DatenshiEsyel's First Impressions Of: Boku No Hero Academia
Hello everyone and welcome to my blog!
So, I want to give a few hints/disclaimers about how these entries will all be. As the title suggests, yes, I do intend to primarily cover various fandoms. They will mainly be anything that has both an anime and manga version of themselves, in order to properly help with the 'compare and contrast' theme I have in mind.
What do I mean by that, you're wondering? It's basically what it may sound like. I'm going to watch and read the first episode/chapter then point out some differences between the two.
Why will this be an interesting blog post?
Well, besides the fact I like to think of myself as a pretty damn good writer, hopefully also because I tend to favor mangas over animes. However, in the past, people have made good points about things anime have that manga don't. Beginning and ending themes, for example, are two such things. And I will admit that as a musically-inclined individual, it is slightly a shame that there isn't any music playing from the manga, per se, while you read along. That'd be interactive and interesting, no doubt.
Alas, the closest we all have is creating a playlist and having that play instead.
The long and short of it is because of my usual perspective and point of view, I hope to make these entries unique and entertaining in their own rights.
Another small fact about me before I get to the main point of this entry; I am not an overly huge fan of superheroes. Keep that in mind while I go on about the series for today; Boku No Hero Academia, or, as it's referred to in English, My Hero Academia.
Finally, a few final notes to keep in mind. These are, as the title suggests, first impressions. Meaning I will only be looking at the first episode/chapter respectively of each series I write about. Everything I include is simply my observations, not necessarily facts. You're free to agree or disagree with them, but don't be insufferable nor ridiculously rude, please. Thanks. Also, due to personal preferences, most - if not all of these entries - will have me watching the subbed versions of each series.
So, without further ado, here we go!
This first point, I realize, may sound really weird for some of you. However, this is part of the reason I hinted that I'm not usually a huge superhero fan, so bear with me. If you assumed that I started reading Boku No Hero Academia instead of watching it, you would be correct. As such, anyone who has read the manga and recalls how All Might is introduced before running after the fluid villain will - hopefully - understand this mini-rant, even if only a bit.
Therefore, my first thing I would like to point out is it is the difference in All Might's introductions. It is much simpler to realize when watching in the anime that he truly is a hero that has no ulterior motives. In the manga, however, it hides his "secret" (not going to type that out to reveal spoilers in case anyone who hasn't read/watched this series doesn't know it yet). Because of the secrecy and how he reacts when Midoriya grabs onto him during his flight, he does give off the feeling he's hiding something.
The manga, however, makes that "something" feel more malicious than what it actually is. That feeling is completely gone from All Might, and not simply because the introduction song/theme basically shows who the true villain is. Every time you see him, you feel more positive vibes from All Might. He never came off as a villain, or even an anti-hero that may have his own agenda. He was more pure and genuine in the anime for me.
After re-reading the first chapter, I stand by my memory. The illusion, for me, was strengthened.
The second thing I noticed when reading and watching Boku No Hero Academia was something that may seem really petty. For me, it's actually a very important point to note. In the anime, when it goes to the flashbacks of 4-year-old Midoriya watching the video of All Might saving everyone during the major catastrophe, Izuku asks his mom if he can be a hero like him. In the manga, however, he declares to grow up and be a hero like All Might.
Now stop and think about that for a bit.
One, he's four years old, and already has the goal to become a hero when he grows up. This is the same in both the anime and manga.
However, because he states he will become a hero as opposed to asking, he easily gives a much more confident attitude in the manga. This, for me, was one of the many things that helped me read and catch up to the manga in a mere 48 hours. When I started, it was up to chapter 40-50 something, I believe.
Thus, to imagine a person taking note of that one difference and getting so invested that it helps them catch up.
Well, it is a big deal in its own rights; more so for someone that doesn't usually enjoy superhero-related stuff.
Difference number three comes when All Might rescues Midoriya from the fluid monster/villain. The villain-in-question states in the anime that it was All Might's wind pressure that could be sensed from his Texas Smash technique. In the manga, however, he says it's air pressure.
There actually are differences between wind and air pressure, and you can find them anywhere on the internet, including the video displayed below.
So what was actually used in All Might's Texas Smash attack?
If we go off of the fifth point in the above link/video, my vote would be wind. But I'm no meteorologist, so I very well could be wrong.
On to the next point. Remember when I hinted Midoriya clings onto All Might to personally ask him some questions? Well, the anime shows them land on the rooftop and begin to have a brief but very vital talk. The manga, meanwhile, cuts away to Bakugou and starts building up for a different scene; yet one that holds its own importance. Again, I'm not going to reveal that to avoid spoilers.
As someone who started with the manga though and now actively sees this difference, it's made me ponder and think. Why was that done differently?
It's very clearly established the main character is Izuku Midoriya by this point. So why did the point of view truly change?
It could have simply been the author felt it appropriate. And as a writer myself, I completely understand that. But at the same time, was the timing right?
For me, I actually liked how the anime kept their attention on Midoriya and All Might a bit longer. Just suddenly switching to Bakugou and his friends was a bit weird, when I recall first starting to read Boku No Hero Academia. I didn't care enough, however, simply because there were more intriguing things about the manga thus far, and it didn't make me want to whine or anything.
Mind you, that's not my intention even as I write this. The Psychology and writing-loving sides of me are simply analyzing this as a 'what if' sorta thing.
That being said, because of how Bakugou's scene was built up, there is merit and credit due even in the manga as well. By the time that arrives and is played out, it's actually well done.
This thus brings me to my final point; the first episode actually ends differently. I acknowledge and realize that not all fandoms end exactly the same way, especially ones that have anime and manga versions. Most do, however, tend to have a good chunk of the important scenes covered. With this in mind, the scene I'm trying to hint with Bakugou isn't revealed or shown by the end. However, the end of the first chapter has everything the first episode showed and more.
For me, this was definitely another thing that made me eager to read more. The manga definitely gets points in ending at a much better point. There is a bit of a cliffhanger, yes. But it's much more tolerable of one. And the way the author has the last scene and page, it's a bit better in convincing a person to keep reading and find out more what happens later on.
Again, this isn't to say the anime doesn't have its pros. It most definitely does. While I understand most episodes are typically twenty or so minutes long, I feel this should have been a bit longer. Not many anime go over thirty, no, but I feel like I've seen at least a small handful that have. Maybe I'l find out when doing future First Impressions.
So, how are my overall thoughts and feelings about Boku No Hero Academia's first episode and chapters?
I still love them. No questions about it. I would still be more inclined to start with the manga. As great as the opening song is, as well as making All Might feel more genuine in the anime, the ending of the first chapter is what won me over the first time, and did so again while typing this analysis up. I easily find myself more invested in wanting to know and learn more of the series - again, for myself - by continuing to read over watch.
That being said, I wouldn't try to talk anyone down from watching the anime. Both sources for this fandom are beautifully well done, and both most definitely earn credit where its due. So I would certainly recommend this for anyone, regardless of whether you're a fan of superhero stuff or not.
And there you have it; my first impressions on the anime and manga Boku No Hero Academia. I hope you all enjoyed it, and I definitely will put up more entries in the future!
Until next time,
DatenshiEsyel
