The Boys Season 5’s Biggest Supe Change Will Take Some Getting Used to After 32 Episodes

by

A lot has changed in the world of The Boys between Season 4 and Season 5, and the characters are evolving too. Homelander is starting to show cracks in his composure, Starlight is becoming more hardened, and the team itself is realizing what it will take to finally defeat Homelander. However, the biggest change involving a supe is hinted at in the Season 4 finale—and while it’s a welcome development, it will take some adjustment. WARNING: Spoilers follow for The Boys Season 5, Episodes 1 and 2.

The first two episodes of The Boys Season 5 quickly address major questions left hanging after Season 4’s ending. We learn what happens to Ashley Barrett after she takes Compound V, where Starlight goes following Hughie’s capture, and how the world is reacting to Homelander’s control. The episodes also show the consequences of a significant change introduced near the end of last season: Kimiko gaining the ability to speak. While a welcome development, it feels a little unexpected after so many seasons of the show.

After 32 Episodes, The Boys’ Big Kimiko Change Will Take Some Getting Used To

Throughout the first four seasons of The Boys, Karen Fukuhara’s character, Kimiko, appears in 32 episodes and primarily communicates through sign language. This is due to past trauma that causes her to largely remain silent, a condition known as selective mutism. That’s why her repeated scream of “no” in the final moments of Season 4 is so impactful – it marks her finding her voice as she and Frenchie are captured by Sam and Cate. This act of defiance powerfully highlights the horrifying extent of Homelander’s control and provides a fitting conclusion to her arc, a change that continues into Season 5.

In the latest season of The Boys, Kimiko has stopped shouting her objections and is now speaking regularly, though she occasionally struggles with how to say things or understanding social cues. The show points this out, with characters like Butcher and A-Train reacting with surprise to her newfound voice – A-Train even simply says, “You talk.” This change takes some getting used to for both the characters and the audience, considering Kimiko was mostly silent throughout the series. Thankfully, it feels more natural by the second episode. It’s a welcome development for both Kimiko’s character and the show as a whole, especially as the storyline gets more intense.

Kimiko Speaking Is a Positive Shift for the Prime Video Series

Honestly, it took a little getting used to hearing Kimiko talk so much, but I’m really glad the show is letting her. It’s fantastic to see her character finally starting to heal from everything she’s been through, and it’s just fun to watch. This show can be so dark, so any bit of joy we get from the characters is really welcome, and her reunion with Annie and Frenchie was genuinely heartwarming. Plus, watching her learn to use her voice – and when not to – provides some much-needed laughs. And let’s be real, with characters like Butcher and The Worm, she’s often just saying what all of us are thinking!

What are your thoughts on Kimiko’s development in The Boys Season 5? Share your opinions and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/list/the-boys-5-characters-most-likely-to-defeat-homelander-after-season-5-episodes-1-2/embed/#

Read More

2026-04-12 18:40