When you're on top, there's only one way to go.
Warning: Full spoilers for the episode below.
New alliances and rivalries are formed in "Strategy, Strategy, Strategy" as Deku feels the pressures that come with being on top in the second round of the U.A. Sports Festival. All Might is positioning Deku to be his successor as the world's number one hero, and in what is Season 2's strongest episode yet, the budding hero gets a small taste at what challenges await him if/when he does take up the mantle.
I found myself anxious for Deku as I watched him frantically seek out three classmates willing to join his team, and shortly thereafter breathed a sigh of relief when Ochaco approached Deku to suggest they work together. My Hero Academia isn't heavy-handed in the romance department, at least not so far, so whenever we do get hints at a blossoming relationship between Deku and Ochaco, it feels extra special. The two make such an adorable pair, and Deku's joyous sobbing in response to Ochaco's request to join his team, despite him having a 10 million point target on his back, was priceless.
Deku sheds joyful tears upon Ochaco's request to join his team
The team selection portion of "Strategy, Strategy, Strategy" also revealed that Bakugo and Todoroki aren't the only ones who see Deku as a rival, with the exchange between Deku and Iida serving as one of the most memorable moments of the episode. After joining forces with Ochaco, Deku immediately assumes Iida will be interested in teaming up with them as well, but to Deku's shock, Iida turns him down. It's here that we learn of Iida's belief that following Deku's lead will prevent him from growing and fully realizing his potential, adding depth to a character that I previously wrote off as an uptight teacher's pet.
I was especially impressed by how well "Strategy, Strategy, Strategy" efficiently provides screen time to further develop My Hero Academia's vast array of characters while never feeling rushed. We see several students flock to Bakugo and Todoroki, making them appear all the more intimidating and threatening to Deku as his greatest rivals. We also get a brief hint at the root of Todoroki's disdain for his fire power, and how his relationship with his father is why he only uses his ice power.
Mineta also manages to steal a bit of the spotlight to once again provide some well executed comic relief with a clever plan to work with his multi-armed classmate Mezo during the cavalry battle. I was also happy to see more of Deku's socially reserved bird-headed classmate Fumikage and the bubbly Department of Support student Mei, both of whom ally with Deku and Ochaco for the festival's second round.
Deku, Ochaco, Mei and Fumikage caught in Mineta's sticky trap
When the cavalry battle finally commences, we are greeted to some of the most intense action Season 2 has had yet, all brought to life by the incredible animation work of Bones. Watching Deku narrowly evade an oncoming barrage of Mineta's purple balls, as well as Tsuyu's frog-like tongue, was a visual treat. Likewise, Bakugo explosive sky-bound assault, which was thwarted by Fumikage's stunning Dark Shadow Quirk, was another exciting moment that I won't soon forget.
Adding a welcomed wrinkle into the otherwise Class A-dominated showdown was the unforeseen advance by some of the students from Class B, who strategically took a backseat in the first round to make a surprise attack during the cavalry battle. Season 2 has been building larger roles for some of the other students of U.A. High, and I was glad to see some of that underlying tension finally come to the surface.
Before "Strategy, Strategy, Strategy" concludes, with still half of the cavalry battle to go, it sets up what promises to be an epic showdown between Deku's team and Todoroki's formidable crew comprised of Iida, Momo and Denki. Todoroki's confident "I'll be taking that now" declaration to Deku just before the credits roll sent a chill down my spine, leaving me eager to see how it plays out next week.
The Verdict
Round two of the U.A. Sports Festival kicks off with an incredibly strong start, serving up an excellent blend of action and drama in "Strategy, Strategy, Strategy," which establishes a new rivalry for Deku and gives the aspiring young hero a small taste of the pressures that come with being number one. In addition to providing an action-packed and stunningly-animated start to the cavalry battle, the episode does an excellent job of further developing My Hero Academia’s diverse cast of characters, providing new insight into Todoroki’s relationship with his father and Iida’s desire to break free from Deku’s lead. With Class B rising as an unexpected threat, the stage has been set for what promises to be an exciting second half of the festival's cavalry battle.
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