The main plot of the movie centers around a far more extremist and damaging terrorist organization
than anything these kids have faced before. Seeing the more serious tone from the opening scene kept the stakes high. The fact that this organization is for the quirkless also offers a new perspective on the politics of this world.
Deku has always been my favorite part of MHA, so l don't mind that this movie centers him and the new character rather than the rest of the main cast. I enjoyed seeing Deku confront the flaws of hero society, as well as the general law enforcement system, by being on the opposite side of it. The movie original character Rody has lived most of his life this way just to take care of his loved ones, forcing Deku to think about 'villains' from a new perspective. Although the audience of MHA was previously able to experience this kind of sympathy by watching the League of Villains, Deku as a character finally has the opportunity to grow his empathy through Rody and the quirkless terrorist group.
Rody is a compelling character, both in how he expands upon an average citizen's relationship with hero society and in his own view on quirks as a whole. The quirk reveal for Rody was very creative and offers the movie great rewatch value. His attempts to climb out of poverty and his deep family bond allow the audience to root for him as much as Deku despite the lack of previous screen time. The bonding conversations between Rody and Deku are some of the most heartfelt of MHA and I wish we could see more of them.
I think my one real problem with movie is the same with most anime tie-in films; retconning. I know I'll never see Rody again and what Deku learned in this movie will not effect the plot of the show. It's really a shame because this is easily the best arc MHA has introduced thus far and I wish the show writers could expand upon its ideas.
