My Hero Academia Final Season Episodes 160 to 162 Review

It is hard to believe we have reached the beginning of the end. After years of soaring highs and the occasional stumble, My Hero Academia has arrived at its final season, closing out a shonen series that helped define this past generation. With the manga already finished, the anime wastes no time and drops us straight back into the action.

That said, the first episode is almost a shot for shot repeat of the back half of last season’s finale, which makes for a slightly awkward start with no clean jumping on point. Once you push past that, though, the following episodes grow much stronger and pull together themes the franchise has been building for years.

With the rest of the League of Villains dealt with, the story narrows to its final two threats, Shigaraki and All for One. Deku is set up to be the one to stop Shigaraki and works to hold him back, while these early episodes turn the spotlight on All for One, his long history with All Might, and the slow unraveling of his grand plan.

I especially enjoyed All for One’s inner monologue in episode three, where he insists everything is going to plan. He is a practical, supremely confident villain who never quite believes he can lose, and that towering ego is exactly what makes his coming downfall feel so satisfying to watch.

The season is not without its quibbles. Bakugo’s sudden power boost is not fully explained yet, and the way nearly everyone survives certain death situations can strain belief. Still, the show is having fun with classic hero tropes, and seeing All Might defy the grim prophecy laid out for him is a treat. My Hero Academia is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

My take: Pacing hiccups aside, it is genuinely moving to watch this series begin its farewell. I am bracing myself to be a little emotional as it brings Deku’s story home.