MANGA REVIEW | "My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions" - Vol. 5
To those who are writing official My Hero Academia spinoff series, I have a message for you. It’s quite a simple one, and it’ll open the door to a plethora of ideas and concepts not yet explored in the now-completed main series. That message goes like this: Not everything has to be about Deku. This message cannot be stressed enough, as it’s one of the biggest flaws in Yoko Akiyama’s Team-Up Missions, and it’s very glaring in its fifth volume.
One big issue with My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions is that it’s already lost its way. What should’ve been tales of pro heroes partnering up with students is instead now about the students and what they do when the main story isn’t focused on. Deku and Bakugo go train on a desert island. The students clean up the school and search for a time capsule. Future UA Academy hopefuls take part in an open house.
Most of what’s on display here aren’t missions at all. Although there are times when the likes of All Might, Gran Torino, and Present Mic toss in some words of wisdom to the students, it does very little when it’s delivered during a task and not while an important battle is happening. When the UA Academy students learn something super important, it’s always when the boots are on the ground; not during a lecture. After all, it’s better to learn from experience than from a book or speech.
There is one chapter in this volume of My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions where Akiyama’s concept is alive and well. Kinoko and a couple other heroes team up with Mirko as they infiltrate an idol convention. The premise is not only fresh, but it gives a spotlight to heroes-to-be that don’t often get their proper dues. It’s a very fun chapter, and it’s one that I hope the author takes note of regarding how to set up future ones.
Alas, most of Volume Five feels very throw-away. A chapter involving (sigh) Deku, Bakugo, and Todoroki facing off against artsy villains feels too similar to the OVA special involving Mr. Smiley. Students working behind Aizawa’s back on something has a sweet ending, but how it’s built up feels like nothing we hadn’t seen already. Perhaps the biggest disappointment involves Bakugo aiding Best Jeanist with a fashion show, something that should be funny premise alone, but is executed without any care placed into these characters.
I’m really trying my best to give My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions the benefit of the doubt. But the more I read, the more disappointment I’m greeted with. With the exception of the Kinoko/Mirko chapter, just about everything in Volume Five feels like a waste of time reading. There are so many better ways to mix things up with the cast of My Hero Academia, but by sticking to the main core characters for most of the time, Akiyama has forced themselves to be backed into a corner of below-mediocrity. And if they keep on this path, there’s no Detroit Smash strong enough to break them out of it.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
