Episode Air Date
07-07-2025
The following contains spoilers for My Hero Academia, Episode 155, “Hopes”, now streaming onCrunchyroll.
After such a powerful and exciting week previously, it’s as ifMy Hero Academia’s already impressive run these past few months has been given a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart. Between the return of fan favorites and Shigaraki taking back control of his body, the pace of the Final War has quickened, which spells great things for the final four episodes of the season.
Last week, a recipe for disaster was concocted as Toga and Kurogiri appeared at UA, incapacitating Monoma and allowing Shigaraki to activate all of his quirks once more. Just as things looked to be at their absolute worst, however,Gentle Criminal, La Brava, and Lady Nagantall stepped in to lend a hand to Deku, the one who helped redeem each of them.
The Fight Against Shigaraki Enters The Next Phase
Episode 154 aimed for the heartstrings throughout, but “Hopes” opens with no less talent for creating powerful drama. Lady Nagant might have only been introduced in Season 6, but the significance of her resolve to help the heroes speaks to whyMy Hero Academia’s climax is so effective on a basic level. After over six and a half seasons, the audience should feel the weight of that time in every line spoken and every character present.
Speaking of weight, every gunshot from Nagant packs plenty of it, to say nothing of every gorgeous frame depicting her battle-ready determination. For a minor character, she may be the most striking woman in the series.All For One screaming Nagant’s nameis the icing on the cake - so utterly livid to be undermined by a pawn he discarded long ago. And with that, Deku hurls himself and Shigaraki to the ground below, sparing everyone from the disaster to come.
Shigaraki Casts Off All For One
Tomura Shigaraki has come a long way in this series, turning from an aspirational villain into the strongest enemy the heroes have ever faced. Yet, as the story has seen fit to remind the viewer throughout Seasons 6 and 7, he’s not exactly himself. He’s actually All For One wrestling for control over a new body, which adds an extra note of tragedy to both Shigaraki’s story and the loyalty still shown by his friends despite that fact.
So it speaks toShigaraki’s enduring magnetism as an antagonistthat his outright rejection of All For One and taking back of his body comes as something of a triumph. He’s still incredibly dangerous and needs to be stopped, but it would be disappointing if he wasn’t able to act on his own accord. It lays the groundwork for a much more personal battle between him and Deku, with whom they share a complicated rivalry. With any luck, their forthcoming fight will honor that.
The Winds Favor The Heroes
The latter half of the episode is where the animation truly shines, and quite literally in the case of All For One’s monstrous displays of power. Yet, he’s practically upstaged by the students of Shiketsu High School, whose arrival turns the battlefield on its head, not to mention delivering one of the best visual gags of the season.Shiketsu High’s students have always had impeccable aesthetics, but beneath the gray sky, one might think they were conceived just for this battle.
For the first time, Sad Man’s Parade doesn’t feel quite as suffocating, overwhelmed instead by an army of heroes clad in black and red and Inasa Yoarashi’s onslaught of tornadoes. Some may have preferred to see Endeavor fight Dabi, but it’s hard to stay mad when the surrounding battle keeps delivering such staggering artwork. They even save the best for last, asTokoyami displays his coolest attack yet: Light of Baldur.
The Worst Hasn’t Come… Yet
As has been stated in one way or another in past reviews,My Hero Academia’s Final War arc lives or dies by its ability to escalate and subvert expectations without becoming stale. Either through unforeseen complications or the arrival of new players on the board, Season 7 has performed well, but the last four episodes need to be even better. The post-credits scene emphasizes the idea that the events have not yet reached the “best” or “worst” scenario.
The line between the twoseems to hinge on Himiko Toga, the limits of whose power is a source of great uncertainty. If she can only copy the quirks of people who she truly loves, and she can’t yet copy the quirks of someone like Shigaraki, then her ability to ensure victory for the villains is contingent on her emotions. But emotions and their changes are naturally chaotic, which makes Toga the most important target to apprehend as soon as possible.
At this rate, this could end up being the most intense season finale in the series' history.
It’s a strong set-up for the action to come.My Hero Academiahas done a good job of keeping things fresh and exciting, but recent episodes have considerably increased the urgency with which the heroes need to grasp the upper hand. Furthermore, the emotions fueling the action have never been stronger. At this rate, this could end up being the most intense season finale in the series' history - at least until the next one.
