‘My Hero Academia’ Season 7 delivers an action packed premiere

The premiere of My Hero Academia Season 7 refuses to hold back in the thrilling and action packed episode, “In The Nick Of Time! A Big Time-Maverick From The West.” Following the emotionally thrilling sixth season that watched our heroes crumble before rebuilding, the season seven premire promises a continuation in tone as the world seeks solutions to Shigaraki’s destruction. The answer, for now, is the number one American hero, Star and Stripe (Romi Park.)

The episode begins with a moment of levity, as Deku reaquaints himself with his dorm after running off and playing vigilante. But despite this and the rest of Class 1-A making appearances, there’s no shaking the overall heaviness that permeates. With it’s sunwashed setting and blue skies, the series continually achieves the bold, blustering color stories while offering darker material. But it’s never dark for darkness sake. Instead, the series presents Shigaraki as a legitmate threat and responds with necessary gravitas while maintaining the superhero format.

The majority of the premiere busies itself with the showdown between Shigaraki and Star and Stripe. However, smaller moments allude to the upcoming, pivotal storylines. We watch as All For One speaks with Spinner, telling him he’s about to become the face of a movement. All For One wants Spinner to lead the charge in riling up heteromorphs — people whose quirks manifest as mutations — due to how often they’re ostracized by society. It’s an interesting thread for the character to pull on, especially as he’s been a part of the main narrative since the second season.

But still, it’s Star and Stripe who takes the center stage with the bombastic demonstration of her quirk. Studio Bones goes all out as she faces Shigaraki. Meanwhile, we learn about her origin and how All Might inspired her to be a hero. Her power, New Order, allows her to bend the elements to her will. It’s a herculean quirk as we watch her unleash her full capabilities against Shigaraki. We understand why Shigaraki is is intent on stealing it. She blazes a path through the skies, weaponizing the air around her and the firepower of the jets surrounding her. The sequence is earth-shattering and explosive, making some of the other heroes dim in comparison. Watching Endeavor, Hawks, and Best Jeanist rush to offer aid begs the question of how much they could do to assist her.

The stunning animation highlights the immensity of her quirk through the scale and presentation of the framing. She’s a (refreshingly) muscular hero, and her stature only grows when the wind around her mimics it. My Hero Academia has a fantastic track record of introducing new characters and making us care immediately through action. From Lemillion and Suneater to Mirko and Lady Nagant in season six, the supporting players appeal to the audience. The series has a tremendous roster, rounding out this world, and finding greater depths with each new introduction. Star and Stripe continues this trend, with the writing by mangaka Kōhei Horikoshi enabling her with an instant charisma. With her comes the reminder of the series’ global ties. We see it from All Might’s influence to the fact that heroes exist outside of Japan.

As Shigaraki continues to be frayed and tethered by the fight for control over his body and Star and Stripe weathers his threat with gusto, the episode leaves us all holding our breaths. The destruction Shigaraki poses is imminent. No matter the rest some of our main heroes might be enjoying, there’s still a war going on. While Midoriya and the rest of the young heroes don’t get a ton to do in the premiere, the episode makes up for it with the blistering battle at its center. We’re once again faced with the mounting threats the students and those trying to protect them are up against.

My Hero Academia is streaming now on Crunchyroll with new episodes each Saturday.

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Images courtesy of Studio Bones/Crunchyroll.