REVIEW: ‘My Hero Academia,’ Episode 89

My Hero Academia is a superhero Shonen anime produced by Bones. Having earned their provisional hero licenses and begun taking part in official hero work, the students of Class 1-A have to be more prepared than ever to face the threats that plague their superhero society. To further prepare them for their duties, their school is holding a special emergency drill to test their world’s newest heroes in My Hero Academia Episode 89.

The new season of My Hero Academia takes a moment to reintroduce viewers to class 1-A, as well as some of the personalities that surround them. As the episode opens, the class is abuzz about Endeavour’s recent victory over the Nomu at the end of last season. As Mr. Aizawa arrives to get the class started, an alarm sounds in the room, and their principal announces a special drill for the students. One or more “villains” have been spotted on U-A grounds. Donning their hero outfits, Class 1-A springs into action. 

The early moments of the exercise provided My Hero Academia Episode 89 with an unexpected character moment for one of my favorite characters, Momo Yaoyorozu. 

As one would expect, much of the duty of calling out roles and organizing the class’s response is taken up by Class Rep Iida. But stepping into a sort of joint leadership role with him is Momo. This was wonderful to see as her early moments in the show focused on her lack of self-confidence, and this moment of natural leadership is another excellent example of how far she’s come. Hopefully, we will get more moments like this from the young hero. 

The other unexpected element in My Hero Academia Episode 89 is who plays the helpless victim in need of saving and the villainous threat that must be faced. 

Known collectively as The Big Three, Mirio Togata, Tamaki Amajiki, and Nejire Hado are UA’s stars and return to My Hero Academia to help their young classmates grow. While all three of these characters have always been wonderfully quirky and entertaining, it’s Togata that truly steals the show here.

After having his powers so recently stripped from him, it would be understandable if the hero wasn’t his usual seeming self. Happily, though, Togata seems determined to be a beacon of light and humor with or without his powers. Just another reminder of why the late Nighteye saw so much potential for Togata to be the heir to All-Might. 

The animation in My Hero Academia Episode 89 lives up to what fans have come to expect from Studio Bones. While nothing too extreme happens in this season-opening outing, Class 1-A is delivered with all the energy, enthusiasm, and style the young heroes have become famous for. 

When all is said and done My Hero Academia Episode 89 delivers a strong, lighthearted opening for the new season. A quick re-introduction to the group, a generous helping of fun adventure, as well as an episode-ending glimpse at things to come make this a great start to the new season. It’s time to go PLUS ULTRA!

My Hero Academia Episode 89 is streaming on Funimation and Crunchyroll.