My Hero Academia Season 6 Episode 5 only has one, short phrase that can describe it to its very core and that’s “bone-chilling.” When we talk about the use of soundtracks in any medium, it’s usually rare we hear about ones that add to the haunting feeling of some dark, ominous presence that is drawing near. Probably the most popular one is the soundtrack from the critically acclaimed movie Jaws…you know the one. Well, let’s just say that My Hero Academia Season 6 can put its name in the rafters among the most incredible soundtracks of the decade, especially after episode 5.
The Cradle of Destruction Awakens to Hell’s Choir
It’s one thing to have an inspirational soundtrack when a hero saves someone like Fumikage did with Hawks in this episode, but it’s another to make a villain feel so indestructible that you mirror that terrified feeling with everyone else in the series. But what places his return this season on another level compared to anyone else’s, or even their introductions, is the soundtrack—yes, the soundtrack.
When a villain such as Shigaraki that has been around since the very beginning makes a gigantic return as this one, it has to make a lasting impact. It has to make you realize that this season has now taken a drastic turn for the worse. And what better way to do that than to awaken My Hero Academia‘s own cradle of destruction with a haunting choir from hell backed by the roars of Giganticmachia? Heroes perishing. Evacuations turning into panic. Aizawa watching life-long friends turn into ashes right before his very eyes. Everything about Shigaraki’s awakening was haunting to the core, and the primary reason for that is thanks to the mind-boggling soundtrack produced by Yuki Hayashi.
There were strings or no high-pitched electric guitars to start. It was an impactful bass loop with a choir that felt like it was rising from the ground surrounded by a crater of fire that Shigaraki created himself. And it’s not just the choir, it’s everything else surrounding it too. The birds flying away from the hospital. The moment everything stopped and you couldn’t even hear Aizawa yell for Present Mic as the decay drew near. It’s the lone fact that every single hero and nomu, no matter how powerful, began to run, or fly, away from Shigaraki’s decay with the utmost urgency. And how did it all end? With Shigaraki smiling down on the destruction he caused and calling to the forefront another unbeatable force of nature. Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you make the audience feel the return of a notable villain on every level.
Everything Was Perfect
For those that have read my articles covering this season, you know that I’ve said time and time again how the production team at studio BONES, and everyone else that has worked on the series, has done such a near-perfect job with this season that it’s truly difficult to conjure up any argument as to why this season is anything less than a 9/10 rating—and that continued again this week.
First off, the voice acting is superb. The dialogue between Dabi and Hawks was emotional on all kinds of levels. Dabi revealing Fumikage’s own ignorance of heroes which in turn brought Fumikage’s inner rage and hatred, along with Hawks’ life on the line thanks to Dabi, that we have also never seen before was a stroke of brilliance by both voice actors Hiro Shimono (Dabi) and Yoshimasa Hosoya (Fumikage). Did it top Daichi Endo’s performance as Twice earlier this season? Well, we’ll leave that up for debate. But that’s not taking away the magnificent performance we received from Shimono and Hosoya because it was perfect in its own way.
Second, the animation during the moment of destruction is jaw-dropping. I was personally worried about this moment given how detailed it was in the manga. But my goodness was I taught to never have any more doubts about this season after this moment; as if I should’ve really had any in the first place. But relive the moment with the official clip below to see for yourselves, again, just the magnificent work that was done with this moment. From the CGI to the level of detail as Shigaraki is surrounded by it all was just perfect. Not a single minute detail was out of place, let alone noticeable, with this entire sequence.
My Hero Academia Season 6 Episode 5 Wrap Up
We have yet again received another perfect episode this season. Even the humorous moments with Bakugo yelling at Deku and Uraraka, or Fat Gum running back to get Fumikage, didn’t deter anything that was happening or about to happen. It never once felt like the episode stepped away from what was important for too long and it just felt consistent. My Hero Academia Season 6 Episode 5 is just another case of how borderline perfect this season has been.
Episode 5 rating: 10/10
If you enjoyed My Hero Academia Season 6 Episode 5, be sure to vote for it in our weekly poll! Episode 6 will air on Saturday, November 5.
Images via Crunchyroll
© Kohei Horikoshi / SHUEISHA, “My Hero Academia” Production Committee
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