It’s been a climactic year for My Hero Academia fans, as the manga came to a bittersweet end this past August, and the anime is currently in the midst of its most pivotal battle. Now, the upcoming film, My Hero Academia: You’re Next, is due to premiere in North America this week.
Set after the events of season 6, You’re Next sees Deku and the rest of U.A.’s best up against a new challenge — Dark Might, a new villain who’s imitating All Might.
So with four My Hero Academia films now officially on the docket, where does You’re Next stack up? While Heroes Rising and World Heroes’ Mission do remain at the top of my personal rankings, You’re Next is a fun and entertaining new entry to the franchise’s theatrical releases — and it couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
Between the tough latter half of season 6 and now all throughout season 7, things have been looking bleak for Deku and co. as they find themselves burdened with fighting the most important battle of their lives. You’re Next offers a brief, much-needed respite from the harrowing Final War arc with a lower stakes mission (though it does still call for all hands on deck!) and plenty of the series’ classic lighthearted, comedic moments throughout. I didn’t realize how much I had missed seeing the students acting goofy, bickering, and just being themselves until now.
Following Deku’s Dark Hero arc (and the emotional turmoil it caused between him and his classmates), I really enjoyed having a chance to (chronologically) see the whole crew back in action briefly without the imminent threat of All For One at the forefront of the plot. It’s always great to see how Class 1-A takes on challenges outside of U.A. and finds ways to work together when they’re up against villains, particularly when they don’t have the pro heroes or their teachers there to take charge of the situation.
You’re Next introduces several new characters, including Giulio and Anna, whose intriguing connection is revealed as the film unravels. Giulio isn’t quite Rody Soul for me (that’s a tall order to fill, anyway), but he’s got an emotional backstory that will keep you hooked. And if you’re going in dubbed like I did (My Hero continues to produce one of my favorite English dubs of all time), voice actor Christopher Sabat (All Might) leaves no stone unturned while hamming it up as Dark Might.
Also, Bakugo is in peak form and an unapologetic scene stealer. Enough said.
Personally, I’ve always enjoyed the fact that the My Hero Academia films are original, enclosed stories. We win on several levels, because we’re not seeing a manga arc forcibly condensed into a film’s runtime, we’re getting more screen time with our favorite heroes, and we’re getting a story that was produced for the big screen — the animation here looks fantastic! Any extra time spent with U.A.’s best is worth it for a fan (… and I’ll take all of the Hawks crumbs I can get, thanks).
With the end of the road for My Hero Academia on the horizon, You’re Next is a fitting tribute to All Might, U.A.’s next generation of promising heroes, and the importance of recognizing the difference between strength and power.
My Hero Academia: You’re Next will hit theaters in the U.S. and Canada on October 11.
