REVIEW: ‘My Hero Academia’ Episode 151 — “A Chain of Events, Across the Ages”

As Shigaraki (Kôki Uchiyama) prepared to finish off the heroes charged with containing him, Izuku Midoriya (Daiki Yamashita) made his explosive return. However, before the young hero can challenge his enemy, he must find the strength to marshal his feelings when he sees what has transpired in his absence. My Hero Academia Episode 151, “A Chain of Events, Across the Ages,” tests Mirodiya’s strength and control as the final battle begins.

Before this episode’s main event, the audience is given a brief recap of where everyone is and what’s been going on. With so much going on and a couple of skipped release weeks recently, it’s a welcome segway. It refreshes viewers about what is happening while opting out of a full recap episode, which feels like something a lot of series would drop around this point in the season.

Once the summation of events is over, My Hero Academia Episode 151 bounces back slightly, catching up with Midoriya as he races back to the Coffin in the Sky. We learn that Star and Stripe‘s support fighters aid our hero’s timely return. Having ignored orders to return to the USA, they now offer taxi services to speed Midoriya forward.

This moment provides a little feeling alongside the practical purpose of helping explain Midoriya’s surprising appearance in the last episode. As Midoriya uses the jets to accelerate, he’s told that the squad remained behind against orders to help because their “little sister” bet on them. The affectionate moniker for Star is accompanied by a brief shot of her crumbling to dust. The call back to the season’s dramatic opening bout hits perfectly.

From here, we see Midoriya’s arrival on the battlefield. Before the punches start flying, the hero turns to check on the status of his friends. What he sees shocks him. Most look near death, and Bakugo lies completely unmoving. The hurt that floods Midoriya quickly overwhelms him. With rising energy and Blackwhip tendrils bursting from him, Midoriya looks ready to lose all control.

The animation captures this moment of pain and rage fantastically. The details show every feeling across Midoriya’s face and imbue his body language with the seething white-hot anger we know the character feels. While Shigaraki is pleased with the results of his handiwork and hopes to make the wielder of One For All come at him straightforwardly, his plans are knocked off course thanks to a timely intervention.

As the only other hero present capable of aiding Midoriya, Lemillion (Tarusuke Shingaki, Freiren Beyond Journey’s End) arrives by his side, explaining the situation beyond what the new arrival’s eyes tell him. He lets Midoriya know how Edge Shot is working to keep Bakugo alive and that everyone else, while worse for wear, is also ok. Nothing has yet to be lost, so he doesn’t need to blame himself for being absent. These words have the desired effect on Midoriya, letting him calm his turmoil and regain the focus he will need to defeat the monster before him.

While the emotional support Lemillion gives his friend is the most striking element of his moment in My Hero Academia Episode 151, it’s not the only aid he gives Midoriya. When Shigaraki claims that he and All For One have fused into a singular being, Lemillion refutes the claim, citing the villain’s earlier reaction to being accused of being friendless. The response was purely that of the child trapped inside. This revelation directs Midoriya in his fight as he seeks an opening to save the child from his fate. But before he can hope to set that child-free, he must knock the monster around a bit.

As the battle begins in earnest, we see new tricks brought to bear as Midoriya reveals how much he and One For All have grown since the last time the opponents clashed. Midoriya’s mind is as sharp as ever, wielding the numerous powers at his disposal in clever combinations that soon have his foe on the back foot. The visuals continue to lean into the raw power on display here. Even while in control, Midoriya’s power still overwhelms every shot he’s in.

While the intensity of the battle is delivered brilliantly, the visuals highlight the choice to make One For All’s former bearers much more present within the fight. Frequently appearing beside Midoriya, the heroes of the past aid their protege in a far more direct manner than ever before. This makes Midoriya’s battle feel far grander than it already would have as it becomes a battle that stretches across generations.

My Hero Academia Episode 151 delivers everything a fan could ask for. Beautifully delivered engaging combat, touching emotion that makes the battle personal and renewed hope that the heroes can still carry the day are all brought to superbly crafted life.

My Hero Academia Episode 151 is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.