No anime does team-ups quite like My Hero Academia. They not only help the students become battle-ready pro heroes but also help to fully flesh out the many characters in the anime. We often learn more about the students through battle than their downtime at U.A. High School. The My Hero Academia movie, which hit North American theaters this week, continues this tradition by having our favorite characters team up in new and often hilarious ways on the big screen. Here are the five best team-ups from My Hero Academia: Two Heroes.
5. Momo and Kyoka
It’s always great to see the girls team up, and this one is no exception. The last time Momo Yaoyorozu and Kyoka Jiro teamed up was when the villains attacked during the U.S.J. incident. Of course, that time they had Kaminari with them. They often aren’t seen on the frontlines of battles, as their quirks aren’t as showy and explosive as their classmates.
However, the anime movie My Hero Academia: Two Heroes places the two opposites front and center. When their fellow U.A. students are confronted by a group of corrupted security bots, Yaoyorozu creates a cannon for Kyoka to fire while she uses her Creation Quirk to supply Kyoka with ammo. Their quick thinking creates a much-needed opening for Deku, Melissa, and Uraraka who must restore I Expo’s security to normal to save the day. Now that’s girl power.
4. Mineta and Kaminari
Minoru Mineta and Denki Kaminari are no strangers to teaming up, especially when it’s to try and impress women. In My Hero Academia: Two Heroes, the two are back to their usual antics, taking part-time work on I-Island (a floating city full of scientists) to meet cute girls. Unfortunately, their job keeps them so busy that all they end up with is exhaustion and the familiar sting of loneliness.
Throughout the movie, the two young heroes never lose sight of their goal to pursue women — even when the enemy appears. Cornered and looking for a way out, the rescue group (led by Deku) find a vent that only the tiny Mineta can reach and fit in. Initially, Mineta doesn’t want to do it, but Kaminari manages to motivate him.
He tells Mineta that he’ll get a harem of women after becoming famous for saving the day. That’s enough to cause Mineta to spring into action, chanting, “Harem, harem, harem,” as he scales the wall to help the team move forward.
3. Bakugo and Kirishima
If you ship Katsuki Bakugo and Eijiro Kirishima (KiriBaku), then you’ll love their moments together in My Hero Academia: Two Heroes. The two powerful bros not only team up against the villains that have taken over the island, they also continue their bromance. Kirishima even packs an extra outfit for the icy Bakugo to wear to the I-Expo party. (He just knew Bakugo wouldn’t pack one himself.)
The two pummel their way through foe after foe, but it’s their camaraderie that keeps your eyes glued to the screen. The usually standoffish Bakugo allows Kirishima to fight beside him without complaints. Kirishima becomes the eyes behind his head, jumping in to protect Bakugo when necessary. Their teamwork makes it clear why Kirishima is the only one who can warm Bakugo’s heart. He even earns a heartfelt (for Bakugo) “thank you” from the notorious but fiercely loyal bad boy.
2. Todoroki and Bakugo
Bakugo and Kirishima may have a great relationship, but the same can’t be said for Bakugo and Shoto Todoroki. All Bakugo wants is for the powerful Todoroki to take him seriously, and Todoroki, well, he ignores Bakugo — even when he’s yelling. But once the villains appear, Todoroki takes the lead, giving orders to the hot-headed Bakugo in what becomes one the film’s best team-ups.
Just like in the anime series, the two easily take down the villains they encounter with imaginative combos such as Todoroki igniting Bakugo’s nitroglycerin-like sweat to deal massive damage. The two also pull off an amazing last-minute save later in the film — just when we thought Uraraka was a goner.
Despite their differences — and Bakugo’s constant complaints about being told what to do — these two actually work well together and give us some of the best action sequences in the movie. Now if only Bakugo could get Todoroki to acknowledge him in their day-to-day lives.
1. Deku and All Might
This is the team-up everyone was waiting for, and, trust us, it did not disappoint. The final battle against the movie’s main villain Wolfram forces everyone to go beyond plus ultra, including All Might and Izuku Midoriya (Deku). The fading Symbol of Peace and his successor team up to unleash an attack so devastatingly awesome that you can’t help but cheer. At a panel discussion following the movie’s premiere at the Anime Expo, even Deku’s English and Japanese voice actors said that was their favorite part of the film.
Considering Toshinori’s current state in the anime, it was great to see him giving it his all. But more importantly, Deku is able to keep up with him, matching him punch for punch and keeping up with his speed. During their fight scenes together, you start seeing the beginning and end of an era and earn an even deeper appreciation for All Might and what it means to be the Symbol of Peace.
Bonus: Yaoyorozu, Kyoka, and Uraraka
This particular team-up doesn’t involve a life-threatening, physical battle. Instead, these three young ladies team up to do what they do best — make Deku uncomfortable. Deku arrives on I-Island separately from his classmates. In fact, he doesn’t even know the others are there.
Once he arrives, he meets All Might’s friend David Shield and his daughter Melissa who takes Deku on a tour of I-Island — alone! The two are deep in conversation when Uraraka appears out of nowhere and states the obvious — it looks like Deku is having a good time. Too much of a good time, if you ask Yaoyorozu and Kyoka who are there to back up their girl.
Despite not being in a relationship with Uraraka, Deku immediately exclaims that it’s all a misunderstanding. But when it’s three girls against one guy, and one of the girls has a quirk that lets her listen in on your conversation, it’s hard to come out on top — even when you’re All Might’s successor.
My Hero Academia: Two Heroes is currently in U.S. and Canadian theaters on a five-day limited run in U.S. and Canadian for the following dates: September 25, 26, 27, 29 and October 2, 2018.
