In the previous episode of My Hero Academia, Tenya shocked Juzo with his Super Move: Recipro Turbo. Passed down through the Ida family, the technique requires the user to remove their mufflers (🤢), which are then regrown, allowing the user to gain new mufflers that are more durable and faster. Tenya specifically states that the move increases his burst period from 10 seconds to 10 minutes. In My Hero Academia Season episode 8, Tenya explodes with speed, breaks free from the ice. He lacks control but is still able to overwhelm Juzo enough for the latter to flee. It may seem small but I like that instead of fighting regardless of his chance of victory, Juzo decided to leave. This should happen more in anime.

Meanwhile, Mashirao is having a difficult time handling Sen Kaibara’s Spiral Quirk. Hand-to-hand combat in My Hero Academia tends to take a back seat to the more flashy Quirks. While brief, Kaibara and Mashirao fight was refreshing. Kaibara’s Quirk, in addition to his fighting skills, makes it difficult for Mashirao to counter. Sen’s drills are capable of piercing his opponent, and at one point in the fight appears willing to “kill” Mashirao. It’s a moment that can be missed, but what would have happened if Tenya didn’t show up. Regardless, Tenya drags Sen and he’s the first to get imprisoned.

Class 1-B continue to impress

Elsewhere, Shoto is having a harder time than usual. Most of us would assume that Tetsutetsu wouldn’t stand a chance against Shoto, but his Steel Quirk makes Shoto’s Ice and Fire ineffective. The value of this arc for the audience is to show off not Class 1-A but Class 1-B. Juzo, Kaibara, and Tetsutetsu’s Quirks and strategic skills are put on display in this fight. Tenya and Shoto have their moments, only to fail. The lesser classmates, Pony, Mezo, and Mashirao have smaller moments but show their potential. Mezo’s Quirk is better for scouting. Pony’s Quirk first appears to be nearly useless. It’s so linear it’s hard to imagine that she would do much in a fight.

Mashirao is able to stop her from using them simply by holding her horns in place. Despite her limits, she’s the reason her team doesn’t lose. The intense battle ends with most of them out of commission. With no time left, Class 1-B and Class 1-A will have to settle for a draw. After the battle, Jurota makes a point that I think is the primary theme of this round, “in a real-life situation fleeing and waiting for backup is a valid and logical strategy.” The next round features Katsuki Bakugo, can he be a team player?