Story: 8 (Great)
While the first season featured a quite standard origin story for our main character which was never particularly spectacular, it did feature some interesting plot points and tackled a few questions such as what it is like to be an outcast and what it means to learn to live with the differences between you and the world. The second season builds upon everything the show had set up and explores themes of morality, differing ideologies and perhaps most importantly social legacy. Hero Aca season 2 is directed in such a brilliant way that since the first season managed to set up and develop such a wonderful cast of characters season 2 can easily use these characters to convey the messages the show wants to by delving into these themes. This just happens to work nearly perfect and makes every new arc and subplot of season 2 a joy to get engulfed by. Yet, Hero Aca season 2, in the same fashion as season 1, doesn't do a lot that hasn't been done already.
Characters: 9 (Fantastic)
Usually, in action shounen shows the supporting cast takes a backseat to the main character(s). Because of this, their motivations, agendas and backstories are never properly explored. This was not the case in Boku no Hero Season 1 and fortunately for us isn't either in Season 2. With a greater emphasis on the supporting cast and their backstory and personality comes a greater depth to the plot and world itself as the people occupying the story feel as real as the main cast. This is not to say that the main characters of Boku no Hero Season 2 get too little attention or time spent on what they want or feel or think. I believe that Boku no Hero has always had a good sense of balance of how much focus each character needs, supporting and main characters both, to make them feel relevant while keeping the show from seemingly having the world orbit around a certain character. In short, the way the show devises up its runtime among show has found a good balance of time spent on each character. The characters aren't without flaws however. Most of the shows cast are based on standard shounen tropes which can be almost painfully obvious at times. Hero Aca season 2 makes use of an incredibly simple technique of developing its characters, which is by showing rather than telling, a technique that has been unfortunately more and more ignored in the action shounen genre. By doing this, Hero Aca develops some of the deepest characters I've ever had the pleasure of getting to know.
Animation: 9 (Fantastic)
Let's just start off by saying that I thought that both the art style and animation looked great in the first Season of Boku no Hero, though it wasn't close to flawless. That said, I think that this season ups its predecessor in every single way. The animation and movements of the characters is now more expressive and static shots are less frequent than the first season. Movement is also more fluid while retaining or in some cases even improving upon the detail found in the first season. The animation and movement of the characters all have a certain added weight to them compared to season 1 which, along with the fantastic voice acting and character writing, helps turn these characters into real, believable people. I can not talk about the animation of Hero Aca without mentioning the absolutely jaw dropping fight scenes. This show features animation to match even the best looking shows out there like One Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100, both of which, incidentally, were animated by studio Bones so the fact that this show also looks absolutely stunning shouldn't come as a surprise.
Sound: 8 (Great)
As I am no expert of sound design I don’t have much to say other than that the show sounds great which any high profile show should in 2017. The voice acting is as good as it was previously and all characters manage to express great emotion which is conveyed to me with ease despite the language barrier. Most of the shows music works well with its scenes and aids the scene to have a greater effect on the viewer. Also, both the OPs and EDs are fantastic. Some of the best this year in my opinion.
Enjoyment: 9 (Fantastic)
I have to admit that shounen shows are a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine, especially the ones made by Bones, so I might be a slight bit biased when thinking about Boku no Hero but I swear to god if this show isn't entertaining as all hell. There hasn't been a single time that I haven't cussed at the ED as the credits started to roll because I was so convinced that it had only been 5 minutes since I started the episode. When a 22 minute episode feels like 5 you know that you enjoyed it almost a bit too much. There is very little that I don't love about this show.
Overall: 8 (Great)
"But does it deserve the attention its previous season bought it or is it simply another cookie cutter shounen action show to scratch our generic action craving itches for the season?" Yes. Yes it deserves all the attention it can get 100 times over. Boku no Hero Academia season 2 is superior to its first season, and a large majority of other shounen action shows, in most ways I can think of and will surely entertain even the pickiest of viewers.
