My Hero AcademySeason 7 is nearing its end, and if the season’s final episodes are any indication, then the long-awaited battle to defeat All For One is gearing up to reach its climax. As the series’ terrifying supervillain slowly ages, his raw power grows stronger and stronger, leaving a trail of devastation that threatens to not only upend Japanese society, but destroy countries around the world. Only Deku and his allies stand between All For One and world domination, and if Season 7, Episode 18—titled “It’s a Small World”—is any indication, that’s a lot easier said than done.

Although My Hero Academy Season 7 won’t conclude the show’s story, “It’s a Small World” painfully shows that the show is quickly approaching its end. Unlike some lackluster episodes earlier in the season, episode 18 exudes an urgency that underscores just how dangerous the fight against All For One has become while simultaneously giving a glimmer of hope for a better future.

The Hero Society makes a last desperate stand

Season 7 Episode 18 picks up in the heat of battle against All For One, and like previous episodes, it’s an ensemble effort that pits the villain against a host of Japan’s strongest heroes. However, while All For One’s rapid aging made for a fun story, the villain is now in his twenties (at the oldest), so his powers are likely stronger than ever, leaving only a handful of characters capable of withstanding his attacks for more than a few seconds. With big-name heroes like Endeavor, Todoroki, and Deku tied up elsewhere, an unlikely mix of characters are forced to step in and delay All For One to claim Tomura Shigaraki’s body, even if it’s just for a few more seconds.

That said, the absence of My Hero AcademyThe strongest good guys in episode 18 are exactly what makes episode 18 one of the highlights of season 7. “It’s a Small World” revolves almost entirely around the show’s supporting cast, as the unsung heroes of Japanese society fight tooth and nail to stop All For One from reaching his destination, and at first glance, these characters seem completely out of their depth. As impressive as heroes like Fumikage Tokoyami, Mount Lady, Hawks, and Red Riot are, none of them stand a chance of defeating All For One — at least not alone. Luckily for the heroes, They have a weapon that All For One can never use alone: ​​teamwork..

My Hero Academy has always made it clear that teamwork, community, and empathy are at the epicenter of hero society, and nowhere is that more evident than in “It’s a Small World.” Even with All For One’s godlike abilities on display before them, none of the series’ supporting cast—including Mineta, who gets what is arguably his best scene in MHA Towards the end of the episode, the supporters of the cause hesitate to commit to this path. This widespread display of courage is not a meaningless act of martyrdom either, and not only because it succeeds in delaying All For One by a few precious extra moments.

The path laid out by all for one finally comes back to bite him

Due to All For One’s aging, Season 7, Episode 18 marks the first time the villain is at the peak of his strength since his prime decades prior to the series. This begs the question: Will anything be different this time? Well, if the most intense scene in “It’s a Small World” is any indication, then the world’s most powerful villain might just be in for a rude awakening.

Mount Lady, Fumikage Tokoyami, and Gigantomachia (who joins the fight against All For One after realizing he’s been used by the villain) aren’t necessarily the main trio fans expected to see All For One fight in “It’s a Small World,” nor are they the characters fans expected to see the supervillain defeat him. That said, The trio serves as a nice microcosm for the world of superpowered individuals. — a world that has been directly influenced by All For One for many decades. In Mount Lady, a serious high-ranking hero, Tokoyami, a brooding UA student mentored by the Hero Association’s most morally gray hero, and Gigantomachia, a true supervillain, All For One faces opposition from all sides of the Hero Society.

The last time All For One was at the height of his power, he initiated a reign of terror that cast a dark cloud over not only Japan, but societies around the world. Eventually, a series of individuals — the wielders of One For All — inspired each other to oppose All For One, but in the end, even the strongest of these characters (All Might) was unable to eliminate the threat posed by the supervillain. However, this time, It’s not just individuals who oppose All For One; it’s the entire hero society, including the villains who previously served All For One.

There have been a handful of episodes in My Hero Academy Season 7 felt like a missed opportunity, but when it comes to episode 18, it doesn’t fall victim to that trend. In fact, “It’s a Small World” does a fantastic job of highlighting the long-term effect All For One has had on hero society.and thanks to the visually impressive performances of several different characters, they were able to delay the villain for precious moments.

Along the same lines, the poor production value of My Hero AcademySeason seven of has been a bit of a sore spot for some fans, and while that doesn’t change too much in episode 18, it’s certainly an improvement over the weak points of season 7. Dark Shadow fans will no doubt be delighted by the Quirk scenes here.as his mind-blowing attacks are a great way to showcase what could be Tokoyami’s final big moment in the series. Even All For One himself takes note of Dark Shadow’s incredible potential, nearly taking on the Quirk himself before leaving the battlefield.

The only notable misstep in Season 7, Episode 18 is an out-of-place flashback depicting an interaction between Mina Ashido, Red Riot, and the villain Sludge earlier in the conflict, which remains true to the characters even if it caused a somewhat jarring transition midway through the episode. Regardless of this brief detour, “It’s a Small Word” is an essential showcase for some My Hero AcademyThe supporting cast ofand that should give fans hope that the final three episodes of Season 7 will be exactly what they’re hoping for.