A dramatic conclusion to round two.
Warning: Full spoilers for the episode below.
The second season of My Hero Academia is getting better and better with each episode. The further Deku and his peers progress into the U.A. Sports Festival, the higher the stakes become, and in "Cavalry Battle Finale" the second round of the competition concludes in glorious fashion, further developing My Hero Academia's core cast of characters amidst some of the most heart-pounding action the series has had yet.
While "Cavalry Battle Finale" is full of incredible moments, Deku's desperate attempt to reclaim his 10 million point headband from Todoroki was the undeniable standout. I was expecting Deku to save the use of his All for One Quirk for the very final round of the festival, but with the clock ticking down and the success of his teammates weighing on his shoulders, he charged right in with nothing to lose. I found the brief flashback to Ochaco's family's financial issues during this moment to be particularly powerful, as it fueled Deku's desire to win not only for himself, but also for his friend.
Deku, shocked after losing his headband to Todoroki
The incredible animation work, coupled with My Hero Academia's rousing soundtrack, further elevated the intensity of Deku's confrontation against Todoroki. The shimmering effect on Deku's right arm as he prepares to unleash his devastatingly powerful Quirk was breathtaking, especially when Todoroki unexpectedly combats Deku's attack by using his left arm to unleash his fire ability. It's clear this knee-jerk reaction was as much of a shock to Todoroki as it was to myself. He's been suppressing his fiery half in rebellion to his father, but, much to Todoroki's displeasure, it comes bursting to the surface. The strained relationship between Todoroki and his dad is one of the most intriguing aspects of Season 2, so I was very pleased to see it further explored.
"Cavalry Battle Finale" also contains a brief scene between Todoroki's dad and All Might. It's clear All Might and the Flame Hero Endeavor have a bit of history, as a brief exchange hints at what could be a long-running rivalry between the two. Whether or not it's ultimate purpose is to mirror that of the one forming between Todoroki and Deku remains to be seen, but regardless, the mystery behind their relationship has me intrigued.
Todoroki's dad, the Flame Hero Endeavor
Both Iida and Bakugo got a fair amount of time in the spotlight in "Cavalry Battle Finale" as well. Iida surprised everyone with his engine-powered legs and led Todoroki's team to successfully securing Deku's 10 million point headband. It was an excellent moment for Iida's growth as a leader, and while he's not quite on the level of Bakugo and Todoroki (at least not yet) it's clear he will prove to be a formidable rival for Deku in the future.
Meanwhile, Bakugo was humbled by a team of Class B students who managed to steal his headband, but instead of throwing in the towel, Bakugo's pride sent him into a rage-induced quest for revenge. Rather than brute forcing his way to victory, Bakugo strategically employs the abilities of his teammates to climb all the way to second place. I found this to be a truly excellent moment for his character, as it adds another dimension to his otherwise self-focused and bullish personality. It's clear Bakugo is a smart kid with the ability to lead, it's just trapped beneath a prideful exterior that isn't satisfied with anything but first place.
Bakugo, furious about coming in second place
With Todoroki dethroning Deku from the top spot, Bakugo enraged with a second place win, and Team Shinso enjoying an unexpected third place victory, I couldn't think of a more perfect conclusion to the cavalry battle. I expected Todoroki's team to come out on top, but the way in which he achieved this victory I did not see coming.
I was equally surprised by they way in which Deku's team narrowly made it into the final round. Thanks to a swift maneuver by Tokoyami at the last minute, after Deku grabbed the wrong headband in a desperate attempt to reclaim his 10 million points, Team Midoriya was able to score enough points to make it into fourth place. Upon realizing this, Deku (once again) starts sobbing like a busted fire hydrant, which was mirrored by his mother in an adorable post-credits scene. This narrow victory was a humbling moment for Deku and one that gave one of his lesser-known classmates a moment to shine. If anything, the fourth place win has taught Deku that being a good leader is knowing when to lean on others for help.
The Verdict
My Hero Academia continues to offer up a seamless blend of action, drama and character development, as "Cavalry Battle Finale" not only delivers some of the most visually and emotionally thrilling showdowns to date, it also simultaneously delves deeper into the aspirations and accompanying strengths and weaknesses of the students of U.A. High. With Todoroki's daddy issues bubbling to the surface and his rivalry with Deku only growing more intense, I can't wait to see what lies ahead in the third and final round of the U.A. Sports Festival.
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