There’s a comforting familiarity in the trope-laden structure of My Hero Academia: You’re Next that helps the slightly aimless movie rise above being totally throwaway.
The fourth anime movie in the franchise, My Hero Academia: You’re Next has Deku and Class 1-A take on a villain of truly terrifying proportions – an evil All Might. Known as Dark Might, this baddie believes himself the heir to the Superman stand-in’s position as all-powerful protector.
His forceful methods of taking that position, involving a huge skybound vessel full of other criminals, spur our heroes into action. Captive on-board is a kidnapped young woman, sought after by a mercenary, whose powerful Quirk presents an even bigger threat than any All Might wannabe.
On paper, these storylines complement each other by touching on the desire for absolute power and what that actually looks like. Narratively, though, You’re Next is more meandering and confused, as the plotlines undercut themselves.
You’re Next just doesn’t find balance
Much of the film takes place within Dark Might’s ship, where each section simulates a different environment to confuse the invading U.A. students. Several groups make their way through the structure, each tackling different dangers as they go.
As is typical of feature-length productions from Bones, this looks gorgeous. The multi-coloured costumes pop against the boldly rendered backgrounds, and the back-and-forth sequences are as compelling as ever.
My Hero Academia might be the best looking anime show of its generation. Kohei Horikoshi’s sugary young heroes’ pastiche becomes a bright, bold cartoon that evokes routine Saturday morning viewing and the likes of Astro Boy and Lupin III in equal measure.
My Hero Academia is a particular kind of a heroism
The movies are the greatest proof of this, allowing Deku and his pals to explode across the silver screen. Though not strictly canon, they make a case for themselves by being louder and more exuberant than the TV show.
Her bodyguard, Giulio, is the only known person who can steady her power since his Quirk freezes others. They share a bond as star-crossed lovers, with Deku and his cohort determined to defy fate and find a way for everyone to live in happiness.
Scenes involving Anna have more of both the kind of cheese that makes My Hero Academia what it is, and thematic depth to explore. They expose Dark Might and his entire plan for the overblown distraction it winds up being.
There’s the usual rigmarole, involving a montage of failure as everyone rallies to go down fighting, before a saccharine ending still manages a small lump in the throat if you’re prone to such inspiration. But that emotion is dwindling.
My Hero Academia: You’re Next review score – 3/5
You’re Next brings back all the flash and energy you’ve come to expect from My Hero academia movies, but the lack of any real narrative stakes is starting to weigh these spinoffs down.
My Hero Academia: You’re Next is in US cinemas now, and UK theatres October 18.