Initially published only in the Land of the Rising Sun, MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT has finally arrived in Italy this October thanks to Crunchyroll in collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment. Once again we find ourselves directing Tensai Okamuraalready famous for having directed works such as Blue Excorcist, The Seven Deadly Sins And Koromukuro. The film joins the other three already present in our territory, with the aim of telling a darker story that can radically change what it means to be a Symbol of Peace.
We had the chance to preview the film and we’re here to finally talk to you about it. Before continuing, however, we would like to point out the presence of small spoilers regarding the events preceding the seventh season of My Hero Academiatherefore we invite only those who do not want to ruin the overall experience of the work in any way to continue. Happy reading.
- Original title: 僕のヒーローアカデミア THE MOVIE ユア ネクスト (Boku no Hīrō Akademia za Mūbī: Yuā Nekusuto)
- Italian title: MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT
- Japanese release: August 2, 2024
- Italian release: October 10, 2024
- Type: Adventure, Action
- Duration: 110 minutes
- Animation studio: Bones
- Distributor: Crunchyroll, Sony Pictures Entertainment Italy
- Screenplay: Yōsuke Kuroda
We reviewed MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT thanks to the press preview to which Crunchyroll Italia and Sony Pictures Entertainment Italia invited us.
Where were we?
MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT is set right after season 7, episode 4, in which the Class 1-A is divided into three teams: one led by Bakugoone led by Deku and one led by Shoto. At the beginning of the film the students are still divided into these three teams and spend most of the film separated from the rest of their classmates. In the context of the series, this places the film right after that Aoyama is identified as the traitor of UA and during the period of time in which Shigaraki he is recovering from his fight with Stars and Stripes. The film features several new characters, although unfortunately not all characterized by the same depth and writing. The first is Anna Scervinoa young woman captive for much of the film, equipped with a Quirks extremely powerful and which will be the focal point of our antagonists’ attention. The second is Giulio Gandinimysterious figure who seems to be on the trail of Annafeaturing some prosthetic limbs that even incorporate weapons within their design. Finally we find the main antagonist, Dark Mightan identical copy of the famous one All Might in his muscular form, managing to steal the show from any other character from the first moment, above all due to his identity and his Quirks who remain a mystery for much of the film.
The premise and overall story structure of MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT they immediately caught my attention, also arousing a slight enthusiasm in me, in particular for the title “You’re Next”. In fact, after the fight of All Might against All For One during the accident Kaminowe see the hero point to the screen and state “Next, it’s your turn”addressed to Dekuwho inherited his power, and to the entire generation of heroes who inherited his “vision”. The film then takes that premise, that inspiration, and turns it on its headpresenting a nemesis who decides to take on the role of Symbol of Peaceeven going so far as to mimic the look of All Might (right down to the weird hair), the voice and the costume.
In the wide universe of anime, especially shonen anime, we are certainly no strangers to narrative arcs in which a main character is imitated or possessed by one of the antagonists in order to carry out their “evil plan”, but in MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT you constantly have the feeling that all this can go far beyond the classic narrative arcs of the genretranscending the normal idea of “impersonation” to tie it into the broader concept of “legacy” and make it a constant theme throughout the entire film. It is no longer a trivial question that falls on choosing the strongest or the one with the ability most useful for the purpose. Given this premise, the more the minutes passed, the more my mind wandered, in the hope that sooner or later all this would reach the right climax of the work, for example through a unique perversion of the concept of heroic order, or the right triggering reason that would made the heroes take a step back and consider whether it was really right to value and adore someone like the same audience did with All Might. Unfortunately things didn’t go that way…
A lost premise?
MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT in fact it does not follow very faithfully what it set out to do, and this for several reasonsone of all resides in the same Dark Might and what “did not become” during the film. He (like the other main antagonists present on the screen) does not present a high characterization of the character, ending up looking like simple generic villains, even by the standards to which we have become accustomed My Hero Academia. I certainly didn’t expect a long-standing background as it has been for Tomura Shigarakibut I would have appreciated them taking the character himself to a later stage, avoiding letting him end up in collective oblivion too soon.
Without making excessive spoilers, we can mention how the plot follows the arc too similarly Shie Hassaikai of the anime and the manga, and for this very reason I expected there to be a plot twist worthy of a film, such as to justify the presence on the screen of a magnetic character due to its premises, but this was not the case. This happens especially for the tacit pact of suspension of disbelief depends on the fact that the story does not constantly make the viewer want to question it, asking us why certain actions take us further and further away from the initial premise, accepting with difficulty the narration itself.
On the other hand, it is to be praised how the film wanted to integrate many different characters, both from the Class 1-A than outside it. As also shown in the trailers, the main trio of Deku, Bakugo And Todoroki gets most of the attention when it comes to fighting, but even that’s a welcome change from other films where Todoroki he hasn’t had much opportunity to shine. The fight scenes, as you would expect from the films of My Hero Academia and from Bonesthey are quite spectacular, well choreographed, the music fits perfectly and captures perfectly at the correct moments, with several amazing animation sequences. Dekuin particular, shows a lot of his new mixed application of the various Quirks Of One for Allwhich inevitably always look very pleasant on the screen.
As for the two new non-villain characters in MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT, Anna And Julius, Anna unfortunately she seemed prey to the same lack of characterization that we also find in the antagonists. Julius instead he is an interesting character both in terms of appearance and personality, and his fighting style was interesting to see and analyze in contrast to the Quirks Of Deku. Overall the film fails to achieve the same level of the other films of My Hero Academiaespecially when compared to films like Heroes Rising. While the other titles have managed to add unique storylines, expanded the background of the MHA universe or simply offered a more atmospheric medium in terms of action, I felt that You’re Next was significantly behind in each of these aspects. A beautiful film to experience without pretense, which ranks last in the rankings for what concerns the four films of My Hero Academia published so far.
Who do we recommend MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT to?
MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT it is obviously recommended to all lovers of the great MHA universe, with the advice to experience it without any expectations, experiencing it exactly for what it is, a mediocre additional story that will at least make you feel more carefree for a couple of hours.
- Attention to graphic and musical details
- Dark Might presents himself as a magnetic character from the first scene
- Compelling premise that captures the viewer’s attention…
- …But for many it could be the usual cliché
- Little characterization of the new characters present
- A chapter more forgettable than memorable
MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT
A Quirk not up to expectations
MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT finally arrives in Italy, but unfortunately it does not fully live up to expectations. The character of Dark Might manages to fully capture the viewer’s attention, but unfortunately his poor characterization does not allow him to take that step forward necessary to complete the right premises and the long-awaited climax for the entire film. A flat characterization that can also be seen in the other antagonists and new characters, saved only by the presence of Juliusthe only one worthy of note. To lift the situation we find excellent technical work carried out on the musical tracks, drawings and fights, but unfortunately this is not enough to make it a superior title to other films by My Hero Academiaresulting in a mediocre and easily forgettable product, probably even for those most fond of the franchise.
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