Creative Use of Superhero Powers in My Hero Academia

Abstract

Abstract:

This article analyzes the superhero anime series My Hero Academia to reveal how one of the series’ primary narrative interests resides its creative use of the characters’ superpowers. Frequently, episodes will devote significant amounts of time to breaking down how various character abilities interact with one another, often pausing a climactic, action-oriented encounter to think through – in voiceover, and sometimes with animated charts, diagrams, or flashbacks – the ramifications of how various superpowers work, not simply to make sense of the ensuing action, but because the mechanics of the powers themselves are fascinating in their own right. The article also contextualizes the series generically, and traces other ways in which this fascination with superpowers impacts the narrative, linking it to character growth and plot momentum, and explores how the powers’ complexity and their interactions increases as the series progresses. Accordingly, this article illuminates how the series creates unique appeals for viewers.