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autumnmobile12 · 2 months

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The League of Morons vs A Summer Camp

All right, so I love the hell out of this nonsense and I want to talk about the Vanguard's plan and how ridiculous it was.

First, most of the crew showed up a night early and…well, then what? That first night, Dabi says they’re still waiting on a few more people to arrive. Okay, so what are you all doing here already?

Did Kurogiri warp them back to the bar after they’d gotten a look at the place? Scouted the area a bit? You needed seven people for that? Were they that bored waiting for Twice, Compress, and the Nomu to show up? What were they doing in the 24 hours between this part and the actual attack? Standing on that cliff and muttering, “Heroes…”?

Was Toga all, "Guys, I'm tired. Can we go back to the bar already?"

Spinner: "No, as villain protocol dictates, we must stand here menacingly for a minimum of twelve hours."

Dabi: Fuck you, I'm going to bed.

Except for being a scare tactic, having Dabi start a fire was mostly unnecessary. Their goal was to further weaken society's faith in heroes by targeting UA students, so you'd think he'd be a little more proactive in...well, actually harming someone. As it happened, the fire really only to served to announce there was an attack happening.

But I’ll throw the Vanguard a bone here and say this was Spinner’s doing. Like their original plan was to start a massive fire that would consume both classes and all the heroes in a singular tragedy, but then Spinner said, “Hey, pump the breaks, people. We’re here to uphold Stain’s ideals about toppling the corrupt Hero culture. Do we really want mass child murder as part of our brand?” Sure, he wanted to go after Iida, but he was a specific target since he was on Stain's hit list.

The two copies Twice made of Dabi were virtually useless in a fight since Vlad and Aizawa both took him out so quickly it was embarrassing. And yet he’s apparently a big enough threat that No. 1 and No 2. can’t handle him. Go fig.

Endeavor/Hawks: Oh, no, he’s too strong…

Aizawa/Vlad: Listen here, you little shit!

...

Muscular goes and reveals their plan even though he didn’t have to. They all saw the Sports Festival, they knew what Bakugo looked like, and yet here he is asking Deku where he he can find Bakugo as if he was going to answer him. Yes, he didn’t think there was any harm in telling him since his plan was to kill Deku anyway, but alerting UA to the fact they were looking to kidnap someone is still just hubris.

Going after Bakugo in the first place was a dumb idea. We can probably credit that one to Shigaraki because only he would look at the violently temperamental teenager raging on national television and think, “Yes, he seems like a reasonable person to negotiate with.”

...

Gonna drop in some actual light criticism here: Given the inequality issues that arise in the series later, targeting the heteromorph students for recruitment purposes would have been a smarter move for the LoV. They’re all part of a demographic that has a justified reason for being dissatisfied with society, so there would have been a believable chance of the LoV thinking they could sway some people to their side.

But hey, the League of Villains was on a learning curve. Give 'em a break.

He totally saw Aoyama here. Or at least he heard him because he clocked that there was something weird about that bush and he was going to go check it out…and then Twice distracted him and Dabi has an total ADHD moment and forgets what he was doing.

And it's not because Aoyama was the spy. Nobody in the Vanguard knew.

1.) Shigaraki says he tried and couldn't figure out where the camp was, but AFO figured it out relatively quickly. So if even his successor doesn't know who the spy was or called on that resource, then why would AFO tell anyone else in the group?

2.) Moonfish, Muscular, and Mustard were all apprehended, but none of them ratted out Aoyama, as someone with nothing left to lose would. Neither did Kurogiri when he was later apprehended, but that one may have been a loyalty matter. So I think this was a case of AFO saying, "I have a source of info and you don't need to know who it is." Because at the end of the day, AFO is an arrogant narcissist who's definitely not placing all his eggs in one basket. Aoyama wouldn't be an easy spy to replace, so of course AFO would want to limit any chances of him being exposed.

So this was Dabi's screw up.

Speaking of forgetting things, Dabi also straight up forgot they had a Nomu because he thanked Twice for reminding him they had a Nomu.

Sir....how the hell do you forget you have a Nomu?

Toga was supposed to get blood from at least three people. She failed.

Twice had a simple job. Create clones. He succeeded, but the only two he made were Dabi and I refer you to the previous point on how useless they were.

Spinner and Magne’s roles were a diversion. Distract the Wild, Wild Pussycats and give everyone else the opening to find and kidnap Bakugo.

They did pretty well. Up until the point they were almost caught and Kurogiri had to bail them out. Also Spinner lugged the giant, over-the-top blade contraption all the way there only for Deku to destroy it.

However, they do deserve some credit for making probably the best strategic decision of the group that night, and that was taking out Pixie Bob. We saw on the first day of the camp that she was able to hold back a class of twenty students with an army of earth creatures she was simultaneously controlling. That would have been a huge problem, so for the purposes of their team, good on them for removing that obstacle.

Underrated squad members right here.

Mustard was a legitimate threat for same reasons Dabi and his fire was a threat, plus he brought a firearm into the fight. (I want to know what the other villains thought when they saw that.)

But instead of putting him in the center of the fight where he could do some significant harm, they placed him on the outliers and all he did was knock some students unconscious and everybody made a full physical recovery, showcasing the gas he emitted wasn’t all that lethal and didn't cause any long-term complications. (Again, maybe this was Spinner's idea of Stain's ideology on not indiscriminately massacring children. "Guys, I'm telling you! That's fucked up!")

The Nomu (effectively brain dead without orders) did more damage than any of them, which makes the previous point that Dabi forgot they had it even funnier.

And finally, Mr. Compress was missing for half the night and then almost came in clutch by fulfilling their main objective plus extra credit, only to nearly blow it with his showboating. Seriously, they could have gotten away with both Bakugo and Tokoyami had they just booked it while the going was good.

But no, Compress had to make a dramatic production of it. When he first snatched the kids, he could have just left and Deku and company would have had no idea what happened. Had he just kept his mouth shut and left, they wouldn't have known he even existed. Then as the Vanguard members were leaving through the warp gates, he goes and does it again, giving Aoyama enough time to fire at them with his navel laser, something that also could have bee avoided had Dabi just checked the fucking bush!

The Vanguard Action Squad won by sheer dumb luck and their collective incompetence actually succeeding is the most hilarious thing about this arc. In the end, three members of their crew were arrested. (Although I think everyone was secretly relieved they lost Moonfish. Even if he was on my side, I’d be actively worried that guy would kill and eat me in my sleep.)

Yet this self-important twerp is smiling like they actually did something to be proud of here. All Dabi really accomplished personally was grab a marble (coincidentally the correct marble) before Shouto could, which is borderline more standard older sibling behavior than actual villainy. He literally lost two separate fights in one night and called it a win.

This arc was a five episode Scooby-Doo trap going wrong and succeeding.

Seriously, I hope that after the warp gates closed, they all just looked at each other and immediately started calling each other out on everything. Like Dabi slapped Compress upside the head and asked him what he'd been thinking having 'one last bow' before they got away. Spinner yelling at Dabi about how the clones did nothing. And there's Bakugo all, "I can't believe I've been kidnapped by a gaggle of morons."

Fake it till you make it at its finest.

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salvagesmha · 5 days

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Some Vain Attempt At Giving Every Member of Class 1-A (plus one more) a 'Nemesis' Pt. 3 of 3 - League of Villains Edition

Finally, we've reached the end. The last six pairings which has the League of Villains paired off against what I feel would make a better Nemesis for them. It's been a long time coming, more than a year since the thought came into my head, but glad can finally put it to text now!

Was super conflicted when it came for the last three pairings, but I'll go deeper into them after you see who got matched with who.

Also to reiterate, this does not have the League who you already know are paired together in canon:

Deku vs Shigaraki

Dabi vs Todoroki

Ochako vs Toga

Twice vs Tokoyami

I feel most people are well aware of their connections by now, so no use in restating why these would be the case here! Without further ado, here are the last six rivalries that I feel work out best!! Enjoy!

Moonfish - Mineta

Now this is a match-up I’ve had for a long while! It’s the tallest League versus the shorters of Class A: Moonfish vs. Minoru Mineta! Now starting things off, why I paired these two together has to involve their main flaws at their core. Both struggle with a deadly sin pretty much driving and often inhibiting their way of life. For Mineta, he’s lustful in both a sexual way and for fame that he feels he deserves. Moonfish’s sin is gluttony, being constantly hungry and desire to fill his gut on flesh when he has a ‘job’ to do. The main idea is that Moonfish is the exaggerated outcome of what’ll happen if Mineta never reigns in his ego and desire.

Mineta’s arc (or I guess his second arc), as one might already take a guess, is basically about him just reigning in his perverted nature, realizing how detrimental it is to both his goal and himself. If the USJ was the start of him learning not to be a coward and giving an earnest attempt at being a good Hero, I want to make it something like maybe the Training Camp, after his peeping attempt goes wrong, is the start of him realizing that, even if does become braver, his own pervy nature isn’t doing him any favors. Perhaps Tsu, in her suitably blunt nature, just states it plain that, while being interested in people isn’t bad, acting like a horndog and not respecting others boundaries is the fastest track for wanting no one to be with you. Which at the moment is pretty much a good chunk of his class. Something that does finally resonate with him, and he thinks back to how many times people have been frustrated or disliked him. Though, when he does ask why Tsu still talks to him, she points out because she still had some hope that he can be better given what she saw in the USJ…..though also pretty much states it clear that such patience is growing thin. This is what starts the change in him mentally…and just in time to meet his Nemesis!

For this, Moonfish arrives!! For Moonfish, I like to image that the reason he became a Villain, is so obsessed with eating people, might have to do with his upbringing. Given his look, I like to imagine he was starved by his family or even community, probably out of punishment for ‘being a glutton’ even if it was for something minor. Something that would eventually lead to Moonfish becoming so desperate for food - for meat - until he wounded up snapping and eating those that imprisoned him…and what led to not only his obsession with human flesh, but also his whole escape artist deal with him breaking out of prison the first time. Also why he’s so loyal to the League and his ‘job’ - he doesn’t want to lose the first people who’ve accepted him in decades and wants to impress them. To be free with them.

In this version of events, Mineta is so scared from the villains at the base camp that he runs into the forest and witnesses Moonfish with Todoroki and Bakugo. Unlike the other two, he’s to put off by the attacker to really help in the defense and so sees Moonfish’s relentless assault, and also his intense cravings. Eventually, Moonfish is defeated by Tokoyami’s Dark Shadow, but Mineta is left both disturbed, contemplative and wishing he could do more as he joins Uraraka and Tsu into going back to camp. In truth, in a weird way, he sees Moonfish’s rambling desire for flesh to hit a bit too close to home with his constant behaviour and ultimately seeks to correct it a lot sooner to become a, kinda reliable/still bit of a ego scaredy cat, Mineta that’s post JT-Training Arc.

As for Moonfish himself, I like to imagine that he took being imprisoned - for the third time now - to not be in the most stable mood. Without his ‘nourishment’ and feeling wracked with guilt over letting down his new squad, he vows to do ‘overtime’ to make up for it. Overtime in this instance is not only switching up his look, but also learning some restraint and patience for when he faces off against the Heroes again. When he gets sent to Okuto island, while he does attack, he does so with intentions of backing up Toga given that, as speedy and nimble as she can be, she lacks the hard hitting firepower to really go on the offensive the High Ends or Moonfish can. Honestly, in that regards, Moonfish being Toga’s kinda pseudo protector just makes a whole lot of sense to me given both struggle with their ‘food cravings’ and perhaps, in this version of events, he’s the reason Toga is able to be found by the Villains again - being entrusted by AFO or going off on his own to get her back and keep her safe since he learned both Twice/Compress were lost by the time he got out of prison.

When Kurogiri arrives, Moonfish is able to escape to Gunga with Toga and join in on attacking the Heroes there. Preventing them from getting to Dabi or doing much to stop the Twice Horde. He’s a real hassle to deal with without Dark Shadow to hard counter him, so Mineta gets an idea. Knowing Moonfish’ obsession with blood, Mineta injures himself or put blood on him to act injured, and begins baiting out Moon with his prime desire. Moonfish genuinely tries to resist, but his hunger wins out and he attacks Mineta. However, thanks to Mineta’s grapes, he’s able to evande Moonfish’ blades and lure him into a trap - one that has Moonfish immobilized by his own teeth. Again, he was defeated by his own gut and it has him crying in defeat.

Both were two people that struggled with what they ‘wanted’ and, in this version, do genuinely try to make steps to reform such behaviour (well in Moon’s own way for a Villain that is). Ultimately, its Mineta having the chance to reform in a healthy environment and is getting the needed reprimand from his allies that gets him to stick with that rehab, whereas Moonfish never got a chance to properly do so. Once the War is over, though, I can see Mineta putting in a word to get Moonfish’ death sentence changed to at least being put in a good hospital for his physical and mental problems. He probably won’t be free from there, but now he’ll have a chance at least be rid of his cravings for good and gradually be able to find peace.

Mustard - Shinso

Remember the title of this series is basically “what rivals the rest of Class A gets + 1 more”? Well, its time for that one more aspect to kick in as its the League of Villain’s AOE expert Mustard taking on another crowd control expert himself: Hitoshi Shinso.

The reason these two were selected was because I found they shared some interesting common ground. That ground being their issues with their Quirk and insecurities towards Quirks in general. Both Shinso and Mustard have instant knockout Quirks that are only effective if certain conditions are met (if they respond to Shinso’s question, to Mustard needing gear to not harm himself), lacks the means to physically fight and has to rely on dirty means/weapons than Quirks for main combat (Shinso’s scarf and Psyche Cords, Mustard’s fucking gun XD), and both have quite the dilemma concerning Quirks themselves. Mustard looks down on ‘one note Quirks’ like Tetsu’s and holds a grudge against ‘straightforward Quirks’ because he believes that they gain more preference in academics. As for Shinso, he had to deal with distrust concerning people thinking his brainwashing was villainous, inspite of his heroic spirit and holds jealousy towards those blessed with different Quirks. It’s a dynamic that I think could really make for an interesting fight.

Shinso’s story arc I feel is actually really well done in the story, so will generally be focusing on Mustard’s deal. I honestly think he works best as a similar Hero hopeful that had his hopes crushed. Perhaps he was a prodigy with his Quirk, which people had dismissed for being so potentially harmful to others and himself, but still tried to enter UA…only to fail because of robots being used in the exam. With his hopes dashed, and now mocked even harder by his peers, Mustard was left quite bitter. He found solace in seeing someone like him make it so far in the Sports Festival, but upon seeing Deku’s power overcome even that, was hit even harder in the insecure section. During this time, Mustard hear of Stain and his cruse against modern heroism, and after one very last harsh case of bullying against those with ‘simpler’ Quirks, he snapped, and used his Gas to knock them out at school. Becoming a thief, he went off on his own to humiliate Heroes who he perceived as being ‘undeserving’ of their status compared to him by poisoning them with his gas. Encouraged even harder by Stain's message. Up until he found Giran and joined the League.

While initially stopped at the camp, it does open up Mustard’s eyes to how much he had been gimping himself by being too comfortable with his Quirk and overlying on gun. Instead, using his juvie’s rehab program, he’s able to learn how to generate small amount of gases and especially make makeshift grenades for them instead. I like to imagine Midnight hear’s about his plight and mentors him herself given their Quirk similarities. While the officers around him don’t see his value, she does and he begins to genuinely show signs of turning around…and then she dies. In turn, the officers responsible for him (out of anger for society being destroyed), beats Mustard severely and blames him for being apart of the organization that caused this mess. Something that sparks the trauma he got from his old bullies and, well, history repeats and Mustard escapes back to a life of crime. Perhaps he meets back up with Toga during her MIA stint and is brought back formally to the villain army later on.

In the Final War, I can see Mustard being apart of the squad of Jaku Ruins that aim to retrieve Gigantomachia. Though, I can also imagine Skully leaving him in reserve in case things go wrong/last resort for a getaway. Ultimately, most of the Villains stationed at the Ruins are defeated…but Mustard sneaks on to Gigantomachia and heads to Gunga. He had no way of stopping the Heroes at the Ruins, but if its just Shinso that he figures he can use his gas to knock out both Shinso and Gigantomachia as well. As such, the duo clashes. Thanks to Shinso’s mask, he’s able to be unaffected by the gas, but is struggling against Mustard’s ability to predict his moves, that fucking gun and Mustard himself learning to keep silent in his miasma. As such, Shinso’s Quirk is useless here - meaning he has to rely on what he’s learned from Aizawa and his binding cloth technique. Well, that and instead of deceit, try to reach out to someone that clearly is hurting himself. Shinso admits it: that the exam for UA was BS against those with Quirks like themselves, and he has thought of giving in and using his Quirk against those who doubted him. But…that’s just giving them what they want, right? Proving them right. And is Mustard really satisfied with just living up to those who expected less of them? Even now, don’t you truly want to be a Hero? After Shinso is shot by Mustard, the gas villain hesitates for a long moment to finish off Shinso…and replies that he still does. Exposing himself long enough to defeated by brainwashing and wrapped up in the cloth, though he finally seems content with himself in the end.

Both are two students who was distrusted and dismissed by society for something out of their control. But Shinso is someone whose own drive to avoid giving into that misconception has him rise above someone that gave in to it. On the flipside, once the war is done, Mustard is finally able to gain someone that really connects with his plight and rehab to become a Hero that he always wanted to be.

Muscular - Bakugo

Now, this is also someone who you could have relatively guessed I was going to pair with, but still could have been kept guessing! Yep, it’s the powerhouse of the Vanguard Action Squad vs one of the tope hitters of Class: Goto “Muscular” Imasuji against Katsuki “ Dynamight” Bakugo!!!!!

Visually, one could get a good reason as to why those two were paired from the get go as they are very, and pretty clearly made to resemble each other from their spiky blonde hair and their intense expressions, to having similar prideful, battle hungry personalities. But the key difference here for their ‘arcs’ with each other has to be self-awareness. Or, rather, the lack thereof in Muscular’s case.

Bakugo’s whole story in MHA is him realizing just how overconfident and ill-prepared he was being at the start of UA and him gradually learning how to not only be better in terms of skill, but with how he treats others as well. He becomes incredibly humbled from his journey and that allows him to become a true Hero in both profession and drive. In contrast, Muscular can be considered kind of like a canon ‘Bad Ending’ for what happened if he never got the lesson he needed to change and also what people might dismiss him for if he never got said wake up call.

A brute that’s a powerhouse, yes, but is ultimately just a bully that believes he’s too strong to ever really bothering to improve outside of ‘more firepower’. That’s Goto’s attitude in a nutshell with Pump-Up Quirk, a mark of him being assigned to be the League of Villains’ own No. 1 jerk. He’s supposed to be a force of nature that doesn’t have an a well intentioned reason or be broken by society as to why he’s a Villain. Muscular is one because he just likes to murder and fight, and he’s content with just being that. If I were to give him at least a backstory, I’d probably have Goto emulate Bakugo initial start. A prodigy being praised for his flashy, strong, Quirk and mastering it, which led to him developing his ego into his ‘what happens, happens’ philosophy back in the Training Camp arc. He doesn’t bother putting in the effort to be better or multi-faceted because he was led to believe his own power was enough to succeed in life as it was. No one was able to change his mind that he can’t just do whatever he wants without any pushback, so it spirals out of control until we get the Muscular of today.

So how do they clash? Well, after being broken out of prison, instead of just throwing Muscular to the wolves, Goto is recruited by AFO to be one of his hired goons to catch Deku. I’ll probably make a separate post detailing that endeavor, but the short version of it would be that Muscular and the Jailbreakers succeed in catching Deku and are holding him captive until they get back to AFO. Cue Class A coming in for the rescue at the Villain’s hideout, which leads to Muscular coming face to face with a target he was supposed to catch long ago. This must be fate, he thinks!! Now, Muscular has learned a bit from his defeat. On caution, and how not to mess around with Heroes from the start. Bakugo is thrown on the back foot and is coming to terms to realize that, on that day when he was kidnapped by the League, Deku was going against so much Hell for everyone’s sake. That’s why he has to repay the favor here.

Muscular is brutally strong and doesn’t let-up. He compares himself to Bakugo and feels that they were kin: lovers of battle and violence as proof that they were the dominating force on the planet. Bakugo doesn’t quite disagree, but does point out that Muscular is clearly not getting something that makes Bakugo just feel pity for him: relentless power without putting it to a beneficial use is a pretty hollow life. During their fight, while Goto clearly has gotten a few tricks up his sleeve, he’s still half-assing even that. Bakugo has been taken advantage of his blind spots to attack him at once location repeatedly - enough so that he’s able to deliver one super attack that is able to pierce through his muscle armor and right to Goto himself to get a debilitating blow. Unable to move, Goto demands that, as kin, Bakugo finishes him off - but Bakugo brushes him off. He’s a Hero that put his money where his mouth was and was able to best Muscular at his own game. If he can accept his loss to Deku, Muscular can accept a loss from him and, from Goto’s own philosophy, the penalty that comes from not being able to make his words reality: going back to prison. In a match-up between prodigies, the victor will always be someone who tempers themselves and improves on their skills, rather than someone so caught up in old successes that they stagnate.

Magne - Kirishima

For this combo, its the League of Villain’s trusty big sister against the broest bro of all of Class A. Big Sis Mag against Kirishima the manly Red Riot!!

Now…these guys were not just paired up together because they both have red hair XD. Instead, I did find that they serve a similar role in their stint in the story. Both serve as the reliable brawlers for their team, capable of throwing dead when needed, but also providing invaluable support in an instant as well with Kirishima’s hardening and Magne’s magnetism being able to send her allies away in a pinch and enemies closer to beat. In personality, while they aren’t THE smartest of their peers, they are both more of the ‘focus on the objective’ types that are very concerned towards those who they bonded with and go out of their way to defend (Bakugo in Kirishima’s case, and Magne with her Friend & worry about the League in general). If I had to place an arc between the two, it would probably relate to insecurity and their role as their groups protector - working their issues on two sides of the Hero spectrum that doesn’t quite value them as they should.

Kirishima’s whole deal of trying to stick out with a straightforward Quirk and be that brave Hero he wants to be (as inspired by Mina and Crimson Riot) was covered pretty well in-story, though Magne’s needs her past cleared up. Honestly, I think something similar to Kirishima’s would work pretty well with what we know of her. Perhaps in the past, despite being trans, she was very much closeted over fears of being rejected from the life she knew…up until she met her friend be who she was, even while shy and some ridiculing her for it. Perhaps, Magne befriends her and gradually grows more confident to be who she is….up until trouble starts. You know Magne’s record, right? Well, a large part of how she got that was from defending her Friend from a gang that was aligned with crooked Heroes and who tended to prey on those who they feel society won’t stick up for - like her Friend. Magne intervenes, but is slandered by corrupt Heroes into going on the run. Forcing her to become a robber (of similar Heroes) on the streets to get by…when she’s not paling around her buddy that is! Still, it was this incident that got her to become free in a sense and wish to create a world where those who she likes are able to be themselves too. As such, Stain’s actions do have an effect on her as well.

Magne and Kirishima will get a chance to interact during the training camp itself, with Kirishima disobeying orders to return to camp to assist Mandalay and Tiger in subduing Magne and Spinner. However, he quickly runs into the issue of Magne being able to just…say ‘no’ and push him away or into someone like Mandalay with her Quirk. It’s this fight that gets him to realize even more of the limitations of his power, while also getting insight into a Villain’s motives. While Magne is happy to act like a classic bad guy in front of a Pro Hero (who has earned her ire in her experience), she does at least soften around someone who isn’t a major threat to her like Kirishima. Snarking at her record to him, and almost daring him to consider that ‘maaaaybe’ there’s something else behind the scenes that got her to where she is today. That what he aspires to be isn’t as ‘chivalrous’ as he once thought. Ultimately, she manages to escape, leaving him without his best friend and conflicted in terms of power & what could be the case. Something that leads Kirishima into trying to open up more to Villains like the Blade Thief, Rappa and even in spin-offs with the K3 Gang. Because he knows what its like to be on the ‘downtrodden’ side before in his story.

Now, in this Magne does survive Overhaul and she would go onto join on the Second War, fretting over the loss of Compress, Twice, Gigantomachia and the League being scattered. Going from solid in confidence, to being very stressed and lacking people to turn to while she tries to cover for them. It doesn’t help that, in the aftermath of the Paranormal War, her Friend’s house was destroyed for her association with Magne - and Magne doesn’t know what happened to her friend. Did…did she end up getting her Friend killed? In despair of that, with the added bonus of wanting to keep what remains of the League safe, and probably feeling quite guilty for letting so many get hurt, Magne volunteers in AFO’s army to get Gigantomacha onto the battlefield. There, she faces off against Kirishima again.

At this point, Kirishima notices how sloppy and overly aggressive she’s being in comparison to her coolness in the first round. How she’s so desperately trying to reach Gigantomachia, and does strike up some manner of conversation as he blocks her. She’s knows this is the Villains last chance - she needs to be there for them and stick up for them. To be that model of reliability and bring a world where they can be okay. Something that Kirishima emphasizes with greatly, especially since he had actually had done something Magne didn’t expect. He did look into a bit of Magne’s record - and there have been some evidence recently showing the corruption of those that essentially ruined her life and made her pal’s a living Hell. He apologizes to her, and how neither of them deserved what had happened in the past. But, in that same vein…he can’t afford to break as his group’s wall either - because he’s also fighting to be there for others just like the true Heroes he looked up to! And, he knows that, in spite of what Magne wants, AFO does not have her desire to protect her companions at all in mind. If what you’re still protecting has gotten you so conflicted, then it’s a clear sign she’s being used and is on the wrong path. In the end, Kirishima’s has hardened to the point of being an immovable wall that her magnetic force can’t push away, and with Magne wavering in doubt of her actions - he is able to make his way to her - ending things in one blow.

Both were fighting to be the pillars of strength others needed, but when it came to toppling the other, the victor is the one who remembers ‘why’ they are fighting the longest. In the end, while Magne is defeated, Kirishima is able to soothe her feelings by telling Magne that her Friend survived…and that she’ll always be rooting for Magne no matter what! Something that has Magne’s heart calmed even in defeat and crying in pure happiness.

Mr. Compress - Iida

Next up are those who fight to uphold a code that they were raised and believe in with all of their hearts! Member of the Iida clan that takes on the title of Ingenium - Tenya Iida! He’s against the great grandson of the infamous Peerless Thief - Oji Horima - Mr. Compress!

Now this was a Nemesishood I kinda brought together on a whim…but realized that these guys had a lot of things in common and contrasting that makes it work. Both are their groups resident rule stickler, with Iida wanting his friends to abide by the rules, while Compress constantly brings up Villains needing to stay in their ‘role’. Both are descendants of famous figures in their society that seek to live up to what they were born in - genuinely believing that they can do such good too. They also hold the role of being equally goofy, as well as acting as wise, caring, older figures for their group. They both even have a flair from dramatics~ Though, on that note, their differences are also pretty blatant. Compress is a rogue magician - something steeped in classics- while Iida has an intentional car theme - modern. While Compress can stop anything in their tracks and relies on trickery to get ahead, Iida is known for being the fastest of Class A and is honest to a fault. With their arcs, I want it to be a case of upholding familial honor and getting lost in living up to that legacy.

With Compress, to flesh his backstory on more, this is a version of him that really has seen the worst of what the over-saturated Hero Society had to offer. Taking on a cover of a harmless street performer, Mr. Compress was a vigilante that kept a watch on what having too many Heroes caused. Seeing them set-up fake villain attacks to increase their fame, work with criminals to swindle money or with shady corporations to enforce unethical regulations, use their status to bully others or even frame them for stuff they haven’t committed - Compress grew up and listened to such acts on a constant basis from his family and others. Thus, giving him his rogue justice and why he was so disillusioned to the concept of state sponsored Heroes. Also explaining how, when Stain got big and his extreme methods bore some results, he accepted that going to extreme lengths might just be what is needed to be rid of Hero Society. And why he might not be so keen of a Hero family lineage. In addition, to better connect with Iida, perhaps Harima met an end thanks to a Hero brutalizing him one day, in spite of his good intentions, thus leaving his family to pick up the pieces in his stead

I like to imagine they sort of meet during the Training Camp, after being given the okay from Aizawa, he’s tasked with going out and retrieving as many downed people as he could to bring back. Though during said trip, Compress spots him and, recognizing him as not only an Iida, but someone who brought about a ‘fellow vigilante’ in Stain, can’t help but use his Quirk to trip up Iida- hurting his leg. Hidden in the trees, Compress scolds Iida for intervening during Stain’s ‘societal correction’. He notes that, while Stain’s actions were a bit too gory, he puts the blame on Hero Society being too stubborn to recognize its bad faith actors and that are any problems at all. He also chalks up their meeting to fate ensuring that ‘descendants bearing duties of olde’ are fated to clash…well, not that he had plans on clashing as Compress dips out.

But his words do get Iida thinking, on how just Hero Society really is without the cameras on people. It’s what eventually gets him to start keeping an open mind for cases of corruption or mistreatment of civilians by Heroes, and could be use to increase his bond with Todoroki who…definitely more than qualifies for being hurt by a pro Hero (Iida is not fond of Endeavor in this version to say the least). I can see him even forming an underground group meant to expose such Heroes, such as having those like Mei help in keeping him aware of such matters via their tech or own means of acquiring information.

They won’t get to meet again until the Second War, when Compress saved Shigaraki and what remained of the League on Gigantomachia. In this new version Compress and Iida face off again. Compress, as one can expect, is not too fond of seeing Iida again, but is aware they have to clash this time around. Bloodied and injured Compress shows himself as being more than willing to hurt himself to see what he finds unjust destroyed…and Iida can’t fault him. He explains his whole dealings to Compress, and how he was very narrow minded when he started his journey to become a Hero. Blinded by vengeance and ignorant to the problems society has. While he can’t condone how Compress, and especially, Stain went about things, to pretend neither was motivated by a legitimate grievance is foolish. So, Iida will fight to ensure proper proceedings are given to those without fail, and those that break them gain the punishment they deserve. But, that can’t happen if everything is wiped out - because what’s good is a clean slate if it means innocents who Compress wants to help suffers because he’s enabling pained anarchy like this? Iida can’t help but wonder if Compress too is suffering from that same tunnel vision of rage he was going through?

Compress laughs it off and attacks, using whatever marbles he has left to try to trip Iida up again. He can’t out muscle Iida, but all it take is one touch to trap him. But Iida has learned from last time and is more than skilled to avoid most bits of measly deception. If Compress wants to win, he has to face Iida head on - and so he does. They reach out…but only one is quicker on the draw. Compress loses and is captured, but strangely? As he sees the League escape and looks at Iida, he can’t help but feel a bit of pride. If the newer generation really is this determined to take the reigns…then maybe the curtain can close on himself after all? For now at least…until the stage calls for him to rejoin the fight once more!

Both were two people that sought to continue their family’s legacy of justice, but in their quest to achieve it, had blocked themselves off from seeing the bigger picture and become unjust themselves. In the end, the one who was able to see just far they’ve fallen and correct themselves, will typically be able to stop not just themselves but those similar from falling further.

Spinner - Tsuyu

Finally, the main duo that sparked this entire series about a year ago and, after a lot of mulling about, has remained to end off this series. It’s a Heteromorphic fight - Tsuyu Asui vs Spinner!!!

Now the first thing that comes to mind for this pairing is that they are both are Heteromorphs - mutants that fill the role of a animal-based support for their groups, being responsible for assisting the heavy hitters of their group in a variety of ways. Though what will be extremely noticeable are two things between them: Quirk efficiency and their attitude. Tsu’s Quirk is pretty versatile for what is - essentially granting her a slew of other abilities wrapped up in one. Water breathing, high jumps, long tongue whip, poison mucus, camoflage - she’s an excellent all-rounder for a reason. In contrast, Spinner is…not as versatile. He an only stick to walls. In terms of attitude, Tsu is known for being the coolheaded, voice of reason for her group - able to think calmly and allowing her to assist her more wound up comrades into doing their best. Spinner, meanwhile, is known for being hotblooded and allowing himself to be taken in by the moment. For their arc, I think their theme should revolve around self-worth, especially when it comes to both being Heteromorphs.

For Tsu’s arc, her focus could a twist on what Shoji’s facing when it comes to Heteromorph discrimination. If Shoji took the brunt of physical violence for his Heteromorphic nature in the boonies, than Tsu had to deal with a level of social discrimination in the cities. Sure, it had been touched up for in the manga, but I think it could be taken further. We know there’s a serious difference in statistics of Heteromorphs being arrested, so maybe had to deal with a similar situation to Shinso, being avoided and rumors spreading that she was a thief or, since people can’t really tell what she’s thinking, she might be planning something nefarious. It’s what made her a target for bullying or why she remained an outcast up unti she met Habuko. Also could imagine that since she’s on the ‘cuter’ side of being a Heteromorph, she also had to deal with people making unsavory comments to her because of her frogginess. So while not beaten like Shoji, her experiences did have her become more reserved and teach herself how to be coolheaded to not give such people her time again. As for why she wants to be a Hero, it’s less of trying to convince people, those who don’t deserve her time, of Heteromorphic worth (she has seen the ‘scariest looking Hero rankins before and how skewed they are to mutants - so not really much on hope heroism changing things), but moreso its proving to herself that, regardless of how people treats her, she is worthy of greatness - and can show others like her, who don’t have much faith in themselves for varying reasons, that they can be something great too.

I feel like that’s a good contrast to Spinner being so full of self-hatred he literally calls himself nothing but an empty cosplayer following a trend and letting himself be filled with desires of what other people want. In this version of events, while Spinner tries to set himself up as being Iida’s Nemesis early on, during his and Magne’s escape from the training camp, runs into a Tsu who briefly tries to snag him. Magne saves him, but being easily bested by another Heteromoprh with a more versatile use, and who is clearly valued by her friends, like Uraraka, leaves him bothered. He even mumbles on how ‘lucky she is’ to be so revered before bowing out. It sticks with Tsu, and her arc going forward is explaining her true feelings more on how she, sometimes, does not feel that way, and how much of an uphill battle it is for her to emote said feelings in her time as a Hero in training. Learning that it’s okay to be heated over mistreatment and act on your emotions, using them as a drive to get even better and truly believe in not just herself that she is great, but also relish in having friends who also appreciate her for who she is as well. Because even support-types like her and Spinner needs that help too, something she believes that he found in the League.

During the Second War, Tsu volunteers to be at Central Hospital since she’s noticed that, for all of the Heroes planning, they weren’t factoring in Spinner as a possible threat since he doesn’t have a flashy/strong Quirk like his comrades. Having heard word of a mutant invasion, she figured she’s bound to run into him there as the Commander of those forces. As such, with Shoji and Koda also being there as back-up and with their own issues to settle, she faces off against the mob. Naturally, she is horrified to see what Spinner has become. A rampaging brute that’s clearly not all there and essentially being society tends to think of Heteromorphic criminals - just rampaging beasts with no clear thoughts or wills behind mindless destruction.

Using herself as bait, while she can’t quite harm Spinner in his state, she does try to slow him down with her paralysis mucus and using her nimble nature to keep him on her. During their fight, we get Spinner being more frustrated. Pouring out how much he suffered for his ‘worthless Quirk’ and appearance, and how someone like Tsu can’t understand with how strong hers was. But Tsu rebuffs it, and reminds Spinner of what he accomplished before he got those added Quirks. How, even when he’s just fighting pretty much Quirkless, he was still holding his own. That he was still making an impact and outlasting even those with stronger Quirks. That he had the determination to still get out and do something. Even if Tsu can’t agree with villainy, she fully understands why Spinner ended up choosing that path and believes he’s stronger than a lot of people, All for One or Heroes, give credit for. He doesn’t need to be lead around by anyone…he just needs to think for himself and what he really wants to do…

Eventually, Spinner’s charge leads both to the Kurogiri room with Present Mic there with him. Tsu’s mucus stuns Spinner long enough to beaten by Mic and Tsu does have him contained for a bit…but ends up having to let go as she sees about to execute Kurogiri. She has to let go of Spinner to stop him, reminding Mic that Heroes don’t kill - especially when everything is under control. Of course, this gives Spinner, whose takes Tsu's words to heart and goes back to normal size, the opening he needs to give Kurogiri that Shigaraki hand - and the rest of the story plays out in canon, with Tsu being transported to Gunga and Mic hitching a ride with Kurogiri and later Aizawa.

While most don’t have control over their lineage, and harassment from others is something no one should have to deal with, people can still hold control over their own lives to be more than what jerks think of them as In the case of Tsu and Spinner, it's imperative that both don’t give in or let themselves be misled by those with nefarious intentions, and the one who can realize that self-worth is going to go far. After the War, I imagine Spinner takes that lesson to heart and works to actually uplift those like him into realizing that message as well.

While Moonfish and Muscular Nemesis pairings were thought of for a while, was really debating on what to do with Mustard. I thought him going against someone like Kaminari, Sero, Aoyama and, for hte longest time, Hagakure, could have been nice? But, it just never fully clicked with me as much as Shinso does.

Now the final League pairings (Compress, Magne and Spinner), was so indecisive that it was unreal!! Mostly because Spinner is such a well developed character he realistically could have gone against Iiida, Tsu or Kirishima and it'd work just as well. Heck, Magne could have also been a great choice for Tsu with both being the coolheaded, quick thinking brawler and support types (as well as wanting their friends to call them by their preferred names) and even Tsu works with Compress' thieving nature and being the voice of reason. Ultimately, the final decision was because Tsu just fit with Spinner's Heteromorph arc so much and his contrast/similarities with her was just the strongest I feel.

In story, I believe wholeheartedly that if Tsu was the one Spinner faced against, and the story focused on her own struggles as a Heteromorph, it would just be a more natural conclusion than making someone so in the background like Shoji just get such a big slot out of nowhere. Not that I hate Shoji or his story, its just his fight against Spinner felt 'undeserving' if that makes sense? Or rather ill-fitting,hence why I gave him a Jailbreaker to throw down against.

As such, this is the end of this little miniseries, sorry for the wait, and I hope this was enjoyable to get through.

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