Synopsis:
Japan’s cities are devastated and largely abandoned, with only small, isolated communities remaining. These survivors are under constant threat from supervillains who take what they want without hesitation. Amidst this chaos, the young heroes of U.A.’s Class 1-A are working tirelessly to combat these villains and restore order to the world.
A new and formidable villain emerges, not only due to his ability to manipulate materials on a grand scale or his group of powerful superhumans but because he believes he is the true successor to All Might. He even goes so far as to mimic the iconic hero’s face, embodying his misguided interpretation of All Might’s legacy.
Review:
My Hero Academia: You’re Next is the fourth film tie-in to the popular My Hero Academia anime series. Set around the beginning of Season 7, this movie features a villain who has misunderstood All Might’s final message. Dark Might, the antagonist, believes that All Might’s greatness was solely due to his immense power, rather than his heroic spirit. To Dark Might, possessing such power justifies reshaping society according to his desires.
The plot centers on Dark Might capturing a girl with quirk-enhancing abilities and using her power to transform a significant portion of the city into a massive flying fortress, imprisoning hundreds of civilians. The heroes of Class 1-A find themselves trapped within this fortress, scattered and trying to reach Dark Might while facing his superpowered allies and a swarm of quirk-powered automatons.
The film offers a dynamic setup with the heroes split into different teams, each engaging in exciting and visually impressive battles. Key characters like Deku, Bakugo, and Todoroki receive significant screen time, especially as they face Dark Might, whose twisted view of All Might’s legacy makes the conflict deeply personal for them.
However, You’re Next introduces some original characters that don’t add much depth to the story. Giulio, a cyborg with a vendetta against his former master, and Anna, a plot device with shifting hair color, lack meaningful development. Giulio is portrayed as a brooding, tortured figure, while Anna is primarily used to escalate the stakes and power up the villains, spending much of the film under mind control.
The villains outside of Dark Might are somewhat one-dimensional, primarily serving as obstacles for the heroes. Dark Might himself is intriguing but suffers from a lack of nuance; his downfall often results from his own errors rather than the heroes’ triumphs. This makes the resolution feel less about the heroes’ growth and more about the villain’s poor decisions.
The film misses an opportunity to explore deeper themes, such as the impact of All Might’s legacy on the world or how the young heroes might surpass their idol. A more fitting power set for Dark Might or a more profound connection to All Might could have enriched the story.
Despite these issues, the film remains enjoyable. The animation by Bones is impressive, with well-choreographed fight scenes and strong visual appeal. The opening fight, in particular, stands out as a highlight, showcasing Deku’s versatility and strength in a smaller-scale battle.
The soundtrack also contributes positively, with new Vaundy tracks enhancing the film’s atmosphere. While the movie is not essential viewing for those unfamiliar with the series, fans of My Hero Academia will likely find it entertaining. It ranks as a solid entry in the franchise, though not as strong as Heroes Rising.
