My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission

After a devastating attack by the Anti Quirk Terrorist Group, Humarise, Japans heroes are mobilized to prevent similar strikes around the globe.  Class 1-A is called in to strengthen their numbers but things take a turn when Deku becomes a wanted fugitive accused of mass murder.  Cut off from his classmates and with only a street smart urchin to help him, Deku must get to the heart of Humarise’s ultimate plan and stop it before the Age of Heroes comes to a cataclysmic end.

My Hero Academia continues to be one of the strongest and most popular Anime in recent memory, achieving near Dragon Ball Z levels of status all over the world.  After two major theatrical releases, we come to World Heroes’ Mission and this was always going to be a tough film to pull off.  For one thing, Heroes Rising, the movie before it, was arguably one of the high points of the franchise, it definitely is for me.  Topping it or at least matching it would be no easy feat.  And yet, the premise seemed like the biggest My Hero Academia had to offer for a movie and the promo images of Deku, Bakugo and Todoroki in kick ass stealth outfits being sent in on a mission was enough to get anyone pumped.  So how does World Heroes’ Mission fare against previous big screen Hero Aca offerings?
 
As much as I want to judge World Heroes’ Mission on its own, I still cant help but look at it as a step back from Heroes Rising for a number of reasons.  The opening teaser gets the ball rolling right.  The Humarise attack is chilling and one of the most serious moments weve ever seen and it sets the stage right for just how great a threat they pose.  Follow that up with a world wide counterstrike by heroes and Class 1-A, with Deku and friends skydiving into battle, it’s a freaking awesome sight.  After this, however, is where things don’t start to fall apart but the intensity gets dialed back.  Instead of the promise of Deku, Bakugo and Todoroki getting a fun world hopping adventure, instead Deku finds himself paired up with self proclaimed cool guy Rody.  Rody does get better as the movie goes on but his first few minutes of screentime with all his showing off and posturing made me so disappointed Deku was being saddled with him instead of Bakugo and Todoroki.  Class 1-A’s Big Three do come together for the finale but I was hoping for a storyline for them that matched the Deku/Bakugo arc from Heroes Rising.  Still, once Rody dials down the posturing and we get to know him, he’s not a bad character and offers good insight to the people Deku is constantly trying to protect.
 
Speaking of Deku, while I’m glad no one from Japan believes for a second that he’s capable of killing anyone, why is more not done to clear his name from the Heroes themselves?  I get it that the Police Chief of Otheon is corrupt but still.  This plotline seems like a waste to time to keep Deku separated from his friends so he can bond with Rody.  Like any other Shonen film, the rest of Deku’s epic class is around for the movie but after the ample screentime everyone got in Heroes Rising, it’s kind of a step back to relegate everyone to brief cameos while Deku, Bakugo and Todoroki get most of the action against the chief villains.  Heroes Rising proved that keeping everyone together against the same foe at once was doable and roles could be evenly split amongst the cast.  Deku’s class still gets moments to shine but yeah…wish they had more to do.
 
All my gripes not withstanding, this is still My Hero Academia.  Even when it’s not at its best with storylines not meeting their potential or characters who feel like a waste of time, the franchise can always shine with big battles and characters with more heart and an understanding of how to be a hero than most US Superheroes (looking directly at DC Comics).  The action on the big screen continues to feel like the only thing to constantly step up when placed against the TV Series.  Deku’s evasion of Humarise’s hired goons over a speeding train feels like a direct omage to Spider Man 2 with all the swinging around and rapid camera movement.  The final throwdown with Humarise’s final bosses also gives Class 1-A’s Big Three time to show why they are the Big Three.  Todoroki continues to develop both sides of his Quirk in battle and Bakugo can still shout up a storm but he looks to be more in control and wiser in battle.  Naturally, it’s Deku who continues to get the biggest battles and biggest speeches that get the heart pumping and the spirits soaring and World Heroes’ Mission gives him some great moments to shine in both capacities.  And like Two Heroes and Heroes Rising before it, the scope and epicness of the fights make World Heroes’ Mission a must see experience best had on the biggest screen.
 
Yeah, it’s not as good as Heroes Rising and it might be the weakest of the three movies thus far.  But what My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission lacks it makes up for doing what My Hero Academia does best.  The characters, the battles and the constant words of inspiration from the next generation of superheroes always come through even when the plot doesn’t measure up to bigger and better moments from previous films or the TV Series.  Am I let down it wasn’t as good as Heroes Rising?  Eh, I kind of expected it.  But I think what I’ve learned from watching this movie, it’s this: My Hero Academia can still make me tear up and smile and remind me why I’ve always loved Anime even when it’s not firing on all cylinders.  It might not be the best, but that’ll never stop any My Hero Academia from always going Plus Ultra.
 
7.5/10