MY HERO ACADEMIA CH. 309 – The Honest Review

MY HERO ACADEMIA CH. 309, available from Weekly Shonen Jump on April 18th, 2021, shows Deku acting in a manner that establishes him as more than a hero, but a legend in the making.

The Details

• Written By: Kohei Horikoshi
• Art By: Kohei Horikoshi
• Letters By: John Hunt
• Translation By: Caleb Cook
• Cover Price: $6.49 (per volume on ComiXology)
• Release Date: April 18, 2021

Was It Good?

Yes, it was very good for two reasons.

One, Deku starts to establish himself as a mysterious hero that saves the day and disappears before anyone can thank him. That’s how legends are made.

Second, we get a brief but important flashback to events just after the conclusion to the last arc explaining how Deku came to assume his new role in the world, and it feels like a culmination of something amazing.

The writing is clear, clean, emotional, and powerful. The art, likewise, follows with exactly all those same strengths. This arc is phenomenal.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

We pick up with what we assumed was the outcome of the fight between Deku and Jailbreaker, namely a flawless victory. (Catch up on what happened to Jailbreaker in our MY HERO ACADEMIA CH. 308 review) Deku is spotted as a distant figure that deposits an incapacitated Jailbreaker into the hands of the authorities and then dashes off to wherever he’s needed.

He secretly meets up with All Might in an alley. All Might checks on the containment bands acquired from America to help keep Deku’s limbs intact, and they’re doing the job. Hawks calls All Might to check in as well just as Deku leaps away again.

What’s special about this small series of interactions is the top heroes have banded together as a team to assist Deku in taking down the escaped criminals, one by one. They recognize Deku for his importance in everything, but there’s no petty jealousy or animosity. Everyone sees what needs to be done and gives whatever they have to win the fight. All the heroes are becoming better versions of themselves.

We cut to a flashback in the hospital just after the last arc where the doctors warn Deku about the toll his quirk is taking on his body. The emergence of Black Whip allows him to reinforce his limbs to protect them from damage but the risk of permanent damage is still there.

It’s during the hospital stay that Deku declares he’s not going back to U.A to protect the school and other students because Shigaraki and One for All have the ability to detect/find him. All Might insists on going wherever he goes.

Here we see a sense of resolve and growth in Deku. He’s afraid but determined, and nobody will stop him from doing what’s right. this is the next big step in Deku becoming the world’s greatest hero.

Before he leaves the hospital, Deku pays a visit to an old friend. We end the chapter with the promise of bigger team-ups to come.

How Does It End?

An old friend apologizes for not taking the shot. Deku adds a special accessory to his hero costume. The Top Three unite.

Final Thoughts

MY HERO ACADEMIA CH. 309, available from Weekly Shonen Jump on April 18th, 2021, is the very essence of how legends are made when good people step up to do the right thing. The war has begun and all heroes are united for the greater good.

Score: 9/10