This review contains spoilers for My Hero Academia Season 4, episode 14 (episode 77 overall), titled "Bright Future." See where we left off with our review of MHA Season 4, episode 13. [poilib element="accentDivider"] The first episode after an explosive showdown – especially one as satisfying and flawlessly executed as that of Episode 13 – is always in danger of seeming a little deflated by comparison. Rather than feeling cathartic, the lack of momentum leads to an emotional disconnect. “Bright Future” avoids this pitfall entirely, largely thanks to two things: the relationships and shared dialogue between our heroes, and the uplifting, inspiring musical score that accompanies many of the episode’s scenes, especially in the first half. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/25/top-10-best-anime-series-of-all-time"] My Hero Academia lives and dies by the strength of its characters and their relationships to one another; that includes heroes and villains, mentors and students, and the shifting dynamics at play between friends and colleagues in this universe. That last dichotomy is what makes “Bright Future” such a touching and enjoyable episode. While it begins with a quick flashback to the final moments of Deku’s jaw-dropping aerial showdown with Overhaul, the rest of the episode’s first half concerns the fallout. We see the rescue of Aizawa, we’re relieved to find that Sir Nighteye is still holding on, and we watch the clean-up of devastated Shie Hassaikai members. And it’s the interactions and dialogue between heroes who are concerned for one another, propping each other up, and sharing looks of relief and accomplishment that reminds us how strong and engaging the relationships are in My Hero Academia. All of this clean-up is accompanied by expertly timed music that lends emotional encouragement to each short scene. String-led orchestral pieces, ethereal choirs, and somber acoustic guitars are all used to astonishing effect here to keep the emotional engagement between the viewer and even the less eventful scenes. What is, at first, a simple shot of a minor hero clambering out of the wreckage becomes a truly heart-warming moment of survival and victory thanks to the wisely chosen musical beats. While the episode’s first half is all about the clean-up, and the second half is a long tear-jerker of a scene that should absolutely not be spoiled, these two halves are separated by a middle act surrounding Shigaraki which provides the episode’s one moment of action. (And what a moment it is.) With Season 4 so far placing an almost undivided focus on Overhaul, Shigaraki has taken a backseat, resulting in him feeling limp and powerless. But in a single scene we see a complete return to form for his character. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-anime-of-the-decade-2010-2019&captions=true"] The action, which takes place on a highway, is fluid and aggressive, adding some real dynamism to an otherwise understated episode. The cherry on top of this scene is a moment that reinfuses Shigaraki with all of the sinister bile that we have come to expect and enjoy from him. It is as though he retrieves from Overhaul all of his twistedness; his unhinged charisma. For a moment, Shigaraki takes center stage in this episode and it is truly chilling. We won’t go into detail concerning how this episode wraps up, but it’s worth mentioning how well executed it is. We’re provided with shots of several heroes – both professional and student – in various states of injury and recovery. But the focus is on one particular scene that certainly carries enough emotional weight to reduce viewers to tears. It’s a scene that lasts exactly as long as it needs to, and is accompanied by music and visuals that sharpen the tone – everything works here to deliver a scene with the right amount of weight and intensity to emphasise the lasting and irreversible change that comes with a battle of such magnitude.
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