![]() ![]() But to have Momo not only fall for the ploys of an idiot like Mineta, but to have that ploy be to put her into a cheerleader outfit, a common fetish, is unnerving. I don’t ignore that there is one female character, Mina, who is going to advance, in a logical fashion and on her own merits, to the finals. To give a female character such a powerful ability, then to find ways to keep her out of the final round of competition, is frustrating because of the context of years of systematic impediments put upon women in multiple nations, cultures, and societies, including those in Japan and North America, coupled with the fixation in both areas to fetishize women and girls sexually. So these episodes have to give Momo flaws in order to keep her from advancing, or else her ability would end all matches quickly. ![]() And compared to Izuku, who still was voted to be Class President ahead of her earlier in Season 1, she has much longer experience with her Quirk and did not need to go through the exam to enter. Compared to Bakugo, who has likely as long an experience with his Quirk as she with hers, Momo has the emotional maturity to not lose her temper. Compared to Todoroki, who also was admitted without need of an exam, she has the chemical knowledge to offset his ice and fire abilities, as well as a more personable demeanor that makes her easier to collaborate with classmates. As shown in some supplementary materials in the manga, Momo has used her Quirk since childhood, and to create objects she must have a complete knowledge of their composition, which includes parts, substances, even atomic arrangement. Momo is a child prodigy, she is someone whose intelligence and lengthy experience with ability has made her an already skilled strategian. As a character who was introduced as being able to enter UA without need of an exam, she may be more naive than her classmates, hence why she falls for Mineta’s obvious ploy. Momo is perhaps the character whose portrayal has me most annoyed. My frustration may be a disagreement I have with Horikoshi about how I imagine these characters would behave. At best an author can make characters behave realistically considering the context in which they are placed. It is also harsh to refer to fictional characters as “foolish.” They are not autonomous: they are creations by an author designed to behave a certain way to achieve a desired effect. So when I’m this harsh as to call characters as behaving foolishly, it is based on what has come before–and what is coming up. Nevertheless, I have found this approach useful because, as a serialized narrative, My Hero Academia deserves to be judged in its context. This approach has influenced how I look at each episode, sometimes to my detriment as I spend more time focused on what is coming up rather than what is good or bad about the episode itself. My reviews have tried to look at each episode within the context of what has come before and after, aided by knowledge of what has already happened in the manga this anime is adapting. ![]() While keeping up with My Hero Academia, I have been behind on posting reviews. And I think it will help lend some clarity about the characterization of, at least, Momo, Ochaco, and Izuku. Let’s break down each problem separately before acknowledging what the episode does very well. And why is Endeavor making it obvious he is a wife-beater–and why hasn’t anyone thrown his ass in prison?!.Why did Ojiro decide honor was more important than accepting his advancement?. ![]() Why did Izuku talk when Ojiro told him not to?.Why did Shinso press his luck by trying to hypnotize Izuku earlier than necessary?.Why did Izuku and Todoroki reveal so much about themselves and risk giving their opponent ammunition to use against them in their inevitable face-off?.Why do the girls listen to Mineta, a known pervert, to put on the obviously fetishistic cheerleader uniforms?.I’m just gobsmacked at how so many characters, all at once, can act so foolishly. Is my title too mean? I don’t intend to beat up on the narrative structure, as I see where the story is going, and given the result I know as occurs in the manga, all of this makes sense. Spoiler warnings: This review will cover content up to Episode 21 of the anime. Trigger warnings: There will be discussion of representations of domestic violence and rape. “The Boy Born with Everything.” My Hero Academia Episode 19 ![]()
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