Boku no Hero Academia – 66
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「ボーイ・ミーツ…」 (Booi Miitsu)
“Boy Meets…”
Izuku is tested, and he’s found … wanting. Somewhat.
Sir Nighteye’s test was an odd moment. Traditionally a test need be passed in order for the hero to get what he seeks, but Izuku failed. Mostly. He certainly failed to get the stamp within the allotted time. He failed to overcome Sir Nighteye’s quirk, or his provocations. He failed to convince Sir Nighteye that he, rather than Mirio, was worthy of being the successor of One For All. Yet still he got the go ahead. He still got his work study.
What I like is that this frustration of a test failed, a reward undeserved, and a trap happily walked into is mirrored in Izuku. We feel it just as he does. For him to succeed would have been a victory, but he was denied that just as we were denied that feeling, because it would have clashed with Sir Nighteye’s feelings on Izuku as successor. It would have felt like Sir Nighteye was being petty, if Izuku succeeded but still Sir Nighteye talked down to him. So instead he failed, and Sir Nighteye was proven right … mostly. That small moment, where Izuku reveals that he avoided all the All Might merch, and Sir Nighteye realized that Izuku had fought him with a full grasp of his surroundings while trying to figure out how to fight against him, was a good moment. It’s that hope that Sir Nighteye can be convinced, that he sees something worthwhile in Izuku, even if he doesn’t think it’s enough. Yet. He’s convinceable, and Izuku isn’t hopeless. That gives us hope.
It was done so damn well, is what I’m sayin’ y’all.
It’s interesting who among 1-A were picked by major pro heroes. I’d already wondered at Ochaco and Asui being included in the final image of the OP—the only 1-A characters so afforded that honor, aside from Izukui—and this is part of the puzzle. What I like about them + Kirishima + Tokoyami being singled out is that it illustrates how the cast is being used beyond the central Izuku/Shouto/Bakugou trio. Others are relevant, and others will be allowed to shine. Add in the Big Three, and new/different faces are coming to the fore.
Speaking of new faces… All of one day into his work study, and Izuku is already in the thick of it. Go figure. No rest for the weary or the wicked, and that encompasses everyone in that final scene. No rest at all.
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Preview
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October 26, 2019 at 9:20 pmyoloalchemist
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https://randomc.net/image/Boku%20no%20Hero%20Academia/Boku%20no%20Hero%20Academia%20-%2066%20-%20Large%2034.jpg
I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the story comically torturing this little mo-fo. Not that he has a real purpose beyond that.
https://randomc.net/image/Boku%20no%20Hero%20Academia/Boku%20no%20Hero%20Academia%20-%2066%20-%20Large%2037.jpg
I already read this arc in the manga, and I have to say, her voice acting is selling it! Real good.
October 26, 2019 at 10:44 pmUrahara
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While I’m a huge fan of this show, I certainly don’t like every storyline happening around Izuku the moment he is there (take the Stain Arc for example).
At some point, those stop being coincidences. I think some things need to happen away from him and he needs to decide to help and join voluntarily for it to feel more organic.
October 26, 2019 at 11:00 pmMockman
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While I agree with you, the problem for me is that this is the only way the story can move forward.
I found this episode to be wanting even more than Midoriya was. That first scene was too long for me. I can’t help but feel that the folks writing the script decided that they wanted to do three things this episode: assign some students to some agencies, introduce the ‘beak’ as an antagonist, and then give over the remainder of the episode to the test. So they scrunched up the two parts and maxed out the other. I wasn’t thrilled.
October 27, 2019 at 12:59 amyoloalchemist
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That’s a valid criticism. Doesn’t reduce the story’s quality for me, but it’s valid nonetheless. Stilts did once state that a story can get away with some conveniences as long as the events that unfold because of them are pretty good.
October 27, 2019 at 9:02 pmStilts
link | my site | author
You are correct, save that I’ve stated that far more than just once. Good stories earn the luxury of convenient storytelling, by making us think, “Well, that may be a little bullshit, but it’s going to be worth it.” That definitely applies here, because there are a lot of other students who are neglected, this is true, and yes, Izuku does happen to stumble into a lot of trouble … but on the other hand, this is the story of how Izuku became the greatest hero, and Horikoshi-sensei has always made it worth it so far. I’m down to clown until proven otherwise.
October 27, 2019 at 9:42 amchaos
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I think the Stain arc is actually a counter example. It was happening to Iida and Deku had to decide to go get involved and act.
October 27, 2019 at 9:04 pmStilts
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100% agree. And while @Mockman is correct that Iida made for a dull temporary protagonist, his personal stakes were great for that arc. Alas, that’s a trick Horikoshi-sensei can only trot out so many times before it too becomes overly convenient.
Sometimes, you just gotta make ‘em meet at random. Sometimes the cheap path is better enough for flow to make it worth it.
October 27, 2019 at 8:44 pmMockman
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@yoloalchemist Let’s hope that something good comes out of this modest beginning. The rest of the students have been neglected so far. I would have preferred it if they’d spent half the time of that first scene on the others getting out to their agencies. They might spend all of next episode just on that now.
@chaos That’s true but FWIW, I don’t think that approach could have worked here. I’ll add that Iida is completely lacking in charisma and made for a very dull temporary protagonist.
October 28, 2019 at 5:31 amSlarkero
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Nothing in the rest of the episode tops the kobold lady neighbor with Genzo telling her that he will take care of both her and her husband at the same time.