REVIEW: ‘My Hero Academia’ Episode 160 — “Toshinori Yagi: Rising Origin”

The final season of My Hero Academia is set to bring the epic battle between good and evil to a close. Deku and the rest of the heroes are set to face off against All For One and his allies in My Hero Academia Episode 160 “Toshinori Yagi: Rising Origin,” but will they be able to stop him and bring this epic saga to a triumphant close?

My Hero Academia Episode 160 picks up right where the last episode left off, with the heroes desperately fighting to hang on. Dabi’s thermal energy is reaching critical levels, Deku is squaring off with Shigaraki, and All For One is fast approaching to tip the battle in favor of the villains, with only All Might standing in his way. The overwhelming sense of dread is palpable thanks to the dreary backdrops and intense music playing in the background. You can sense the fear in the voices of those supporting the heroes, and the situation truly seems hopeless. 

The battle between All Might and All For One continues in My Hero Academia Episode 160, with All Might using his powered suit to level the playing field. This battle sequence is fast-paced, with the duo zipping around the ruined cityscape, throwing everything they have at each other. There are flashbacks interspersed throughout the fight that help hammer home what All Might is fighting for.

Bones Film does a great job of bringing the battle to life, mixing flashy visuals with a drab background of the desolate city. All Might’s moves are especially impressive, and the way he fluidly moves around the screen, unleashing all sorts of moves, is what makes this battle so impactful. 

The mind games that All For One tries to play in My Hero Academia Episode 160 are interesting for several reasons.

Since this battle is a “win at all costs” situation for All Might, he holds nothing back. The visuals we see of his face, showing through the damaged suit, reveal a man fully engaged in the fight. He isn’t scared, despite his lack of powers. In fact, he is inspired by the heroes he has worked with, both past and present, which drives him to do everything he can to win the fight.

It is great to see All Might reference the young heroes in the middle of this fight by using moves based on their own abilities. This shows the impact the students had on him, and the fact that they could inspire him clearly means the world to him. All For One mocks him for this, calling it a sign of weakness, but All Might doesn’t see it that way. The idea of leaning on others has always been considered a strength in My Hero Academia, and that is no different here.

The mind games that All For One tries to play in My Hero Academia Episode 160 are interesting for several reasons. At face value, they appear to be a villain trying to get into the head of their opponent, but in reality, it reveals how insecure they are and how afraid they are of losing. He knows All Might can beat him, so he tries to distract him in order to gain an advantage. 

All Might has a line about how “even if my light goes out, someone will receive it and they’ll shine!” that shows he has completely made peace with no longer being the beacon of hope for humanity. It is nearly impossible for anyone to lose hope if that is the overall mentality of the heroes, and it sets them up to succeed even if their prospects look dim.

My Hero Academia Episode 160 kicks off the final season with a bang, featuring epic fight sequences.

My Hero Academia Episode 160 takes some time to show more than just the battle with All Might and All For One, but mostly to drive home All Might’s point. There is a clip of a child from another country watching the battle, where his grandmother tells him it doesn’t matter because it is happening far away. It is an inspiring moment where we see the kid appreciating the significance of the battle, adding to All Might’s belief that there will always be someone to carry on the fight and be a light in the darkness.

My Hero Academia Episode 160 kicks off the final season with a bang, featuring epic fight sequences and powerful emotional moments. The stage is set for the heroes to take down All For One once and for all, but it certainly won’t be easy.

My Hero Academia Episode 160 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.

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