REVIEW: ‘My Hero Academia,’ Episode 99 – “Our Brawl”

My Hero Academia is a superhero-shounen anime produced by Bones. With One For All exhibiting a new power, Deku must decide if he can risk losing control again during the training match against Class 1-B. Meanwhile, the other participants are giving it their all to come out on top in My Hero Academia Episode 99.

Just as the previous episodes in this arc balanced great character moments with unique, quirk-filled combat, this episode continues the pattern with a fantastic finale to this story. While Midoriya and his struggles with One For All take center stage in My Hero Academia Episode 99, Uraraka and Shinso have their turn in the spotlight as well. This is especially true for Shinso, who gives us a great memory of his training with Aizawa.

During this sequence, we see Aizawa instructing the would-be hero in the implementation of the special cloth they both wear around their necks. Shinso’s struggles with this new tool are frustrating, but Aizawa is there with some quiet inspiration. The quickness with which Aizawa and his newest student have clearly bonded is as impressive as it is genuine. As both characters possess quirks that do not aid them in direct confrontation, Aizawa clearly has a special level of sympathy for the struggles that face Shinso. But while the struggle is real for this aspiring hero, Shinso shares the same determination that imbues all Class 1-A. One cannot help but wonder how much of that is gifted to them by their exceptional teacher.

Coming back to the present, My Hero Academia Episode 99 sees the competition nearly stopped early by the observing teachers. But Aizawa overrules All-Might and Vlad, opting to let the situation play out. Since Deku appears to have regained control of himself, this seems like an understandable decision.

With the competition progressing, both sides of the battle pull out all the stops. We are treated with some cool quirk combos from both classes. Even Monoma finally shows he can be something other than obnoxious. And while Mineta also shows some clever quirk implementation, we can only see it by enduring his predictable and tired antics at the expense of Ashido.

Once the fight wraps My Hero Academia Episode 99 takes the students through one final critique by Aizawa. Aizawa’s direct and fair observations give many participants something to think about and carry with them as they move forward. It also shows us whether or not Shinso has passed his acceptance test.

The visuals throughout this episode deliver the story’s action, emotional, and contemplative moments clearly, and with the ever-present skill the animators at Bones are known for.

With the training story arc wrapping to a satisfying close with this episode, My Hero Academia Episode 99 leaves the series in a good place to further explore what changes are happening with One For All, as well present new challenges and possible dangers for the students of UA Class 1-A and the superhero society they hope to protect.

My Hero Academia Episode 99 is streaming on Funimation and Crunchyroll.