Two Years Ago, My Hero Academia Revealed the Anime’s Biggest Problem in a Single Line

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Watching My Hero Academia near its finale, one thing really stands out as its biggest weakness – and it became apparent two years ago with just one line of dialogue. This anime, adapted from Kohei Horikoshi’s manga, has definitely been a major hit in the Shonen genre over the last decade. It’s a refreshing take on the familiar hero story, both sticking to the core values of the genre and cleverly flipping some of its usual tropes. It offered something new while still feeling comfortable and recognizable, which is clearly why it connected with so many people. However, I think the early seasons were definitely the strongest. If the anime follows the manga closely, I suspect the ending won’t please everyone.

Some fans are unhappy with how things turned out for Midoriya, but the bigger issue with My Hero Academia lies in its overall structure, especially as the series concluded. The final two seasons (7 and 8) felt rushed compared to earlier parts of the show. The ending ultimately feels too soon, and this problem was foreshadowed by a line of dialogue back in Season 6 in 2023.

Uneven Pacing Is My Hero Academia’s Biggest Ending Problem

One reason My Hero Academia loses some of its momentum in later seasons is its uneven pacing, especially when compared to the beginning. The show starts with a realistic challenge: Midoriya learning to control his powerful ability, One For All. We see him slowly improve through training and small victories, which feels earned. For many seasons, he only uses a small percentage of his power, creating a believable progression. However, later seasons speed things up, rushing the story forward in a way that doesn’t feel as natural. While Midoriya never fully masters his power without risk, he suddenly gains access to six additional abilities.

Season 5 of My Hero Academia introduces a significant change in storytelling when it’s revealed that Midoriya’s One for All Quirk actually contains six separate abilities – one from each previous user. This shift feels rushed, especially after the anime spent so much time showing Midoriya learn to control the basic power of One for All. While we’re briefly introduced to the previous users and their Quirks, they don’t get the detailed development fans have come to expect from the series, particularly given its strong focus on supporting characters and Midoriya’s consistent progress. This faster pace feels out of character for My Hero Academia.

Honestly, My Hero Academia had enough material to last several more seasons, especially if it had explored Midoriya’s training and his connection with past One For All users in greater detail. Currently, we mostly see his powers suddenly appear during fights, which feels a bit unrealistic and throws off the show’s pacing compared to earlier seasons. The ending of Season 6 hints at this being addressed, as Bakugo and the rest of Class A finally confront Midoriya.

My Hero Academia Hinted Pacing Would Be Its Downfall With One Season 6 Line

It’s understandable that the pacing in the later parts of My Hero Academia feels uneven, especially as Season 6 suggests things are about to speed up with the Dark Hero arc. In the episode “Deku vs. Class A,” Bakugo tells Midoriya that they know he’s mastered the Fourth and Sixth Quirks – Danger Sense and Smokescreen – which viewers already saw him begin to use during the fight with Muscular and hints of during the Paranormal Liberation War arc. However, the series shows Midoriya gaining full control of these abilities without actually showing him practice or develop them, and Bakugo’s explanation feels forced because of this.

I’ve noticed a real issue with the pacing in My Hero Academia lately. It feels like the characters aren’t getting the development they need, and we’re barely seeing them practice or even connect with each other. It’s more than just a few missed opportunities with their Quirks – things like Fa Jin, Blackwhip, and Float are all underdeveloped. Even Gearshift doesn’t get much screen time until the very end. It’s like everything that should have unfolded over several arcs is now crammed into just one or two, especially after the first half of Season 6. It really holds back what makes the show so great.

It’s clear the story is moving quickly towards its climax, and while that’s understandable, it’s a bit disappointing. My Hero Academia could have been stronger if it had spent more time on everyday school life before the end. Midoriya’s developing powers would have been a natural way to include these quieter moments. The transition from the last major conflict to the final war feels rushed, and taking more time could have made the overall story more impactful. Sadly, the anime seems to prioritize finishing the series over developing its biggest moments fully.

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2025-12-08 05:40