Boku No Hero Academia Review! Chapter 163: Smoldering Flames! Eijirou & Ashido? Uravity the Futu

So, I’ll admit it. I was extremely divided over this chapter. While my everlasting love of this series - especially it’s incredible characters - leaves me always open to more character development and quieter moments, I was expecting more than a filler chapter. I was really hoping to jump right into the retake for the Hero License Exam.

Because this chapter is weaker in general, I’m splitting my opinions up into good and bad categories - character moments I liked, those I didn’t, etc. As usual, there’s still more good than bad.

I’m splitting each of my points into different sections so it’s easier to jump to what you’re most interested in. And of course because I’m me, there’s also the confused section. Pretty self-explanatory.

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The Good

“Student Soldiers”

I think one of the best parts of the manga medium in general is the ability to add little captions and inserts. In particular, this phrase really struck me because I feel like it’s an excellent example of the tonal balances Boku No Hero Academia maintains brilliantly. It combines a very coming-of-age feel in terms of character development to a largely action filled plot. It also makes my heart break a little because they’ve gone through so much and still fight - just a really great example of heroism.

Additionally, I like this term for Izuku, Eijiro, Ochaco, and Tsuyu in particular. It really highlights the importance of that last arc with the battle for Eri and hopefully foreshadows even more character arcs for Eijiro, Ochaco, and Tsuyu especially.

Ochaco Uraraka

If you don’t know this already, I absolutely adore Uravity, which is what I call Ochaco like all the time because I always end up adding another “ha” into her name. Anyways, this chapter did a great job re-emphasizing her role in the latter battle, trying to save Nighteye, and showed her first realization of the huge consequences of being a hero, as well as Eraserhead being the best homeroom teacher alive AGAIN.

I felt this realization was super important because it culminated in her decision to “save people,” which I’m running away with and translating into: “Work with Thirteen and be TOTALLY AWESOME!”

Honestly though, I really think it was time for Ochaco to kinda find her space in the hero world apart from Izuku and I think this is a great direction to take her in.

Eijiro Kirishima​

Long hair. ‘Nuff said.

Honestly though, he really came out of that battle as a character I could relate to and I think this chapter did a lot to provide closure. Before I was like “Eijiro is mostly a total idiot. Super easily manipulated. Kinda a stereotype,” but now I’m fully on his side.

During the battle, the manga didn’t just show what Eijiro thinks a hero should be, but how he could become that hero. The impact of that realization really showed in that chapter, despite his lack of dialogue.

In fact, as he’s generally such a talkative character, I think him not speaking showed how much of an impact that had on him. And can we just talk about that interaction with Ashido? Because it was just so touching on a few levels.

Aside the obvious possible romantic angle, which I could totally get behind, I’m just ready for any type of team-up with them. It’s funny, for such loud characters, even in the flashbacks there’s always been this quiet understanding between the two. It’s actually amazing to watch.

Shoto Todoroki

It wasn’t a big character moment that got him on my best list for this chapter, but I really loved how he’s being developed now that he’s less of an enigma. His inner monologues for this chapter were so true to form without going into angsty. His expressions? The artists got all the different looks of brooding - it was both hilarious and awesome.

Class 1-A

What I believe was most important in this chapter, as far as plot and tone, was the shift back to school life for these characters and them rejoining the class honestly felt like coming home - from Momo rushing to make tea to Tenya’s lectures and then own emotional intensity. The strength of this manga (and anime) is the relationship dynamics between the characters as a group and it was captured so well here.

Endeavor and Allmight

Another thing that’s great about Boku No Hero Academia is the switch of depictions of heroes. From the dramatic fights - where evil is plain to see and the good manage to scrape a win to the business side, with cutthroat rivalries and abusive jerks. The set-up of the inevitable confrontation between Endeavor and Allmight was just so promising and a large part of that was accomplished by involving Shoto. This was a very clever move that emphasized each of the adult’s ties to Shoto, as well as the emotional conflict that Shoto himself must feel - allowing the rivalry to operate on a whole other level.

Small things I loved

Extra security - I’m glad the school’s stepping up their game. This was just another small, but vital piece of world building, contributing to the overhanging feeling of suspense.

Izuku - Small and almost unnecessary, it really showed that he’s taking Mirio and Nighteye’s lessons to heart.

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The Bad

Tsuyu Asui​

Tsuyu's literally one of my favorite characters, so obviously I support her getting placed in more critical battles. However, I feel like this chapter was a real disservice to her. For one, we really didn’t get an emphasized view of her role in the battle like the other three Class 1-A students (Izuku, Ochaco , and Eijiro). This was actually really needed because while I can easily recall huge things the others did during the battle, I honestly can’t point to her role. Without a huge role, then the battle had less personal impact on her and thus not a lot of room for specific arcs, whereas we clearly see exactly what impact it had on the others. I just felt a lot of missed opportunities for her as a character here.

Problems with Plot

"Because it is a walking disaster."

But is it a good villain?

In general, I think the main problem is the weaker set-up. I think the big villain that they couldn't capture is fairly cool, but doesn’t seem to live up to its hype. Compared to some of the other epic villains we’ve seen, this one feels a lot more stereotypical. I see more character development for the heroes fighting it than the villain himself, which is fine, but I’d take a prison break over it any day.

Also, while I’m definitely interested in the retake of the Hero License Exam, it’s also lost a lot of it’s momentum for me personally. There weren’t any hints as to how it would be different, so right now all we really have are the character interactions to get hyped for (and while I really like some of these, a lot of them just aren’t THAT interesting.)

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The Confused

Fumikage Tokoyami

Where was Tokoyami? Literally everyone was seen in Class 1-A except him. Not exactly suspicious, but definitely interesting.

Camie

Is she still Toga? Or not? How is she different from Toga? If she is Toga, does the League of Villains still want to capture Katsuki? Is that what’s going to happen in the next chapter???

Traitor Alert!

A couple of things got me less confused and more suspicious in this chapter and they have to do with the current most likely suspects for traitor. These actions are less inherently suspicious and more suspicious just because of who’s doing them.

#1: Notice how Present Mic came along and then left as soon as Endeavor and Allmight started talking. Hilarious and totally relatable, but also a good chance for him to sneak off if he is indeed siding with the villains.

#2: Even less inherently suspicious than the first, but the most likely suspect so far among the students is Toro Hagakure. This chapter featured the first dialogue from her in a few chapters and specifically focuses around two of the returning students from that major battle, Ochaco and Tsuyu. What does this indicate? Innocence? Guilt? Or just a change to remind us she exists?

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My final thoughts: I really enjoyed this chapter on a personal level, but felt that there were a lot of areas it could’ve been stronger in. Still, I can’t wait to find out what’s up with Camie and see where some of these characters (Ochaco and Eijiro) go.

Until next time,

Your Leader

#new