My Hero Academia 5x23 Reaction Extended (YT link below)

I honestly dont know if you'd be able to still see straight after seeing your daughter, wife, and her parents killed in a gruesome way by your son like that. What you're describing here are actions of a calm and collected mental state. I don't think you can predict how you'd actually react.

ODIS

There are so many great things about this episode but I just have to make a comment about Shigaraki's house. 😆 I agree when I first saw it, I thought it looked like a pretty normal house. But with the context that this takes place in Japan, it makes more sense. There's a lot of people and not enough space for everybody to have homes like that. A house that size would probably be a huge luxury. Also he said he had it built. Depending on the quality, that is impressive too. Ive seen from people that live in Japan that a lot of buildings aren't the highest quality.

Kayla

When I saw this episode, I had to admit to myself I probably would have reacted the same way as his father, but NOT for the reasons he attacked him. I would have been trying to knock him out as a way to kind of stop him from doing something worse unintentionally and maybe wrap up his hands and take him to someone who could help me teach him how to control his own power.

Josh

When I first watched this episode, I had just lost my dog. (Don't worry, I've come a long way since where I am about to describe). A few years ago I was suicidal, and my therapist and I made a list of things to take me off the ledge in those situations, so to speak. My dog Gabby was at the top of the list for good reason. Her death took a part of me... and watching this episode was like the ghost of that self coming back to dick punch my current self 😂In reality, I understand how it feels to have an animal be your last life-line from crazyville. So that Corgi moment is especially haunting.

Sean D

Read the manga for a more in-depth back story for Spinner

CJ

"and just like that... i didnt itch anymore" CHILLS MAN.. CHILLS

Bdflames

Right, I was thinking that his level of power in that scene seems to be something he's approaching now again

Alex G

Welcome to the true horror of Shigaraki's decay quirk. It's weird, isn't it? That they censored it all this time with the dust thing, only to show it now, but only for the flashback? But if they censored it here, would the moment have hit home as much? Idk, part of me thinks they should have kept it consistent instead, coz what happened is horrifying enough on it's own, but then again, the sheer brutality of that experience is formative for him, so I kinda admire that they did go there after all? And I can't shake the feeling that things fell just a little too neatly into place for AfO not to have been involved. Like, we've seen with Eri that mutations do happen, and his homelife was already bad enough for things to go this wrong anyway, but there's just something about the way AfO swoops in at the perfect time with the perfect spin that has me suspicious. And we know he's aware of the connection to Nana. For some reason, I get the feeling that AfO really hates Nana, like, I don't think this is just about getting to All Might, maybe it's because she was the one who picked All Might (since All Might is the one who almost got him?). But yeah, they nail the sick dread of Shigaraki's origin for sure. But then they screw Spinner by giving us only the bare bones of his arc, sigh.

kingafreund

Okay now that I've gotten some free time to put some of my more detailed thoughts about this episode, this is one of my top 5 episodes in My Hero as a whole. The shonen lover in me always puts cool animation and action above some of the more meaningful moments but this is such a horrific event that shows the under belly of a superhuman society. Tenko was just a kid that also had a dream of being a hero and just wanted to get that support from the adults in his life and he couldn't get it. Rather than deku in the same situation while he wasn't a victim of abuse he too felt the same way and because of that was in despair. The difference between them is while they're both a victim of circumstance and chance encounters, one good person and one bad person showed up for both to tell them that they were here to help. One of the darkest details to me is his itching and scratching that we've seen since season 1 is all his itch to destroy that he felt at home because of the rage he built up over time towards resentment at his families lack of love and support. It's just crazy to me that final line after killing his father that he didn't itch anymore... Kinda a funny detail but seeing this kinda makes me laugh considering how you always talk about how supportive the parents in my hero are. Also a key detail to notice is that his quirk almost seemed stronger than it was during these past 5 season when he was a kid. If you notice he was able to break apart his mother and grandparents from the decay on the ground reaching them. Kinda subtle in such a horrifying scene but it's important for how absolutely scary that makes his quirk as an AOE attack.

Skyler Anderson

WOWOW it's all right Everything will be all right

Karin

I’m not a fan of this theory as it cheapens the whole tragedy of it…

Matthew Richson

I still wonder if All For One was somehow responsible, like maybe he somehow took Tenko's quirk and gave him the Decay one or something.

Nathan

WOAH WOAH NOT ALRIGHT EVERYTHING HAS GONE TO HELL WOAH WOAH NOT ALRIGHT NEVER WILL BE RIGHT AGAIN 😭

Jo

I wish I had more time to create a detailed message about why I love this episode but it's such a strong presentation on the sad fact that people have to deal with even in our normal world outside of the show and how those factors such as super powers can throw these people into such darkness and despair. Every time I see the clip of his mother falling to dust in his arms I cry. As for censorship, they never have them turn to dust at all in the manga in this episode, they turn to chunks in mid air and have the blood fall between at the same time. It's even more visceral and horrifying but for the censorship they had they did an amazing job with it for TV.

Skyler Anderson

Truly a horrific origin for Shigaraki. It really goes to show much of an impact your upbringing can have on you. The way the series does parallelisms between Deku and Shigaraki, All Might and Deku, etc. is really great. It's always incredibly hard to watch... can't help but feel great sadness from that situation.

Aura Y

I adore the track that plays when everything goes down

Bloodchronism

yeah that intro hit different after this episode XD

Kamolak

I love the framing of the family in the doorway at around 17:34 or so. I like how they get further away and smaller to represent the distance he feels when they don't help. the visuals/direction in this episode along with the sound design was amazing.. really made me care for the character I was honestly least interested in at the beginning of the show. This episode does such a good job on nearly every level especially the 2nd half, one of my favorite episodes.. for japan not liking focusing on villains the writer sure did a great job with it.

Kamolak

I've been waiting since this episode came out to see your reaction and it did not disappoint! Darkest origin story I've ever seen. Glad you felt the impact as much as I did. Thanks for sharing your insightful content, I feel like I learn so much watching your videos.

IQLou

yeah this episode was toned down despite it still being quite gory. shigaraki’s overall quirk is toned down in the anime, decay is supposed to literally decay something, greatest example in the anime is when in season 1 he decays aizawa’s elbow and you can see the muscle and all that stuff. i’m glad they still added in the blood for his sister and dog though, everyone always reacts the same when seeing it xD but yeah, this has got to be the darkest episode by far. i’m caught up with the manga and nothing else has really given me the same feeling as this. what gets me the most is that shigaraki was so close to having a normal life, like, his sister went to apologise, his mother finally stood up to his father, who was remorseful and even said he went too far. but shigaraki’s quirk just had to activate and fuck everything up. it really reminds me of eri’s story, the only difference is that eri was saved by deku, while shigaraki was ignored by everyone and eventually “saved” by evil incarnate. i feel like we’re always shown how fantastic quirks can be, but not really how horrible they are sometimes. quirks are getting stronger each generation, what will happen when everyone has the power equivalent to a nuke? no one is born knowing how their quirk works, imagine shigaraki’s situation, but like 10x worse and everyone goes through it. i really wonder how horikoshi will handle the end of the story.

Nat

I've been following the manga for about four years, and I somehow agree. I think the anime staff made a solid choice with how they directed this season, despite all the fandom outcry.

Duopierce

Yeah this is easily one of my favorite episodes in the entire show, next episode is incredible as well. Both easily 10/10. Shigaraki is truly one of the best anime villains out there right now.

benj

Could you IMAGINE watching the Endeavor Agency Arc complete w movie tie-in episode on the beach AFTER this? The anime knew what it was doing no matter how many folks complained about it. Huge improvement on overall story pacing by making this the end of the season. I was wrecked by the time this ep was over. The visceral horror of it all. Bravo to everyone involved. And I was the same way. All these years of basic pleasantness and offscreen gore then WAM this episode appears. lol Great reaction as always. Actually I gotta shout out the final fight in the Shie Hassakai arc. They stepped up the injuries and blood a bit there as a warning for what was to come I suppose. lol

CRS

I love how you said Gigantomacia has more emotional control than Eren. It’s true 😂

Jordan U

As a manga reader, I can confirm that this is the darkest the series has ever gotten. It still messes with my heart to witness this "Origin".

Duopierce

Exactly this and I have the same exact critique about the time indicators. You'd think My Hero Recapadamia would have had a plan going into this arc rearrangement to show constant time markers lol

CRS

The mom part was so expertly done.

Alex G

Thanks! I've been meaning to react to it for a while but I might just watch it. I could use some All Might... especially right now

Alex G

well that's the most horrifying origin story I've seen

Jupiterninja

I LOVE that they switched arcs for this very reason. (Obviously the time markers could've been better but) It's perfect escalation. They had to end on the darkest moment you've ever seen in the anime to signal the carnage to come. It's great. It sucks emotionally and hurts, but it's awesome.

Muchymozzarella

I definitely cry every time I watch poor Tenko's backstory, but also your mental breakdown while the credits music plays in the bg made me laugh so hard I couldn't breathe

Muchymozzarella

Dunno if you've seen it yet, but there's an OVA called All Might Rising that is a precursor to the first movie. Has somewhat relevance here with Nana's fight with All For One. Only about 2 and a half minutes long so might not be worth its own reaction vid but its a great short deepening All Might's character a bit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwUHhiQ6EOk

SS

"No one can say his family didn't lend him a hand" When I tell you I SCREAMED at this joke

Muchymozzarella

WHOA WHOA ITS ALRIGHT, EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT No... I don't think it will after this episode lol

ComicalSkate

It's quite the sobering feeling to be shown that it really was that bad for Shigaraki and isn't just hearsay. It was, in fact, worse than the hearsay we were given up to this point. This kind of care and attention for somebody like Shigaraki makes him a more compelling and complex antagonist to me. The nuances and small details enrich the character with individuality that there's nobody quite like Tomura.

TrueAuraGuardian

Talk about a villain origin, holy shit.

Nick Heiney

I still cant watch this ep without tearing up. Thats too much for any person to deal with let alone a 5 year old

Scoola

I always hated the corgi with it’s smug little face

DVK

God this episode had me in absolute shambles when I first watched it, especially his mom still reaching out to him even though she was already crumbling apart... i mean what the hell... Yeah, his motivations and actions just become so much clearer now.

Jenny bete

LMFAO new legendary video description

benj

Yeah, I still tremor in fear over the emotional damage this episode has done to me.

LudicrouslyLuke

Haha yeah that didn't age well..................

Alex G

I see why Shigaraki is just in a destroy everything philosophy.

Sage

"Shigaraki hasnt really killed anyone" Repressed memories: "Should we let him keep believing that or nah?"

Deiondre0

Been waiting for this and was not disappointed lol. Aside from best boy Twice getting his shine, this and next episode is by far the best part of the season. Such a well written and executed origin story that adds so much depth and understanding to an incredible villain

Jake White

I was waiting for this reaction! And did not dissapoint.... But the Corgi....

Ngl I shed tears for Shigaraki in this episode

Tea-Spin

if you thought this was brutal you should read the manga version

Kelvin

Fully deserved, what’s number one?

Matthew Richson

Also this episode is the second highest rated MHA episode on IMDB.

Rose Rivers

I thought it was interesting that he killed his father by putting his hand over his face, the same way he later wears his fathers hand.

Rose Rivers

I KNEW THE FINGER BLASTING WOULD COME BACK TO HAUNT US

Athena

Crazy to think that this was the TONED DOWN version. I think the dust works really well. It's got that element of... slipping through his hands... It's hard to even type this out.

Alex G

And there you have it, without a doubt the darkest entry in the MHA universe. I still remember reading it for the first time… The story of Tenko is a tragedy through and through. Like Izuku he wanted to be a hero more then anything, but no one truly supported him… His quirk manifested at the worst possible time, by the time his family weren’t going to put up with his father’s behavior anymore, his sister coming to apologize, and his father realizing how too far he went… but it was too little, too late… As for Kotaro, he is what Kota was well on his way to becoming had it not been for Izuku changing his views. He was put into the system shortly after his father had been killed, and he lost his mother shortly afterwards. Can only imagine what that would do to a kid. In essence even as an adult he was still that same hurt little kid, taking out his anger at the world out on those around him. Nana had good intentions when she gave her son away, and it was a decision that pained her greatly, but she had no way of knowing that this is what would become of her family. Like I said, a tragedy. In the present, the scene with Spinner was one of the few scenes from his character arc in the manga version of this arc that made it into the anime. And when Shigaraki’s hand was crushed by Re-Destro, he didn’t render his fingers nonfunctional like you saw here, in the manga they were ripped clean off! Now, while the death scene of his family was practically page for page like it was in the manga, the dust effect on the bodies was a result of awkward censorship. In the manga they were outright reduced to bloody chunks upon contact. Now obviously they couldn’t downplay the aftermath so they had to get creative. Fortunately it didn’t really ruin the horror effect of the scene. Sorry, REALLY had to a lot to say about this episode. I’m really excited for you to see the other half on Monday, easily a tie for best episode of the season with this one!

Matthew Richson