Together with Shoji

This episode alone makes me lower my overall score for the series. I'm not sure why they decide to slow things down when the stakes are at the highest. With lore flashbacks for one of two characters who both haven't really been highly involved in the overall plot until this point. It came off as really forced to be honest. Those characters were ignored the whole and they are finally getting some TLC. I really think they could have done that sooner and not slowed the momentum this season had. Because this season is the best so far. That's all I really have to say. I know a majority may disagree but im now less excited for next weeks episode. Regardless I know its gonna bounce back and finish strong, and will still remain in my list of favorite anime series.

This episode has to be one of the most well written episodes I've seen from this series. I like how we finally get insight on Shouji and Koda, and the harsh realities of discrimination and hate crime. This episode really hit hard with the contrasting beliefs of Shouji and spinner; with one trying to accept past and forgive, and the other punishing those who harmed him. I like this side story because of how realistic it is, as it's probably based on real life discrimination and the suffering some people have to endure because of their appearance. I think the main message is that the victims never forget, but can find a way to accept and forgive for a better society. Brilliant!!!!

Only issue I have is the blue sky in the background. I know I sound petty and you've probably heard many complaints but, it just kinda ruins the atmosphere in my opinion. They could've instead made it a dark grey cos of the smoke and fires.

Overall, phenomenal episode!!!!

This episode showcases what My Hero Academia does best front and, well, not centre, it's not a core concept, it's the series' whole identity: taking real life problems and tackling them through a lens of fiction. It's dramatic satire, but with tears of sandness and mature political commentary rather than laughter. The staff involved do their best to use the huge cast as a useful tool to both speak on and attempt to answer a social call of controversy. The downtrodden riot now more than they have in a long time. So a franchise like My Hero Academia needed to take those riots and deconstruct just why they're happening and what the result of them will be.

I will end by saying that there is plenty of good advice in this episode, and you don't need to have scales, horns, or ears for hands to hear it.

The one thing I love about this episode is how it purposely conflates class conflict with the power setup of the show's premise. It's nice to see a show addressing rightwing populist stigma and fear without simply labelling those in the conflict as psychotic. Class conflict is at the heart of all human struggle and, as we all know, can fester and grow into something dangerous. The show has the guts to use one of the heroes as the answer to the rightwing populism - as a way of creating a leftwing populist alternative.

Shoji is an unsung hero in this series and it's even better that they've used this character to take part in such an important storyline.

The complaint has never been that the sky is simply blue, it's that they weren't being creative enough. The blue sky has been completely dimmed this episode by the fire and the composition was beautiful. Season 7 has been so much better in this aspect.

For an expample, Kantoku Nakayama made a remark about the compositing filter (created by Director of Photography Takafumi Sawa) used in Shoji's backstory. The intention was a blur effect on the landscape and characters, as if the screen itself was crying.

This episode is exactly what the my villain academia arc should've looked like, the new director really is working wonders.