Make It Happen, Shinso!!
Hitoshi’s power has limits
My Hero Academia Season 5, Episode 4 focuses on the round 1 battle between Class 1-A and Class 1-B. In the last episode, Jurota overwhelmed Tsuyu and Eijiro. Before we get to the fight, however, we’re treated to a flashback. Hitoshi explains the limits of his Quirk. First, he can’t brainwash multiple targets at once. Second, they can free a brainwashed target by “given enough physical shock.” Hitoshi also can’t make people talk or do anything that requires cognitive functions. To compensate for its limitations, he uses Artificial Vocal Cords, so he can imitate the voice of others. His first opportunity to make use of his new equipment is against Jurota. After imprisoning Koji with his Solid Air Quirk, Kosei comments Jurota. When he responds, he freezes. Hitoshi uses Artificial Vocal Cords: Persona Chords to stop Jurota in his tracks.
Before he can capitalize, Kosei traps him in an Air Prison. Kosei wakes Jurota from his brainwashing. Denki attacks Kosei and Jurota, but the latter grabs him. In doing so, Jurota gets electrified by Denki. He’s still able to move and toss Denki into some piping. To escape electrification, Kosei jumps off Jurota’s back, leaving him vulnerable to being captured by Tsuyu. She drags him to jail, while Koji and Eijiro try to stop Jurota. They fail. As Tsuyu takes Kosei to “jail,” Jurota does the same with Koji.
The power of the “Beast” Quirks
There are several Quirks and a variety of categories in My Hero Academia. As I’ve mentioned in the previous review, the Quirks inspired by various animals are appearing to be superior. So far we have seen Quirks from Kugo Sakamata (Gang Orca), Selkie (Spotted Seal), Ryuko Tatsuma (Dragon), Rumi Usagiyama (Mirko), Tsuyu Asui (Frog), and now Jurota Shishida (Beast). Each of these Quirks has several abilities that make them powerful. They often come with enhanced strength, speed, defense, and senses. Tsuyu Quirk is best used in aquatic environments but she also able to battle on land as well. The series hasn’t specifically stated that these Quirks are powerful (as much as I remember) but it’s clear that they are.
The opposite is true of Denki. His Quirk rarely does much damage, and he has too many limitations. He needs to learn some kind of martial arts or develop better equipment. He makes up for with his strategy but if he uses his ability his IQ drops. To a lesser extend, I would say that Koda’s ability is missed. His limitation is because of his passive personality. Fighting is not his thing, and he’s useless in combat. This isn’t a problem, unless he’s put in battle scenarios. Koda is best used as a scout.
The cost when communication breaks down
This episode shows that communication is key for teams to win and function properly. At the beginning, Jurota’s team had better strategy, and they gained a quick 2-1 lead. Tsuyu’s team had one more limitation than Jurota’s team, Hitoshi. Specifically, they weren’t familiar with the limits of his Quirk. Regardless, once they developed a plan, they gained the advantage. Hitoshi’s Quirk created a breakdown in the communication of the other team. This makes them insecure and their trust declines. Without that trust, they were going to lose.
Animal quirks do seem to be pretty overpowered. it makes me think how important Tsu will be going forward. I love Kaminari- electricity is a really cool power- but his limitations are kind of lame.
Shinso’s quirk does raise the question of whether he can affect people over comms like this. If he hacks into the right frequency; couldn’t he brainwash a whole bunch of people? That’s a pretty powerful ability for a hero to have.
2 important things in War: Communications and Intel. He can get half of that.
I agree that Kaminari’s Quirk is limitation is “lame.” However, he doesn’t appear to try to develop something else to improve.
At least not on his own- he gets a lot of support gear. However, as All Might pointed out to Izuku: It’s never good to rely on them. It can cause a lack of control with the quirk. As such; he’s going to need to up his game.
He has to do both. I think if he can find gear that works with and/or amplifies his Quirk he’d be fine.