Why My Hero Academia's Slice-of-Life Moments are Pure Shonen Gold

Highlights

Slice-of-life moments in My Hero Academia provide a realistic portrayal of the characters' lives in a school setting, making them relatable to viewers.

In My Hero Academia, character development plays a vital role, as each student from Class 1-A possesses individual motivations for their pursuit of becoming a hero.

Setting it apart from other shonen anime, My Hero Academia incorporates slice-of-life moments that highlight the students' everyday activities and interactions. These moments provide a respite from the constant action and battles.

Slice-of-life anime focuses on the daily lives of characters, allowing viewers to easily connect with them. Unlike popular shonen anime such as Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece, which often lack these slice-of-life moments, it is debatable whether My Hero Academia falls into this category. One way to identify a slice-of-life anime is through its setting, and in the case of My Hero Academia, it takes place in a school where characters undergo training to become heroes. This setting reflects the realistic nature of life, where individuals must pass through various stages to achieve their goals. Additionally, it showcases how even as heroes-in-training, these students still experience typical high school activities like sports, school festivals, and socializing in their dormitory.

U.A. Sports Festival

Character development is a central focus in My Hero Academia, as seen through the growth of Midoriya. While he may not always be the sole focus, each student in Class 1-A has their own motivations for becoming a hero, which the series delves into.

My Hero Academia encompasses both school-related activities and events centered around villains. One notable school event is the U.A. Sports Festival, where students display their unique abilities in various competitions to impress professional heroes. During these moments, the students interact with one another as regular students rather than as heroes engaged in a battle against a villain.

During the U.A. sports festival, Midoriya's fight with Todoroki leads him to break his own vow of never utilizing his father's fire quirk. Perplexed by Todoroki's decision not to capitalize on his powers, Midoriya probes him for answers. Todoroki discloses his troubled upbringing, his deep resentment toward his father, and the reasons behind his refusal to employ his fire quirk.

This revelation renders Todoroki's defeat at the hands of Bakugo, as well as Bakugo's subsequent anger despite his victory, comprehensible. Bakugo believed he triumphed only because Todoroki failed to unleash his complete capabilities. As the anime unfolds, fans witness Todoroki's ongoing struggle to overcome the trauma of his childhood and gradually embrace the notion of wielding his fire quirk.

Provisional Hero License Exam

At the start of the Provisional Hero License Exam arc, there is a heartwarming moment that captures everyday life. It begins with Class 1-A settling into their new dormitory, Heights Alliance.

To determine who had the most impressive room, the students of Class 1-A held a friendly competition. This allowed fans to take a virtual tour of each student's room, each uniquely adorned with their personal touch. Midoriya's room, for instance, showcased his undeniable admiration for All Might through an abundance of merchandise. Tokoyami's room, true to his mysterious nature, emanated darkness. In Ashido's room, one could find an array of adorable toys and items, while Kyoka's room displayed her passion for music through an assortment of musical instruments.

This moment united the students, as they opened up their personal spheres and embarked on their path to becoming heroes.

Another pivotal moment in this story arc occurred when Todoroki and Bakugo were unsuccessful in the Provisional Hero License Exam. As the anime progresses, viewers witness these two individuals making concerted efforts to excel in the forthcoming Hero exam. They secluded themselves from social events in their dormitory, dedicating their time to preparing for the upcoming examination.

U.A. School Festival

The U.A. School Festival is an integral part of the curriculum and is compulsory. It provides a realistic experience of high school life. Students of Class 1-A gather in the lounge area of Heights Alliance to discuss and plan their involvement in the festival. During the discussion, Mina suggests the idea of dancing, which is supported by Todoroki. Mina volunteers to teach her classmates how to dance.

A heartwarming moment arises when Kyoka expresses hesitance about showcasing her musical talent at the school festival. Understanding her passion for music, her peers rally around her and encourage her to perform, knowing how much joy it brings her to play musical instruments. With their words of support, Kyoka agrees to showcase her talent.

During this period, Eri was under the care of U.A. High. Midoriya requests Shota's permission for Eri to participate in the school festival, showcasing Midoriya's sincere concern for Eri's difficulties and trauma, and his determined effort to restore her sense of childhood innocence.

As Class-1 A gets ready for the school festival, they become more acquainted with one another. Upon discovering Bakugo's drumming skills, Kyoka invites him to join the band. Despite Bakugo's fiery personality, everyone is surprised when he agrees to take part. Working together, these students assign roles and commence rehearsals for the upcoming event.

The highly anticipated school festival arrived and these students took the stage. In that moment, they were free from any concerns, reveling in sincere affection and exhilaration, momentarily oblivious to the malevolence lurking, ready to annihilate their world.

Comparison With Other Shonen Titles

My Hero Academia's distinctiveness among shonen anime such as Naruto or One Piece lies in its portrayal of slice-of-life moments. Unlike Luffy in One Piece, the characters in My Hero Academia have the opportunity to attend a school and indulge in the experiences that come with it.

Naruto, on the other hand, does not have a dedicated training school. Instead, fans witness him honing his skills through real-life encounters with professional villains. In contrast, My Hero Academia centers around a school environment where students are trained to become heroes before facing real villains in the outside world. Fans may enjoy the slice-of-life moments in My Hero Academia as they provide a welcome respite from the constant action and battles these students endure. You can stream My Hero Academia on Crunchyroll.