The School Festival Arc is My Hero Academia’s worst, and it’s obvious why

Title: “Why the School Festival Arc is *My Hero Academia*’s Weakest Arc”

*My Hero Academia* (MHA), the popular anime and manga by Kohei Horikoshi, has captivated fans worldwide with its intense battles, complex characters, and intriguing narrative arcs. However, not every storyline has received universal praise, and among the series’ numerous arcs, the *School Festival Arc* is frequently cited as one of the weakest. While it has its share of endearing moments, the arc ultimately falls flat for several reasons. Here’s an analysis of why the *School Festival Arc* struggles to stand up to the best of *My Hero Academia.*

One of the most glaring issues with the *School Festival Arc* is its low-stakes nature, which contrasts with the typical tension and suspense that fans expect from MHA. In preceding arcs, like the *Overhaul Arc* and *Hideout Raid Arc*, the stakes were life-and-death, with villains posing immediate threats to the heroes and civilians. However, the *School Festival Arc* centers around Class 1-A preparing for a cultural festival, focusing on their concert performance and other lighthearted activities.

The arc does introduce a new villain, Gentle Criminal, but he doesn’t carry the same menace as villains like All For One, Overhaul, or Shigaraki. His motivations are less sinister and more misunderstood, resulting in a story that feels tangential rather than integral to the overall plot. Fans who are used to the adrenaline-pumping action of previous arcs may feel let down by the festival arc’s lack of urgency.

Gentle Criminal and his sidekick La Brava are unique villains with compelling backstories. Gentle’s dreams of fame and La Brava’s devotion add depth and a tragic element to their characters. However, their introduction feels misplaced within the *School Festival Arc*. Unlike major villains who embody the dark challenges facing the heroes, Gentle’s goals are essentially harmless, revolving around gaining online popularity and making a statement against the system.

This leads to a low-stakes confrontation with Deku, as Gentle Criminal’s objective is simply to sneak into the festival. While this provides an interesting change of pace, the conflict doesn’t pose a significant threat to Deku or his classmates. In many ways, Gentle Criminal and La Brava deserved a different setting that could better explore their unique backgrounds and offer a more fitting contrast to the show’s typical life-threatening villain encounters.

The *School Festival Arc* offers limited character development for MHA’s main cast. While Class 1-A’s unity and teamwork are highlighted in their efforts to prepare for the concert, there isn’t much individual growth for characters like Bakugo, Todoroki, or even Deku. Most of the characters are relegated to supporting roles in a slice-of-life setting, which, while enjoyable to some fans, feels shallow compared to the intense training and growth arcs they’ve had before.

Deku does experience some personal growth in his battle with Gentle Criminal, honing his skills and mastering his agility with more precision. However, compared to his development in other arcs where he faces dire consequences, the stakes here don’t push him to his limits. As a result, the arc feels like a filler rather than a pivotal moment in Deku’s journey to becoming the number one hero.

While the lighter tone of the *School Festival Arc* provides a welcome respite from MHA’s darker arcs, it disrupts the narrative flow. Coming off the intense and emotionally heavy *Overhaul Arc*, the sudden shift to a school-centric festival storyline feels jarring for many viewers. The arc’s mix of slice-of-life elements, musical performances, and comedic interactions can feel misplaced amidst the escalating tension in the larger storyline, particularly with the League of Villains still lurking in the background.

Fans who are more invested in the high-stakes hero vs. villain confrontations may find it hard to engage with the concert and festival planning that dominate the arc. This tonal shift, while refreshing in a standalone context, detracts from the overarching narrative tension and can make the *School Festival Arc* feel disjointed within the broader story.

One of the greatest strengths of *My Hero Academia* lies in its worldbuilding. The series explores the dynamics of a world where heroes and villains coexist, and every arc usually expands on this universe’s social, political, or moral implications. Unfortunately, the *School Festival Arc* largely ignores these elements in favor of a self-contained story.

While MHA’s main plot involves exploring society’s reliance on heroes and the struggles within the hero system, the *School Festival Arc* veers away from these themes. Instead of tackling pressing issues like hero accountability or the struggles of Quirkless citizens, the story focuses on high school students organizing a concert. This approach, while entertaining in its own right, feels like a missed opportunity to enrich the series’ overarching themes.

The *School Festival Arc* certainly has its moments. Watching Class 1-A come together for a shared goal is heartwarming, and seeing Deku’s softer, more compassionate side as he faces Gentle Criminal adds layers to his character. Yet, these strengths are overshadowed by the arc’s lack of stakes, misalignment with the series’ tone, and minimal character development for the main cast.

In a series known for its compelling battles and moral dilemmas, the *School Festival Arc* ultimately feels like a fun but forgettable detour. It offers a change of pace and some lighthearted moments, but when compared to MHA’s best arcs, it falls short in both depth and impact.