‘My Hero Academia’ Season 7 Episode 6 review: “Division” ups the ante

Two seemingly simple yet highly significant strengths of My Hero Academia are crucially evident in “Division” and remind viewers just why we love this series so much. The first is the show’s deep ensemble roster. Supporting characters get the same level of care and depth as protagonists. The second is the score, a distinctive quality compared to the show’s contemporaries, such as Jujutsu Kaisen. In My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 6, the series builds on everything we know about this world, the characters — supporting, mains, and villains alike — and makes sure that we feel the incredible stakes their feeling. 

We’re in the full swing of battle now, though we double back momentarily to see how all the pieces of the plan came to be. One of the longstanding themes of the series has been that, despite the success of All Might, no one hero can stand alone and succeed. At least, not in this story. While this is the story of Midoriya’s journey to becoming a hero, it’s also the story of how his class, teachers, and peers become great heroes. We saw it with Hatsume and Aoyama. Now, we watch as Shinso and Monoma enter the fold. 

There’s been a confident expectation that Shinso would somehow play a part, if only because they’ve teased his presence throughout the series as someone looking to transfer into the hero course. Monomoa, however, is a bit more of a surprise until he isn’t. Because, like Shinso, both have off-putting quirks to some others but they both quickly help the heroes gain an advantage. In just a brief instance, a well of depth is levied onto this character who, beyond anything else, has primarily played the role of resident pest. But when Vlad puts his arm around him in silent comfort as Eraser Head explains their plans for Monoma to copy Kurogiri’s warp quirk, it reminds us that he is also a student facing an impossibly daunting task. 

But they’re all still teenagers. We see it in Vlad’s comfort, and Shinso sends a thumbs-up to Aoyama after he succeeds in his mind control. More than anything, we see it in Monoma’s absolute, character-appropriate glee when he gets to play the lead. While controlling Kurogiri’s quirk, the animation runs wild as his face contorts, thrilled at this new prospect of being in the spotlight as he helps move all the heroes into position for their first main object — containing the villains and splitting them all up. 

And it’s here where the second, unassuming vital aspect pops into play — the score. The theme that plays over the moment the heroes separate the villains is chill-inducing, as we remember the might within their numbers. A clear-cut strategy marries with strength and weaponized optimism as they ensure that Shigaraki, Dabi, and Toga aren’t within each other’s eyesight. The fight will still be fraught, but this weakens them. However, in yet another quietly devastating move, the battle doesn’t start flawlessly for the heroes. Instead, Toga drags Deku away from his post and out of reach of Shigaraki. 

This is devastating twofold. Of course, there’s the imminent threat of Shigaraki as Best Jeanist, Bakugo, Mirko, Sun Eater, and Nejire all face off without their crucial player whose power can match. But also, there’s the personal, character-driven realization that this was the first fight that Bakugo and Deku were entering together as heroes rather than rivals. The viallins even manage to take that away.

The ensuing fight is a melee of chaos as each hero tries to subdue Shigaraki before he can unleash his full power. Through further help from students, they’ve built a coffin in the sky to contain the threat. The ground rebuilds itself from Shigaraki’s decay, and the electric fields keep him within their battlefield. The animation is staggering as Best Jeanist delivers brutal blows, dragging Shigaraki across the compound. Aided by Monoma using Eraser Head’s erasure quirk, they can hold off some of the villain’s most destructive moves. 

But then the CGI hands burst out Tetsuo style and Mirko is caught in the crosshairs. Once again, it’s clear just how formidable Shigaraki is and why he’s the strongest villain in history. While his mind only seems half in the fight, his body has a mind of its own, his hands morphing and encompassing whole swaths of the floating island they fight on. The CGI is impressive, melding into the background without being too apparent. It continues to impress just how strong the visuals of Season 7 continue to be, with each episode upping the ante in sheer spectacle. 

My Hero Academia “Division” boldly launches us into a fearsome battle. The war has begun between the heroes and villains, as longstanding opponents such as Dabi and Todoroki and Urakaka and Toga are poised to go toe-to-toe. With exhilarating pacing, emotionally potent musical cues, and impressive visuals, the season is determined to leave us breathless in anticipation.

My Hero Academia Season 7 Episode 6, “Division” is out now on Crunchyroll with new episodes each Saturday.

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Images courtesy of Studio Bones/Crunchyroll.