Recap: Roaring Muscles

Dedicated to the memory of Tatsuya Nomi

1969-2017

So, Thor Ragnarok was really awesome. While the previous Thor films and Marvel Studios works as a whole have often varied in quality; I’ve found something to enjoy in almost all of them. This film was no exception, as it was easily the best of the Thor trilogy and another great film for Phase 3. I honestly can’t wait for the Infinity War with this in mind.

I also enjoyed Justice League more than I thought. I know DC has had a few bumps in the road with the DCEU, but I found it to be a solid film overall even if it’s not on the same order of magnitude as the MCU or my favorite film, The Dark Knight.

Now that I have that out of the way, I can finally do my favorite episode of My Hero Academia. I mentioned in my Next Top 13 Anime I will Never recap that I could never really get into One-Punch Man; and I actually found this anime to be what I wanted that one to be. As I start the second season and get ready for a third next year, let’s open up my favorite episode of the first season: “Roaring Muscles.” 

After a brief “previously-on” clip of the last episode, we get our theme song; a very upbeat number called “The Day Has Come,” done by the rather unfortunately-named band Porno Graffiti. I will post of a link of it so you all can have a listen. 

It turns out that All Might, the idol of a young Izuku “Deku” Midoriya, is willing to bestow his unique superpower, or “Quirk” for his actions over the course of previous episodes. The Quirk is known as “All For One,” which can be passed down over generations to those that are worthy. Since All Might has been injured from his previous years of crimefighting (and an attack by an enemy that left him unable to use it for extended periods), he deems Deku worthy. Even though he was born without a “Quirk,” his heart is idealistic, noble and pure; and his mind clever and crafty. This can be expressed by how in the last episode, he ran into the path of a rampaging monster as everyone else stayed behind. Kind of like that part in Batman V Superman where Bruce ran into the rubble of the Battle of Metropolis as everyone else was running away. Even people who didn’t like the movie seemed to enjoy that scene.

In order to do this, however, he must train his body under All Might at a beach called, I’m not kidding: Dagoba. Well, All Might does make every bit as effective, eccentric and wise a teacher as Yoda.

Ready are you? What you know of ready?

I gotta say, the artwork is one of my favorite parts of this series. Much like the manga (which I have read quite extensively), it combines an obstinately Japanese shonen style with an obstinately American comic book style. I may not be the biggest reader of the latter (especially after the market tanked in 1996), but the stories I do like really impress me. In particular, Deku portrays the same kind of insecurities that I can identify with from the likes of Clark Kent and Peter Parker. He appeals to me for similar reasons to my other favorite protagonists, as well as a very different one: his flaws make him sympathetic as a character, and even though he wasn’t born with a “Quirk” like many others in this show’s “verse,” he has the same emotional wavelength I do; and sees the world around him as a wonderful place even in its current state. He sees an obstacle: he starts trying to overcome it. Even though many billed this series as “the next Naruto” (with Kishimoto even approving of it), that is actually selling it short for how wonderful it is.

So, the episode, in addition to Izuku training to attend the titular school; revolves around him training under All Might to help his body adapt to the Quirk he shall receive. In many ways, me finding this anime what I wanted One-Punch Man to me is due to this it being the polar opposite of it in most respects. Whereas that series is about a person becoming bored with his superpowers and the world not seeing him as legitimate because of how common superheroes are, this one is about someone who wants to join that world and sees the best in it even though others often look down on him.

All Might then tasks Izuku with cleaning the whole beach park before he takes his entrance exam; and that will help his body adapt to the All for One without totally shattering it. The rest of this season will deal with how he adapts to that power; which is something that I really enjoy. Since it gets more serialized from here on, I chose this episode as my favorite of season 1; since it’s the one that officially got me into the series.

Also, not even going to touch All Might’s 10-month “American Dream” plan. I have jokes for it, but they’re too obvious.

So, with 10 months before the UA entrance exam; Izuku’s training begins to take shape. I know I use this music cue a lot, but it still fits nonetheless. 

We also have Izuku’s rival and rather volatile friend, Katsuki “Kacchan” Bakugo; who has an attitude as fiery and explosive as his “Quirk.” I am not sure how his arc will go over the future of the series (whatever it might be), but becoming a villain later on down the line would not be out of the realm of possibility in my eyes. It could be like what Mr. Glass said in my favorite Shymalan film, “Unbreakable.”

"In a comic, you how you can tell who the archvillain's going to be? He's the exact opposite of the hero, and most times they're friends, like you and me!"

By the way, I haven’t seen “Split” yet, but I heard it’s really good. I’m also looking forward to “Glass” finally getting made, but that’s not important right now.

What is, however, is seeing Deku’s progress in the waning months of his time in middle school before he enrolls in UA. Defying the naysaying of his peers, he continues his training to prepare his body for the entrance exam and the All for One! All that’s missing is an ‘80s power ballad to set the mood.

Even his mother (who has put on weight since her son started school) is helping with the training; making enough food to fuel this intensive regimen! I’m not going to question anything, but I will say Aku will definitely be pleased.

Extra THICK!

As time goes by, those who were skeptical of Izuku’s goals are amazed at his progress; as he strives to finish his training and accept All Might’s Quirk within one week of the entrance exams at UA! 

I also get a kick out of this scene where Deku gives All Might a piggyback ride. Usually, it’s the other way around, where the chipper young man gets a ride from the superhero; but it’s all part of the training. 

Seagulls! Hmph! Stop it now!

Dawn comes on the day of the entrance exam, and Izuku has completed his training! He’s built up so much strength cleaning the beach, he lets out a triumphant yell; standing on top of a structure without his shoes or a shirt, no less!

Izuku now is deemed the perfect vessel to accept the All For One, as All Might commences his awards ceremony!

In order to inherit All Might’s Quirk, All Might plucks a hair from his head and asks Izuku to eat it; and it works. It’s no more illogical than being the last child of an alien race, dressing up like a bat after your parents are killed in front of you, or a wisecracking, gun-toting raccoon fighting alongside a talking tree sapling.  Again, the animation style is great, and I especially like Midoriya’s expression before he eats the strand of hair.

Stop right there- I'm in. Can I keep this?

Anyway, Deku goes to take the exam; and Kacchan tells him to get out of the way or he’ll kill him. I bet that kid gets invited to a lot of parties.

He narrowly trips over his own oversized shoes walking in the front gate, but he’s rescued from his own feet by Ochaco Uraraka, who has a Quirk of levitation. The face he makes after the fact is wonderful.

Now that is simply adorable.

The proctor of the test will be the Voice Hero, President Mic! He is just so delightfully hammy that it reminds me, like many characters in the things I’ve looked at here; of the emcee from Smash TV.

Good luck, you'll need it!

So, we close on President Mic giving everyone the rules of the physical challenge and this quote from Napoleon Bonaparte: “A true hero is someone who overcomes life’s misfortunes.” No truer words have I needed right now. He then challenges everyone to go beyond: PLUS ULTRA!

“Roaring Muscles” is a great episode of a great show; and I’ve really enjoyed looking at it for this blog. The animation and concept are wonderful, and I am eager to start up season 2 before season 3 starts next April. It is the polar opposite of One Punch Man for many reasons I mentioned here, but here’s a big one: where Saitama’s training was so effective that it left him bored and dissatisfied with his life, Izuku’s training is something that gives him the driving force throughout his arc on the show. The narrative is also much more idealistic than One Punch Man, which made it the antidote to that series’ cynicism. It’s something that I’ve wanted to recap for a long time, and I’m glad that I have finally been able to. 

With December just around the corner, I think I will try something different for Christmas this year: I will make my next slate of material equal parts gifts to myself and to you as readers, including my full look at Pokémon The Movie I Choose You; which I hope to have done by Christmas Eve. All this and more will be coming soon. Go beyond: PLUS ULTRA!