My Hero Academia Season 2 Episode 25 Recap – Encounter

New Blood

Shigaraki drives away their two recruits, claiming they’re the types he hates. One is a bratty teenage girl and scar-faced the other is a scarred guy who’s rude. Kurogiri advises him to give them a shot.

The first recruit, Toga Himiko, managed to commit a few murders while evading the public eye. She wants to kill Stain and be like him simultaneously, explaining that she’s aiming for a world that’s better to live in. The other is named Dabi, who also wants to follow the Hero Killer’s ideology.

Shigaraki gets annoyed by their talk of Stain and lashes out to strike. Kurogiri intervenes by diverting their attacks into various portals. He advises his de-facto leader again that they should be looking at the big picture for their organization. Riding the path laid down by Stain will make things easier for them. Shigaraki storms off without saying a word, but Kurogiri knows he’ll come around soon.

Ashido and the others who failed the practical exam wish their classmates good luck on summer camp, sad that they won’t be able to join. Sero tries to console them since the scores haven’t been announced yet.

Aizawa announced that even those who failed the practical exam would attend the camp. Telling them, they’d miss camp if they failed and that the teachers wouldn’t go easy on them was a deception to bring out their best abilities. The weaknesses they exposed will soon be addressed at camp. Iida worries that continued lies from teachers might erode the students’ trust. Aizawa acknowledges this and adds that those who failed should attend cram classes to catch up.

Shopping Trip

Hagakure then suggests the class go shopping together to buy clothes for camp. They head on to one of the largest shopping centers in town, split up into groups, and agree to meet later. Midoriya and Uraraka get separated from their overexcited classmates and end up together. But not long after, she gets embarrassed and leaves him.

Several shoppers still recognize the UA students from the sports festival. A hooded figure wraps his arms around Midoriya and compliments him on his performance, adding that he also knew him from the Hosu incident with the Hero Killer. Midoriya recognizes the man as Shigaraki, who feels amused at how their fates are seemingly entangled.

Shigaraki initially came to the shopping center to think about Stain and his influence, wondering why he couldn’t have the same effect despite their similar methods. He tells Midoriya to act naturally, claiming he only wants to talk. He tells him how annoyed he is that Stain is getting the credit for his actions at USJ and Hosu, and asks Midoriya what’s so different between them as villains.

Meanwhile, worried that Deku might feel alone and confused, Uraraka convinces herself to return to him.

Midoriya tells Shigaraki that Stain has a greater conviction and lives by his standards. And just like All Might, he doesn’t give up as easily. Shigaraki laughs at how the All Might connection makes sense as he grips the boy tighter. Suddenly, Uraraka arrives and senses her friend’s distress.

New Conviction

Shigaraki plays it off nonchalantly and leaves, but Midoriya asks for All For One’s purpose. The villain he doesn’t know and leaves with a threat on his life the next time they meet.

As Shigaraki heads home, he sets a new goal of exposing All Might to show how weak his concept of justice is.

Uraraka reported the incident, so Midoriya was sent to the cops for questioning.

Midoriya then asks All Might if there are incidents where he couldn’t save someone. All Might admits there are since he’s only human. But that’s why he stays strong and smiles. The Symbol of Peace will always burn inside the people’s hearts, whether villain or hero. Midoriya’s mother then arrives, crying and worried. The police send them back home.

Tsukauchi and All Might brace for the upcoming danger these students will face. They’ll swear to catch All For One this time.

Our Thoughts

The second season has built this story’s rich world extremely well, 4.5/5.