikara
• Hero A
• Bakugou’s Theme
• Trinity
• Watashi ga Iku zo!
• Surpassing You
• Hero A Version 2 
• Koutekishu to Kaite “Tomo” to Yomu

5) Evil is Building in the Background too

Image from ComicVine

In other stories, the bad guys are usually already grouped up and ready for battle. In MHA / BNHA, the League of Villains are simultaneously building up their forces and recruiting other great villains into their circle while the young heroes are training and learning to become professional heroes. Different philosophies, views, and experiences from both sides are offered to the audience, providing reasons and incentives as to why a character is on one side or the other, for good or for evil. The villains aren’t conveniently already united and do not all agree on just one cause or have one common motive.

Kohei Horikoshi takes the time to actually develop and explore each villain alliance’s background and their various, even sometimes conflicting, philosophies on how to push back against the good guys, subvert the heroes’ goals, and make their twisted visions a reality. By doing this, the creator shows that although they are sharing the same umbrella, the villains each have their own goals and opposing ideals and are not at all uniform, but are on different parts of a wide spectrum. This to me is a refreshing take and difficult feat to achieve and consider; however, it is, if you really think about it, actually logical and reasonable. As humans, even when we all get behind a common cause, all of us have a different way or idea of obtaining the end goal. More credit should be given to Horikoshi for being so different and unique with how he is carrying out his villain and work.

6) The stakes get higher 

The danger only increases with the release of each new arc, resulting in a more interesting story and more nail-biting, “oh shit” moments. I can’t keep saying that you’re scooching more and more off the edge of your seat because eventually, you’ll just be on the floor and scooching closer to the screen. 

In Season One, the finale is Class 1A going to the USJ to start their first actual training, going to different types of environments and practicing their search and rescue skills, but are interrupted by the League of Villain’s invasion.

For Season Two, they’re doing regular school activities such as participating in the Sports Festival, competing with other classes, and completing their Final Exams in pairs against administrators and staff. They also begin their internships and meet the notorious Hero Killer: Stein.

In Season Three, they go to Summer Training Camp to widen their own capabilities and arsenal of attacks, but one of them gets kidnapped by the League of Villains and does not return home. They rescue him, but it’s at the cost of All Might, the Number One Hero using up the rest of his remaining stores of energy and retiring from hero work. The villains lose that giant fight, but are motivated to return back stronger. While the fledgling heroes are busy getting their Provisional Hero Licenses, the villains begin to create alliances with different forces of evil.

This opens up Season Four and introduces us to a man who is using a little girl’s body for mysterious reasons–to produce a drug that destroys quirks? 

Three of the greatest instances that illustrate the rising stakes and the increasing tensions are when Bakugou is kidnapped; Iida grabbing Midoriya and Todoroki right before they rescue Bakugou; and All Might slowly losing his power over the progression of the series.

Bakugou Kidnapped!

Video from YouTube

When Bakugou is abducted, the way Midoriya narrates the situation, you can feel the fear, especially when certain scenes appear onto the screen such as blood on an altar where candles have been knocked over; a bloody chopped off hand; and a forest bursting with large blue flames. The horrified faces of all the characters, especially that of Midoriya’s, who felt as if he would never see his childhood friend again; Todoroki’s, who felt remorse for not catching the marble that had trapped Bakugou in time; and Kirishima’s, who felt regret for being safe inside the remedial classroom and not being outside to save his friend, are effectively drawn and emphasized. Yaoyorozu’s English voice actor did a phenomenal job during the moment when she tells Yosetsu Awase to attach the tracking device to the Nomu. You feel and know in the moment that the stakes have risen and the students’ sense of loss, shock, remorse, and pain are real and palpable.

The heroes were given a soul-stealing defeat, a very heavy blow to the gut. One of them is missing and you can’t help but feel loss, empty, and hurt. And every emotion they were feeling is all done extremely well. I couldn’t sleep at night with an ending like that.

Iida knows Midoriya’s and Todoroki’s internal turmoil

Image from YouTube

We know that Midoriya really cares for Bakugou and that Todoroki wants to deal with his anguish and correct his mistake by both of them immediately rescuing Bakugou from right under All For One’s clutches. However, Iida, the most level-headed of the rescue group, grabs their shoulder and arm, knowing what they are thinking and the expressions that they wear during that moment is intense and powerful. Just look at those eyes and the stress on their faces in that image up above!

All Might’s Last Stand

Video from YouTube

Lastly, as the series advances toward All Might’s and All For One’s inevitable one-on-one battle, All Might is slowly losing his power and audience’s are left fearful of All Might’s fate. Will he be able to win against All for One, spitting out blood all the time and having less and less time keeping his body in that muscular form? This buildup and these unanswered questions keeps us on our toes (and up all night) as we watch with bated breath wondering how All Might, now weakened and barely able to summon his strength for long periods of time, could defeat the incredible villain who has multiple stolen quirks on his side. Moments like these, paired with audience’s affection for the characters and their different journeys, keep us invested in the series.

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All right, I will end this post right here and continue it in a couple of weeks. What are some of the reasons you like MHA/BNHA? Do you agree with any of these reasons? Please let me know in the comments below! Have you been enjoying these posts? Please let me know as well down below. Your opinions and feedback are always welcomed and help me know that it is being enjoyed and helps me grow as a writer! Part 4 is now up! If you have no idea what is going on or have not read Part 1 and Part 2, just click on the links. Love Katsuki Bakugou as much as I do? Well, click on his name 🙂 Enjoy!