‘My Hero Academia’ Season 7 Episode 13 review: Midoriya fights back in “A Chain of Events, Across the Ages”

It’s always great to get a reminder of just why a protagonist is THE protagonist. In the pivotal My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 13, Izuku Midoriya demonstrates just why this is his story and what makes him such a formidable hero. As he stands against Shigaraki, he utilizes every tool he’s acquired, the knowledge he’s gained, and the empathy he’s always possessed in a brutal and telling bout of combat. These key components, his monstrous strength, desire to save, and emotional response to the wreckage, make him such an engaging and layered hero and protagonist. 

One of the best fights in My Hero Academia is the showdown between Midoriya and Overhaul and Season 4. Midoriya can go all out with his power in that fight with Eri’s aid, and his considerable skills are getting the full spotlight. But, more than anything, it shows off his rage in battle when fighting against those who oppress and hurt the innocent. There’s a reason why, in mid-battle, the character designs warp, making Midoriya’s face seem more villainous than heroic. 

It is the same here in “A Chain of Events, Across the Ages” as Midoriya comes up across the devastation that Shigaraki wrought in his absence, his guilt molding together with his fury. Shigaraki knows this about Midoriya and knows that when provoked, Midoriya’s moves become simplified and easy to guess. The episode beautifully captures Midoriya’s anguish as the sound strips away, and all we hear is his labored breathing as he takes in the crumbled bodies of fellow heroes — of Bakugou, seemingly dead. Only through Mirio’s quick interference can he reign it in and utilize his anger, physically manifesting itself into a livewire style of armor. 

Even the beats in between his loss of control and regaining are gracefully detailed. From how he thumps on his chest after being told to control his heart to how his eyes glow with his power in a way that imitates spooling tears. The control he gathers is hard-won. 

We’ve seen Midoriya pissed in battle before — from Overhaul to his fight with Shigaraki after Bakugou leaped in front of him to save him. But here, we see the growth of his character as he refuses to succumb to his guilt and, instead, wraps himself in the power of all of the vestiges. Namely, the second One for All user, whose quirk is gearshift. 

The artistry is in fine form in My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 13. Both the character designs and the action get a jolt of adrenaline. The coffin in the sky is a suitably imposing setting, made more so by the darkened skies that make it all the more claustrophobic. We see the reverberations of the two powers, too, throughout the makeshift battlefield, with the force of Midoriya’s power ringing throughout and shaking the coffins’ stability. 

Tomo Ōkubo directs and storyboards the episode with an abrasive depth as we fly alongside Midoriya in battle. The scenes where he comes hurtling toward Shigaraki display his strength. This is especially true when the gear shift is used, the force it weaponizes visualized through intensive framing. Everything about the fight scene is electric, manifesting in the character designs where purple lines and hues course throughout Midoriya and Shigaraki’s faces. 

Everything about this showdown is breathtaking in its assured direction and brutal combat. Composer Yuki Hayashi’s “You Say Run” strikes at a pivotal moment as Midoriya seems to gain the upper hand. It’s a theme that plays against some of the most significant moments of triumph in the series. Voice actor Daiki Yamashita delivers a powerful performance. His voice deepens the moment Midoriya regains his control and pivots to battle mode. 

If anything, the episode spends too much time reminding us of characters who are not in this one fight. While the war wages on, it makes sense to touch base with supporting players. But considering the significance of this part of the fight, it would have been worth it to remain honed in. This is especially true as it’s not just Midoriya fighting to win but fighting to save Shigaraki’s humanity. 

“A Chain of Events, Across the Ages” is an emotionally stirring episode that thrusts its main player back into the spotlight. It’s a rallying moment shaken by the realization that the villains haven’t yet displayed their full power. Despite the destruction surrounding him, it’s an odd calm before the storm as the hero Deku displays his full might, a series standout moment for the character.

My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 13, “A Chain of Events, Across the Ages” is out now on Crunchyroll with new episodes each Saturday.

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Images courtesy of Studio Bones/Crunchyroll.