Boku no Hero Academia 4th Season

Nov 23, 2019

6 of 25 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 3

Karhu (All reviews)

146 people found this review helpful

Due to the nature of the second season, the third season was bound to have a weaker start. Even so, with 2-cour duration it had all the time it ever needed to pick up the pace and improve, or at the very least build a solid foundation for this fourth season.... But it didn't do any of that and now we're more or less back to square one.

The classic shonen series have never exactly been the most flawless type in the arsenal, but few of them have struggled with their arc and tone shifts to the same extent with Boku no Hero Academia. While it's not uncommon that old story arcs become history and the new current arc gets the unconditional focus, it's rare to see a series which transition is this awkward.

Once again we start our newest season with a recap filler, followed by a build up phase which I'd like to metaphorically compare to the act of someone trying to restart a fusion core after it's been poisoned. It's slow, boring and drags on, and it would be faster to just shut it down entirely and try again. I find myself asking why exactly am I once again stuck at watching this series like it's a new slice of life IP when it's supposed to be a BTS on full roll and come with some type of smoothness already at this point. Instead it repeatedly falls into its own trap, repeating this cycle each new arc to a point where it has become tiresome and feels like a task. The sad part being that this level really seems to be what the series is now aiming to achieve, not even trying to be better, just settling with utter mediocrity and being okay with that. Will it ever maintain some type of stability instead of sawing up and down like Tesla's stock? At this point I very much doubt it will and, based to the lack of hype, it's safe to conclude that I am not the only one. You could literally start watching this series directly from season 4 and only miss the parts where the series was still entertaining to follow.

For years now, manga readers have been echoing that this fourth season will be the best one because it supposedly covers the best arc. While this is entirely possible in term of writing and characters, after all, there is still very little development thus far and the story board has now infinite different possible routes to take, I can't help but to be very skeptical about its delivery due to Bones' vision with the series. For some reason, our director's idea for the action sequences is to make them drag on, pause them, make them overly dramatic, play spoon-fed flashbacks from events that occured just few seconds earlier, and.. simply make them feel like a tease without any reward to be had. Why not make them like, you know, thrilling instead? Remove;tension Add;idle time! This series currently would really need some more classic shonen tropes and less of this nonsense that ruins the flow of these scenes entirely. The writing itself is still far from impressive and quite dull. "We, the selected few, are looking for this specific guy." And 2 minutes later "Oh, look, it's that guy. Sup?" The story board is just weak. If the plot was a line, what it does is put one dot next to the ongoing line and immediately connects it. There aren't many people on this planet who cannot do that. Not much room to be impressed.

To continue with the lack of development: It's really making this series problematic. When I am looking the characters now versus what they were in the beginning of season 3, I do not see much growth. In the beginning of last season, the characters were acting highly comedic and the feelings related ponder was also used as a running gag. It was lame and just a waste. During end season, the focus was in drama, and what this did was show us fractions of different sides of the cast, sides we had not seen before - like proving that these sides also exist. And now we are once again looking at characters who could be removed from their current timeline, get the "relife treatment" (current self send in the past shell) and there wouldn't be much differences to spot. Send Naruto from the beginning of The 4th Great Ninja War into Pain Saga and see how history is rewritten. Do this with Deku and be prepared to listen to Initial D's OST, more specifically 'deja vu' on repeat. ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ It's not even a mystery~yy~!

The characters really don't seem to carry anything special with them from previous arc to next. This is a huge difference compared to other shonen titles and perhaps the reason why - at least I personally - as a viewer, am feeling very distanced from the series. It's not resonating with me on any level anymore. Be it Deku doing a smash the 9th milliont time, Bakugo yelling at 135dB or Uragravigirl being too close! with her body, none of it just has its charm anymore at this point. Rather it feels like some outcast, once-upon-a-time-famous celebrity is trying to be relevant with gimmicks that got old a decade ago. If I was the editor, I'd have adviced this guy write an arc where Deku stops being useless, Bakugo is forced to go on an anger management meeting, Uragravity actually does something to move the relationship onward -- like there's a filler I'd watch, and also give the frog girl all the screen time because she is the best girl. The series is at a point where I don't prefer the canon, even at times when it tries to distant itself from these same goofs it has already overusen.

As it is, I do believe that this season is going to improve since it's unlikely that it would dwell in its slower parts for 2 cours, but I also find it as unlikely that the series as a whole is going to improve for the better, or that I'd personally start caring again. New high peaks may occur but the same errs are bound to exist forever since the characters' lack of improvement seems to be something like a reflection of the author not learning from his own mistakes either. I'd say it's now a good time to lose hope with this and start looking for new titles to fill the shonen quota with something that has a bit more -- or preferedly; a lot more heart to it.

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Nov 23, 2019

6 of 25 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

ssanaashaikhh (All reviews)

47 people found this review helpful

Im going to be straight forward and preface this by saying, I read the manga and am all caught up so I don't remember all the details from the Overhaul arc, and my review for the most part is overall.

I believe this is probably one of the best seasons of bnha so far. The overhaul arc is a lot darker than the rest of the show however the execution of the story-to me atleast- is amazing.

In this arc, they only focus on I think 7 UA students total, of course Midoriya and Mirio being the top 2. Personally I love the way they showed read more

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Nov 23, 2019

6 of 25 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 8

YeeYeeAss (All reviews)

34 people found this review helpful

MHA finally returned. It's slightly worse than before. Starting off with bad filler episode.
This time as the main characters we have Midoriya, Kirishima and ya boi buff Tintin aka Mirio. We start off with midoriya wanting some work experience so he asks Mirios if he could indroduce him to Sir Nighteye.
It is all fine and dandy until we meet Overhaul who is now a "father".
Characters: Deku is still the same as usual, Kirishima has unlocked a new form of hardening and he is working under fat gum. Mirio is as quirky as always. Sir nighteye is very weird lad who enjoyes jokes a read more

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Nov 24, 2019

6 of 25 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

8igfan (All reviews)

13 people found this review helpful

If you've watched any of the previous seasons of BnHA, then you know what to expect by this point. The animation is still pretty decent and seems on point. At least, nothing has stood out aside from a goofy moment or two. VAs seem on point as well. The usual characters are back with all their glory and we'll be getting some interesting developments for some of the favourites moving forward. We already have seen some developments and a lot of reveals so look forward to more of that.

The current arc should also be great for anime-only watchers and will have you feeling a wide read more

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Dec 6, 2019

7 of 25 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 1

AgentBishop (All reviews)

7 people found this review helpful

The first two seasons of this show were emotional rollercoasters, 4th season of Boku no Hero Academia is also a highly emotional rollercoaster but unlike the first two seasons the only emotion you feel is disgust and an urge to through your laptop into toilet since you just downloaded utter shit.

Midoriya in the first episode of season one says he wants to be a hero, we learn about All Might's weakness and the relationship between them were interesting, the second season basically turns Midoriya into a real hero, we learn about other heroes and it was also a good season. so writers aren't stupid read more

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Dec 12, 2019

9 of 25 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 1

EnigmaOlivia (All reviews)

6 people found this review helpful

Arrested Development:

Today My Hero Academia still holds insane popularity among not only the anime community but at a continental scale. As not only is it skyrocketing in Japan but across the west. In the early 2000s US manga sales weren’t making a large impact on the market but now sales with graphic novels are dominating. On many prolific anime magazines and articles the series holds itself and characters among top tens and twenties lists. On Tumblr the anime is at the highest among posts. In other words, My Hero Academia is a very popular series. However, why is this type of series so popular? Well when we look at the demographics of who is watching, which popular anime reviewers legitimately like the series or who sell out so they can manipulate fans for revenue/views/profit we can figure it out.

The reason why shounen anime, & hero stories, are so popular especially among the west is because adults have decided to permanently live in adolescence. The west is overrun by man babies regressing back to childhood. The tremendous impact and popularity of shounen and superheroes on Western & Asian culture is embarrassing and worrying. While it’s audience should be aimed at thirteen year olds instead its massive audience is adult men and women. My hero academia is a show mass marketed for adults who do not want to outgrow their childhood. My hero’s popularity only reflects the arrested development state of the west. If you are an adult and still enjoy shounen or super hero stories to a large degree it’s time to seek counseling. Now there are considerations if a movie or show is well thought out more than its genre. However, shows that are vapid and stick to childish ideals and plots are brainwashing and pitiful. My Hero is not a consideration but a dishonorable show that brings shame among anime and reflects how adulthood is truly lost amongst its fans.

If you don’t believe me all you have to do is get into a disagreement with one of them. You’ll be met with irrational anger and aggression. A child temper tantrum coming from these adult fans. As if criticism towards a fictional anime somehow insults them on a personal level. In retrospect they should be humiliated liking a series like this. All in all the fans of this nonsense only reveal how childish and insecure they are at a very large scale. Not to mention extremely creepy & disturbing as if you search this show on google you’ll get left with obscene sexual fanfiction, disgusting art, and other festish porn like creations. These fans need therapy and Chris Hansen.

I will continue my review of this show because it’s important to have critics point out the flaws in what’s popular which directly reflects on the culture. Why the current culture of anime is into these pathetic sappy crybabies. Why side characters are fans of the lead. Why any deeper retrospect is left at the door. It’s important for reviewers to be honest and not lie for viewership, money, and kinship. Unfortunately, many have been lied to and manipulated by prolific reviewers off this site and youtube. Many live in a constant state of Alice and wonderland la la land. Thus creating this series to be bigger than what it is. Proclaiming it’s a masterpiece of all things and that the writer is “brilliant” when in reality the show is very below average at its best.

The new season opens up with the lead, Izuku Midoriya, looking for a new hero internship. Midoriya finds curiosity in season three character Mirio Togata who later is revealed to be the first and only consideration as All Mights successor. However, before the plot we get filler featuring a reporter trying to investigate who All Might’s successor is and easily deciphers its Midoriya with hardly any detective work utilized. Perhaps a hint at what’s to come as during this entire season characters easily figure out the right things at the right times with no skills or planning required. Anyways after filler Midoriya interns with Mirio’s mentor Sir Nighteye who was All Might’s previous side-kick. Sir Nighteye allows Midoriya to join even though he didn’t pass his expectations just simply tried hard. Further putting out bad messages to children and the many adults who watch that life will always work in their favor.

The following episodes set up the drama this arc will feature through a “new” villain Chisaki. I use air quotes for new because he is almost the same as the other freak; Obsessed with children, kidnapping children, wants to destroy heroes, same destruction quirk, etc. However, this time the show allows a character to kill someone as he demolishes the random transvestite character. Heartbreaking? The stakes are illusionary as the plot constantly rewards the leads without effort. As Midoriya and Mirio find this villain randomly in an alley and discover his hideout by chance. I would assume a show about investigating a villain would have careful planning and detective skills. That a writer would carefully demonstrate this. Imagine if in Death Note L discovered Light in two episodes without using any research whatsoever. All this does is make a series lose credibility and respect which is what My Hero lost since episode 1 season 1. This show continually has a bunch of deus ex machina and gives privileges to characters who don’t deserve it by any conceivable measure. Life doesn’t owe you anything. Passion and dedication mean nothing without the skills behind them. However, a statement like that would make more than half of Shounen anime lose all appeal.

This season has some of the most horrendous boring writing I’ve ever witnessed. The characters continually serve only the circumstantial plot, are used for ridiculous melodrama, & remain stalemated. Compared to other shounen characters, this show is a shameless ordeal. I literally see characters who were never fleshed out be utilized this season for manipulative poorly executed melodrama. Example: Kirishima is all of a sudden amazing when last season he failed exams and was one of the worst students. It’s astounding we’re supposed to invest in characters who are presented as boring, contrived, and have no goals outside ones similar to leads. Kirishima has a backstory with Mina when they never interacted previously. I don’t see how an audience could believe in a past bond when it comes out of nowhere. All this leads me to believe is the author doesn’t care about side characters and only uses them for opportune moments to bait audience sympathy. So, forget inspiring story unique characters, clever creativity, or passionate dreams, this is all about screaming and crying over forced cheap melodrama. This is a bad children’s series who grown men and women vehemently defend. It has no profound messages or helpful advice to the viewers watching it. Only harmful fantasies that will negatively affect the viewers mindset.

The animation from this season is one of the worst published. It is worse than One Piece season 1. Animated scenes are shown behind grayish walls and lip movements are sloppily executed. There are brief moments of 3D animation that looks deranged and nightmare inducing. There is an episode where all the characters sit around at a table talking and thinking about the same thing. I mean you cannot make this stuff up. There are no disagreements or discussions of strategy from the adult characters only agreement in allowing children to fight proven serial killers. As teenage Mirio and Midoriya are literally shown in the front lines invading a villain hideout. This is the most absurd series I’ve ever seen. The melodrama was forced more than ever. Giving us Naruto level flashbacks to characters being shy in the past. The messages are harmful promoting laziness and entitlement. Again for the people in the back, Life owes you nothing! You cannot just “try hard enough” you need a brain and skills which this series lacks completely!

Speaking of Shounen most people watch it specifically for the fights, but the fights in my hero academia are executed horribly in every way! The fights have no strategy, no execution, no art, its simply punching the opponent. In HxH, Dragon Ball, Naruto, and YYH characters are given time to think of strategies and present the audiences with ways to win by using intelligence. Those anime gave us fights that were well thought out, respectfully crafted, memorable, and engaging. However, my hero academia is the lowest of low when giving unique or even decent fights. They're boring, pathetic, contrived and tiresome. Never once have I been hyped for a fight in this terrible series. I literally have no clue why people proclaim otherwise.

This show is for adults who are in a constant state of arrested development. It’s for those who want to be pampered and complain about first world problems. They cannot handle criticism of any kind and throw temper tantrums. If you like this show stop and seek medical help. If you are a child liking it that’s fine. However, any adults you should be ashamed. Grow up and watch quality non-escapism series.

-1/10

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Boku no Hero Academia 4th Season

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